Anthony Smith, CEO of RJRGLEANER Communications Group, has died after a brief illness

Anthony Smith, Chief Executive Officer of the RJRGLEANER Communications Group, died Sunday morning following a brief period of illness; his age was not disclosed.

• Fast Facts:
• Position: CEO, RJRGLEANER Communications Group (appointed January 2024)
• Joined RJRGLEANER: October 2022 as Deputy CEO for Print & Digital Media
• Background: Engineer with senior roles at Cable & Wireless and Massy Technologies
• Cause: Reported brief illness; no further medical details released

The RJRGLEANER Communications Group confirmed the news in a company statement, offering condolences to Smith’s immediate and extended family and noting the suddenness of his passing. Tributes and messages of sorrow quickly followed from Jamaica’s media, political and broadcasting communities.

The Legacy

Smith’s career bridged engineering, telecommunications and media management. He is widely credited for steering strategic digital transformation efforts at RJRGLEANER after joining the company in October 2022 and assuming the top role in January 2024. Three defining achievements of his career:

1. Leadership at RJRGLEANER: Rapid rise from Deputy CEO for Print & Digital Media to CEO, overseeing digital strategy and editorial operations.
2. Telecommunications pedigree: Senior executive roles at Cable & Wireless and Massy Technologies that shaped his approach to technology-driven media change.
3. Industry influence: Recognized across the Caribbean for corporate strategy, innovation in media delivery and mentorship of emerging media professionals.

Social Proof: Reactions and Tributes

Expressions of grief and respect poured in across Jamaica. Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, said she was “deeply saddened” and called Smith “one of the country’s outstanding media leaders.” The Media Association of Jamaica acknowledged his passing with “profound regret.”

Andrew Greene, President of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union, extended “sincere condolences to the board, management, staff and wider RJRGLEANER Communications Group family” and expressed “deepest sympathy to his loved ones.” The company statement added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with Anthony’s immediate and extended family at this time.”

Smith’s death is being felt across Jamaica’s media ecosystem, where colleagues and competitors alike highlighted his strategic focus on print-to-digital migration and his reputation for steady leadership. Further details about funeral arrangements and any memorials have not yet been released.

If additional information is published by RJRGLEANER or family representatives, this report will be updated.