Cartel or no cartel?

I now write this submission on LinkedIn as I am confident that this narrative will not be published by the Jamaica Observer (although submitted) as it may be considered too controversial or maybe it just drowned among many submissions. And I had no hope of the RJR Gleaner Communications Group through the Jamaica Gleaner publishing it for sure. They more than anyone would probably view it as "sedition". I do not write all the time like my creative-journalistic wife, but write when I feel I have something to say so here goes!

On the afternoon of August 12 (2019) I received a call from a distressed client (whom I provide creative services for). This client, who shall remain nameless, called because a TV commercial I had been working on for her after successfully going through (and hurdling) countless critiques and changes from internal stakeholders, was rejected by Television Jamaica (TVJ) when her campaign was to be aired and begin on the same day!

Why? TVJ, part of a media cartel called the RJR Gleaner Communications Group, refused the commercial because the commercial mentions Irie FM (not a part of their cartel), and suggested that my client should use one of their radio stations instead and alluded to the fact that Irie FM is their competition. However, I beg to differ!

Irie FM is not in fact competition, as they are miles ahead of any RJR Gleaner owned radio station, and as Irie FM has famously said for as long as I can remember in their in-house touts that “Them a di leader!” Anyway, getting back on course. How should this be viewed? I mean, smart business decisions at times merge multiple entities for greater productivity, offerings and more. This can’t be knocked!

However, where do we draw the line? In my opinion, things would have to change if my client and others like them put their feet down against entities like this who are here to serve the consumers/public in Jamaica, especially when the consumer (as in the case with my client) is paying their money in good faith. So what? Turn them down to try and "outmanoeuvre" competition that you can’t even out-compete? Magical!

This is where the Broadcasting Commission (Jamaica) should step in and regulate such situations. There should be penalties for ALL organizations that make such "rules" in the Jamaican advertising space. We are a small country with good options but not a plethora of options (with good reach) to advertise on the radio. This absolutely should be a violation of Fair Trading Standards. Be more creative to get clients!

Maybe another alternative in a world where balance is always necessary is that CVM Television, Jamaica’s local alternative to TVJ (although TVJ might disagree), should form a cartel with the Jamaica Observer, Irie FM and several other radio stations, etc. At least we can have an alternative collective power that can engage, innovate and seek to take on RJR Gleaner with full force! After all, a very strong spirit of competition, especially when the competition is up to the task, will force ALL parties to be more innovative with offerings to the benefit of the consumer.

In concluding, however, I think it should be a combination of bringing into effect laws to combat this with penalties, as well as the RJR Gleaner cartel needs a rival power befitting its prowess! Shall anyone answer the call? Here’s hoping to change no matter how far down the road it comes. Whether it is enacted by the guardians of the system (government), or by boycott and/or collective action of the consumers whose money keeps these businesses going (the advertisers).