Neighbourly love was the note on which Ready TV CEO Chris Dehring commenced his address to 12 students of the Independence City Primary School, their principal Anne Geddes-Nelson and teacher/librarian Celene Mais.

The CEO, who has proven his entrepreneurial mettle in finance, sports and telecommunications, offered insight into the importance of building relationships from the ground up and with one’s immediate community. “In small countries like Jamaica relationships are very important,” he opined, before sharing an exclusive peek into the day-to-day deliverables of Ready TV in Portmore and the importance of content. What’s content? the CEO asked the students. Independence City Primary School student Shadai Lewis sought to respond. “It’s what we see on TV each day,” she shared. “That and more,” responded Dehring. “Jamaica lives and breathes content. What you are currently doing [getting ready to lunch] is being filmed and will become content. Think of yourselves as content and you, and by extension us all, will appreciate how to act, how to behave. I challenge you to become part of this digital world. Indeed, tell me what kind of content you wish us to provide.”

The students were certainly, pun intended, ready for the challenge!

They were eager, too, to break bread with the CEO, who deftly took them through their three-course lunch at Devon House’s celebrated Grog Shoppe. Lunch comprised a smoked marlin salad on a fan of papaya which elicited quite a bit of chatter, as many had never seen or eaten marlin and were apprehensive about the taste. With a little cajoling, even the biggest sceptic managed a few forkfuls.

A plated combination of chicken breast stuffed with callaloo and fish fillet in coconut sauce with sides of creamed sweet potatoes and a basket of sautéed vegetables comforted all, whilst dessert — cheesecake, double chocolate cake and Devon House ice-cream — brought the meal to a glorious end.

Principal Anne Geddes-Nelson was gifted with a Ready TV digital box for the school and a Ready TV cake (which was packaged for the students to enjoy on the way home) and Ready TV goodie bags.

There were heartfelt words of thanks, songs and general bonhomie. Yet another afternoon of successfully engaging members of the next generation.

The Jamaica Observer’s annual Applaud It! initiative provides a unique opportunity for industry leaders to meet members of the next generation exactly where they are and engage them during a formal meal that exposes them to social and dining skills. We reckon the importance of branding was also added to the afternoon’s curriculum.