MEDIA management expert Dominic Beaubrun will today start his tenure as managing director of the Jamaica Observer Media Group.

Beaubrun, who has been in the media industry for more than 20 years and has headed a number of media organisations in the Caribbean, is from Trinidad and Tobago.

“Our media group is in a period of tremendous momentum and the skilled, expert mind of Dominic is exactly what we need to navigate the coming years of unprecedented growth for the organisation,” said Adam Stewart, executive chairman of the Jamaica Observer Media Group. “We are thrilled to welcome him on board as we celebrate our 30th anniversary and plan for the next 30 years.”

Beaubrun’s career in media began in 1991 when he joined the Caribbean Communications Network, the parent company of the Trinidad Express, CCN TV6 and Prime Radio.

His sales and marketing experience led to him taking up the post of sales and marketing manager at CCN TV6, after which he transitioned to the same position at the Government-owned National Broadcasting Network which operated both television and radio services.

He eventually oversaw that organisation’s transformation into the Caribbean New Media Group (CNMG) where, in 2005, he became chief operating officer and a year later CEO. In that role he directed the launch of a brand new television and radio network, making it the most modern digital media house in the region.

In 2009 Beaubrun began consulting for the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) in Barbados and was tasked with creating a plan to restructure the organisation’s business model.

The plan was accepted by the board and Beaubrun oversaw its implementation until June 2010 when he became the general manager of Starcom Network Inc. His assignment there was to conduct a rationalisation programme aimed at strengthening the operations while building out a reimagined all digital facility. This was completed successfully in 2015. The company also peaked in profitability under his tenure.

In 2018 he returned to Trinidad to work with Guardian Media Ltd overseeing its commercial operation for print, radio, television, and digital.

In 2019 he was recruited to help start-up Caribbean Premier Sports Limited, a regional broadcast channel dedicated to bringing premier sport content to the region under the brand name RUSH. He brought the start-up to profitability in 14 months during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I am extremely excited to be joining the O Team and really look forward to embarking on this new adventure in such a vibrant country, especially on the eve of the Observer’s 30th anniversary celebrations,” Beaubrun said on Tuesday.

Observer Deputy Managing Director Natalie Chin welcomed Beaubrun’s appointment, saying that she was looking forward to working with him to further develop and grow the company across its print, electronic and digital platforms.

“Dominic will provide a steady hand on the tiller in what is an extremely competitive and demanding market,” Chin said, adding that his expertise will redound to the benefit of the Observer Media Group as it strengthens its already tremendous global reach.

Beaubrun was a member of the Trinidad and Tobago Publishers and Broadcasters Association for six years, serving as president for two years. During his tenure he helped to reshape industry standards and worked to represent the media industry at a time when a new regulatory framework was being developed. He was also a director of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union from 2013 to 2015.

Beaubrun, who holds a BA (Hons) in Mass Communications from The University of the West Indies, believes that media holds the ability to educate people, thereby giving them information with which they can make more informed choices.