Celebrating over 65 years of endurance, trust, and purposeful reinvention, Yello Media Group has come a long way since its inception in 1959. What began as a humble print directory publisher — walking door-to-door to gather business information — has transformed into one of the Caribbean’s most recognised and trusted digital media brands, now serving millions across more than 20 territories.

Originally launched as Global Directories, the company emerged in the 1950s to fill a critical gap: connecting people in a time when information was difficult to access. Long before smartphones, Google, or even reliable phone service in some areas, printed directories were the Caribbean’s lifeline — offering access to everything from emergency services to your favourite food joint.

“In those early days, before the Internet and mobile phones, our teams would walk door-to-door across islands — verifying addresses, gathering business details, and building what would become the most trusted source of local information in the region: the official printed telephone directory. What began as a single-market print directory soon grew into a multi-territory enterprise, serving islands like Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, St Lucia, and beyond,” Group Executive director Ian Neita, said in detailing the company’s start-up recently.

Operating initially under the umbrella of the national telecom structure, the company prided itself on delivering access to information. Through bold, hands-on efforts the company later know as Yellow Pages likewise managed to manually compile, publish, and distribute telephone directories across Jamaica and, eventually, the wider Caribbean.

“This required immense coordination to ensure data accuracy, consistency, and operational reliability across diverse markets. The challenge was significant, but it laid the foundation for Yello’s regional trust and legacy,” Neita added.

As the digital revolution took hold, Yello — by then operating across multiple territories — faced one of its greatest challenges. While many competitors moved away from print entirely, Yello chose a different path. It embraced a hybrid model, modernising its directories with tiered listings, QR codes, and performance tracking, while simultaneously laying the groundwork for a digital future.

The company’s most defining transformation came in 2018, when it made the bold decision to discontinue third-party digital marketing services and instead focus exclusively on its own ecosystem. This strategic pivot fuelled the evolution of FindYello.com, now one of the Caribbean’s most robust local discovery platforms which has helped its users to discover businesses, compare options, access services and to engage with communities from anywhere in the world whether through phones, tablets or desktops.

“Our strategy, design, content, and product innovation are all geared toward enhancing the FindYello experience — making it faster, more relevant, and more integrated into everyday life,” Neita said. “Rather than spreading resources thin across third-party digital services, we continue to invest in one central, high-performing platform that delivers consistent value to both users and advertisers.”

Today, Yello, having firmly repositioned itself as a platform-first, content-powered brand, is now fully grounded in local discovery, digital innovation, and cultural relevance. While its digital footprint continues to grow, the core of the business remains rooted in service and as such, print directories are still active in various Caribbean markets where offline discovery retains value. Meanwhile, FindYello.com ably attracts more than 4.8 million users annually, serving as a go-to destination for business search, product discovery, and community engagement.

“Yello is no longer just a directory,” said Neita. “It’s an engine of discovery — bridging the traditional and the modern. Our founding mission of access is being transformed into something greater: an essential platform for Caribbean commerce and connection.”

Beyond listings, Yello’s platform now delivers content-powered brand, spotlighting small businesses while curating regional guides. This, as it also produces video features such as the upcoming Yello Tries series, which its directors said are all designed to meet consumers where they are and how they search.

Marking more than six decades punctuated with landmark achievements, the company cites its successful expansion efforts, a recognition by Google, its digital reinvention and print innovation as well as its investment in talent development among some of those most valued.

Guided by a team with decades of media and digital expertise, Yello’s leadership currently includes: Chairman Randy French along with Jorgen Clausen as chief operating officer; Keisha-Maria Cools-Lartigue, executive director for products, marketing & content; Sheryl Robinson, executive director of client service; Debra Haughton, executive director of sales; and Sue Buckeridge, chief people officer.

Together with this team, Neita as executive director said they will continue to steer Yello into its next chapter — one defined by digital accessibility, cultural alignment, and user-first innovation.

“In short, Yello is evolving — not erasing — its legacy,” Neita emphasised. “We are actively building the next generation of discovery tools while honouring our foundational role in the Caribbean’s business landscape.”

Driven by a future-oriented strategy anchored in platform leadership, regional relevance, and simplified innovation, the company he further said, is deepening its role as a partner for growth, not just a provider of listings.

“Yello has faced many challenges in its journey — from the physical logistics of building a regional directory network to the digital overhaul required in today’s fast-changing media environment. Its decision to reinvest in its owned ecosystem reflects a deeper commitment: to remain trusted, future-ready, and relentlessly relevant.

“With more than 65 years of trusted legacy and deep local insight, Yello aims to remain the Caribbean’s most reliable discovery platform — pairing historical credibility with digital excellence. Its future-facing strategy prioritises relevance over trend, connection over scale, and purpose over noise in ensuring that Caribbean people, businesses, and culture are always just a click or a page away,” Neita concluded.

Ian Neita, group executive director at Yello Media, shows off the welcome sign during a recent office visit. (Photos: Garfield Robinson)

A Yello directory. Long before smartphones, Google, or even reliable phone service in some areas, printed directories were the Caribbean’s lifeline — offering access to everything from emergency services to your favourite food joint.

The group’s chairman said…Yello is no longer just a directory but an engine of discovery — bridging the traditional and the modern.

From left: Yello team members Ian Neita; Terry-Ann Burrell, senior brand and communications manager; and Sheryl Robinson, executive director of client services, converse during a break from their duties at the office.

Sheryl Robinson (left) engages colleagues Khadija Fudail, client services associate manager; Jonelle Nelson, client service associates; and Coreen McPherson, client service associates

FindYello.com currently attracts more than 4.8 million users annually, serving as a go-to destination for business search, product discovery, and community engagement.