Susan Gordon, Business Reporter

Harry Smith ... likely to go into teaching after successful seven years at Digicel Jamaica.

Digicel's Harry Smith, chief customer relations officer, who helped spearhead the rapid ascendancy of the Irish mobile phone company in the Jamaican and regional markets, has resigned his job, reportedly after a big payday recognising his contribution.

"I have been considering this move for many months now and I think this is the right time," said Smith on Tuesday.

He departs on December 31.

Digicel group executives immediately acknowledged his contribution to the company's rise.

"Harry was a major player in the phenomenal rise of Digicel as the leading communication provider," said Digicel Jamaica CEO David Hall. "I want to say a big thanks to Harry for the creativity and industrious spirit which he infused amongst our staff, whether it was through our com-mercial or voluntary activities. Digicel has benefited immensely from Harry Smith's expertise and he will always be considered part of the team."

Added Colm Delves, Digicel Group CEO: "Harry's contribution to the phenomenal growth and success of Digicel in Jamaica has been instrumental in making us the number one mobile operator in Jamaica."

Pursue teaching

Although the savvy marketer will remain affiliated with the group as a consultant with responsibility for assigned corporate and business development, Wednesday Business understands he will pursue his personal interest in teaching.

But this comes as no surprise as he did a stint for a month at his alma mater Munro College back in the late 1970s when he recently graduated from university before launching into a successful marketing career.

"I hope there will be opportunities to share aspects of my long and rewarding career with university students and other young minds so that Jamaica can be a better place for all of us to live," Smith said.

It is not clear who will succeed Smith, but his will be a tough act to follow, given Digicel's rise to 1.8 million customers over five years built on back to back successful promotions, and its strong name recognition.

From its base in Jamaica, the company launched into 22 other regional markets, growing its customer base to 5.2 million.

The group recorded annualised revenues of US$948 million (approximately J$63 billion) for the six-month period ended September 2006.

Digicel entered Jamaica under licence obtained by Mossel, at the point that Cable and Wireless Jamaica's monopoly was broken.

But while there was a fair degree of anticipation by consumers seeking a competing service, Digicel's competitive price strategy, giveaways and otherwise strong showing. made the brand a house-hold name almost immediately.

Smith said joining Digicel in 2001 had given him the the opportunity to maximise his potential, and that his seven year stint had been most enjoyable.

"Digicel gave me the opportunity to pursue some other personal goals, but I will always treasure the last seven years with the company."

Successful career

Alongside his marketing job, Smith was named founding chairman of Digicel Foundation established in 2004. He will also resign that position December 31.

Smith's career in marketing spans 20 years.

He joined Digicel Jamaica in the position of marketing director and was promoted in April 2004, when he assumed the position of commercial director with direct responsibility for marketing, sales and business services of Digicel Jamaica.

He once linked the secret of Digicel's success to having "created our own white space and rewriting the rules of the industry."

Prior to joining Digicel, he was employed to Desnoes and Geddes (now trading as Red Stripe), but his work history also includes jobs at Shell Jamaica, Colgate-Palmolive, and the Mechala Group/ICD.

Smith is regarded as the one of the Caribbean's top marketing professionals and has extensive expertise in general marketing and marketing of consumer goods.

He is a former director of the Jamaica Manufacturers' Association and a past executive of the Advertisers' Association of Jamaica.

He currently serves on the board of the Mona School of Business and the University of Technology.

susan.gordon@gleanerjm.com