Company Profile:
Gleaner Company
 Incorporated
1897; Established 1834
P.O. Box 40, 7 North Street, Kingston, Jamaica, W.I.
Web site: www.jamaica-gleaner.com
E-mail: feedback@jamaica-gleaner.com
Tel: (876) 922-3400-9; Fax: (876) 922-6297
A HISTORY OF PUBLISHING
The History of The Gleaner Company Ltd. identifies it as relevant,
distinguished, innovative, diverse and socially responsible. The
Gleaner was born as a four-page weekly newspaper, issued on Saturday,
September 13, 1834. At the time, it was neither envisaged how widely
read throughout the Caribbean and the Diaspora the publication would
come to be, nor how diverse a range of products the company would
eventually offer. The Gleaner is the oldest newspaper in the Caribbean
currently being published.
Relevant
For the average Jamaican 'The Gleaner' is synonymous with newspaper.
Generations of Jamaicans in the diaspora have come to depend on
The Gleaner for timely, factual information and cutting-edge analysis.
The Gleaner Company, through its publications, not only reports
and analyses information but also holds itself responsible for putting
forward important issues of national, regional and international
importance. Our 'In Focus' product in our flagship publication,
The Sunday Gleaner, is a most current illustration of this.
Innovative
Innovation is as much a part of our identity as is our relevance.
From its early years The Gleaner Company Limited has not only been
proactive, but has also been quick to respond to its environment.
The Gleaner Company Limited offers the widest range of information
products on the Jamaican media landscape; (newspaper products -
The Gleaner, The Sunday Gleaner, The Star, The Weekend Star, The
Portmore Star, Outlook, Flair, Track & Pools, Financial Gleaner,
etc./ radio -Power106 & Music99FM / internet - Go-Jamaica)
The Company is now completely computerized for accounting and production
purposes. Commercial printing on the Goss Urbanite offset press
has allowed the Gleaner to offer its advertisers increased colour
capacity and a higher standard of print quality in all its publications.
Recently, computer-to-plate technology was instituted which reduces
our production time.
The company remains 'cutting-edge' by consistently re-inventing
itself whether it is by introducing new products or by adopting
new methods by which business is done.
Distinguished
The company and its employees have earned a number of distinctive
awards. Among the wide range of awards earned by The Gleaner Company
over the years have been the Maria Moors Cabot Prize for Distinguished
Journalistic Service in 1954, 1979 and 2000; the City of Kingston
Centenary Award; the Press Association of Jamaica Awards for Business
& Commerce, Small Publications, Human Interest & Outstanding
Public Service; Caribbean Publishing & Broadcasting Association
Award; Eco-Tourism Awards; PAHO Local and Regional Media Awards;
Commonwealth Photography Top Award; and more recently the Prime
Minister's Medal of Appreciation and AAAJ's Media of the Year Award
for seven consecutive years in 2003. These awards reflect The Gleaner
Company Limited's belief that communication and its related services
have attached to them serious professional and social responsibilities.
Diverse
The Gleaner Company's products appeal to the broadest cross-section
of persons within the society:
The Gleaner: Published every weekday, this morning broadsheet
contains news, views, sports and in-depth reporting. This newspaper
addresses the needs of its readers through a number of regular specialized
sections and features such as:
The Sunday Gleaner: The flagship of the group of Gleaner
Publications. First published in 1939; the Sunday Gleaner is a weekend
delight for all families, reaching twice as many readers as any
other local paper. The Classified Ad section of the Sunday Gleaner
is one of its strongest attractions. This publication also provides
information about arts, business, Career Opportunities and the Outlook
Magazine which covers the social scene, gardening and other leisure
activities.
The Youth
The Children's Own: Published each week during school terms
to promote creative learning and to enhance scholastic endeavours.
YouthLink Magazine: Deals specifically with issues relating
to the youth
Women
Flair Magazine: Designed to address issues of concern to
women.
Regional
Cornwall Edition: As the company continues to increase its
readership base in western Jamaica, it has significantly expanded
its coverage in that part of the island. What started as the Western
Journal has been transformed into the Cornwall Edition. With this
initiative, feedback from the public to the company's strong coverage
of the west has been positive.
Business
The Financial Gleaner: A must for the business and financial
public.
Sports
Track and Pools: Designed as a service for the flat racing
fraternity who likes to put a "dollar on a nose." It features
computer calculated tips for each race.
Entertainment & News
The Star: A popular tabloid produced for the afternoon shoppers
and readers. As the "people's paper" it emphasizes investigative
reporting, sharp information, entertainment and witty stories.
The Weekend Star: A top choice for reviews of Jamaican music, dance,
theatre and social culture. First published in 1951, the Weekend
Star is considered the entertainment paper for local Jamaicans.
In North America
The Weekly Star: The Entertainment Paper covering the latest
in Jamaican music, arts and theatre. With special human-interest
features and news about community life.
The Weekly Gleaner: The Top Caribbean Newspaper distributed
to cover 22 American and 8 Canadian cities. Reaching a wide Jamaican
market, the Weekly Gleaner keeps people informed of developments
in news, business and sports events in the country.
Gleaner Extra (NY): A quick informative read for busy people,
especially the descendants of Caribbean migrants - free of cost.
Canada Extra: A quick informative read for busy people,
especially the Black Canadian Community. Free of cost.
In England
The Weekly Gleaner: Carrying news of interest to West Indians
in Britain, the Weekly Gleaner is an important link with home. The
paper offers in-depth coverage of important issues and events in
both the Caribbean and the United Kingdom.
London Extra: A quick informative read for busy people,
especially the Afro-Caribbean Community in Britain. Free of cost.
The Voice: (The Gleaner Company's most recent acquisition)
the main media outlet for the black community in Britain.
Internet Users
The Gleaner Online is the web site division of the company. Go-Jamaica
is the portal web site. With over 100 million hits per month The
Gleaner's Web Site provides visitors with current news, tourist
information, local community news (www.go-localjamaica.com) and
for the returning residents, a special package about customs procedures,
duty structures, import guidelines and the like. The establishment
of this site is in keeping with the Company's on-going programme
to improve communication with readers worldwide. Visit GO-JAMAICA
at www.go-jamaica.com.
Socially responsible
The Gleaner Company Limited has a long history of public service
and is committed to the development of the nation through its corporate
projects. Among these are:
The Gleaner's Children's Own Spelling Bee Championship The Gleaner
Company holds its annual Spelling Bee Competition in which representatives
from all 14 parishes compete for the National Championship. The
Gleaner also sponsors the National Champion's attendance at the
Scripps National Spelling Bee held in Washington D.C.
The Gleaner Honour Awards: an annual recognition of the
individual who has contributed significantly to Jamaica's quality
of life.
The Governor General's Achievement Award giving exposure to the
ordinary Jamaican who is an 'unsung hero' in his/her community
Crime Stop: In association with the other media houses, The Gleaner
publishes information relating to crimes to assist the police.
PALS Jamaica: A non-profit organization, established in
conjunction with other media houses and private sector companies
to teach and encourage conflict resolution in schools.
Newspaper in Education: A programme through which The Gleaner
newspaper is distributed free of cost to 100 schools each year.
Allman Town Redevelopment: A project of Voluntary Social
Organisations, coordinated by The Gleaner, is aimed at enhancing
the quality of life for the residents of Allman Town.
Member of 'Century Club ' UWI
Supports Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme: a character-building
programme for young adults 14-25 years.
United Way of Jamaica - provide support for the various
groups under this umbrella organisation
The Gleaner Company Limited continues to honour the commitments
made in its Mission Statement to be the source for accurate, independent
information while providing its Customers with quality Products
& Service delivered in courteous, timely & efficient manner;
Shareholders with a profitable return on their investment; Employees
with a work environment that is safe, innovative, dynamic &
rewarding; Community with corporate citizenship that is socially
active & environmentally responsible; and Suppliers with a harmonious
& mutually beneficial business relationship.
Notable Years in the Life of the Company
1834 The Gleaner Company was established with offices at
66 Harbour Street.
1837 The Gleaner Company was incorporated
2004 Fire destroys offices at 148 Harbour Street and new
offices set up at the Government Printing Office
1907 Great Earthquake & Fire destroy offices
1908 Rebuilding starts and new Linotype Machines installed
1917 Hoe Rotary Press was installed
1920 Motor delivery routes established
1939 Sunday Gleaner first published - April 1
1950 Children's Own first published - June 11
1954The Overseas Gleaner (now The Weekly Gleaner)
was published
The Star first published - November 24
1959 Crabtree Press installed
1960 Branch offices were established, the first located in
Montego Bay
1962 Weekend Star first published - December 10
1969 The Gleaner began operating at 7 North Street, its current
location
1994 The Company installed a 16 unit Goss Urbanite Press
1994 New Pre-Press system installed
1997 Web site www.gleanerjm.com launched - February 16
2000 Jamaica sends its first representative to the Scripps
Howard International Spelling Bee Competition
The Digital Laboratory was established
2001 Local Websites launched (Go-Kingston /Go-Portmore /Go-Montego
Bay)
Youthlink magazine first published
Gleaner Extra (NY) first published - December 17
Inaugural Star Awards
New Editor-In-Chief, Garfield Grandison appointed
2002 London Extra first published - October 25
Canada Extra first published - December 19
Portmore Star first published - January 19
2004 Computer-to-plate technology installed
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