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DIGICEL Celebrates Big Ten

Published:Friday | April 15, 2011 | 12:00 AM
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The chairman and his chief executive officer arrive, from left: Denis O'Brien, Mark Linehan and wife Leisha.
Digicel's Celina Hendriks shakes hands with the head honcho Denis O'Brien.
Denis O'Brien has a word with Phillip Paulwell.
Finance Minister Audley Shaw and Information Minister Daryl Vaz pay close attention to what Denis O'Brien, chairman and founder of Digicel is pointing out. - Photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
Andrew Paul Matalon and Kiran Kerr posing pretty for the social pages.
From left: The first head of Digicel Jamaica, Seamus Lynch, catches up with Michael Stern, Colm Delves and Daryl Vaz.
Tom Tavares Finson and his wife Rose.
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When it comes to throwing fabulous parties, few do it as well as the island's leading telecom provider, Digicel. And on Wednesday night, the 10-year-old giant outdid itself with the mother of all celebratory parties at the Old Coal Wharf in Port Royal, Kingston.

Founder and Chairman, Denis O'Brien, was a proud and grateful man. He along with Seamus Lynch (who started it all) joined other members of the board in mingling and working the crowd like the pros they are, always saying thanks. O'Brien had many people to thank and literally named them all. In a heartfelt speech, he noted, "It has been an exciting time for Digicel; it's been an incredible 10 years that have gone by in the blink of an eye."

The chairman spared the bulk of his gratitude for his over 1,000 staff members whose spouses were also out for the celebration. "You are the best, Digicel is a born and bred Jamaican company; we have grown from "soon come man" to "yes we can", and we look forward to the next 10 years," he said. O'Brien then presented awards to team members who had served the company since its inception.

Several companies and individuals were also singled out for thanks. Among them were JAMPRO, global distribution partner, Facey, the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, ProComm, the 49 dealers islandwide, Harry Smith, Lisa Lewis, Seamus Lynch for setting up the company with a great ethos; David Hall, the Office of Utilities Regulation, Colm Delves, former minister with responsibility for telecommunications, Phillip Paulwell, for liberalising the market that spawned the industry and many more.

lively entertainment

But the night had only just begun. Master of ceremonies Miss Kitty guided the night's programme of a lively entertainment package. Meanwhile food and drink flowed all night at the superbly branded party. Everywhere you looked, the dominant red and green depicting the company was everywhere starting with an endless red carpet corridor where senior team members greeted guests.

Garth Walker and his team did a fantastic job of arranging all the food and beverage booths along the perimeter of the venue giving the 2,500 guests a commanding view of the stage from all angles. Of particular note was the bathroom and dressing area for men and women. The portable toilets and wash basins were covered under giant sized air conditioned tents and featured red carnations and anthuriums as well as ample wipes, and hand lotion.

There were lots of cosy seating tents and a special one for the VIPs in attendance.

barbara.ellington@gleanerjm.com