When companies across Jamaica and the Caribbean discuss digital marketing, the perspective and expertise of Ewort Atkinson is often one they would love to tap into. His work has contributed to campaigns generating more than 300 million impressions, 15,000 leads, and an average 7:1 return on ad spend (ROAS), helping brands across the region drive well over US $300 million in business impact.

Balancing professional responsibilities, he manages agency work and training commitments when time permits, always with a focus on helping businesses grow through digital channels.

From Telecom to Digital Leadership

The better part of a decade spent in telecom laid the foundation for his digital expertise. He served as Group General Manager at Fimi Wireless, overseeing marketing and sales in Haiti, Guyana, Jamaica, and El Salvador. That experience was followed by a move to Digicel Jamaica, first as Digital Manager and later as Head of Digital Media, where he led high-impact online campaigns targeting both B2B and B2C segments across platforms such as social media, Google, and ActiveCampaign.

That body of work, along with time spent as Director of Digital Strategy and New Media at Prism Communications Limited, helped establish his reputation as a digital leader with a strong focus on strategy, advertising, and content creation aimed at lead generation and sales.

Kinson Digital: Helping Caribbean Businesses Grow

In 2018, he founded Kinson Digital, a digital agency with offices in Jamaica and Florida, built on a passion for helping businesses of all sizes grow their digital engagement and revenues. Over time, industries that have benefited from his work include law, hospitality, food and beverage, FMCG, entertainment and education. His expertise has also been utilized by overseas businesses in key industries including construction, janitorial and cleaning, event planning and he has consulted for notable franchises such as Golden Krust.

Above all, his pride remains in supporting local businesses throughout the Caribbean. This sentiment is reflected in a quote shared during his speech at European eCommerce and Digital Marketing Week, “A Caribbean brand shouldn’t have to leave the region to acquire world-class digital talent.”

The Digital Training Hub

Building on that mission, he launched The Digital Training Hub in 2022 as an offshoot of Kinson Digital. The platform provides micro-courses in Google and Meta advertising, practical digital marketing strategies, and useful tools shaped by years of experience. These insights are also captured in his book, The Digital Marketing Blueprint: A Guide For Non-Digital Managers, available on The Digital Training Hub website or on Amazon.

Teaching and Mentoring New Entrepreneurs

Throughout his career, he has also been committed to education and mentorship. While lecturing at the University of Technology, Jamaica, and Northern Caribbean University, he taught and mentored more than 50 students at UTECH, many of whom launched their own digital ventures. Additionally, he has contributed to the development of Jamaica’s national social media and digital marketing competencies through work with HEART NCTVET.

Focused on Results That Matter

Helping clients and students achieve meaningful results remains a central passion. The focus has always been on driving engagement, leads, and sales, while cutting through fluff and vanity metrics to achieve outcomes that genuinely move the needle for businesses.

Selective with Time, Intentional with Impact

With the growing demand for true strategic digital marketing expertise across the Caribbean and in diaspora-rich cities such as Toronto, New York, and Miami, his time remains a valued asset. Given these demands, he is selective about new engagements, choosing to work on projects where he can deliver the greatest impact.

Businessuite’s Take

In a region where digital marketing still has ample room for growth, this focus on building real capabilities and delivering practical results makes Ewort Atkinson one to watch as the space continues to evolve.

In 1975, Dorothea Gordon-Smith left her job in banking while pregnant with her youngest child—not to retreat, but to step into the unknown. Together with her late husband Michael, she co-founded Garbage Disposal and Sanitation Systems Ltd. (GDSS), a modest one-truck operation that would, over the next five decades, grow into one of Jamaica’s most respected and enduring waste management companies.

Today, at 77, Gordon-Smith still leads the enterprise with poise and quiet determination. GDSS now boasts 35 trucks, offices in Kingston, Montego Bay, and Salem, more than 100 employees, and over 650 clients across 11 parishes. But it is not the size of the company that best defines her—it’s the spirit with which she built it.

A Start Rooted in Sacrifice and Resolve

When GDSS faltered in its early days, Gordon-Smith didn’t hesitate. Encouraged by her mother, and understanding the practicalities of their household income, she stepped in to steady the business while caring for a newborn. “There was no maternity leave in those days,” she recalled. “So I had to resign from my job in banking, anyway.”

She turned the office into a nursery and the business into her mission. From accounting and staffing to scouting sites and supervising mechanical repairs, Gordon-Smith immersed herself in every detail. She learned by doing, listening, and adjusting. And when major clients like West Indies Pulp and Paper and West Indies Glass shut down, she adapted—introducing recycling services and launching export initiatives to keep the company alive.

Community First, Always

From the beginning, Gordon-Smith made business decisions rooted in values. She deliberately placed GDSS offices near inner-city communities, because she saw the social and economic potential in places others overlooked.

“I believe most people are good,” she said. “I make it a point to speak to people in the communities we’re located with dignity and respect. One of the first things I do is hire from the community.”

That philosophy remains central to the GDSS culture. It was most recently on display during the company’s 50th anniversary health fair in Riverton City—a direct reflection of Gordon-Smith’s belief in service, equity, and the deep interconnectedness between business and community.

Guided by Instinct, Grounded in Care

Throughout her career, Gordon-Smith has relied not only on skill and strategy but also on something less quantifiable: intuition. She trusted her gut when making difficult decisions or hiring staff—and when she ignored it, she says, she paid the price.

Despite working in a traditionally male-dominated industry, she never allowed gender to define her path. “I didn’t spend much time thinking about whether I belonged,” she said. “I just focused on the work.”

Yet even as she moved through the complexities of running a national waste management company, Gordon-Smith remained acutely aware of the personal toll. The stress was unrelenting, the responsibilities heavy—and so, to sustain herself, she turned to self-discipline and self-care.

Many of Gordon-Smith’s days begin with cardio and weights. She eats with intention, maintains a schedule of regular massages, and makes time for weekly beautification rituals that have become part of her rhythm. Her home, though often filled with friends and family, is a space of calm—a place where laughter is easy and peace is protected.

Her vibrant, ever-changing hairstyles and bold wardrobe reflect the same intentionality. They’re an extension of a personality that is warm, expressive, and quietly powerful. Her looks, like her spirit, defy her age—but it is her discipline, not vanity, that fuels her vitality.

More Than a Business, A Living Legacy

As she begins stepping back from daily operations, Gordon-Smith is reflective—not just about the trucks and contracts, but about the lives her leadership has touched.

“There were hard times,” she said. “There were months I couldn’t even draw a salary. But when I thought about the jobs we created, and the families that depend on those jobs—that always kept me going.”

She refers to her employees as “over 100 children”—a sentiment that reflects both affection and responsibility. Loyalty, mutual respect, and long-standing service define the culture she built.

In 2024 alone, under her guidance, GDSS exported over 1,000 tonnes of glass and processed more than 500 tonnes of plastic and paper—a testament to her vision for a cleaner, more sustainable Jamaica.

But perhaps her greatest impact lies in what she represents: a woman who entered a tough, gritty industry without pretense and reshaped it through persistence, empathy, and grace.

A Quiet Redefinition of Leadership

Gordon-Smith has never been one to seek the spotlight. Her legacy is not one of noise or flash—but of consistency, care, and conviction. In an industry that rarely sees women at the top, she not only rose—she transformed what leadership looks like.

Her story is proof that strength doesn’t always roar. Sometimes it moves steadily, dressed in bright colors, guided by intuition, and held together by deep, unshakable purpose.

Effective communication with investors is not merely a compliance exercise; it’s a strategic imperative that influences a company’s market valuation and access to capital.

Key benefits include:

Enhanced Market Valuation: Transparent and consistent communication reduces information asymmetry, leading to improved investor confidence and potentially higher stock valuations.

Improved Liquidity: Engaged investors are more likely to trade shares, increasing liquidity and reducing volatility.

Broader Investor Base: Proactive communication attracts a diverse range of investors, including retail investors who can provide stability and advocacy for the company.

Resilience During Crises: Companies that maintain open lines of communication are better positioned to navigate challenges and retain investor trust during turbulent times.

Global Trends in Investor Relations
Internationally, companies are adopting innovative strategies to engage with investors:

1. Digital Engagement Platforms
Companies are leveraging digital tools to provide real-time updates and interactive content:
Investor Portals: Secure platforms offering access to financial reports, updates, and company news.
Webinars and Virtual Events: Facilitating direct interaction between management and investors.
Social Media: Utilizing platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube to disseminate information and engage with a broader audience.

2. Personalized Communication
Tailoring messages to specific investor segments enhances relevance and engagement:

Segmented Reporting: Providing information tailored to the interests of different investor groups.
Interactive Content: Using videos, infographics, and interactive reports to make complex information more accessible.

3. Emphasis on ESG Reporting
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors are increasingly influencing investment decisions:

Transparent ESG Disclosures: Providing comprehensive reports on ESG initiatives and performance.

Integrated Reporting: Combining financial and non-financial information to present a holistic view of the company’s performance and strategy.

Recommendations for  Caribbean Listed Companies
To bridge the communication gap and unlock shareholder value, Caribbean listed companies should consider the following strategies:

Establish Robust Investor Relations Programs: Develop dedicated IR teams or functions responsible for managing investor communications and relationships.

Leverage Digital Channels: Utilize websites, social media, and email newsletters to provide timely and accessible information to investors.

Host Regular Investor Events: Organize webinars, virtual town halls, and Q&A sessions to engage directly with investors and address their concerns.

Enhance Transparency and Disclosure: Provide clear, comprehensive, and timely information on financial performance, strategic initiatives, and ESG efforts.

Solicit and Act on Investor Feedback: Implement mechanisms to gather investor input and demonstrate responsiveness to their concerns and suggestions.

Adopt Integrated Reporting Practices: Combine financial and non-financial reporting to present a cohesive narrative of the company’s value creation strategy.

By embracing these practices, Caribbean listed companies can foster stronger relationships with investors, enhance market perceptions, and potentially realize higher valuations that reflect their true intrinsic value.