Anthony Lugg’s unexpected path to broadcasting fame

Lugg's early years in the inner-city community of Common, St. Andrew, shaped his determination not to be defined by his environment. Despite the challenges of crime and violence, he graduated from Calabar High School with the support of his family. His initial interest in music production led him to the Prism Marketing team, where he learned about the entertainment industry.

“I’m a musician at heart, in doing music a few years ago, I wanted to learn the entire industry. So I wanted to learn how to shoot a camera, how to write scripts for music videos, how to record stuff and as such, I went to NCU. There I started doing Computer Science and by the first semester, I’m like...I’m wasting my time, mass communication it is,” reflected Lugg.

When he enrolled at Northern Caribbean University (NCU), Lugg started studying Computer Science, but quickly realized that his true passion lies elsewhere. Though he initially had no interest in broadcasting, his growing interest in media led him to switch his major to Mass Communication, focusing on radio within the Department of Communication Studies.

Lugg’s internship at RJR Gleaner Communications Group was a pivotal moment. Despite being placed in the television department (while he had a radio focus), Lugg embraced the opportunity. He learned everything he could about production and television broadcasting, eventually impressing his supervisors. After his internship, Lugg was offered a job with RJR as soon as a vacancy opened up, marking the start of his professional career.

His work ethic and adaptability helped him quickly transition from student to full-time journalist. Though there were challenges – like having to prove his credibility when calling sources – Lugg’s determination to succeed and his natural ability to connect with people helped him excel in his new role.

“Between going to the group dynamics, intro to PR and all those classes and learning everything from Ms. Daley, Mrs. Rhoma and the others, this really guided me through my tenure at NCU and prepared me for internship. When I was placed in the TV department as a radio student, I wasn’t deterred, I go to NCU so I know how to do everything,” said Lugg.

“I used the six weeks of internship to learn TVJ’s (Television Jamaica) structure. When they called me and I did the interview and got the job, it was pretty easy. My colleagues were helpful in terms of getting me contacts and sources,” he added. “Small challenges arose like when I called some numbers and they are like ‘I don’t know you’ type of thing, as a young journalist, your name not out there as yet but in terms of getting the stories and getting things done, I didn’t have a problem.”

Over the next seven and a half years, Lugg's work with Television Jamaica earned him widespread recognition. The 33-year-old has managed to reach the hearts and homes of many individuals across the country with his attention-grabbing human interest stories.

One of his most notable achievements was his coverage of the Crystal Clarke story – a feature on a mother of eight children in need of assistance. The story went viral, sparking a national outpouring of support, including donations from the diaspora and a house from the charity organization Food for the Poor. This story earned Lugg the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) Award for Best News Feature in 2020. For Lugg, the award was secondary to the impact the story had on Clarke and her children’s lives.

“That story will forever stick with me. The award does nothing for me, I mean it’s good and I am grateful for it but in terms of being able to highlight that lady’s story and get her the well needed assistance that she needed for herself and her children, that truly moves me,” he said with a smile on his face.

Though Lugg has found success in his career, he has also faced the daily struggles that come with being a journalist, especially in Jamaica’s sometimes volatile environments. Reporting on crime and working in high-risk areas can pose safety concerns. However, Lugg has managed to navigate these challenges by building trust with the people he interacts with and creating a safe, comfortable space for them to share their stories.

Despite these obstacles, he remains committed to reporting on a range of topics, from human interest stories to politics, all while contributing to the media landscape in Jamaica. His work continues to spark national conversations and bring attention to important issues.

As he nears the 10-year mark in his journalism career, Lugg is also diversifying his skill set. He has begun exploring brand strategy, an area he is passionate about and hopes to focus on in the future. Additionally, he is eager to mentor the next generation of journalists, offering guidance to young talent and helping them navigate the industry.

“With seven and a half years under my belt, I am hoping to do another three years to make it ten years in journalism but  I have other interest…I am also a brand strategist now. I have learned a lot over the last 7 plus years from my colleagues and I am just looking forward to sharing that knowledge and providing guidance to upcoming journalists who have the talent and just need the guidance,” he shared.

Lugg credits much of his success to the education he received at NCU, particularly the encouragement and support of his lecturers, like Mrs. Rhoma Whyte. Her confidence in his abilities, expressed during a 2016 Language and Content interview, stuck with him throughout his career. In her words "Anthony is a student who can leave this institution right now and go into the field and be able to function like normal,” reminded him that he was more than prepared to succeed in the media world.

He has carried that confidence with him ever since, proving through his work that he is more than capable of not just keeping up, but leading the way.

Lugg’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, adaptability, and following one’s true passions. From his unexpected journey into television broadcasting to his rise as a respected journalist, Lugg has proven that with hard work, dedication, and a willingness to embrace change, anything is possible. His focus now on brand strategy and mentoring the next generation of media professionals promises to have a lasting impact on the future of Jamaica's media industry.