LAS VEGAS — Robert Raley, managing director of the Colombia-based live cams operation M Group S.A., has died.
For the past 14 years, the M Group has provided live cam platforms with models, payouts and a variety of other management and consulting services, including model management.
Raley, a native of Lewes, Del., resided in Cali, Colombia, where he ran M Group and another company, Internet Client Services.
He was a regular at the numerous online adult industry conferences worldwide and an expert and pioneer in the adult live cams sector. And in 2014, M Group teamed with Flirt4Free for The Colombian Gathering, a private event for Flirt4Free Colombian models and studios.
“Bob was a smart, caring, well-travelled man of the world,” JuicyAds’ Jimmy “Wizzo” Foreman told XBIZ. “Always had a smile, laugh and kind word to everyone he came across.
“He was the kind of guy you could call friend in the true sense of the word and will be missed not only by his family but the thousands of others he came across in his life and in this industry.”
Bruce Friedman, who operates AdultB2B.biz, told XBIZ that Raley was “one of the most positive people I met in the industry.”
“Always there with a smile and a hug. He was always at the shows,” Friedman said. “It won’t be the same without him there, that’s for sure.
“Although I can’t say I knew Bob that well, we were starting to get to know each other better. Bob’s passing is a great loss for our industry.”
And that was the statement many repeated — a great loss for the industry
He was “a much beloved member of the adult community for many years,” Colin Rowntree, of Wasteland.com and Boodigo, told XBIZ.
Joey Gabra of Affil4you.com said: "He was always willing to impart his extensive wisdom to me and was more than generous with his time to talk business or just for a good laugh together."
Gabra told XBIZ that he spoke with him quite a bit on the day of his passing, "and he spoke so lovingly about his family ... especially about his little boy and how much his hugs meant the world to him."
"He was trying to explain to me that no matter how tough things can be, we are so lucky to have the ones we love around us," Gabra said. "I will miss Bob. This is a huge loss for our business and an even greater loss for his beautiful family. My heart goes out to his wife and kids."
MojoHost's Brad Mitchell told XBIZ that he first met Raley at XBIZ London several years ago and has since spent time with him in countries across the globe.
"We became fast friends, chatting frequently about our children and life in general," he said. "Bob had a unique way of very honestly cutting right to the point and I respected his business integrity. His laughter was unmistakable and infectious.
"I truly enjoyed his great sense of humility and big heart. I know he loved his family very much and they are in everyone’s prayers. Bob will be truly missed.”
Industry photographer Julius Kedvessy called Raley a "gentle giant with a good word for everyone."
He "selflessly offered advice to anyone who approached him. He was brash over the top," he told XBIZ.
"We became pretty good friends over the years," he said. "I saw news of his passing, sitting up at 4 a.m. with the chocolate-covered coffee beans he gave me right beside the laptop. Broke me up.
"Rest in peace my friend.," Kedvessy said. "They broke the mold when they created you."
An outpouring of sentiment from adult industry members started this morning on XBIZ.net and Facebook for Raley.
Exact cause of death was not ascertained by post time.
Pictured: Memorial artwork created by LALExpo