LOS ANGELES—Robert Raley, a respected member of the adult industry for close to 20 years who was managing director of the South America-based M Group, passed away Wednesday.
A native of Lewes, Del., who resided in Cali, Colombia, Raley was an expert in the live cam sector of adult entertainment who was a fixture at adult webmaster shows around the world.
“Robert Raley was a really good man,” Joey Gabra, managing director of Affil4you, told AVN Thursday. “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.
“I 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.
“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.”
Remembrances of the beloved executive poured in on Facebook and GFY.com Thursday morning.
“I first met Bob at in London several years ago and have since spent time with him in destinations all around the world… as far away as Thailand to his home country of Colombia, which he was very proud to show me," Brad Mitchell, CEO of MojoHost, told AVN. "We became fast friends, chatting frequently about our children and life in general.
"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.”
Raley and the M Group were known for providing live cam platforms with models, payouts and a variety of other management and consulting services since 2001. The M Group teamed with Flirt4Free in 2014 for The Colombian Gathering, a private event for Flirt4Free Colombian models and studios.
"We were deeply saddened to learn of Bob’s passing," Brad Estes, vice president of Flirt4Free, told AVN. "Our ability to remember and cherish all of the many good memories those of us at Flirt4Free have from our long relationship will help heal the hurt eventually.
"Many of us grew up in this industry with Bob; he challenged us and our company to do better and was always there with support and praise. Bob contributed to the success of Flirt4Free while touching the lives of many around the globe. Our thoughts are with the family he loved deeply, his team whom he loved like family and everyone whose life he impacted."
Balint Varga of Live Jasmin called Raley “a legend of the cam industry.”
Industry veteran Tim Siner of FreeWebCams told AVN Thursday, "My first experience with Big Bob was taking his call in 2005. We spoke for hours about how affiliate offers could increase his income beyond the traditional commission he was earning as a model studio, specifically a 'brand new' emerging technology called a 'Whitelabel.' Bob was a sponge in that he soaked up anything and everything I shared with him, later implementing these tactics and becoming very successful at it. We spoke a lot over the last 11 years and needless to say I was shocked and saddened to hear the news of his passing."
Siner continued, "Bob was very opinionated and tough, but fair when it came to business and negotiating. I will always admire his drive and his contributions to the webcam industry. You will be missed big guy."
“I can not believe it,” industry veteran Chris Youngs wrote on Facebook. “I woke up to find out Big Bob has passed away. He was an amazing man with so much to share. Just a few weeks ago him and I had some awesome times in Vegas. The last time I saw him he was telling me he was not feeling good and needed to rest before going back to Colombia. Things will never be the same without Bob at all the shows. RIP Bob. Im at a loss for words."
Jo Perkinson shared this tribute on Raley’s page, “To one of the few people I've had the pleasure of knowing and working with that stuck it to me and told me how it is. Gave me grief and bitch slapped me with your blunt honesty. Believed in me and kicked me in the ass when I least expected it...this has come as quite a shock and I will sincerely miss you! My deepest condolences to Robert’s family for your loss.”
Photo by JFK/FUBAR Webmasters.
