Meat&Poultry -- October 2014 - 8

Commentary
BY JOEL CREWS

jcrews@sosland.com

Celebrating more
than just years
A

t my in-laws' 60th anniversary party this

spected medium for industry suppliers to po-

past summer, about 25 loved ones trav-

sition their marketing message. For me, this is

eled hundreds of miles to celebrate the mag-

a celebration of the people who've become a

nificent milestone. At the anniversary dinner,

part of the editorial fabric of M&P, many of

a tear-jerking video chronicled their life and

whom have been affiliated with the magazine

spotlighted their life together and how their

long before I joined in 2000. The living legacy

years of dedication and commitment cre-

that is M&P includes people I consider part

ated a family circle that symbolizes what

of the family that started 60 years ago. This

they started six decades ago. For that

is as much a celebration of them and their ex-

profound contribution, we are forever

pertise and contributions as it is about the title

grateful and we toasted their life to-

and our brand.

gether and their legacy.

I consider it an honor to count people like

Anniversaries commemorate lon-

Steve Kay, a proud contributing editor since

gevity and persistence and celebrate the

1987, as a valued colleague and a friend. Like-

results of an initial commitment. Some

In 2015, M&P
will light the
candles on
60 years of
publishing
excellence.

wise, Dr. Temple Grandin, who has written

start with an exchange of rings while others

exclusively for M&P for 35 years, is one of the

begin with a shingle being hung - one in par-

most fascinating people I've had the privilege

ticular began with ink on a page.

of working with and have spent time with in

In 1955, Michael Alaimo founded Western

the field during my entire career. Incidentally,

Meat Industry in Marin, Calif. Forty years later,

both Grandin and Kay hold the distinction as

the successful and respected trade publication

recipients of the American Meat Institute's

then known as Meat&Poultry, was acquired

highest honor: The Industry Advancement

by Sosland Publishing Co., a Kansas City,

Award. Both are also inductees in the Meat

Mo.-based enterprise. In 2015, M&P will

Industry Hall of Fame, as is another long-

celebrate its 60th year in publishing. While

time contributing editor, Steve Krut. Four-

there is plenty to be proud of in the edito-

teen years ago I was fortunate to work under

rial achievements of M&P over the past six

Keith Nunes for a number of years. He is yet

decades, it is the circle of influence and the

another award-winning editor in the M&P

people that have helped build and sustain the

quiver who continues to be a valued mentor.

title that I think are the most important and

Industry veteran and Senior Editor Bryan Sal-

profound by-products of this milestone. Just

vage, along with staffers Kimberlie Clyma and

like any annual reunion, birthday or anni-

Erica Shaffer, are part of the next generation

versary, we celebrate the years and what that

taking M&P into the future.

stands for and what it's produced. For M&P,

2015, we also lift our glasses to the people who

ment to publishing the best-possible editorial

helped it earn its sterling reputation and to the

product for our readers while providing a re-

8

While we commemorate Meat&Poultry in

this commemorates a longstanding commit-

readers and advertisers we serve. Cheers! ■

* Meat&Poultry * October 2014 * www.MeatPoultry.com
http://www.MeatPoultry.com
Meat&Poultry -- October 2014

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Meat&Poultry -- October 2014
