Let there be no doubt, however: “the times they are a-changin’.” Our “audiences” — readers, users, and listeners — have always been the smartest and hippest, most adventurous, active, interesting, and interested people in the communities we serve. Indeed, you — our audience — are the people coveted by all other media. And we at PM/CG must deliver compelling content; content that matters to you, that entertains you, that engages you and makes a difference in the quality of your lives. And in order to succeed in this ambitious mandate, we must continue to attract a team of leadership and staff who can equal, and even exceed, the accomplishments of the extraordinary group of people who have brought us to this point: people with enormous drive, energy, and imagination who share a passion for our mission, who hold our high standards of quality and integrity. Because at the core of any future success, it is only with such people that we will be able to sustain and build on our 40-year tradition. Judging by the team in place today — and by plans on the immediate horizon — I feel good about this as well.
Finally, as I consider the past and contemplate the future, I want to make note of two major changes in our company’s leadership that will take place as of January 1, 2007. The first concerns the retirement H. Barry Morris, my consigliore, soul mate, friend, and alter ego throughout the past 37 years, and PM/CG’s president and chief operating officer for the past 20. Because it would take far too much space to extol each of Barry’s amazing accomplishments, I will sum them up succinctly by stating — unequivocally — that without Barry Morris, we would not be around to celebrate our 40th anniversary. Not only I, but all those whose lives have been, and will be, positively touched by the Phoenix and our various media owe him their honor and a great debt of gratitude.
As Barry surrenders his leadership, the reins will be picked up by my son, Bradley M. Mindich. I could feel awkward, I suppose, writing about my son’s ascension. In fact, I don’t. I readily admit to great pride, but also great comfort: by all objective measures, Brad is the right person to take the helm of PM/CG. Far from simply being “born to the manse,” or having the company “in his blood,” Brad has spent the past 15 years in “boot camp,” training for this job and earning an MBA from Babson College. As “the boss’s son,” receiving mentoring from Barry Morris, Brad has been both tested and self-tested in ways others would not have been. He has arrived at this moment the old-fashioned way — he has truly earned it. And now his hard work is about to get even harder, for it is to Brad that the product of 40 years of massive labor and commitment is being entrusted. As his father, his friend, and his colleague, I know he has the passion, the integrity, the intelligence, and the energy to make the future of our enterprise even more outstanding than its past.
Thank you all for the past 40 years. I look forward to celebrating our 50th.
