June 5, 2006—Association of Graphic Communications' (AGC) annual Franklin Awards was once again a resounding success. A record 500-plus people helped celebrate the careers and accomplishments of their peers. This was the first year the ceremony was held at its new venue, Pier 60, Chelsea Piers, New York City.

The event, a venerable who's-who of the local print community, marked the 54th anniversary of the awards. Credit was given to Printing Industries of Metropolitan New York Chairman William Walling for the first Franklin handed out in 1952. Since then, the list of recipients has included U.S. presidents, influential politicians, military superiors, and business leaders, among others.

"It is an award through which the graphics industry, as a vital force in American society, takes pause and recognizes great leaders who have helped preserve, strengthen, or broaden the frontiers of liberty," AGC noted in its event program.

This year was especially poignant, as this is the first time someone from the print industry received the Franklin. Anne Mulcahy, CEO and chairman of the board of Xerox, was recognized for her "many outstanding contributions to the world of commerce and international trade."

A Great Leader
Ms. Mulcahy began her career with Xerox in 1976. She rose through the ranks, becoming a chief staff officer in 1997, corporate vice president in 1998, and in May 2000 was named president and chief operating officer. She was named CEO in August 2001, and chairman of the company in January 2002. Ms. Mulcahy was charged with turning around what was, at the time, a sinking ship when she assumed those positions, a task to which she has proven more than capable.

"I am so proud to introduce Anne," said Diane Romano, chairman of the AGC. "Not just because she is a titan...not just because she is a friend...not just because she can remain humble...but because she is a role model for everyone in this room." Ms. Romano went on to note that no company is immune to change. Ms. Mulcahy has shown that any organization can grow and adapt.

"I am totally overwhelmed this evening, and just so thrilled to be here," said Ms. Mulcahy. She noted that Xerox has been working hard to "earn our stripes," and she and her team were privileged to be part of this industry.

"It is about a company of people," she said. According to Ms. Mulcahy, the people at Xerox deserve a large part of the credit for the company's success.

One of the keys to that success is listening. It takes work sometimes, but companies need to change the way they think, Ms. Mulcahy noted. If you listen to your customers, partners, and employees you get leads and clues on how to be successful.

"This is an industry that is changing," she said, "but it is ripe with opportunities." The issues it faces, such as commoditization and overcapacity, are a moment of truth. This is a time when printers are faced with hard choices about the direction of their businesses, but in the end the ones who listen will find success.

The Power of Communication
In addition, Power of Communication Awards, which recognize positive influence, creative excellence, and outstanding achievements in graphic communications, as well as the award for Industry Achievement, were also handed out.

George Amann, president and CEO of Unimac Graphics, was given the Power of Communications award for printing. Mr. Amann has taken his business from a small operation he started in his garage in 1979, to a $70-plus million organization offering everything from premedia services to digital print and variable data, to traditional sheetfed print.

"The most important part of this award is being honored by my peers," Mr. Amann noted. He went on to recognize his staff, without whom he would not have been successful. "This is really an award for all of us."

The award for advertising went to Victor Basile, senior vice president, director of graphic services, Publicis New York. "I am truly honored and flattered," he noted. He went on to say that over the years he has had the pleasure of working with and meeting some of the best and brightest in the industry.

A 29-year advertising veteran, Mr. Basile is responsible for print, graphics, and the direct marketing production for the company's New York clients. He is the recipient of numerous other industry awards, including the Partnership in Print Production Luminaire award, and the 2003 Advertising Production Person of the Year award.

This is a time when printers are faced with hard choices about the direction of their businesses, but in the end the ones who listen will find success.

The Power of Communication Award for publishing was given to Jerry D'Elia, vice president, director of manufacturing and distribution, Hearst Magazines. "Thank you AGC for bestowing this honor," he said. "I have spent 45 years in the wonderful world of print, and it is only getting better every day."

Mr. D'Elia credited his staff with giving 110 percent as a big part of his success. He noted that while embracing new technology is important, it cannot be at the expense of the people in an organization. "Here's an idea," he said. Instead of investing a huge amount of money in technology only to lay off staff, "let's invest in our people, and bring in technology to support them."

A Superior Salute
The last award of the evening went to Harvey Brice, managing director, Superior Printing Ink Co. He was given the second AGC Award for Industry Achievement, which recognizes professional lifetime achievements.

"This is quite exciting, and I am very honored to receive this award," Mr. Brice said. He noted that the fast-paced graphics world is full of verbal shortcuts, such as ROI, AGC, EBITA, and PDF. He took the opportunity to add another one: ROPI, or return on personal investment. Making a commitment to the industry and its organizations to ensure it stays strong and viable is one of the most rewarding parts of his career, he said.

The evening ended with a special guest, Bruce James, public printer of the United States, CEO, U.S. Government Printing Office. Mr. James is the nation's 24th public printer, and he follows in the footsteps of Benjamin Franklin. He began his print career at the age of 11 in his basement. Since then, he has helped build a number of businesses, and was appointed to his current position by President George W. Bush in 2002.

Mr. James noted that this is one of the biggest gatherings of print professionals he has seen. He brought with him the senior staff of the Government Printing Office, as well as a special gift for the award winners.

In honor of Ben Franklin's 300th birthday, the GPO re-created the last almanac Mr. Franklin himself wrote. Each piece was handmade and bound using the same techniques as the original. Only a limited number were produced, with none currently left available. Mr. James specifically had these set aside for the Franklin Award and Power of Communications winners.