Online editor signs off and heads offshore

After almost five years in the hot seat as editor of Print21 Online, Mitchell Jordan has decided to call it a day, leaving both the printing industry and Australia behind. Before he boarded the big jet plane he penned one last message to his readers.

No doubt the biggest news to hit the printing industry this week is that of my departure. Yes, I am here to confirm the rumours: as you read this fine edition of Print21 I am no longer at my desk calling (or harassing, as the case may be) everyone from management to the production floor for gossip.

Four and a half years is a long time anywhere and while the smell of ink did not drive me out, the lure of the Great Beyond certainly did. Personally, I blame Heidelberg (see below) and HP for sending me overseas to attend their press conferences, exposing me to the bright lights of LA and cobbled pathways that all lead to the Schloss.

In my time as a journalist I’ve made many friends – too many to name here, and also a few enemies (who I won’t name, mainly due to annoying libel laws). This isn’t an Oscar, or even a Logies acceptance speech, but special thanks, however, must go to my boss, Patrick Howard, for giving me my ‘big break’ in journalism and inducting me into the school of “simplify and exaggerate” along with the many other fine members of Blueline Media whom I have worked with over the years.

I also feel it necessary to thank Michael Schulz of SOS Print and Media, not only because it was he who insisted I visit the Chateau Marmont, but also because I have never interviewed anyone else in the printing industry as many times as him. (Take note: when you show a bit of innovation and know how to speak to journalists, you get a lot of good media coverage). Thanks also to Cliff Brigstocke who is far and away the most approachable CEO I have ever dealt with in my time as a journalist, answering every question I’ve ever asked. Obviously he doesn’t have anything to hide – which is more than can be said for some who suddenly become evasive or hand you on to their PR department when confronted with the burning questions.

As a twenty-something year old, I see the many challenges that face print. Don’t ask me the last time I used a physical dictionary or read a catalogue, let alone a phone book (though playing Yellow Pages police has been a career highlight for me) and I am not sure of the future of all printed products. That said, I can’t imagine what a world without (printed) books would be like.

But this is not an obituary. I don’t know if I’ll ever be back in the printing industry again, but I do know that I will never look at a piece of packaging, a newspaper or a book in the same way. Meanwhile, my devoted fans (of which there are many, no doubt) will be relieved to know that they can continue reading my carefully crafted words in The Epoch Times from time to time and, I hope, many many more titles in the future.

Thanks for a fun and friendly few years. Long live print.

Mitchell Jordan