Los Angeles, CA (May 23, 2016) – Gary Johnson, President of MSP Communications, received the RR Donnelley Milton W. Jones Lifetime Achievement Award from the City and Regional Magazine Association (CRMA) during an Awards Banquet at the organization’s three-day Annual Conference in Denver, CO, on Monday, May 23, 2016.

This is the Association’s top honor – sponsored by long-time partner, RR Donnelley. In 2014, the award’s name was changed to recognize the profound and lasting contributions of industry pioneer, Milton W. Jones, who passed away in the spring of 2014. Jones was a long-time publisher and former Lifetime Achievement Award recipient himself.

Since its inception in 1978, the CRMA has recognized leading members of the industry by giving them the Lifetime Achievement Award. This honor is given occasionally – not annually. The recipient is chosen from nominations submitted by members of the association. The honor recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to the magazine publishing industry. The recipient is announced and celebrated at the Awards Ceremony at CRMA’s Annual Conference.

Gary Johnson came to MSP Communications in 1978, where he built, with Burt Cohen and Brian Anderson, the lasting franchise in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul we know today as MSP Communications. Along the way MSP has transformed into a multi-faceted publisher of leading lifestyle, business and home magazines for the region with web development and digital products for all of their properties. Their custom portfolio includes the inflight magazine for Delta Airlines and publications for brands such as McKesson, General Foods IBM, Dell, American Express and more. In addition to running MSP, Johnson is an adjunct professor at the University of Minnesota, teaching a graduate course in Content Strategy and Brand Journalism.

John Palumbo, longtime CRMA board member and publisher of Rhode Island Monthly announced the decision to present the award to Johnson. “Gary has always been one of those pioneers who mentored, encouraged and led the way in our industry,” Palumbo said. “In addition to building a revered brand and portfolio of publications for the Twin Cities, he has parlayed MSP’s custom publishing into a national presence. His colleagues recognize him for his work ethic, his unflappable focus on all the moving parts on a day-to-day basis, and his motivation and encouragement to the entire MSP team.”

A list of past Lifetime Achievement Award winners is posted here.