PL Hall of Famers: A Class Act
by Peter Berlinski, Editor-in-Chief

With this issue’s cover story that profiles the 2008 Class members being inducted into the Private Label Hall of Fame, we mark the third year of its establishment.

Cosponsored by PLMA and PL magazine, the PL Hall of Fame serves to preserve the history of and to honor the excellence of its members. Indeed, we are proud to salute these respected professionals — living and deceased - who have contributed to the growth of store brands in the consumer marketplace.

While we work together to support the mission of the PL Hall of Fame, as a point of clarification, let me point out that PLMA and PL magazine are two independent organizations. However, as we have since the start of PLMA, we continue to support the fine work of this organization that Marv Benjoya, 2008 Class member, describes as “a strong unified industry voice and platform of credibility.” Say Benjoya: “Although there have been many rewarding aspects in my career, one of the things that gives me great satisfaction is working with a dedicated, talented group of people and playing a small part in taking a fledging PLMA and helping it grow into a truly dynamic, constructive, driving force in our industry.”
In addition to Benjoya, now retired from Perrigo, the new PL Hall of Famers which we profile in this issue include: Sir Terry Leahy of Tesco, Don Watt of DW+Partners, and Peter Schwartz of Daymon.

Class of 2009 and Beyond

Although the formal nominating ballot for soliciting inductees into the next Class of the PL Hall of Fame will not be distributed until the end of this year, we welcome the early nominations of candidates whom our readers deem to be worthy of inclusion into the 2009 Class and beyond. The PL Hall of Fame selection criteria are listed on page 21 in this issue. You can submit nominations to this editor. I will keep them on file and formally submit them when the nominating process resumes. Thank you for your support.