Irvin J. Borowsky Chosen as Neographics 2009 'Person of the Year'

TREVOSE, PA—The Graphic Arts Association has named Irvin J. Borowsky as the 2009 Neographics “Person of the Year.” Mr. Borowsky truly exemplifies all of the characteristics that qualified him as the 2009 “Person of the Year.” Borowsky will receive this award of recognition at the Neographics® dinner and awards ceremony on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at the Union League, 140 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA at 7:00 p.m.

Born in Philadelphia in 1924, Irvin was the youngest of nine children. When he was 12 years old, he answered an ad in “Popular Mechanics” for a real printing press for $5. The press came with a package of type, ink and instructions. By the time Borowsky was fourteen years old, he was operating his own printing business which he named City Wide Press.

At the end of Word War II, he found Foster Manufacturing Company, which provides custom storage equipment to printers and newspapers.

In 1948, he started a weekly TV magazine called TV Digest, which later became TV Guide.

His innovations in the publishing and printing industries are legendary. Borowsky was the first to present movies on television. He was the first to introduce the marketing of magazines at checkout counters in supermarkets – an all new, innovative approach to the public. His redesign of numerous newspaper composition departments produced major efficiencies which were adopted by newspapers worldwide.

After selling his TV magazine to Walter Annenberg, Mr. Borowsky founded North American Publishing and Printing Impressions Magazine. He has edited and published 34 books plus innumerable magazines and newsletters. He has written a number of books on printing.

His writings and innovations have had a great influence on the printing industry, but his interests and influence extend far beyond printing. He serves on the boards of the Salvation Army, the National Bible Association, and the Creative Glass Center of America among others. In 1995, he founded the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia which “aims to defuse violence and bigotry by celebrating America’s heritage of freedom and the wonderfully diverse society it has produced.”

His latest book is titled “Journey of an Optimist.”

The Graphic Arts Association is the regional trade association for the printing industry in Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware. The mission of the Graphic Arts Association is to be the leading resource for the printing and graphic communications industry in advocacy, education and information to enhance the strength and profitability of its members.