The Partner Channel Magazine_Winter 2018

ON THE HOMEFRONT
End
THE OF THIS
Beginning
STORY IS THE
OF ANOTHER
story by JENNY DAVIS
I
f you read the Notes on Page 7, you know that
The Partner Channel is teaming up with Dynamic
Communities, Inc. If you skipped that page, now
you know. (If you skip both pages, well…you’ll hear
sometime.)
Spider Johnk asked me to work with him in 2004 as
my event manager career at Microsoft was coming to a close. In 2010, he
asked if I wanted to purchase The Partner Channel. While he was ready
to move on and do new things, he wanted the company to continue.
Eight years later, I find myself in the same spot.
We ran a small but mighty team, and I’m proud of everything we
accomplished. Now it’s time to see how these programs sound with a
bigger megaphone.
It feels natural to insert The Partner Channel’s offerings – The
Magazine, The List, The Genius Series, the Marketing in the Dynamics
Community reports, and the Membership Rewards Program – into
the Dynamic Communities portfolio. I’m a little in awe of what
they’ve created over the last 15 years, and it proves that there is a
deep need for people to form a community and knowledge base that
helps everybody do and achieve more. It just works.
The next issue of The Partner Channel Magazine will be the
beginning of a story that will carry on a legacy of providing value to
Partners and their personal and professional success. I am excited for
what is to come in this upcoming chapter.
And now for the thank you’s…
First, to my team.
»»
Jane Olson is the most personable, capable, and passionate
professional you will encounter. She will continue on with
Dynamic Communities, working with Partners as part of the
sponsorship team. Jane and I have worked together since 2005,
and it has been a sincere pleasure. Thank you for being such an
amazing steward to Partners and their marketing interests over
the years.
»»
Bethany Foyt joined our team to lead marketing endeavors
when I was tired of staying up late to try and get the job done.
There wasn’t anything that I could throw Bethany’s way that she
couldn’t handle, and I’m so grateful for that! Thank you for taking
things that rattled around my brain and making them happen.
Bethany will join Dynamic Communities as well, as part of their
marketing team.
»»
Jasmine McNellis is the nicest “follow upper” that you’ll meet
– ever! She took great care in her work – especially in keeping our
data clean! – and I’m so glad that Partners had the opportunity
to work with you. Jasmine will be pursuing other interests, and
though we will miss her, I’m excited that another company will
have the opportunity to experience her talents.
And now to people you may not know, but you’re holding their
work in your hands.
»»
Shawn Olson is one of the best designers I know, and I’m so
glad that Spider brought her on board to design the magazine.
She has a terrific ability to take thoughts and turn them into art,
as well as stay cool, calm, and collected when faced with some
ridiculous project loads on top of her day job!
»»
Kate Mund wrangles our commas, slices our run-on sentences,
and helps make sure a contributor (including me!) has finished
a thought before diving into the next. She was right there with
us through “five magazine quarters” and past-press submissions,
and I’m grateful to have had her on board.
»»
Dave Swang works hand-in-hand with Jane to produce The
List in addition to designing graphics for the magazine and
other projects. Whenever I think of Dave, I think of, “Sure. No
problem!” and a big smile on his face at all times. I couldn’t ask
for a better extension of our team.
»»
Kathy Leingang, Sandy Horner, and the Forum
Communications Printing team do so much more than print
this magazine and drop it off at the post office. They made sure
our advertisers looked goooood in print and went above and
beyond when we had a time-sensitive (i.e. this needs to be at an
event in Dallas by Tuesday) release.
»»
Matt Mastrud has been creating the art you see on these pages
for so long that I can’t remember when I first met him. Matt (aka
Punchgut) is an artist that has always brought a smile to my face
with his ability to bring a story to life in an unconventional, witty,
and truly awesome way.
And then those brilliant contributors.
I’ve included an editor’s note at the end of their articles, so please indulge
me before you turn the page. We’ve had other contributors through the
years who have gone on to other passions and they have helped to shape
this magazine into what it has become. Thank you to all of you. As I draw
this to a close, I’d be remiss if I didn’t call out two of my mentors.
»»
Bonnie Robertson captivated me from the moment I met her
at Microsoft. Her ability to tell a story and inspire an audience
was amazing to watch and it was a privilege to feature her at our
past events and in the magazine. Bonnie’s thoughts and words
shaped so much of what I’ve done as a professional, and I’m
thankful for everything she’s shared with me over the years.
»»
Spider Johnk came into my professional life about a week after it
started. He designed the sets for our Microsoft events, and I was so
impressed with the care he took in creating an experience. Spider’s
talents went far beyond the set, and although I’m pretty sure he
dreaded the idea of “managing” somebody, I loved sitting in his
office and getting to be part of his grand ideas. I talked him into one
last piece of art for this magazine, a swan song for both of us.
Finally, those awesome people at home.
»»
My husband, Casey, children (Peter, Charlotte, Jameson,
Stella, and Bridget), parents, siblings, and friends have
been so supportive when I’ve been holed up in my office on a
deadline, “hanging a bunch of paper” on my wall during layout,
and bringing my computer to the lake because there was an
article to finish. I love you all. Thank you for not thinking I’m
nuts…or for keeping it to yourself if you think I am.
With that, I give you, the Winter 2018 issue of The Partner Channel
Magazine.
12 WINTER 2018 | THEPARTNERCHANNEL.COM