Greg Hrinya, Editor01.29.21
The label and packaging industry is mourning the loss of Ann Hirst-Smith, who passed away peacefully on January 24, 2021. Ann was the managing partner of Ann Hirst-Smith Associates, where she collaborated with many organizations like AWA Alexander Watson Associates and Label & Narrow Web.
Ann, who was proud of her Scottish heritage, had a broad spectrum of interests focused on the packaging, labeling, printing and graphics industries. In later years her interests grew to include environmental issues and sustainability. Ann was also the co-author of books with her husband Peter in areas remote from the industry, including co-authorship of the “Complete Candle Maker."
"Ann was a unique individual and one of a kind," says Corey Reardon, president and CEO of AWA. "She was a fantastic friend, confidant and colleague, and did so much for me personally, as well as for AWA and its success. She was generous, loving and will be missed immensely. Especially her wit, compassion, and complaints about the weather."
Ann started her journalism career in the late 1960s with magazines, including John O’Londons and a Time & Tide before moving into the publishing industry. Following years of dedicated work in the 1970s and 1980s as marketing services manager for Avery Dennison, Fasson UK, Ann established Ann Hirst-Smith Associates and maintained close relationships across the packaging and labeling industry.
In later years, her journalistic and public-relation skills were used by a number of companies and trade associations – all associated with the broader converting sector. She traveled widely, covering industry and international trade conferences and exhibitions, reporting on developing trends and innovations for a wide range of journals and trade press. She was also instrumental in establishing and managing a number of public-relation exercises to encourage excellence in products and processes. These included competitions within specific converting segments, and the editing of company literature and magazines.
Ann enjoyed travel and the experiences of meeting new people, and learning of new developments inside and outside her immediate areas of activity. She also enjoyed art and food, and was an adventurous cook experimenting with recipes and ingredients.
Ann, who was proud of her Scottish heritage, had a broad spectrum of interests focused on the packaging, labeling, printing and graphics industries. In later years her interests grew to include environmental issues and sustainability. Ann was also the co-author of books with her husband Peter in areas remote from the industry, including co-authorship of the “Complete Candle Maker."
"Ann was a unique individual and one of a kind," says Corey Reardon, president and CEO of AWA. "She was a fantastic friend, confidant and colleague, and did so much for me personally, as well as for AWA and its success. She was generous, loving and will be missed immensely. Especially her wit, compassion, and complaints about the weather."
Ann started her journalism career in the late 1960s with magazines, including John O’Londons and a Time & Tide before moving into the publishing industry. Following years of dedicated work in the 1970s and 1980s as marketing services manager for Avery Dennison, Fasson UK, Ann established Ann Hirst-Smith Associates and maintained close relationships across the packaging and labeling industry.
In later years, her journalistic and public-relation skills were used by a number of companies and trade associations – all associated with the broader converting sector. She traveled widely, covering industry and international trade conferences and exhibitions, reporting on developing trends and innovations for a wide range of journals and trade press. She was also instrumental in establishing and managing a number of public-relation exercises to encourage excellence in products and processes. These included competitions within specific converting segments, and the editing of company literature and magazines.
Ann enjoyed travel and the experiences of meeting new people, and learning of new developments inside and outside her immediate areas of activity. She also enjoyed art and food, and was an adventurous cook experimenting with recipes and ingredients.