Jostens enhances “virtual commencement” programs, closes Visalia plant

GaryPageau ,
GRAMMY winning singer/songwriter Lori McKenna is partnering with Jostens to celebrate this year’s Class of 2020.

Jostens  is partnering with GRAMMY-winning songwriter and recording artist Lori McKenna to recognize her soon-to-be-released song as the official song of the Class of 2020. The song, scheduled for national release May 1, will be featured in Jostens free on-line “Virtual Commencement Centers”.

Jostens Virtual Commencement Centers have been designed for the high school and college markets, and deliver exclusive digital tools to help school leaders plan and execute a graduation ceremony on-line, in the event their traditional commencement events are canceled due to COVID-19. Both are provided at no cost to schools or families.

McKenna, a mother of a Class of 2020 high school graduate, was inspired by the company’s efforts to recognize this year’s graduates despite the challenges the COVID-19 crisis has created for schools, including closures, delays, and the threat of canceled commencement ceremonies.

“As a songwriter, but even more as a mom of a high school senior, I’m so honored to offer up a song for the Class of 2020,” said McKenna. “I love that Jostens is making a special salute to this year’s high school and college graduates.  It’s an unprecedented time and these graduates deserve the best celebration possible.”

McKenna is an industry-leading songwriter and performer, who in 2016 became the first woman ever to win the Country Music Association’s Song of the Year two years in a row thanks to co-writing Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush” and penning Tim McGraw’s no. 1 “Humble and Kind” solo.

In other Jostens news, the Visalia Times-Delta is reporting the company will close its Visalia plant by Oct. 15, idling 110 employees.

In a letter to staff obtained by the Times-Delta, company leaders say the COVID-19 crisis is to blame for the closure:

“This plant closing and mass layoff is a result of unforeseen business circumstances, namely, an acute and unexpected loss of business for Jostens’ products on a nationwide scale due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” the letter reads.

Written by 

Gary Pageau is principal of InfoCircle LLC, continuing his marketing communications career. InfoCircle LLC is a marketing and communications consulting firm, specializing in business-to-business markets. For nearly 25 years, he was with PMA International, serving most recently as Publisher, Content Development and Strategic Initiatives. His primary responsibilities included overseeing the Association’s editorial department, marketing research unit, education and corporate relations department.