For Osmond Brown, a company sales representative who has served The Gleaner for 40 years, the recipe for long service is simple.

"It's about commitment to the job and adapting to the change. It feels good to be recognised," Brown said yesterday as he was acknowledged during the company's long service awards luncheon at the Wyndam in New Kingston.

Collectively the honorees form a list of 24 employees whose years of long service range from 10-40 years.

Image technician Trecia McGowan, who was awarded for 20 years of service, is testimony to the kind of adaptation needed.

"I came here at age 19 as a proofreader, then as a page planner, and now I am an image technician. I have achieved almost everything I wanted by being here," McGowan said.

Nashauna Drummond, who was one of nine persons awarded for 10 years of service, said "the relationship" with the 178-year-old multi-media company has been similar to a romantic affair.

"It's the longest relationship I have ever had. Ten years with The Gleaner. That means The Gleaner and I must be doing something right," she said.

In the meantime, addressing the long service luncheon yesterday, the company's managing director, Christopher Barnes told employees that recent poll results have shown that the company continues to stay ahead of its competitors.

"So what does that mean? It means that The Gleaner is doing something right, it means that everybody in here, no matter how many years you have served, is doing something right."

Barnes said that over the decades, one of the successes behind the company has been its ability to adapt to the changes in technology while at the same time maintaining its credibility as a media entity.

"Change is inevitable, change is constant. What hasn't changed at The Gleaner Company is the information that we provide. What hasn't changed at The Gleaner Company is credibility. What hasn't changed at The Gleaner Company is this drive to make Jamaica a better place. This is the mission that we are all on. Forget the little trials from day to day ... . We all have an important role to play in shaping Jamaica for the next 50 years," the managing director said.

'Maintain the passion'

LIME Jamaica Chairman Christopher Dehring, who was guest speaker at yesterday's luncheon, said The Gleaner Company has played an important role in the lives of many Jamaicans, and encouraged staff members to maintain "the passion" as the company keeps up with the changes in technology.

"My message to you is to congratulate you on your wonderful tenure; your commitment and integrity over all these years to make The Gleaner what it is," said Dehring, who is also chief marketing officer of LIME Caribbean. "What is going to keep you in the next phase of media is your passion. If you keep that passion for media, for bringing us the truth, it doesn't matter what happens in technology you will be able to deliver. You will be able to give the people in Jamaica the kind of media platform to promote their products, to understand what's happening in the rest of the world and position Jamaica as a competitive country."