The Final Countdown, a huge hit in the 80s by Swedish rock band Europe, would be an apposite soundtrack to today, being only a few hours away from The Henries greeting card industry awards event (October 4), which this year is embracing an 80s Electric Dreams theme.
Over 700 members of the greeting card community – publishers, retailers and industry suppliers – will be there tonight at the Royal Lancaster Hotel to witness which ‘hot hits’ of UK greeting card publishing of the last year will be feted with awards.
“Over 14,000 greeting cards and wrappings were entered into The Henries this year, that were judged by a panel of 50 of the UK’s top retail buyers,” Warren Lomax, joint managing director of Max Publishing, which owns and organises The Henries commented. “The 80s was an era of great musical and fashion diversity, something that is reflected in the finalists of The Henries 2018.”
Among the retailers who will be in the room to witness the winners being announced include buyers from B&M Retail, Booths, Card Factory, Cardzone, House of Cards, John Lewis, Paperchase, Penmark, Postmark, Sainsbury’s and WHSmith.
In keeping with the upbeat theme, the event is to be hosted by 80s icon, Pat Sharp; the official tickets (designed by Paper Rose) came with 3D glasses; there are Now That’s What I Call Music menu cards (designed by Gemma International as they are to produce cards based on the licence); a Glitter Station (sponsored by Five Dollar Shake/Counting Stars); a ‘live’ David Bowie complete with his yellow suit; a photobooth full of 80s-props (thanks to House of Cards); top DJ duo Freight Train will be spinning some 80s tracks and there will be glow sticks galore!
In addition to revealing which greeting card ranges came out tops with the judges, anticipation is building for the prestigious Best Service to the Independent Greeting Card Retailer category which will see three publishers being crowned with a Bronze, Silver and Gold trophy.
To remind yourself of which ranges and companies are in the running for a Henries award, click here to see The Henries brochure.
For those who can’t be there in the flesh The Henries winners will be revealed in real-time over on Twitter – simply follow #Henries18. There will even be an 80s themed prize delivered to the winning tweeter!
The 80s have lots of memories for many of us, here are a few from two ‘Madonnas’ of our trade to get you in the mood…
Amanda Parkin, managing director of Gemma International: “my fave bits of the 80s would have to be my Kim Wilde haircut and Jason Donovan look-a-like boyfriend!! My 80’s music highlights was anything by Madonna while on the film front, Back to the Future (which is still a much loved film in our house) and Dirty Dancing.”
Michelle Mills, marketing manager of Windles: “1980s…I school years boarding at Cranbrook School in Kent where we had a lot of sing songs. Come on Eileen, Total Eclipse of the heart, Girls Just Want To Have Fun and anything by Michael Jackson was big for us back then.
Embarrassing stuff – I was obsessed with Knightrider (and thought The Hof was gorgeous), Neighbours, Dallas, Wimpy (for Knickerblocker Glories and the ring sausage with fried eggs), my neon socks and leg warmers. I also held onto my purple ra ra skirt I had for years.”
Top: The fab Henries ticket, designed by Paper Rose, produced by Windles.
