Industry legend’s experiences and advice help publishers of the future
David Hicks, the founder of Really Good and Soul, sadly died a few weeks ago but, knowing of his imminent departure from this world, he was keen to share his business experience, golden nuggets of advice and inspirational gems for publishers of today and tomorrow.
In January this year David was interviewed by Amanda Fergusson, ceo of the GCA, for a recording which is the first of what will be a series of GCA podcasts that will be hosted and made available on the trade association’s website.
“My motivation was to make a difference… put a smile on the face of the consumer,” David told Amanda on the podcast about the essence of his companies Really Good and Soul.
The recording follows David’s 33-year industry journey, from starting out in a bedsit in Oxford through the highs of range successes, his involvement in the GCA, industry changes, as well as his life loves.
The podcast can be accessed from the dedicated blog post on the GCA website, by clicking here.
Summing up David’s contribution to the industry Amanda said: “His quirky, of the moment, designs brought greeting cards to new and young consumers from the late 1980s onwards. His leadership at the GCA changed the nature of our trade association, opening it up to everyone working in the greeting card industry. He was a generous, humble man, who didn’t suffer fools and described things exactly as they were. I will miss his sage advice and dry humour.”
Continuing a series of tributes about David, PG Buzz shares some more memories…
Robert Duncan, the cartoonist behind Not Particularly Orange, the first range published by Really Good
“To show how long I have known young Hix, I’ve only got to say I remember him with hair…
Over 30 years ago I first met him in a studenty-type house (the hub of the Really Good Card Company conglomerate) in Oxford.
“I’d actually put on a suit to meet this exciting new prospect, who sounded as if he liked my cartoons. So, when we saw each other I thought ‘who is this Neil from the Young Ones impersonator?’ and he probably thought ‘who is this extremely old git standing on my doorstep?’
“But we soon got over all that and, after an uncertain start with a small postcard range called Terribly Useful Cut-outs, we settled on what was to become our trademark style and, because we weren’t using any orange in the printing, I suggested it should be called the Not Particularly Orange range.
“I did six designs to start with, because they were so simple to do and would probably shut him up but, when he returned a month later with a new extended list of ideas and more importantly a cheque for £250, I was galvanised into action.
“For years, as our daft giggling relationship developed, we added vastly to the greeting card range, printed the images on to T-shirts, calendars, socks, willy warmers, watches, knickers, more calendars and loads of other must-haves for our excited clientele. I ended up drawing over 3,000 Not Particularly Orange cartoons.
“David and I became great friends and we partied at his Oxford home and in his pad in Bath, went on trips to Malta and Memphis, ate his very superior cooking on his houseboats, and generally phoned each other when we had something stupid to say. I can’t quite believe those moments are now gone.
“He was a wonderful person – bright, fun, incredibly clever, and justly surrounded by a bevy of friends who all adored and appreciated him as much as I did.
“I can’t believe he’s gone. A dear friend and the man who gave me the opportunity to become world famous for a few minutes. Bless him. The way he left us was totally in character – and I think he summed up his sunny attitude perfectly in his last Facebook message ‘Final treat. A private jet!’
Love you and miss you mate.”
Jenny Cummins, owner of McMillan Cards & Paper, Sydney
“Like many I am just so sad. David was a close mate in the true sense of the Australian word. We learnt a lot from each other, yes, I shared my female wisdom and logic quite loudly…over all the years, but he still remained my rock and dear friend.
“I miss him badly, can’t quite come to terms that he is not here anymore, but this will be the same for so many others who were lucky enough to share time with him. I was looking at the many photos which reminds me of all the good times we shared. He introduced me to the Royal Academy exhibition back in 2012, which was just part of my education from him of so many good things and people British.
“For now it’s simply painful to know that he has left us too early, that he could not live a full life and share the best end of it with dear Nicole.
“They say a picture can be better than a thousand words and I have a fair few starting in 2012 when
You will live on always in my heart David Hicks. A kind, very generous and thoughtful man. Be at peace. And thank you for so many good times and very special memories which I treasure.”
Kayoko Kubo, general manager of Toy Symphony, Japan
“Our friend of 30 years has gone. Our relationship started when we placed a very tiny order with him. Up until then we had been importing classic design products, and picture book illustration designed products. We weren’t sure if would be able to sell Really Good’s cute, lovely and happy designs to our customers, so we ordered six designs of notebooks and a small quantity of greeting cards. And even though we placed such a tiny order, we also asked if we could be the exclusive distributor for the Japanese market. Luckily Michael Gray, sales manager at the time, and David agreed.
:The products sold well so we reordered larger quantities. Then David started Soul, which produced stationery, bags, greeting cards and wrapping papers that we also ordered.
“In 2004, we ordered our own special designs for mini cards, changing some of the designs to suit the Japanese market. David sent the proofs with his handwritten note ‘We hope you like them. See you soon’ that I have kept.
“By this point we were up to ordering 43 designs from Really Good and Soul as well as two designs of special pencil cases too. At that time our customers had stopped selling PVC products, so we ordered some made in cotton fabric. All the products sold out.
“We invariably asked David to make some very small detailed changes. Sometimes, it was difficult for David to understand our requests, but he always showed great patience. When David came to Japan, we took him to some of our customers’ shops. After that he understood our design change and production requests.
“Every time we met, be it at shows in England or New York, we had lunch and chatted about how we were doing. When we visited his house in Bath, he served us herb tea made from herbs he grew in his garden.
“He was always worrying that I worked so hard in Japan and even though he was allergic to it, he gave me chocolate that he said I should eat during my late-night work sessions.
“The gifts we gave him included thin glasses and Japanese curtains. It was always very hard to find gifts for him, because he had such good design taste. He loved matcha so I gave him a bamboo chasen (a whisk) for matcha that was made by my friend, the maestro Tango Tanimura, and also I did a matcha tea ceremony for him.
“I will always remember David’s big hands and strong handshake, how we kissed three times when we said hello and goodbye, his nice voice, how sometime he made fun of me, his very heart-warming eyes…I remember so much. I have a framed photo of us together on display in my home.”
Above: The GCA’s David Hicks podcast gives an insight into the great man
