As Henries’ judges battled ranges, calendars, democracy and walls came to mind
Papyrus and parchment were Roman means of communication so greeting cards still had to be invented but they started the tradition of marking births and deaths way back in 59BC with the Acta Diurna, the first known newspaper.
And, with the theme of this year’s Henries Awards being ancient Rome, when the legion of retailer judges channelled their inner gladiator self to go into battle with the contending ranges, they were also put to the test.
Calendars, democracy, bathing and walls were among the answers at London’s Business Design Centre recently as the 40-plus judges set to carving the hefty shortlist down to the finalists’ list, and PG kept them in fighting form by asking:
Roman triumph: “What have the Romans ever done for us?” is a phrase from Monty Python’s Life of Brian film. Revered for their many achievements from roads to sanitation, trademarks to fast food, what do you think is the best thing the Romans have done for us?
Mother of invention: The Romans were acclaimed for their inventions, but what do see as the best innovation in the greeting card industry?
Fighting talk: Roman gladiators fought against beasts, criminals and other gladiators. What fight would you like to see gladiators take on for the benefit of the greeting card industry?
Here, in the next in the series, we feature the responses from WHSmith, Cardfactory, Little Boat Gifts, Waterstones, Creative Cove, First Class Greetings, Nor, and Sincerely Yours…
Scarlett Ford, buyer of WHSmith
Roman triumph: “Roman baths.”
Mother of invention: “Laser-cut pop-up cards. Beautiful designs that feel more like you are giving a gift than just a card. Lovely keepsakes that will remind the recipient of the sender.”
Fighting talk: “The surging costs of stamps.”
Cheryl Sandbach, senior buying manager for Cardfactory’s 1000-plus stores
Roman triumph: “Hot baths, Hadrian’s Wall and Rome, a truly beautiful city.”
Fighting talk: “Take on the challenge to cut postage costs.”
Olivia Reilly, co-owner of Little Boat Gifts, Brightlingsea
Roman triumph: “Coming from Colchester, which has strong Roman connections, I have to side with a non-Roman…Boudica! She’s a strong female role model who led a large group of men. Without the Roman invasion, we’d never have heard of Boudica.”
Mother of invention: “The envelope as it keeps all your messages inside cards private. However, it could be that the best invention is yet to come.”
Fighting talk: “Postage…let’s make it easier for everyone to send cards and letters to loved ones.”
Megan Douglas, card and giftwrap buyer, Waterstones
Roman triumph: “The Romans laid the groundwork for creating a democratic society.”
Mother of invention: “The introduction of biodegradable finishes and packaging.”
Fighting talk: “Stem the rising costs paper, materials and stamp prices.”
Sandra Jervis, boss lady of Creative Cove, Lampeter
Roman triumph: “Raucous sex and orgies – surely they were better at that than anything else?!”
Mother of invention: “Letterpress – the process elevates cards to the next level of beauty.”
Fighting talk: “The Royal Mail! We need gladiators to join us in our fight to keep the six-day-a-week postal delivery service. If we don’t, people will send fewer cards simply because they’ll think they won’t arrive in time.”
Jerry Brown, co-owner of First Class Greetings and Plum Green, Hadleigh
Roman triumph: “Wine and orgies.”
Mother of invention: “Improved diversity and inclusive cards.”
Fighting talk: “For the Post Office to pay postmasters properly.”
Debbie Brown, co-owner of First Class Greetings and Plum Green, Hadleigh
Roman triumph: “The Gladiator film…following on from Russell Crowe, Paul Mescal is to play the lead in Gladiator II and looks pretty good!”
Mother of invention: “Improvements in printing and finishing which allow publishers to differentiate themselves.”
Fighting talk: “Improve local government support for retailers, introducing fairer business rates and other cost reducing initiatives.”
Serge Sumerling, owner of Nor, Beckenham and West Norwood
Roman triumph: “Spas.”
Mother of invention: “3D and pop-up cards…amazing paper engineering.”
Fighting talk: “To stop medium/large multiples moving into independents’ areas.”
Emma Thurgood, manager of Sincerely Yours, Hornchurch and Shenfield
Roman triumph: “They created calendars which helps everyone keep track of when to send cards.”
Mother of invention: “Foiling. It really adds to designs and makes them stand out.”
Fighting talk: “Stop supermarkets in our High Street selling the same cards as us independents.”
Cilena Easton, owner of Artichoke, Tynemouth
Roman triumph: “They invented the postal system, where would we be without that?!”
Mother of invention: “Cello-free packaged cards.”
Fighting talk: “Cheaper postage.”
All winners of The Henries 2024 will be announced from the list of finalists and Best Service To The Independent Retailer shortlist on Thursday, October 3, in the Nine Kings Suite at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel, at what is the greeting card industry’s big night.
There’s a cocktail reception at 6.45pm, dinner and the awards ceremony from 7.20pm, then from 11pm it’s time to schmooze and dance the night away in your toga or gladiator’s kilt and sandals – or black tie and posh frock, if you prefer.
To book tickets click here. It will be a fabulous opportunity for the greeting card community to get together and celebrate its creative excellence as well as its strong sense of camaraderie.
These views also appeared in the September edition of Progressive Greetings magazine which can be read online here or you can subscribe here to receive the magazine by post each month.
