Clintons has confirmed that it is to get behind Thinking of You Week this year, the GCA-instigated card sending initiative which runs September 25-1 October.
The specialist multiple will be installing till point Thinking of You Week displays throughout all its stores, plans to highlight the event in its windows as well as raising awareness in social media and through its other PR channels.
“Our stores’ staff will be briefed with details of Thinking of You Week so they can engage with customers instore to reinforce the event,” Tim Fairs, VP of marketing and ecommerce of Clintons.
He sees ToYW as a natural fit for Clintons. “Customers see us as the no.1 destination for the best selection/choice of captions, and designs to suit all occasions, so this is the ideal event for us to get behind.”
Tim also highlights how ToYW, which is based on sending extra cards to people to show you care, echoes the essence of the retailer’s current PR drive, “which promotes ‘The Greeting Card’ as the most powerful communication medium bar none. Our message is that nothing beats a handwritten card, especially when it’s least expected to brighten anyone’s day. A text/post doesn’t come close!”
Commenting, Sharon Little, ceo of the GCA said: “It is great Clintons is getting on board with Thinking of You Week. The online toolkit and ideas on our dedicated ToYW website (http://www.thinkingofyouweek.cards/), provides lots of great inspiration for how retailers and others can get involved.”
Elsewhere, publisher and artist Tony Fernandes is also ‘onboard’ helping to ensure that some heart warming Thinking of You Week activities being planned by the Sea Rangers is ‘ship shape’.
PR maestro Laura Barioli (who worked with the GCA on the Thinking of You Week consumer activity last year) contacted Sharon Little, ceo of the GCA about a Thinking of You Week card writing initiative that will anchor a Sea Rangers event this coming weekend, which will see Sea Rangers, cadets, officers from several different crews come together aboard a ship, to write cards to offer support. With Tony Fernandes, a GCA member being so well known for his nautical artwork, Sharon put both parties in touch, with the result that Tony has donated greeting cards to the initiative.
Laura explains: “Sea Rangers are thrilled to be part of Thinking of You Week this year, and our main activity will be a card writing session held next weekend. We have girls, 10 Cadet Rangers, 15 Sea Rangers and 14 Officers, (and several Senior Officers) from several different Crews travelling from all corners of England to meet for an activity weekend on board a historical ship in central London. We are so thankful to Tony Fernandes, who has generously donated his wonderful greeting cards, he sent us a selection which uses his artwork of ships such as the Mary Rose, Cutty Sark and HMS Victory, all most appropriate for a Sea Ranger training weekend.”
This year’s Rangers’ ToYW activity also extends to those on solid land, with the Woking crews, for example holding a card design workshop at their weekly Sea Ranger meeting.
