For only the second time time in Hallmark Cards’ 109-year history, the world’s largest privately-owned greeting card company has gone outside the Hall family in its appointment of a president and ceo*.
Marking a start of a new era for the $multi-billion business, Mike Perry, who has worked for the company for 30 years is taking over from Don and Dave Hall (grandsons of the founder, Joyce Hall), who are moving from their current roles as ceo and president respectively with Don Hall becoming Hallmark’s executive chairman and Dave Hall becoming executive vice chairman.
Commenting on Mike Perry’s significant appointment, Don Hall said: “This is a moment in Hallmark’s history in which we are excited about our progress, highlighted by our Greetings business securing a record number of contract wins and renewals, ratings and offerings continuing to thrive in our Crown Media business and Crayola expanding its line of innovative products and Crayola Experience attractions.”
Beginning his career at Hallmark in 1989, Mike has held a variety of leadership positions within Hallmark’s core business units, customer management teams and new business development initiatives. In 2009, he became president and ceo of Hallmark’s Crayola business. He was promoted to president of Hallmark Greetings in 2015 taking on global responsibility for the business in 2018.
Don added that Mike’s history of proven leadership will help to “drive the important work ahead by maintaining an elevated focus on our consumer, accelerating our digital commercialisation efforts, and delivering best-in-class execution.”
In accepting his new leadership role, Mike said: “I am honoured to continue the legacy of leadership at Hallmark and look forward to sustaining Hallmark’s relentless pursuit of engaging with our core shoppers and viewers as the marketplace rapidly evolves. We will continue to build on our momentum and deliver the strategic priorities needed to advance our diverse portfolio of businesses, while continuing the privilege we have at Hallmark of putting care into the world.”
Putting into context the size of the Hallmark Cards global business, it employs 30,000 people worldwide. Its greeting cards are sold in more than 100,000 rooftops across 100 countries, including 2,000 under the Gold Crown banner. While its Crayola business is a leading brand in art materials and creative play toys, the Crown Media Family Networks operates three cable channels – Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and Hallmark Drama.
In addition, Crown Center is a real estate development company that manages the 85-acre hotel, office, entertainment and residential campus surrounding Hallmark’s headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri.
* The first non-Hall family member to become president and ceo of the company was Irvine O.Hockaday who took on both roles in 1982 when JC Hall passed away.
