Seven UK publishers ‘chuffed’ at 2023 US greeting card awards nominations
There’s a bunch of thrilled card publishers here in the UK as the news of their Louie Awards nominations sinks in, and Louise Mulgrew greeted her eight finalists’ places by admitting: “I’m so chuffed and honestly quite shocked!”
Louise is one of seven British greetings firms making up almost 10% of the 79 companies in the 2023 US greeting card awards, alongside Redback Cards, Alljoy Design, The Art File, Paper D’Art, Paper Salad and Tache.
And, with eight cards in six categories, she said: “I wondered if there had been an admin error to be honest, but I’m very happy and excited. It’s particularly exciting as we’re exhibiting at Noted this year as our very first US trade show and will be able to enjoy the awards evening and meet lots of US cardies while we’re there.”
The list of three finalists in each of the 51 categories was revealed last week, and the winners will be announced on 26 April, at the General’s Residence in San Francisco, the night before the US GCA, which runs the Louies, opens its Noted greeting card expo at the city’s Fort Mason Center For Arts & Culture.
Also exhibiting will be distributor Notes & Queries, and md Vanessa Harnik told PG Buzz: “I can only say how thrilled we are that six of the publishers we represent – Alljoy Design, Paper Salad, Paper D’art, Tache, The Art File, and Artige from The Netherlands, are finalists for a Louie award!
“It’s exciting but, to be fair though, we already know we represent such extraordinarily talented artists and designers from the UK, Europe, and Israel in the US marketplace and are proud to represent all of our publishers – not just the ones that were nominated for a Louie. Congratulations to all the finalists, we’re in great company!”
At Redback Cards the inclusion of its cute sequin sausage dog patch card saw the company post of social media and owner Chris Stanley said: “Gotta say we’re super excited to be a finalist at the Louie awards. We’re out in San Francisco again this year exhibiting at Noted but haven’t been to the awards ceremony before, so really looking forward to it. Just have to be careful of getting carried away on the night before the start of the show!”
Long-time 3D card specialist Paper D’Art was also deservedly shouting about its double finalist achievement on Facebook: “Fresh from winning Card Of The Year at the 4th annual Louie Awards for greeting cards we are thrilled to be among the finalists in the 34th event – maybe pearl’s a winner?”
Alljoy’s UK sales agent Richard Pass, of STL Agency, commented: “Reaching the finals of the Louie awards gives a sense of pride and accomplishment. It’s a validation of all the hard work and creativity that goes into making beautiful cards, and a reminder that we’re on the journey with dedication and passion. Whether or not we win, being a finalist will stay with us forever.
“We feel extremely grateful to work with Notes & Queries who submitted our cards for the awards. Their support and dedication have been invaluable to us, and we are honoured to be recognised as finalists. Working with them is a delight and we look forward to working them in the future.”
Pennie Bryant, who owns Tache with partner Frank Nicholls, is hoping to make it to the Louies party in San Francisco again after celebrating there last year following their triumph in the Best Blank Card $5 & Below category.
She told PG Buzz: “Frank, myself and the Tache team are super super chuffed – for us to have been nominated through Notes & Queries this year is just wonderful. It was only last year we won our first Louie Award and, off the back of that, joined forces with Alan and Vanessa.”
At The Art File, sales and marketing manager James Mace told PG Buzz: “We’re absolutely thrilled to hear the news! We’ve worked closely with Notes & Queries on this product for a long time, so it’s lovely for both the product and the team at Notes & Queries to have been recognised by the US Market.
“The Art File has worked with Alan and Vanessa for over 20 years now, and they’re close to our hearts both personally and professionally – thus making the news even sweeter. I wish Alan, Vanessa, and the rest of the finalists the best of luck.”
And Claire Williams, who runs Paper Salad with business partner Karen Wilson, is absolutely delighted with the news: “The nominated range won a Henries award last year so we’d be doubly happy if it won a second award. We will be there in person when they announce the winners in San Francisco and I’m sure it will be a fantastic evening with some of our fellow Brit publishers – whatever the result!”
The 34th Louie Awards have been judged by a panel of 52 card publishers, retailers, sales representatives, and stationery industry leaders at five regional hubs across the US, with entries over 60% up on last year. All the finalists can be viewed here.
