Paper Rose is re-introducing the well known Grass Roots’ Write from the Heart brand to the market with an initial card collection launching at PG Live next week (Tuesday 4 June and Wednesday 5 June).
This comes two and a half months after the news broke that the Liverpool-based publisher Grass Roots International, known for its From the Heart traditional cards, had ceased trading and was to be liquidated.
https://www.pgbuzz.net/grass-roots-has-ceased-trading-the-company-will-be-liquidated-on-april-8/
In April, PG Buzz shared the news that the Simon Elvin group had acquired the vast design and verse bank of Grass Roots International as well as the publisher’s brand names, Grass Roots and Write from the Heart.
Commenting at the time, Simon Elvin, founder of the group which comprises the wholesale publishing business Simon Elvin as well as Paper Rose, Nigel Quiney Publications and Glick, said: “As this is not something we had anticipated, we are still debating how best to use the designs, verses and brand names and which of our companies are best suited to be their ‘home’”.
The ‘debating’ is now over and Paper Rose is welcoming the Write from the Heart brand into its fold, adding a traditional card facet to the Nottingham-based publisher’s portfolio.
“It is an illogical, yet totally logical decision as it broadens Paper Rose’s offer with a strong brand that is well respected in the traditional card sector,” Stuart McKay, chairman of Paper Rose and non-executive director of Simon Elvin told PG Buzz. The Write from the Heart brand joins The Art Group, Avocado Designs and main Paper Rose strands to the card publisher’s offer.
While there will be small selection of Grass Roots’ From the heart cards on the Paper Rose stand at PG Live next week (Tuesday 4 June and Wednesday 5 June) the range will be honed over time.
“We have acquired 90% of the Grass Roots’ stock from the receivers as well as cards from two of the company’s printers. A pallet of quarter of a million cards has just arrived from one printer, for example,” explained Stuart McKay, chairman of Paper Rose and non-executive director of Simon Elvin.
To start with the Paper Rose sales team will be offering this acquired stock.
“Grass Roots had over 1,000 everyday designs alone. We will not be offering this many, but will be able to quickly see where the real demand is and be able to respond to this,” said Stuart.
The pricing structure will follow Grass Roots’ previous model.
Although Paper Rose may not be known for traditional cards, there is considerable expertise in the group in the area. Stuart McKay was ceo of UKG for many years while founder of the company, Simon Elvin has been responsible for thousands and thousands of traditional designs.
While there is some excess Grass Roots’ stock circulating in the market, having been bought when the Grass Roots business ceased trading, as the Simon Elvin group now owns the Grass Roots and Write from the Heart trademarks no other company can legally reprint any of these cards as this would be an IP infringement.
Top: Grass Roots International and Write from the Heart are brands now under Paper Rose.
