The GCA has been flying the flag for the greeting card industry recently with a number of spots in high-profile media outlets. PG Buzz takes stock on what has been going on…
Seen on: Huffington Post
In an article about reducing waste on Valentine’s Day, figures from the GCA were quoted about UK shoppers buying 18.7 million Valentine’s cards in 2016. The article encourages people to keep their Valentine’s Day cards, or if they are recycling them to remove any glitter or pop ups before putting in the recycling bin. The environmental credentials of greeting cards have been under scrutiny in the media lately, so it is good to see a publication like Huffington Post taking a positive stance and encouraging people to keep cards.
Read the full article here
Seen on: The Daily Mail
The Daily Mail picked up on the British Veterinary Association’s (BVA) campaign – #BreedtoBreathe which PG Buzz reported on 1 February, calling for card publishers to stop using flat-faced dog and cat breeds on greeting cards. Sharon Little, ceo of the GCA was quoted in the article saying she had made members aware of the campaign in the hope that they can make ‘informed decisions about the products they stock and sell in the future’.
Read more here
Seen on: Vet Times
Vet Times – the website for Veterinary Times magazine – also ran a story about the use of flat-faced breeds on greeting cards, highlighting the positive response from the GCA. Sharon Little was quoted in the article saying: “Greeting cards reflect lifestyle trends, so, unsurprisingly, popular animals are featured on greeting cards, as well as many other products. We have written to our members to raise awareness of the campaign and publicised it through the trade press. Card publishers and retailers have up to a year’s lead time, but we’re sharing this information now so our members can make informed decisions about the products they stock in future.”
Read the article here
Seen in: Craft Business
In the January/February issue of Craft Business magazine (the largest circulated trade magazine for the craft industry) Sharon Little contributed to a ‘Trends’ piece, saying: “Greeting cards are, in many ways, a fashion item that you cannot wear, but that personally connects one person with another. They continue to reflect society in the words/captions/colours/motifs/patterns used.” She went on to talk about the trend of tropical brights and mythical and mystical creatures, saying: “The yearn for the magical in unsettled times looks set to continue, with mermaids swimming their way into a fantasy landscape where the unicorn has been roaming proudly.”
