In what should be something of a positive antidote to all the scary news about the Covid-19 coronavirus, tomorrow’s 6pm ITV regional news programmes are expected to extend their planned coverage of the greeting card sector to also champion the UK’s manufacturing prowess.
As reported on PG Buzz on Tuesday (March 17), the GCA has been instrumental in facilitating this sizeable PR with ITV News on the merits of greeting card sending (https://www.pgbuzz.net/itv-news-channels-to-promote-mothers-day-card-sending/) with the association’s ceo Amanda Fergusson being filmed in Postmark’s Turnham Green store talking about our industry and the importance of card sending.
Upon learning that such a large percentage of greeting cards are manufactured in the UK, the ITV news team broadened the planned footage and the film crew hot-footed it to Windles, one of the industry’s leading greeting card printers.
In addition to filming the entire card production process, from the printing to the finishing to the cutting and packing, news reporter Lauren Hall also interviewed Bruce Podmore, managing director of Windles.
“It was a great opportunity to stress just what a passionate industry this is, its long heritage and how it continues to provides a livelihood to a wide of array of people, both directly and indirectly,” commented Bruce, who continues the legacy of his father and grandfather in being involved in the greeting card industry with Windles producing 250 million greeting cards every year.
The interview also touched on the sector’s environmental credentials and the improvements that have and are being made on the sustainability front.
As Michelle Mills, Windles’ business development and marketing manager points out: “The coverage, which will hopefully appear on all ITV’s regional news programmes on Friday’s news, could not have come at a better time, not just to support those in our industry, but also to remind everyone of the vital role greeting cards play in nurturing relationships and making people feel they are cared for.”
Drawing on her own experience as an official volunteer for two care homes in Aylesbury close to where she lives, Michelle said: “The care homes manager told me yesterday that one of the key concerns of its residents not being able to go out due to the coronavirus is not being able to buy greeting cards for their grandchildren and friends’ birthdays. I have assured her that of course I will be more than happy to go shopping for any cards they would like. Now more than ever receiving cards from people will be really appreciated.”
