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LOUIE AwardsRecognizing creative excellence in the Industry
20th ANNUAL LOUIE AWARD FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
The
Greeting Card Association (GCA) has announced the
finalists for the best
greeting card and stationery products of the past year. Out of the hundreds of
thousands of cards and invitations published each year, 193 made it to the final
round in the 20th Annual International Greeting Card Awards competition, better
known as the "LOUIEs”. In honor of the 20th anniversary of the
LOUIEs, the theme of this year’s awards program is
Cirque du LOUIE
XX,
recognizing
the behind-the-scenes creative talents of the industry’s designers, writers and
illustrators.
The competition drew over 1,000
entries in 63 categories from more than 150 U.S. and international publishing
companies, including those in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, England and South
Africa. All entries were marketed and sold in the U.S. during calendar 2007.
The awards are named after German lithographer Louis Prang, who is credited with
the birth of the U.S. card industry in the 1870’s.
Seventy companies were first
time entrants in the 20th Annual LOUIEs with 25% of them becoming finalists.
Responding to a Call for Entries, competitors entered their best creative work,
including everyday and seasonal cards, with both humorous and traditional
greetings. Invitations and imprintables were also submitted. Companies,
ranging in size from one-person operations to multi-employee organizations
around the world, are among those vying for the prized LOUIE Award.
"Industry appreciation of the LOUIEs expands
annually," said GCA President Steve Laserson of American Greetings Corporation,
Cleveland, OH. “The companies named as LOUIE finalists clearly show the
creativity and artistic talent that are evident in our industry’s products.
Becoming a LOUIE finalist or winner often increases buyer recognition for the
publisher, which in turn builds confidence in its creative ability."
The LOUIE Award judging took place at the Doubletree
Hotel on January 24-26, 2008 in Washington, DC. The 21 judges included creative
and marketing professionals working directly in the greeting card industry and
representing GCA members and non-members alike, as well as retail buyers,
industry suppliers and an account executive with GREETINGS etc.
magazine. Also judging this year were independent sales representatives, a
graphic arts student and a consumer who purchases more than 200 cards annually.
The judges individually reviewed and scored each card submitted on a 1-10 point
scale. Each entry was judged on existing criteria including
Imagination,
Impact,
Artistry,
Harmony,
Sendability
and
Value.
In addition, cards were segregated into those priced above and below $3.00 at
retail. Winners in every category will be revealed during this year's fun-filled LOUIE celebration on Monday, May 19, 2008 at Capitale in New York City. The event, from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m., will feature a viewing of all LOUIE finalists and the awards presentation, along with a full cocktail buffet and dancing. A special commemorative program book featuring a 20-year history of the LOUIEs will be distributed to all participants. Capping off the evening will be the announcement of two "Cards of the Year" winners – one to be presented in each of the competition's two price divisions (Above $3 and $3 & Below). Invitations to the event have been mailed and advance reservations will be accepted until Monday, May 12th. Tickets are $195/person and reserved tables are also available. GLM, a dmg world media business, will showcase the 2007 finalists in a special LOUIE Awards display at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center during the National Stationery Show®, May 18 – 21, 2008 in New York City. “Like the renowned Cirque du Soleil, the greeting card industry depends on the hidden talents of designers, writers and illustrators to create new and exciting products year in and year out,” says Fern Gimbelman, Co-President and Art Director, Designer Greetings, Inc. (Staten Island, NY), and chair of this year’s International Greeting Card Awards. “The LOUIEs recognize excellence by honoring imagery that captures our eyes and words that speak to our hearts. It's about creating products that are meaningful and offer a way for people to bond with one another." In addition to a variety of industry suppliers who aid in the production of the LOUIE printed materials and the program book, sponsors of this year’s LOUIEs include: American Greetings Corporation; Bobst Group North America; Freeman; GLM, a dmg world media business; Glory Moon Greeting Cards Co., Ltd.; GREETINGS etc.; Hallmark Cards, Inc.; Independent Printing Company Inc.; Infinity Foils, Inc.; Stationery Trends; and Universal Engraving, Inc. "Through their financial support, these companies, along with many others, ensure the success of the LOUIEs," said Gimbelman. NOTE: Complete lists of the LOUIE finalists by category and this year's judges can be accessed with Adobe Acrobat Reader. For additional information, please contact Mila Albertson at the Greeting Card Association, 202-207-1116. A card is for now, a LOUIE is forever!
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