GREETING CARD ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES LOUIE AWARD FINALISTS

28th Annual “Oscars of the Greeting Card Industry” Celebrates Artistry and Creativity

WASHINGTON, DC – March 6, 2017 – The Greeting Card Association (GCA) today announced finalists in its LOUIE Awards, the industry’s ultimate awards competition recognizing outstanding art, editorial and design of greeting cards and invitations. View the list of finalist companies at the official 2017 LOUIE Awards homepage.

“The LOUIEs showcase the creativity, innovation and ongoing importance greeting cards play in helping people connect in meaningful ways, said Nicole Hite-Heleniak, LOUIE Awards chair and Vice President – Creative Studios, Hallmark Cards, a longstanding GCA member.

Winners will be Announced in May; LOUIEs Give Publishers Marketing Advantage

Winners will be announced at the LOUIE Awards Gala on Sunday, May 21 at the Edison Ballroom in New York City. Finalists and winners will be on view at the GCA LOUIEs display at the National Stationery Show® in the Jacob Javits Center from May 21-24.

“We market and promote our LOUIE Award-winning cards, particularly to our sales reps. so that they can sell our line with confidence,” said Glen Biely, co-President, Madison Park Group and GCA member.

LOUIE History and Judging Criteria

The GCA launched the International Greeting Card Awards – known as the “LOUIEs” in honor of Louis Prang, the “Father of the American Christmas Card,” in 1988. The LOUIE Awards celebrate the art, editorial and design of greeting cards, invitations and announcements and reinforce the relevance of sending and receiving cards and invitations.

All LOUIE Award entries were marketed and sold in the U.S. in 2016. Any identifying information about the submitting company was withdrawn from each entry. A panel of 19 judges, comprised of executives and experts from throughout the industry, reviewed 934 entries submitted by more than 231 companies in 61 categories. And a Blue Ribbon Panel of five judges selected two “Cards of the Year” and a “Judge’s Award for Excellence” from among all categories.

In their evaluation of all entries, judges used five criteria:

  1. Originality: Does the card take a unique approach to design, concept or execution?
  2. Impact: Does the card have emotional impact?
  3. Design Excellence: Is the overall look of this card visually appealing? Did the designer make good choices in typography and artwork arrangement?
  4. Sendability: Is the card likely to be bought and sent for the occasion or purpose specified by the category? Is its format and design functional?
  5. Value: Is this card priced appropriately based on the overall quality of the product?

About the Greeting Card Association (GCA; www.greetingcard.org)

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the GCA is the U.S. trade association of the greeting card and social expression industry. Established in 1941, the GCA represents greeting card and stationery publishers, and industry suppliers.

About the National Stationery Show® (www.nationalstationeryshow.com)

The Show attracts a diverse global attendance of 10,000 buyers and industry professionals from stationery, card and gift shops; bookstores; bridal shops; party stores; department, chain and specialty stores; large chains and “big box” mass retailers; online retailers and mail order catalogs; as well as special event planners, corporate marketers, importers, distributors and manufacturers’ representatives.

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