2016 LOUIE Awards – 75 Years and Counting

The Greeting Card Association announced the winners of the 2016 International Greeting Card Awards Competition — the LOUIE Awards — at a gala celebrating the association’s 75th anniversary during the National Stationery Show (NSS) on May 16.

Among the winners in the 60 categories, two companies took top honors: Sunrise Greetings (Card of the Year, $4 and below category) and Rifle Paper Company (Card of the Year, $4 and above category). Hallmark Cards won the inaugural Judge’s Award for Excellence. The GCA recognized two companies with its Rising Star Award: Matrick and Eve won the $4 and below category and Paper Epiphanies won the $4 and above category. In addition, the GCA presented its Lifetime Achievement Award to Leanin’ Tree founder Ed Trumble for his leadership and contributions to the industry.

“The LOUIE’s salute creativity, artistry and imagination, and demonstrate the significance of greeting cards in this digital age,” said Carlos LLansó, GCA president and CEO, Legacy Publishing Group. “There’s nothing like sending (and receiving) a greeting card when you want to congratulate, console or just let a friend or loved one know you’re thinking about them,” he said.

History, criteria and Lifetime Achievement Award

Launched in 1988, the LOUIEs honor Louis Prang, the German-born Boston lithographer and publisher known as the “Father of the American Christmas Card.” More than 240 companies throughout the world submitted nearly 1,000 entries for the greeting card and social expression industry’s definitive awards competition. Seventy-two companies had at least one card advance to the finalist round. All entries were marketed and sold in the U.S. in 2015.

A panel of 20 industry experts judged all entries against five criteria: originality, impact, design excellence, sendability and value; all identifying information about the entrant was withdrawn from the entries. A panel of six judges selected the Cards of the Year and Judge’s Award for Excellence from among all categories.

In addition to the LOUIEs, the GCA recognizes individuals who have made a significant and enduring contribution to the industry through their work, dedication, creativity and excellence.

“We wanted to celebrate the GCA’s 75th anniversary in a very special way and when our Executive Committee considered Ed Trumble for the GCA’s Lifetime Achievement Award, the decision was an easy one,” said Peter Doherty, CAE, executive director, GCA. “This year, there’s no one more deserving than Ed and I want to thank him for being such a pioneer in our industry.”

Universal Presentation Concepts designed the display showcasing winners and finalists, which was open to the public through May 18 at the Javits Center.

Sponsors of this year’s LOUIE Awards included: American Greetings, Designer Greetings, Hallmark, National Stationery Show, Stationery Trends magazine and Universal Presentation Concepts (Platinum Sponsors); Avanti, Neenah Paper and Viabella (Silver Sponsors); Bobst North America and The Madison Park Group (Category Champion Sponsors) and LOUIE Supporters: Fine Impressions, Infinity Foils, Legion Paper and Universal Engraving. Twelve GCA member companies supplied materials and production for the call for entries, gala invitations, program book, thank you and congratulatory cards, envelopes and the gala’s décor. Those companies are: American Greetings, Bridgeman Images, Carlson Craft, Exclusive Bordering, Fine Impressions, Infinity Foils Inc., J.S. McCarthy Printers, Leader Paper Products, Legion Paper, Neenah Paper, PostMark Press and Universal Engraving, Inc.

Want to see more? Visit https://greetingcard.nonprofitcms.org/a/ for the latest information on the LOUIE Awards and important deadlines.