03_05_07_09_News.qxp_RH Page 08/05/2024 22:24 Page 1
HUMOUR NEWS
Joking around Greeting cards are well known to boost the recipient’s mental health, and the funny ones give an extra giggle along the way. The UK public’s seemingly unquenchable appetite for humorous greeting cards, in all their guises has seen the genre yet again top the sales growth charts, endorsed by the findings of the recent PG Retail Barometer with cardies revealing that humorous cards were the card category that showed the largest growth over the last year compared to the year previous. And with the cry ever loud for even more choice of humorous cards, this Focus On…Humour Cards special publication is packed full of new funnies which are chiming with the comedic tastes of today.
Brit laughs earn trophies British humour triumphed in the US as Rosie Made A Thing and Ohh Deer both picked up awards in the Louies 2024. And as the publisher on the ground for the ceremony in San Francisco on 16 April, Rosie Harrison got to stride onto the stage twice to collect the trophies. Organised by the American GCA, it was the 35th annual Louies Awards, which had 87 publishers as nominees across the 57 categories,
WHAT’S INSIDE? Pages 3-9 News and Snippets Developments within the humorous card camp. Pages 12-15 Where Punditry Is At A look at our love of the puntastic and puns’ prominence on cards. Page 18-19 Humorous Henries While publishers are entering this year’s Henries, PG glances back at the top funnies in last year’s industry awards. Pages 20-21 Retailers’ Reactions A handful of card retailers share what ranges are tickling their customers’ funny bone. Pages 23-26 New Launches Publishers share some of the new humorous cards that are set to bring a smile or two to faces.
Above: The frustrations of modern technology feature in Lucilla Lavender’s portfolio. Above right: Ever reflective of societal changes, of course air fryers star on greeting cards, such as this design by UKG.
Far left: Fun times at the Louies for Rosie and fellow Brit Chris Stanley of Redback Cards. Left and below: Award winning designs from Ohh Deer and Rosie Made a Thing.
with entries judged by a panel of 78 card publishers, retailers, sales representatives, and stationery industry leaders at seven regional hubs across the US to select 171 cards as finalists. Ohh Deer co-founder and md Mark Callaby was very pleased with his wake-up call after the ceremony: “Sadly we couldn’t make the awards this year but I woke up to the news as Rosie – you know, the one who made a thing – kindly collected it on our behalf and let me know. She’s also been out celebrating for us! “We’re very pleased to have won in a humour category again at the Louie Awards. Our laptop cat card from Ken The Cat is currently our bestselling card across the business.” And from ’Frisco Rosie Made A Thing’s Rosie Harrison ’fessed up: “Lovely night at the Louies – I’m a little bit worse for wear but having a lovely little jolly over here with the UK gang. Made all the more fun with winning! “I have also been engaged as Mark’s awards mule and will be chucking their
trophy in my suitcase for the return journey. There’s a 50/50 chance of it making it home safely!” Ohh Deer won Birthday Humorous $5.50 & Below category, with Rosie, distributed by Calypso Cards, taking Christmas/Seasonal Humorous $5.50 & Below. There were five other British winners, Pigeon Loft, Paper Engineering & Production; Roger La Borde, Print & Production; Paper Salad, distributed by Notes & Queries, Birthday General Above $5.50 and Thank You Above $5.50; and The Art File, Blank Card $5.50 & Below.
Today’s Titters “Middle Mouse HQ is a big advocate for the Elis James & John Robins show on Radio 5 Live. These two comedians bring a fresh look to mental health issues and were a constant companion during lockdown. Talking about mental health in a new way has been a revelation, looking at issues like addiction and anxiety. John Robins is currently on Taskmaster and does have a greetings card link, as he hosted The Henries back in 2017!” Bec Wright, owner, Middle Mouse
FOCUS ON HUMOUR CARDS
3