71_73_75_Game On Agents.qxp_Grid 20/01/2024 12:03 Page 71
Agents’ Revelations
Scores on the doors With TV game shows enjoying something of a renaissance, as evidenced by the warm welcome back Deal or No Deal and Gladiators have received by the general public, PG asked some independent sales agents to put their fingers on the buzzers as to what points mean prizes on their respective scoreboards.
Contestant: Ian Bradley Your Wheel of Fortune: “I cover the Midlands representing Glick, James Ellis, Katie Phythian Design, Lagom Design, Louise Mulgrew, Lucilla Lavender, Paper Salad and Rush Design.” Was 2023 a Deal or No Deal? “Overall, 2023 was a ‘Higher or Lower’ year. Shops had some of their best trading days/weeks and some of their worst too. I would rank my year as a solid ‘8 out of 10 cats’ and think we are finally ready to put the dramas of the last few years into the Dusty Bin. I have plenty of customers reporting increases in 2023 and some reporting decreases. Christmas reports have also been generally very good. So, all in all I am pleased with 2023.” The Weakest Links: “Among the Weakest Links was the weather, at times too hot or too wet. It’s amazing how much both affect footfall. Which leads me on to say that footfall has been and remains definitely one of the biggest challenges for retailers right now.” The Mastermind high scorers: “All my principals did a fabulous job in 2023 and I look forward to working with them all in 2024. I have to say that Glick has been exceptional, and I managed a Record Breaker year. Participating in the Cardgains Charity Challenge was a personal highlight for me too.”
Top: Ian Bradley in his fundraising posing pouch at the end of the Cardgains’ Charity Challenge walk with (right-left) Hugs & Kisses’ Caroline and Jon Ranwell; Presentation’s Andrea Pinder and Lorraine Bradley, founder of Rush Design and Ian’s wife. Above: Dusty Bin was the unconventional prize on the 3-2-1 game show hosted by Ted Rogers.
Your Catchphrase for 2024? “My catchphrase would be ‘Bring it On’. I’m optimistic and ready to build on last year.” Fingers on buzzers: “I would say Golden Balls. I do love a good gameshow and The 1% Club has been a particular favourite. That said if I were to actually get the chance to go on one it would have to be Deal or No Deal.”
Contestants: Jo Bannister and Joanna McFarlane of JJ Agencies “Wheel of Fortune: “We cover retailers in the London area, but Joanna also covers Oxfordshire. We represent The Art File, Emily Nash, Glick, Louise Mulgrew, Paper Salad, Sally Scaffardi, Think of Me Designs and Tipperley Hill.” Was 2023 a Deal or No Deal? “As Above: Eyes down…for Jo Bannister (right) and Joanna McFarlane. the months went by Below: Blind Date has a special everyone tended to be a poignancy for the two Jos. bit poker faced and it wasn’t obvious how well the year would end. Thankfully by December the game ended well with a crescendo of bigger numbers.” The Weakest Links: “Strikes, strikes and more strikes.” The Mastermind high scorers: “Top scorers were Christmas wrappings and a good full run up to December 24th.” Your Catchphrase for 2024? “Limitless wins for everyone.” Fingers on buzzers: “Blind Date.” PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 71