59-60_61_63_Anniversaries.qxp_Grid 20/05/2025 14:35 Page 59
FOCUS ON…PG LIVE ANNIVERSARIES
HAPPY BiRTHDAY TO YOU!
Celebrating birthdays and occasions is a major role of greeting cards, but publishers and card retailers also have big events themselves, with many marking anniversaries at this year’s PG Live, which takes place 3-4 June, at London’s Business Design Centre. PG lights the candles on some of these cardies’ big birthdays.
Left and below: An early Bestie design and the latest cards. Bottom right: Emma Young.
designs with its sister brand Meraki, established in 2016. Over the years, Paperlink has adapted with the times, consistently staying ahead of trends while maintaining the charm and quality that define its identity, while its most iconic humour ranges, such as Bottom Line and Bestie, have been running for over 30 years – a testament to the company’s deep understanding of what customers love and its ability to keep popular collections fresh and relevant. The creative energy that started the brand, remains just as strong
PAPERLiNK BESTiE WAY TO GO Four Decases ago, the very beginning, when founder and ceo Louise Tighe set up Paperlink to bring her love of the irreverence of 80s alternative comedy into greeting cards, the publisher’s mission has been to push the boundaries of design, creativity and humour. What she began in 1985 with a distinct range of humour cards has evolved into a diverse collection of over 100 ranges, spanning humour, contemporary, Christmas and occasions, and it has branched out into more luxurious, statement
QUiTTiNG HOLLYWOOD WE’RE NO QUiTTERS! At a time of independent card shops on every corner and huge printing presses with metal plates, in 1985 the Quitting Hollywood story started under the name The Bears Go To Hollywood. Quickly, founder Rob Todd and sales director Bill Greeno realised the market was ready for more risqué humour and proceeded to push commercially-acceptable boundaries – adding novelty attachments from condoms to tea bags with fart cards and penis enlargers en route! The world has changed from fax machines, PCs with floppy discs and massive 32mb hard drives, not to mention mobile phones the size of bricks, to incredible connectivity and massive computing power in our pockets
along with no more smoking or drinking in the office, but humour endures. and right: Bill, Card retail chains Above Rob and artist Keith at an office party and Memory Lane, the team today. Sentiments, Hall of Below right: An original Bears design. Cards, Papertree, Card Fair and the original disruptor Birthdays have all disappeared along with a 1,000+ independents, but Quitting Hollywood is still here! In the last few years there’s been a change in personnel and direction with Adam Jobling now commercial director along with Emily Meaney as studio manager. “We have branched into new
today as it was on day one and in 2025 alone, Paperlink and Meraki have launched six brand-new ranges, including an exciting debut to be unveiled at PG Live. “This incredible journey wouldn’t have been possible without the continued support of our valued customers,” said md Emma Young. “It’s our customers that have allowed Paperlink to grow, innovate and remain at the heart of the industry for all this time, so we just want to say a big thank you. To celebrate this incredible milestone.” Birthday wish: “The continued support of our valued customers.” PG LIVE STAND 201
areas,” Adam said, “including working with talented designers/illustrators Elizabeth Grant and Paul Delaney. We have even more planned in the next couple of years and are beyond excited to return to PG Live celebrating our 40th birthday and bringing a few new surprises. “View the brand new, the old and the funny – and that's just the personnel! Birthday wish: “For retailers to rediscover our tried-and-tested catalogue of classic laugh-out-loud designs.”valued customers.” PG LIVE STAND 325 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 59