10-11_13_15_17-19.qxp_9/11/13/15/19/23/25 01/11/2019 11:03 Page 19
NEWS BBC interest in #cardtokeep
TOP STORY
Uplifting Presidential Address Belly Button’s Rachel Hare becomes GCA president Safeguarding creative integrity and pushing the industry forward on the environmental front were two of the main priorities Rachel Hare, md of Belly Button Designs, cited in her first speech as president of the GCA. Addressing a packed audience of publishers, retailers and suppliers at last month’s GCA centenary AGM and Conference (which took place at Westminster’s Central Hall), Rachel highlighted how, when it comes to card design “Some icons never go out of fashion and the trends we all follow will come and go, but it is how we apply our own branding and handwriting to these which we must hold precious and respect those of others. This in turn will keep the vibrancy and creativity of our industry bubbling away.” Officially taking over as GCA president from UKG’s customer and channel director, Ceri Stirland at the gathering, Rachel shared her journey from art student to setting up and developing Belly Button Designs into the muchrespected design-led publisher which next year celebrates its 25th anniversary. The company also owns three card and gift shops under the same brand. As to Rachel’s expectations for the two years of her presidential reign, she is in no doubt that the environment will continue to be dominant.
“Two years ago at Belly Button we began the process of trying to reduce the amount of plastic that we use. I do champion naked cards. In our own shops we have been displaying cards this way for 18 months with no issues at all. In fact the opposite they look and sell better,” stressed Rachel. She however acknowledged that it does bring production and logistics complications as well as increased costs, but these, in her opinion, are worth absorbing. “It is important we continue to have dialogue and work with retailers and brokers together to allow change,” stressed Rachel, saying that this push from within the industry will be more than matched by demands from the consumer. Ending her speech on a poignant high, Rachel drew on the inspiration from something Mary Portas said during a BBC Radio 4 programme recently. “A phrase she used which stood out for me was ‘purpose is the new luxury’. We must keep creativity and originality at the heart of what we do, and bear our purpose in mind.” (See Viewpoints pages 27-29)
The BBC has shown a serious interest in the GCA’s #cardtokeep initiative with a view to playing a key role in its launch onto the consumer level. The campaign, instigated as part of the GCA’s centenary celebrations, highlights the emotional connections greeting cards make through individual stories of cards received and treasured. Responding to an invitation from Amanda Fergusson, ceo of the GCA, Kathryn Morrison, a senior producer for the BBC, came to Central Hall Westminster at the end of the GCA Centenary AGM and Conference to discuss the #cardtokeep initiative as well as learn more about the industry. Kathryn, who works across projects and programmes on the 40 BBC local radio stations, regional television and online, met up with Amanda as well as Sarah Seltzer, director of PR Direct (a leading PR
The Queen gave her approval on a special collection of postage stamps, all of which feature greeting card designs from six UK greeting card publishers. Christmas card designs from Belly Button Designs, Cath Tate Cards, Carte Blanche Greetings, Ling Designs, Marina B Designs and Peartree Heybridge star on the 10 different stamps that form the Isle of Man Post Office’s The Spirit of Christmas collection that launched at the end of last month. The stamp collection is the result of a collaboration between the Isle of Man Post Office and the GCA, with independent card retailer Chris Beards playing a part in putting the two parties together. The GCA AGM saw cardies being treated to a sneak peek of the stamps, with Isle of Man Post presenting the GCA with a special framed set.
consultancy with whom the GCA is working) and Geoff Sanderson (of Celebration Nation), who curated the GCA’s 100th anniversary exhibition. Up until now the #cardtokeep initiative has focused on encouraging those in the trade to share their stories about cards they have kept that mean something special to them, but now the plan is to extend this to the general public, hopefully with the BBC’s backing to launch it wider. “It was great that Kathryn was able to see our exhibition and get a feel for our industry,” said Amanda Fergusson. “What we now need are more stories and pictures from those in the trade of special cards people have received, kept and treasured,” added Amanda, encouraging cardies to look at the GCA_UK instagram feed to read the ones that have already been shared and be inspired to share their own. “The more stories we have from the trade, the more likelihood we have of the BBC wanting to help launch this to the wider public,” says Amanda. l Email: 100years@gca.cards, post on Instagram account and tag @GCA_uk including the hash-tags cardtokeep and gca100.
Left: Enlargements of all the stamps were shared at the GCA AGM. Above: Three Ling designs were selected by IoM for its festive collection.
Above: BBC’s Kathryn Morrison (left) with PR Direct’s Sarah Seltzer in front of part of the GCA’s 100th Anniversary exhibition that was launched at the association’s recent AGM and Conference.
Top: Incoming GCA president, Belly Button’s md Rachel Hare, championed the need for publishers to safeguard their creative handwriting and show mutual respect for other publishers to maintain the industry’s vibrancy. Above: Amanda Fergusson, ceo of the GCA, at the recent gathering with Olly Tress, founder of Oliver Bonas who was the keynote retail speaker at the event.
Queen approved card stamps
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