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VIEWPOINTS
Hot Hits From
The Henries While The Henries greeting card awards celebrate the ‘hot hits’ of the current card publishing world, the theme of the awards event will be a blast back to the 1980s. From bubble perms to Duran Duran, prawn cocktails to Top Gun, The Henries retail judges share their personal revelations of what they feel were the best things about the 80s. In addition, while ‘Greed is Good’ was the philosophy spouted by Michael Douglas in the 80s movie Wall Street, the judges add their views on what would be ‘good’ for our industry right now. Claire Castle, senior buyer of WHSmith: Your 80s Hot Hits l The music was the best ever - Depeche Mode, Duran Duran etc! l The clothes - at the time I really liked the big shoulder pads and shiny suits. l Prawn Cocktails! Industry Boosters? l Free parking for high street. l Smaller print runs for seasons. l Set and adopt industry standards for environmentallyfriendly packaging etc. Above: WHS’ Claire Castle (centre) with colleagues from the WHSmith Travel/Funky Pigeon side, Rachel Hevicon (right) and Katie Briggs during the post judging lunch. Left: A sign that is not as common as all would like.
Andrew Webb, buyer of Scribbler: Your 80s Hot Hits l The world coming together for Live Aid. l Amazing films like Ghostbusters, Back to the Future, Star Wars, Goonies and any John Hughes film. l Saturday morning cartoons like Transformers, Mask, Racoons and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Right: Scribbler’s Andrew Webb and Sarah Bertram (second left) with (right) Natalia Kosterska (Oliver Bonas) and Kim Foster (Hawley Garden Centre).
Sarah Bertram, assistant merchandiser of Scribbler:
Below: Everyone agrees that further improving the environmental credentials of the greeting card industry will safeguard it against criticism.
Your 80s Hot Hits l Thomas the Tank Engine - because that’s all I really remember about the 80’s! l Gordon the Gopher what a legend. l Power ballads - they’ve made karaoke so much more fun. Industry Boosters? l Tackling plastic waste and the environmental credentials of materials used in greeting card production. l Being inclusive with sentiments and not making cards that enforce stereotypes. l Championing new designers.
Megan Eyles, director of Peppertrees in Northampton: Your 80s Hot Hits l I have no idea - I wasn’t born!! I asked Sally Matson of Red Card and all she said was Jason Donovan, but then she is an Aussie!” Industry Boosters? l More birthdays l More babies l More love PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE
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