32-35_Dragon's Viewpoints.qxp_Grid 06/03/2025 15:29 Page 2
VIEWPOINTS DRAGONS’ FEEDBACK
Fiery Thoughts The recent GCA’s Dragons Speed Dating event brought 80 greeting card publishers together with 21 top retail buyers for a few fast-paced hours of positive pitching, copious learning and highly enjoyable networking. PG tamed some of the dragons for their views on the day and which publishers had slayed them. Above: The Dragons of 2025. (Left-right): Caroline Ranwell (Hugs and Kissed), Andrea Pinder (Presentation), Megan Douglas (Waterstones), Chris and Debbie Beards (Mantons), Chloe Sargent (Moonpig), Gemma Soames (Moonpig), Mark Janson-Smith (Postmark), Francesca Theobald (John Lewis), Lucy Cornwall (Oliver Bonas), Hazel Walker (Waterstones), Jess Dransfield (Cardfactory), Sam Bradley (Cardfactory), Miles Robinson (House of Cards), Lisa Gilbert (House of Cards), Sally Matson (Red Card), Sandra O’Connell (Mooch), Karen Edwards (Red Card), Ellie Klienlercher (Between the Lines), Jo McBeath (Chirpy), Aga Marsden (Highworth Emporium), Niloufar Noorbakhsh (Jumping Bean) Priya Crowe (Lark) and Lucy Eason (George’s).
Mark Janson-Smith, managing director of Postmark Dragon flying: “What an exhausting, but amazing event, the best one by far! And the quality of the products I've seen so far is exceptional. with Emily Nash I've been to quite a few Above: Mark Janson-Smith of Emily Nash Illustration. Below: Lovely Paper Stuff’s David and Jo Dragons events and they Denning ready to slay the Dragons. just get better and better. The early ones were largely about giving advice and feedback to new publishers, but the standard now is so high, there is very little feedback to give on the actual product and it comes down to whether the cards are the right fit for your stores or not. Yes, it was exhausting but so incredibly rewarding and catching up for a social afterwards was a brilliant way to end the day.” Den Delights: “I've yet to go through my wonderful bag of samples but from my face to face meetings, I really liked Lovely Paper Stuff and Lucky Ink. Hood Greetings was also really interesting and I look forward to exploring this brand a bit more. In Real Life was great too. We already stock the stationery, but I can definitely see us stocking their cards soon too. I will 100% be placing orders as a result of the event – I have come away with at least three new suppliers just from my meetings and who knows how many more after I go through my bag of samples.”
32 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE
Jo McBeath, owner of Chirpy, Chapel Alerton Dragon flying: “I had a brilliant time and found it was very worthwhile. I will definitely be placing some orders, a few immediately and then some later in the year. I was blown away by the generosity of the card samples included in my goodie bag. Such care and thought had been put into them.” Den Delights: “From the meetings I Above: Chirpy’s Jo McBeath (left) with Emily Nash of Emily Nash Illustration. had I was very impressed with… Below left: Debra Cartlidge, ceo of Deaf Village North West shared The Silent • Emily Nash Illustration – I loved Card Co’s innovative card concept, her cheery, colourful designs for all which brings greeting cards to the hard of hearing. occasions. • Happy Street – I loved their range of gorgeous colourful cards, great prices, short lead times and no MOQ! Will definitely be buying their cards for Chirpy. • Ivy & Ink – I loved their Wallypops pop-up cards, a great idea for something a little bit different than just sending a card. • Jessie Maeve Studio - beautifully designed cards which will soon have a place in Chirpy. • Pear Tree Press – she had her cards really well displayed on boards which made it very easy to see her ranges. • The Silent Card Co - for their amazing idea of sharing how important British Sign Language (BSL) is, their innovative card idea and their infectious enthusiasm. We carried on our chat in the bar afterwards and I could have chatted to them all night! • Twenty Birds - I loved her beautiful presentation box for showing her cards to me. Her cards will be perfect for Chirpy and even better, she’s from Yorkshire!”