Mar 26, 2014
Greeting Card Association Announces 26th Annual LOUIE Awards Finalists

The Greeting Card Association (GCA) has announced the finalists of its 26th Annual International Greeting Card Awards Competition, better known as the “LOUIE Awards.” Three finalists were selected for each of the 29 categories in this year’s competition, which drew more than 900 entries from 220 companies worldwide, including the U.S., Canada, Israel, and the U.K. All entries were marketed and sold in the U.S. during the 2013 calendar year, and each of these outstanding finalists represents the best of the thousands of cards and invitations published each year.

Responding to the Call for Entries last fall, competitors entered their most creative work in categories that include everyday and seasonal occasions, boxed notes, invitations, personalized cards, and letterpress-printed cards – most of which are divided into two price breaks: Above $3.50, and $3.50 or Less. Special categories such as Print & Production Excellence, Superbly Stated, and Most Humorous were not divided by price break. Additionally, two new wedding-invitation categories this year – one for smaller and one for larger-sized suites – are separated by printing method rather than by price break. To view the entire list of the 26th Annual LOUIE Awards finalists, click here or visithttp://www.greetingcard.org/LOUIEAwards/26thLOUIEAwards/tabid/319/Default.aspx.

This year’s LOUIE theme, “Eye Candy: The Best Cards of the Year,” was designed by 26th Annual LOUIE Awards Chair Cambria Evans, creative director/founder of J.Bartyn Design, and overseen by LOUIE Strategic Chair Katy Greenspan, director of the artist community at Minted.

“One of the treats about working in the greeting card and stationery industry is being a part of people’s life moments,” says Evans. “The LOUIE Awards celebrate not only the incredible creativity and variety in the industry, but also the special connection that only a printed card or invitation can provide.”

Submissions were blind-judged by a panel of industry experts over a two-day period in early February during the NY NOW® trade show in New York City, on the criteria of originality, impact, design excellence, sendability, and value. Judges included industry retailers, suppliers, artists, sales representatives, bloggers, and press members.

Winners in every category, as well as the “Cards of the Year” in each of the two price divisions, will be announced at this year’s LOUIE Awards gala on Sunday evening, May 18, at Espace in New York City. Additional information on the LOUIE gala will be available in early April at www.greetingcard.org.

All LOUIE finalists will be showcased in a special LOUIE Awards display, designed by Universal Presentation Concepts, Inc. (UPC), at the Javits Center in New York City during the signature mix™ marketplace – which includes the National Stationery Show® trade show – taking place May 18-21.

About the LOUIE Awards

Launched by the Greeting Card Association in 1988, the prestigious LOUIE Awards recognize the most outstanding greeting cards, invitations and announcements marketed in the U.S. during the previous calendar year. Named after Louis Prang – the German-born Boston lithographer credited with the birth of the U.S. Christmas card in the 1870s – the competition is open to all domestic and foreign publishers of greeting cards, invitations, and/or announcements, and attracts hundreds of entries annually. Additional information is available at www.greetingcard.org.

About the Greeting Card Association

The Greeting Card Association, headquartered in Washington, D.C., is the U.S. trade association serving the greeting card and social expression industry. Founded in 1941, the GCA today represents nearly 200 American and international publishers from diverse businesses – ranging from young start-ups to established companies of all sizes, scopes, and years in the industry – as well as suppliers that provide production services and product distribution at the wholesale level. Managed by Bostrom, the GCA is committed to celebrating, promoting, and preserving the tradition of sending greeting cards. For more information, visit www.greetingcard.org.




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