A magnificent, circus-themed celebration provided the backdrop to the 2011 annual celebration of the greeting cards industry at the Henries Awards in London.
Host and ringmaster from Max Publishing, Warren Lomax said in his opening speech: “In many ways, earning our living from greetings cards is like performing in a circus. You have to be talented and constantly creative re-inventing your act to appeal to a discerning public.”
Comedian Greg Davies, otherwise known as Headteacher Mr. Gilbert in The Inbetweeners, was the guest compare for the night presenting the awards. He quipped: “Every year my aunt sends me a card that says: ‘I would have got you a cake but I couldn’t find one big enough to fit all the candles on it.’ Whoever is still printing that joke can you please stop it!?”
As well as a three-course dinner, the night also played host to a variety of other entertainment including a big prize raffle to raise money the Light fund charity, an illuminated performance from dancers Kaleidoscope followed by a casino and disco for revellers to party until the small hours.
The winners, as judged by a 30-strong retailer panel, included Alihopa for most promising artist; Rachel Ellen Design for best cute design; Glick for best giftwrappings; Hanson White for best humour range and Urban Graphics for best words and sentiments, among many others.
The Great British Card Company picked up the Henry Cole Classic Award for their Medici Cards Blue Label range. UK Greetings was awarded Best Service to the Independent Retailer and the Honorary Achievement Award went to Giles Andreae, creator of the 'Purple Ronnie' and 'Edward Monkton' personas.
Giles, who created Purple Ronnie at the age of 20 'more or less on the back of an envelope', praised the faith that his publishers had in him, especially David Hicks, md of Really Good, which first published the Edward Monkton card and gift ranges.
The full list of winners can be viewed on the official website: www.thehenriesawards.co.uk
As reported by Greetings Today.