UPDATE: GCA Names 2013 LOUIE Award Finalists

GDA Staff -- Gifts and Dec, 2/28/2013 10:45:39 AM

NEW YORK—The Greeting Card Association (GCA) named the finalists of its 25th Annual LOUIE Awards. Finalist cards will be showcased in a special LOUIE Awards display in the lobby of the Jacob K. Javits Center during the National Stationery Show, May 19-22.

This year, the GCS received a record number of 220 companies worldwide that submitted more than 1,000 entries, all marketed and sold in the U.S. in 2012; three cards from each of the 52 categories reached the final round of the Silver Anniversary competition. Submissions were received in 28 different genres, including Children's Cards, Birthday Cards, and Thank You Cards to Wedding Invitations, Everyday Boxed Notes and Announcements & Photo Cards. A majority of genres had price-break designations, which resulted in 52 overall categories. The Letterpress category was also added to the competition.

Judging for the 25th Anniversary LOUIE Awards took place January 29-30, 2013, at the Javits Center in New York City in conjunction with NY Now (formerly the New York International Gift Fair). The panel of judges included representatives from national and regional retailers, including Canada's Indigo Books, and New York's Paper Presentation and Kate's Paperie; owners of rep agencies like Daniel*Richards and the Lynn Mitchell Group; creative executives from Hallmark and Haute Papier; industry art directors and illustrators; and members of the social stationery blogger community.

All entries were judged equally based on five pre-stated criteria: originality, impact, design excellence, sendability and value. Winners in each category, including the Cards of the Year, will be announced during the 25th Anniversary LOUIE Awards gala on Sunday, May 19, at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers, in New York.

"We were thrilled with the number and caliber of entries this year," said Monika Brandrup, vice president and creative director at Up With Paper and chair of the 25th Anniversary LOUIE Awards. "It speaks to the strength and vitality of the greeting card industry. From high-profile greeting card and invitation manufacturers to small, independent design shops, the Silver Anniversary competition attracted the full spectrum of the industry. The variety and level of creativity of the entries was very impressive."

To see a full list of the LOUIE Award finalist, visit www.greetingcard.org.