Wedding Card Company Nominated for LOUIE Award - the "Oscars" of the Greeting Card Industry

Nashville, TN, May 07, 2009 --(PR.com)-- The Greeting Card Association (GCA) has announced the finalists for the best greeting card and stationery products of the past year, and wedding card company Shakespeare’s Bride is among the nominees. Out of the thousands of cards and invitations published each year, 176 made it to the final round in the 21st Annual International Greeting Card Awards competition, better known as the “LOUIEs.” The “Oscars” of the greeting card industry, the competition drew over 800 entries in 58 categories from nearly 140 U.S. and international publishing companies, including those in Brazil, Canada, England and India. Out of all those entries, Shakespeare’s Bride was chosen as one of three finalists in the Best Thank You Card (budget priced under $3.00) category.

Shakespeare's Bride’s nominated card was a humorous “Thank You for Being My Bridesmaid” card entitled Helpful Bridesmaid (www.shakespearesbride.com). Shakespeare’s Bride is an eco-friendly line of bridal greeting cards designed to help couples thank the people who made their wedding day special. In business less than a year, owner and designer Diane Fawcett is thrilled her young company has received this recognition so soon after launching, “To be nominated alongside the giants of the industry is not only fabulous exposure, but a great honor and very validating. We are about to launch a bunch of new product and are branching out into wholesale, and the LOUIE nomination makes our expansion all that more exciting.”

“The companies named as LOUIE finalists clearly show the creativity and artistic talent that are evident in our industry’s products,” said GCA President Steve Laserson of American Greetings Corporation, Cleveland, OH. “With industry appreciation of the LOUIEs expanding annually, becoming a LOUIE finalist or winner often increases buyer recognition for the publisher, which in turn builds confidence in its creative ability.”

All entries were marketed and sold in the U.S. during calendar 2008. The awards are named after German lithographer Louis Prang, who is credited with the birth of the U.S. card industry in the 1870s.

The LOUIE Award judging took place at the Doubletree Hotel on January 29-30, 2009 in Washington, DC. The 13 judges included creative and marketing professionals working directly in the greeting card industry and representing GCA members and non-members alike, as well as retail buyers, industry suppliers, and an account executive with GREETINGS etc. magazine. Also judging this year were a graphic arts student and a consumer who purchases more than 200 cards annually. The judges individually reviewed and scored each card submitted on a 1-10 point scale. Each entry was judged on existing criteria including Imagination, Impact, Artistry, Harmony, Sendability, and Value. In addition, cards were segregated into those priced above and below $3.00 at retail.

Winners will be announced Monday, May 18, 2009 at a gala dinner at Capitale in New York City.

Shakespeare's Bride's line of bridal greeting cards are made of 100% recycled paper and printed with soy based inks in the United States. They have thank you cards for everyone in the bridal party, parents, guests, even the officiant.

Press wishing copies of the nominated card may contact Diane Fawcett at Shakespeare’s Bride.

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