Awards

Sponsored by the Greeting Card Association, the LOUIE Awards recognize the "most outstanding greeting cards marketed in the U.S." each year. But this marks the first year in the 21-year history of the event that a first-time entrant like Compendium has taken "Card of the Year." In the greeting card industry, that's the equivalent of a small, independent movie studio winning "Best Picture" at the Academy Awards.

"Winning the LOUIE for Positively Green has special meaning for everyone in our company," said Kobi Yamada, Compendium CEO. "We didn't set out to win an award. We set out to prove that our industry can create environmentally-friendly products without sacrificing quality, style, value or significance. To be honored with the LOUIE on top of that is so affirming-not just for our company, but for our whole industry. We are grateful to the Greeting Card Association for helping to convey a great message."

At a time when more and more retailers and consumers are actively searching for eco-friendly products, Positively Green features several innovations that have helped make it one of the most sought-after and fastest-selling greeting card lines in the nation, including:

• The cards are made with materials, processes and packaging that leave the lightest environmental footprint possible. (Even the printing presses are driven by wind power.)
• Each card includes a different environmental tip on the back.
• Compendium donates 10% of the profits to Conservation International and Climate Solutions to help fight global warming.

The blue-ribbon judging panel for this year's LOUIEs included creative and marketing professionals from both GCA member and non-member publishers, industry suppliers, and retailers. Positively Green was evaluated on the basis of six criteria: Imagination, Impact, Artistry, Harmony (the blend of visual and verse), Sendability, and Value (the balance of quality and price).

For more information on the LOUIEs, contact the Greeting Card Association at www.greetingcard.org .