Hallmark

The Hallmark Co. is the largest greeting card manufacturer in the United States, with approximately 16,000 employees and $4.1 billion in revenue. In addition to making greeting cards for every occasion, Hallmark franchises retail stores and makes family-oriented movies for its own television channel. Hallmark publishes products in more than 30 languages and sells them in 100 countries.http://www.linkedin.com/companies/hallmark-cards Founded in 1910 by J.D. Hall, Hallmark is still privately owned and managed by the Hall family. The company is proudly celebrating its 100th anniversary.

Hallmark is best known for its high-quality greeting cards. There are cards for every occasion: birthdays, Christmas, Easter, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Hannukkah, Kwanza, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Easter, Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Valentine's day, Memorial Day, St. Patrick;s Day, anniversaries, engagements, weddings, births, wedding and baby showers, new arrivals, sympathy, good luck, congratulations, retirement, etc. http://corporate.hallmark.com/Holiday'ref> Even the more obscure holidays, such as Grandparents Day, Epiphany, World AIDs Day, or Administrative Professionals Day, can be celebrated with a Hallmark card. In 2008, Hallmark introduced a line of gay marriage cards. For 2009, Hallmark expanded its "difficult times" card line to reflect concern about the economy. According to Hallmark's product manager for Christmas cards, it is too soon early to tell whether consumers to send such sober messages as holiday greetings.<ref>http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125988500135975701.html http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2009/12/08/bittersweet-holiday-greetings-from-hallmark-to-you.aspx

Hallmark keeps up with the times in terms of the content of the greeting cards. In a somewhat controversial move in 2008, Hallmark introduced a line of same-sex marriage cards. http://www.bgay.com/news/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=531&Itemid=23 In 2009, Hallmark expanded its "difficult times" category to reflect the gloomy economic outlook. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125988500135975701.html In 2010, Hallmark introduced a new line of cards designed for communicating with kids. One card says "May I Just Say Wow?" on the cover. The inside message is "You did it. You're awesome. I'm proud of you." http://www.hallmark.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/article%7C10001%7C10051%7C/HallmarkSite/GoldCrownStores/GCS_KIDS_TOP

Hallmark typically offers a variety of cards for each occasion. For example, cards may be from an individual, a couple, a family, or a group of co-workers. Some cards are tailored for a specific relationship, such as "to our son, " or "for Mother." Other cards are suitable for anyone. The messages in the cards can be sappy, sweet, formal, or funny. Shoebox (A tiny little division of Hallmark) publishes a line of humorous cards.

E-cards,mobile cards, and photo cards are also published by Hallmark on the internet. http://www.hallmark.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/home%7c10001%7c10051%7c-1 A customer can have one year unlimited access for $9.99 per year. <ref>http://www.hallmark.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/article%7C10001%7C10051%7C/HallmarkSite/Subscription/PURCHASE_SUBSCRIPTION?storeId=10001&catalogId=10051&page=purchaseSubscription

In a memoir of his four years employed by Hallmark as a greeting card writer, David Ellis Dickerson places Hallmark and himself in a somewhat unflattering light. In "House of Cards: Love, Faith, and Other Social Expressions," Dickerson professes to have been caught aback that a company standing for sentimentality is run like most other businesses, concerning itself with profits, market research, politics, and espionage. As for himself, notwithstanding his advanced degrees, creativity, and humor, Dickerson seems unable to summon up the seemingly simple human emotions to be expressed in the greeting cards he was assigned to write. House of Cards provides an interesting inside look into work as a Hallmark writer and also covers the author's sex life, failed relationship, and religious concerns. http://www.buffalonews.com/entertainment/story/941143.html

Warning: Use caution if you get an email purporting to include a Hallmark e-card from a friend or family member. If you open it, a virus may destroy your personal data.http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/may/19/unexpected-e-cards-could-be-viruses-hallmark-says/ If you receive such an email, Hallmark recommends that you notify your internet service provider and forward the email to Hallmark

Hallmark owns two cable television stations. The Hallmark Channel went on the air in 2001 and is broadcast in more than 100 countries. http://www.hallmarkchannel.com/ConsumerWeb/ConsumerSite2007Nov/Default_2009Holiday.aspx A companion channel, the Hallmark Movie Channel, was launched in 2008. The Hallmark Movie Channel shows family movies, with a mix of classic films, Hallmark Hall of Fame movies, and Hallmark Channel Oroginal Movies. http://www.hallmarkmoviechannel.com/AboutUs.html

The Hallmark Channel has an audience of 90 million subscribers through cable and direct satellite services.http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2010/05/18/cheryl-ladd-and-bruce-boxleitner-star-in-loves-resounding-courage-a-hallmark-channel-original-movie-which-has-begun-production/20100518hallmark01/,/REF. The channel specializes in family friendly movies and programming. The Hallmark Channel plans to continue making original cable movies, except that it will step up the production pace. Hallmark is developing or producing 35 movies at this time. <ref>http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?date=03/24/09&id=20090324hallmark03

In January, 2010, Hallmark and Martha Stewart announced that "The Martha Stewart Show" will move to the Hallmark Channel in September. After Martha's show, the Hallmark Channel will air an additional 90 minutes of programming produced by Martha Stewart LIving Omnimedia, Inc. http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-entertainment/ci_14270286 Martha Stewart will also produce series and prime time shows for the Hallmark Channel. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSSGE60P0CE20100126

The Hallmark Channel has sold the U.S. home video rights to two original Hallmark Channel movies to Inception Media Group, Inc. http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/inception-media-group-acquires-us,1306162.shtml The two movies are "Growing the Big One," a holiday movie which will air on the Channel in October, and "Mrs. Washington Goes to Smith," a 2009 film about a divorcee who attends college to become a teacher. Inception Media Group, Inc. is a company that produces, acquires, and distributes entertainment content.

The Hallmark Channel is preparing for Father's Day by showing some movies about dads. "Freshman Father" tells the story of a young couple who have a baby just as the husband is starting college. Starring Drew Seeley and Annie Potts, the movie airs June 5. http://blog.newsok.com/television/2010/05/30/hallmark-channel-movie-freshman-father-has-bit-of-a-different-twist/ "Dad's Home," airing June 19, stars David James Elliot as an advertising executive who involuntarily becomes a stay-at-home dad. http://www.southtownstar.com/lifestyles/ludwig/2329022,053010ludwig.article

On July 3 at 8: pm, the Hallmark Channel will air "Dolly Celebrates 25 Years of Dollywood," starring Dolly Parton. The Program is a World Premiere Hallmark Channel Original Special. Dolly will be joined by Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray, and Kenny Rogers. http://www.hotindienews.com/2010/06/03/1025116

Watch for the premier of the Hallmark Channel movie "Jack's Family Adventure" on July 17, 2010. The movie stars Peter Strauss, Jonathan Silverman, and DeDee Pfeiffer. The plot is about a technology-dependent family of four who spend rare time together in a remote cabin and how the experience changes the family. http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2010/05/17/peter-strauss-jonathan-silverman-and-dedee-pfeiffer-star-in-jacks-family-adventure-a-hallmark-channel-original-movie-premiering-july-17/20100517hallmark01/

Hallmark Christmas Ornaments are a time-honored tradition in many families. The ornaments are well made, detailed, colorful, and reasonably priced. Collectors can view the 2010 Hallmark Keepsake Dreambook on the Hallmark website. http://www.hallmark.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/article%7C10001%7C10051%7C/HallmarkSite/KeepsakeOrnaments/2010_DREAM_ONLINE The ornaments are beautifully presented, with name, size, artist, and cost information provided.

There are 2010 ornaments for every age and interest. Those who collect special characters can choose from: Peanuts, Dr. Suess, Mickey Mouse and friends, Winnie the Pooh, Princesses and other Disney characters, Barbie, Harry Potter, Superman and other cartoon characters, Twilight and Star Wars. More generally-themed ornaments include: sports, cars and trains, angels, Santas, snowmen, and battery-operated Christmas scenes. More special ornaments will likely be introduced in the coming months.

Hallmark stores will hold an Ornament Premiere on July 10 & 11, 2010.

1. Recordable story books - record your voice reading a story http://www.newsobserver.com/business/columnists_blogs/stock/story/235680.html

2. Design and customize Valentine's Day cards on Hallmark.com. Hallmark will prepare the cards and send them out on the day of your choice. The stamp is free. http://www.hallmark.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/article%7C10001%7C10051%7C/HallmarkSite/Holiday/HOL_TOP

3. A new line of cards and gifts for kids. Offering a free card through March 14, 2010 http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978049279&grpId=3659174697244817

4. Augmented reality cards for Father's Day. Purchase the card, download softward specific to the card, use webcam to make the card interactive. http://www.stitchkingdom.com/disney-news/merchandise/hallmark-introduces-disney-augmented-reality-greeting-cards-fathers-day-birthdays/

Hallmark has contributed to our popular culture, probably in part due to its longevity. A "Hallmark moment" is a snapshot of everyday life that represents a simple, idealized moment in an otherwise complicated and messy world. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Hallmark%20Moment For example, suppose you have two toddler-age children who are normally dirty, haggling with each other, and pestering the pets. It is not an image you would want preserved on a greeting card. If you find both of them dressed in their Sunday best sitting side-by-side sharing a book, with a puppy at their feet, you are experiencing a Hallmark moment.

Hallmark itself has embraced the concept of the Hallmark moment. As part of a celebration of the company's 100th anniversary, Hallmark is inviting people to share their own Hallmark moments on its website. According to the website, Hallmark loves "being known for meaningful little moments." http://www.hallmark100years.com/Share-Your-Hallmark-Moment

In May, 2010, Hallmark Cards, Inc. launched a new business unit to operate its business-to-business solutions for other companies. http://www.dmnews.com/hallmark-launches-b-to-b-unit-for-crm-retention-services/article/170373/ Called Hallmark Business Connections, the unit builds on Hallmark's experience in maintaining relationships with its customers and employees. http://www.hallmarkbusinessconnections.com/ According to a spokesman, the company has helped individuals communicate with family and friends and now it will assist businesses with their relationship management needs. http://www.hallmarkbusinessconnections.com/ittrium/visit/A1x7e6x1x7dy1x820x1x99y1xa13x1x7fy1x891x1x67y1x893x1x65y1xa0ex1x65y1xa0fx1x67 To market the new services, Hallmark points to its culture of creativity and innovation and its own experience in maintaining relationships with its employees and customers.

Among the services offered by Hallmark Business Connections are:

• "Employee recognition programs": customized programs to recognize, reward, and retain in order to enhance employee satisfaction, performance, and loyalty

• "Health and wellness programs": programs to encourage employees to maintain healthier lifestyles, which can reduce health care costs

• "Customer relationship marketing": building brand preference; creating more sales; winning back prior customers; thanking loyal customers

• "Sales programs": programs to increase sales and market share by engaging and motivating sales representatives

Hallmark Business Connections will customize programs to accommodate individual business customers. The company will also provide tools for managing the programs and evaluating their success. Its target customers are Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies. http://www.dmnews.com/hallmark-launches-b-to-b-unit-for-crm-retention-services/article/170373/

The president of Hallmark Business Connections is Keith Fenhaus. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the unit has 250 employees. http://www.startribune.com/business/93987044.html?elr=KArks:DCiU1OiP:DiiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU

Calling a holiday a "Hallmark holiday" disparagingly refers to the commercial nature of the day and its promotion by the retail industry. Valentines Day is a prime example of a Hallmark holiday. http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/entertainment/the_assistant/?p=461&srvc=home&position=recent Examples of other Hallmark holidays are Mother's Day, and Father's Day, Sweetest Day, and Boss's Day. http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Hallmark+holiday18 These are occasions when presenting greeting cards, flowers, and gifts becomes almost mandatory, prompting customers to purchase what they otherwise would not be buying.