Oct 1, 2008 6:05 AM, PROMO P&I, By Amy Johannes

Hallmark Cards' new division, Hallmark Tributes, offers a host of promotional products to award and recognize businesses and vendors.

Hallmark Cards, Inc. is out with a new company focusing on award and recognition options for the promotional products industry.
The division, called Hallmark Tributes, offers a new line of products to help businesses connect with employees, clients and vendors, Colleen Finch, general manager of Hallmark Tributes, said. Products include everything from gift cards and gift card holders and casual awards to ornaments and creative sound products.

“Employers are seeking unique, creative and cost effective ways to connect with the people who matter most to their business,” Finch said. “With products from Hallmark Tributes, employers can recruit and retain talent, recognize achievements and milestones, reward safety adherence, and congratulate or thank employees for a job well done.”

For example, businesses can choose a Hallmark gift card, redeemable at Hallmark Gold Crown stores and package it in a card or box with sound. Gift cards are available in denominations of $5 to $500, Finch said. Companies may instead opt for paper weights with promotional messages, picture frames that play music, or logoed bookmarks or personalized ornaments.

Hallmark Tributes, offered 100 promotional products. The entire product line is under $25.

“It’s important to have something fun and meaningful to give,” Finch said.

The firm launched Sept. 22 and debuted at the Motivation Show in Chicago last week, Finch said. It builds on Hallmark Insights, which offers customized greeting cards as part of its Valued Expression line.

The new company is a logical extension for the greeting card company, Finch said.

“Hallmark is all about sentiment,” she added. “Because we help connect people in their personal lives, we have the ability to connect people in their meaningful business relationships.  We can do fun things to reward, recognize and motivate people.”

Hallmark Tributes is being marketed on its Web site, through a catalog, through advertising in industry publications and at trade shows.

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