The Great British Card Company has announced that Shay Howlin, managing director of the Dublin-based Petit Pop agency, has been appointed as the publisher’s sales agent for Ireland
The Great British Card Company (GBCC) sales director Chris Houfe and Petit Pop MD Shay both felt that it was ideal timing for GBCC to enter the Irish market, which is showing some green shoots of recovery following the 2008 recession.
Shay, who founded Petit Pop in 2002, has 15 years’ experience in the industry and runs his business with a team of six dedicated sales agents. Commenting on the appointment, he says:
“Petit Pop is delighted to be partnering in Ireland with The Great British Card Company. This gives all our Irish customers access to iconic brands like Paperhouse and Medici Cards, which are stalwarts of the greeting card industry. Over the last 12 months we have noticed that the more discerning consumer wants a quality product at an affordable price and GBCC brands fit the bill exactly. We are positively glowing about the future!”
Chris Houfe comments: “I am very pleased to welcome Shay on board. The Irish market loves our products and we know that the Petitpop team is committed to gaining our portfolio the widest distribution possible.”
GBCC has been steadily expanding over the past 18 months, following the acquisition of The Almanac Gallery in summer 2012 and increased distribution in a number of overseas territories. Chris Houfe began a two-year tenure as president of the Greeting Card Association in October 2013 and there are many more developments in the pipeline, so watch this space!
