Make 'Em Laugh with Humor Cards: More than Half of Consumers Want Humor Holiday Cards from Businesses This Year

In response to insights and the market, Hallmark Business Expressions debuts
humor cards as part of the 2009 collection of business holiday cards
KANSAS CITY, Mo.--(Business Wire)--
In an October 2009 survey* of more than 2,300 consumers, 62 percent expressed
interest in receiving humor cards from a company with which they do business.
Additionally, 65 percent said receiving a humorous business greeting card would
result in a positive feeling towards the company.

For the upcoming holiday season specifically, more than half of consumers are
interested in receiving humor cards from companies with which they do business,
while 49 percent of consumers prefer traditional business holiday cards.
Businesses can leverage this trend with the debut of humor holiday cards from
Hallmark Business Expressions, the b-to-b subsidiary of Hallmark Cards, Inc.
With 16 humor holiday cards available for businesses at
http://hallmark.businessgreetings.com, designs range from general, light humor
to industry-specific humor in the areas of sales, insurance and health services.

"The goal of our humor holiday cards is to relate to everyday businesspeople and
office situations, as well as more specific occupations that lend themselves to
industry humor," said Angela Nelson, art director for the Hallmark Business
Expressions humor cards. "Humor has worked in the consumer world for years. We
saw an opportunity to expand our business holiday cards to translate what`s been
successful with consumers for the business customer."

The research also found that humor is more acceptable coming from some
professions and industries than others. In fact, according to consumers, the
industries most acceptable to send humor cards are real estate (47 percent),
health services (44 percent), human resources (44 percent) and insurance (37
percent).

"Our humor holiday cards strike a balance between relevance for our website
customers and today`s economic climate. We focused on the industries where humor
works well, especially given the current business environment. We know a good
portion of our customers represent the sales, insurance and healthcare
industries, and our new research supports that humor cards are well received
from companies in these segments," said Julie Cunnyngham, marketing director for
Hallmark Business Expressions.

All humor cards in the holiday collection can be customized with a company logo
and personal closing.

New Holiday Card Collection

With 161 business holiday cards in the 2009 line, Hallmark Business Expressions
offers a wide range of traditional, green holiday cards and charity holiday
cards through http://hallmark.businessgreetings.com. This year`s collection
contains 30 fresh designs with personalization options including adding a
company logo, personal closing and a variety of sentiments inside the card.

"With Hallmark Business Expressions, businesses have the opportunity to pair
their brand with ours, making the holiday connection that much more meaningful,"
adds Cunnyngham.

*The October 2009 survey was conducted by Harris Interactive and received 2,309
respondents representing the US Adult population.

About Hallmark Business Expressions

Hallmark Business Expressions helps businesses cultivate relationships using
greeting cards to communicate with key customers, prospects, employees and
donors. Serving a wide variety of companies, from the Fortune 100 to small
businesses, Hallmark Business Expressions provides distinctive ways to stay in
touch and make a lasting impression. The company offers a full line of Everyday
and Holiday greeting cards for businesses and a variety of personalization and
mailing services at http://Hallmark.BusinessGreetings.com. The company also
offers custom design services for customers who require a unique card to meet a
specific business objective.

Created by the company that has helped people express themselves for nearly a
century, Hallmark Business Expressions offers businesses that same knowledge and
expertise in business greeting cards. Hallmark Business Expressions is a
subsidiary of Hallmark Cards, Inc., headquartered in Kansas City, Mo.

Release Summary:

In an October 2009 survey, 62 percent of consumers expressed interest in
receiving humor cards from a company with which they do business. To leverage
this trend, Hallmark Business Expressions launches humor holiday cards.

Keyword Tags:

business holiday cards, humor cards, humor holiday cards

For Hallmark Business Expressions
Jessica Gardner, 913.660.9638
jgardner@morningstarcomm.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009