May 17, 2010 - Hallmark Cards, Inc. Unveils New Business Unit Called Hallmark Business Connections

Hallmark Cards, Inc. Unveils New Business Unit Called 
Hallmark Business Connections

New company consolidates Hallmark's B2B offerings to help businesses strengthen relationships with employees and customers

Minneapolis, Minn.- Hallmark Cards, Inc., today announces the launch of its new business unit, Hallmark Business Connections (www.HallmarkBusinessConnections.com). Consolidating the resources of Hallmark's business-to-business offerings, Hallmark Business Connections provides organizations with unique business solutions designed to strengthen and manage relationships with employees and customers.

"Hallmark Business Connections brings more than 100 years of Hallmark heritage and a focus on creativity and innovation into the business arena," said David Hall, president - Hallmark North America. "Helping companies better engage employees and build even deeper relationships with loyal customers can deliver a strong return on investment."

"For 100 years Hallmark has helped consumers meaningfully connect with the people who are important in their lives," Hall added. "Now we will help companies leverage that knowledge through a suite of unique solutions, designed to provide measurable results."

Specifically, businesses can look to Hallmark Business Connections to help recognize and reward employees; attract, retain and re-engage customers; deliver turnkey, custom sales programs; and, inspire employees and members to participate in corporate health and wellness programs.

"Hallmark Business Connections makes a genuine difference in how businesses manage their relationships, specifically in the areas of employee recognition, health and wellness, customer relationship marketing and sales programs," said Keith Fenhaus, president of Hallmark Business Connections. "Companies will find our innovative products and services especially relevant in strengthening relationships with employees and customers."

Through its robust technology platform, Hallmark Business Connections makes executing, managing and measuring the success of a program simple with dashboards to monitor key performance indicators, survey capabilities to gather participant feedback, and reporting options to ensure meaningful information is appropriately captured to drive decisions. Business clients will benefit from Hallmark Business Connections' expertise in creative support, marketing, personalization and fulfillment services, and client services.

Unique Solutions
Hallmark Business Connections offers solutions tailored to meet each organization's relationship management needs. Companies can choose from a range of comprehensive and customizable solutions that can be personalized with the company logo, employee or customer name. Products include incentives, greeting cards and gifts. Delivery options include online, on paper, or on a mobile device.

• Employee Recognition Programs - As recognition is a key driver to enhancing employee satisfaction, improving performance and increasing loyalty, Hallmark Business Connections creates customized programs to help businesses recognize, reward and retain employees that engage and motivate them. 
• Health and Wellness Programs - Hallmark Business Connections provides solutions to help businesses achieve their wellness program objectives, working closely with each organization to encourage employees and plan members to adopt healthier behaviors, which drive health care costs down.
• Customer Relationship Marketing - Whether an organization is looking to build brand preference, create additional sales, win back a customer or thank a loyal customer, Hallmark Business Connections creates programs designed to attain engagement and loyalty for enhanced business results. 
• Sales Programs - Hallmark Business Connections helps organizations achieve revenue goals by providing meaningful incentives that engage and motivate sales teams. These programs have been proven to make a real connection with salespeople, increasing sales and expanding the current marketshare.

Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., Hallmark Business Connections has locations in Kansas City, Mo. and Duluth, Minn. For more information, visit www.HallmarkBusinessConnections.com.