American Greetings Photo Works is the creator and manufacturer of innovative social expression products offers paper cards, digital greetings, gift wrap, party goods and more to help consumers honor the people and moments in life that really matter. The company is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of physical and digital social expression products, with a portfolio that includes leading brands like American Greetings, Carlton Cards, Gibson, Recycled Paper Greetings, Papyrus and DesignWare party goods. The company also owns and operates the popular digital photo sharing service Webshots.
The Company has a long history of innovation in both the creation and the distribution of greeting cards. Founded in 1906 by Jacob Sapirstein, the American Greetings card company was the first to commercialize the greeting card industry with self-serve store displays in 1929. During the Great Depression, the company’s affordable greeting cards lifted the spirits of the nation and helped families stay connected during difficult times. The Company later expanded its operations with the acquisition of Carlton Cards in 1956.
In the digital space, the Company revolutionized category marketing in 2012 with justWink - the industry’s first greeting card brand designed by Gen Y for Gen Y. In addition to its digital products, the Company has a large library of classic and contemporary greetings that span a broad range of occasions and holidays.
The Company continues to innovate by combining new technologies and creative content in unexpected ways. For example, an American Greetings team, in collaboration with the Cleveland Museum of Art's Open Access Initiative, facilitated a collage workshop promoting creative engagement using CMA's publicly available images. The creative team is also collaborating with a local high school to develop a curriculum that promotes creativity and collaboration.