In a move to better tackle the Australian market, independent greeting card publisher Carte Blanche Group has decided to cease Carte Blanche Australia’s operations from 1 January next year.
The decision comes after a strategic review of Carte Blanche’s UK and Australian operations, realising it needed a new approach to the Australian market.
The company will now be partnering with John Simson for its greeting cards and packaging and Jasnor Australia for distribution of its plush ranges.
“We believe it’s the right time to build on this foundation and develop our brands further with a different model,” says Carte Blanche Group CEO, Alister Marchant. “We are excited by this new chapter in our Australian journey and look forward to supporting and building strong partnerships with the teams from Simson and Jasnor, who we’ve already got to know well through this transition.”
Simson’s energy for new and innovative product with that Australian ‘touch’ for colour and text was what stood out for the company, explains Carte Blanche Group commercial director, Gerard O’Mahony.
“We have great confidence they will help build business with our brands,” he says.
“Jasnor was founded in 1988 and is a highly respected member of our industry and one of Australasia’s leading distributors of quality and innovative toys and gifts.
“They have a fantastic reputation for providing value for money combined with a high level of service, experience and expertise and we feel sure they will nurture and grow our brands.”
Indeed, Jasnor is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2018 and sales and marketing director, James Thurlow says he is looking forward to representing such an iconic company.
“We have demonstrated, as Carte Blanche has for the same period of time, an ability to represent and grow long term brands,” he says.
“Our considered approach to the correct retail channels together with our 360-degree marketing approach makes Jasnor a very attractive partner.”
The Carte Blanche Australia office in Botany, NSW will remain open in 2018 until the transition is complete.
By Marion Gerritsen
