Agents’ Film Reviews

Lights, camera, action!

While the release of No Time to Die put secret agent James Bond back in the limelight, PG sought the ‘film reviews’ from a cast of greeting card (not secret at all) sales agents as to whether the last year’s trade was a blockbuster, cartoon comedy or horror movie, as well as their highlights and tearjerking moments.

Derren Seal

On location: Southern England - a square area from Gloucestershire, Dorset, Bedfordshire to Hampshire. The stars you represent: Derren’s ‘Magnificent Seven’ are Cherry Orchard, Gifted Stationery, Kingfisher Cards, Lola Designs, Rush Designs, Words ‘n’ Wishes and WPL Gifts. The plot line: “My 2021 was such a mixed bag with all the differing advice, guidance, shutdowns, openings etc… sometimes making it feel much like the iconic film Pulp Fiction with stories running alongside other stories simultaneously.”

Highlights and tearjerkers: “The highlight for me was the magic date of April 12 when it seemed we all went Back to the Future. I jumped back into my Delorian honestly believing that if my calculations were correct, when this baby reached 88 miles per hour (obviously 70 on our roads!) I was going to see all my gorgeous customers again!

The lowlight of the year for me was definitely the early shut down on January 6. Thus began the stuck in time Groundhog Day we had already experienced in 2020.”

Popcorn strategy: “I think that we have all dug deep over the past two years and I particularly like the words in the letter sent to Red in Shawshank Redemption which aptly states: “Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things and no good thing ever dies”.” Casting couch: “A film character that best showcases my personality is Happy Gilmore - a guy who never gives up on his dreams. But if I were to honestly compare myself to one particular film star however, it would have to be the late, great Yul Brynner. Apart from the obvious sex symbol similarities, I also represent The Above left: Derren Seal in Yul Brynner Magnificent Seven companies (detailed top). Magnificent Seven mode. And, like me, Yul Brynner was a life-long Liverpool Above right: 2021 had echoes of Back to the Future for Derren. supporter, but unlike me, was not a fan of using Above: A message from Shawshank aftershave. Always remember… Yul never wore Redemption is that fear can hold you prisoner, hope can set you free. cologne! (Get it?!...You’ll never walk alone!)”

Lucy Sharp, Sharp Stuff

On location: All of Bonnie Scotland.

The stars you

represent: These include

Abrams and Chronicle

Caroline Gardner, Roger La Borde and Talking Tables.

The plot line: “Unlike my favourite, Ferris Bueller, there has been very little in the way of ‘days off’. It's been a jam-packed action feature leaving me and my customers on the edge of our seats, but thankfully with a happy ending.”

My customers deserve an Oscar for keeping going when it looked like all their business was Gone With The Wind. It could have been Apocalypse Now with the ups and downs of Covid and the last minute supply chain plot twists and turns, but they pulled out all the stops to make sure it was still a Wonderful Life at Christmas.”

Highlights and

tearjerkers: “Following on from a successful pop-up event in 2020, together with my 'co-star' Above left: Lucy Sharp in Labyrinth mode. Easy Agency, we expanded Above: Thankfully the franchise and opened businesses were not ‘Gone with the Wind’. Edinburgh's very own ‘Pinewood Studios’ (our 3,000sq ft trade showroom) where all the stars hung out!

With months of ‘on the edge of your seats’ drama, the film started to move into ‘too long’ territory towards the end of the year. There were definitely some tired eyes in the cinema that started to droop, but after a good Christmas break I think we're all ready for the next instalment.”

Popcorn strategy: “The cast of stars that fills my working life…the wonderful people I work with at the brands and the retailers

alike - aided by a good coffee machine and some excellent pick n mix snacks in the showroom!”

Casting couch:

“My life would be Labyrinth, an indie classic, that has stood the test of time, remastered in technicolour for 2021 and beyond!

I’d love David Bowie to play me...who wouldn't want to be more David Bowie!”

The 2022 sequel: “I'm writing the script as we speak. Very much planning for a blockbuster!”

Above: A ‘set’ of the Sharp & Easy showroom.

Nigel Willcock, NW Agencies

On location: The North West

The stars you represent: These include ArtPress, Bold & Bright, Holy Mackerel, Kali Stileman, Louise Tiler, Lucilla Lavender, Peartree Heybridge and Redback.

The plot line: “If I had to pick a film that has been would reflect the year, it would have to be Groundhog Day!”

Highlights and tearjerkers: “Overall 2021 was a blockbuster, with most of my wonderful customers reporting good sales and positive feedback with their customers enjoying being out and about, supporting local businesses. The downers have been the obvious Covid obstacles and for me personally wearing a mask, which really handicaps meetings and presentations.” Casting couch: “With Groundhog Day as the perfect analogy to 2021, I would have to be played by Bill Murray.”

The 2022 sequel: “I so hope that the sequel depicts us all putting Covid behind us and getting on with our lives…and that we find an ultimate cure for road rage!”

Top: Nigel Willcock in Stationery Supplies’ Marple. Above: With 2021 being most like Groundhog Day, Nigel Willcock would be played by Bill Murray.

Beth Robson

On location: The greater city of London

The stars you represent: Mint, Museums and Galleries, Oliver Preston, Real and Exciting Designs, Redback, Sooshichacha, Special Delivery and U Studio,

The plot line: “Most definitely 2021 was a film noir. Missing all Spring Seasons was not a good start for anyone. It was very frustrating at times, however things certainly picked up and optimism returned with the jab roll out. It was lovely to be out of enforced hibernation and seeing customers again. We were all bobbing along rather nicely until the uncertainty caused by Omicron, which certainly put the brakes on again re face to face appointments, but in the end Christmas sales seemed to hold up very well with lots of last minute reorders.” Highlights and tearjerkers: “For me, personally, the highlight would have to be my new knee. On the business front, it would be publishers knocking it out of the park with excellent new products/ranges; seeing my gorgeous customers as well as the random acts of kindness. The tearjerkers have been the hold ups at ports, Congestion Charge being extended until 10pm and at weekends, the very unbusiness-friendly new parking charges (£15 for two hours in some boroughs) as well as anti vaxxers!”

Casting couch: “With my new knee, 2021 would have to be Fast & Furious and Charlize Theron would play me - the similarities are really quite obvious!! Not!”

Popcorn strategy: “I’m an optimistic by nature so that has helped, as has chatting with other agents via WhatsApp, talking to customers and publishers was always a tonic - we are all in this together.”

The 2022 sequel: “Hoping for a full year of trading, holidays, Covid be gone and probably more!”

Top: Beth Robson as Cat Woman! Above: With her new knee, Beth is now Fast and Furious!

Brendan Cahill, Cahill Agencies

On location: Wales and Gloucestershire The stars you represent: Including Alex Clark, Glick, Mint, Real & Exciting Designs, Tracey Russell, Tracks, Woodmansterne, Words ‘n’ Wishes and WPL. The plot line: “If I am to compare 2021 to a blockbuster movie I would refer to Gladiator, with us agents all having to really dig deep, with sweat and blood (not literally) to maintain orders and to battle with some principles (through no fault of their own) as a result of the most frustrating time delays and shipment costs for our customers. However, on the positive side, the majority of my customers (and I) had a good 2021 and we have managed to soldier on dealing with whatever barriers have been thrown in front of us all.”

Casting couch: “If my life were in film I’d have to be the scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz - a happy go lucky chappie, who doesn’t’ take life too seriously (and I get to have a wonderful brain in the end). And I would so love to be played by Rob Brydon.”

Popcorn strategy: “At the start of each day, I have the fortunate choice to choose which form of transport I will use for the day to visit my fabulous customers, will it be ‘Planes,

Above left: Brendan in A Good Year mode?! Above: With 2021 having been a battle, Gladiator is a great film choice.

trains or automobiles’? Every day is an enjoyable adventure as ‘Herbie’ goes to Wales and Gloucestershire with my car fully loaded up and car packed with the finest ever samples. Outside of work, walking around the mountains of the Brecon Beacons with Alison (my partner) who every time she’s on top of the mountain she thinks she’s in The Sound of Music and me seeing it as a calling to a proper country pub.” The 2022 sequel: “My hopes for Above: Until he gets 2022 will be to finally trade in my ‘Herbie’ and his Aston Martin, for Brendan it is a case of take over from Daniel Craig and eventually drive Herbie Rides Again! an Aston Martin.

Let’s hope we all have a successful and healthy 2022 - May The Force Be With You!”

Carl Stirk

On location: The Northeast of England

The stars you represent:

These include The Art File, Cinnamon Aitch, Five Dollar Shake, Rachel Ellen, Rosie Made a Thing and Ziggle.

The plot line: “As the lyrics of the title track say ‘Life is a cabaret’, so the musical film Cabaret would best sum up my working life over the last year… largely bright and cheerful, but with a few unexpected happenings for us all to contend with.”

Highlights and tearjerkers: “2021 started off very slowly with retailers not knowing exactly how it was going to unravel, but as the year has rolled on it has/is slowly getting back to pre-pandemic business levels. Some of the ‘high kicks’ have been working with great innovative companies who have continued producing new, exciting and interesting ranges. I loved the ‘show business’ of Harrogate Home & Gift in July, which was much busier than I anticipated and The Art File had an amazing position, which meant it was a very successful exhibition for me. It has been sad that some retailers have gone while a lot of others have changed ownership and management. Plus, all the uncertainty of what was going plus the negative slant taken by the consumer media served to add to the nervousness at retail.” Popcorn strategy: “In common with most agents, I have loved being out seeing lovely customers enjoying all the energy and enthusiasm they have for our industry.”

The 2022 sequel: “I do feel now is the time to celebrate the new and hopefully put all of what has happened over the last few years behind us. I am hopeful that 2022 will be full of ‘Independents Days’ and there will be a return to all occasions being successful.”

Top: Carl Stirk with his friend Beki in Cabaret mode. Above: Carl is hopeful that independents will have their day in 2022!

Rosie Trow

On location: The South West The stars you represent: Coral & Mint, Five Dollar Shake, Glick, Go La La, IC&G, Janie Wilson, Jellycat, Life Charms, Marmalade, Museums & Galleries, Oli Olsen, Paper Salad, Real & Exciting Designs, Redback, Transomnia, Wendy Jones-Blackett and Wrendale Designs.

The plot line: “As 2021 started with the news of a lockdown and emails from my principals regarding much shortened lead times for getting Christmas orders in, there seemed only one way forward, to get down to it and ‘Carry on Regardless’ with Zooms and oneto-one meetings with customers at their shops, ‘Home Alone’ or in their garden gazebos.

Retailers were amazing, working hard at keeping out of the ‘Jaws’ of the unknown and if anything positive has come out of the pandemic it’s the consumers returning to local high street shopping and making it a positive ‘Independence Day’.

With staycationing continuing in the UK the roads to most appointments invariably involved hot spots of holiday traffic, so getting around was by no means ‘Fast & Furious’.

The main ‘Gremlins’ have been the issues surrounding the delayed stock and shortages throughout the year giving principals and customers real ‘Hunger Games’ juggling stocks.” Casting couch: “I think I would be Edward Scissorhands, because I am always trying to give a helping hand somewhere and I would very happily be an understudy for Johnny Depp! Or Alice in Wonderland, which would be a great world to drift into, but I would have to be the White Rabbit as anyone in the South West who knows me well, knows I am always late!!”

Popcorn strategy: “For me keeping my spirits up…. (Other than the gin Advent calendars I received this year) has been the time spent seeing my customers and sharing the wealth of information and ideas that you accumulate as an agent helping to find different ways to achieve what we are all looking for. Carpe Diem.”

The 2022 sequel: “In the words of Toy Story, ‘to infinity and beyond’ and for everybody to have health, peace and happiness.”

Top left: ‘Edward Scissorhands’- Rosie in the hairdressers. Top right: It’s been something of ‘The Hunger Games’ due to stock shortages. Above: Rosie Trow, the White Rabbit of the South West! Right: Rosie hopes 2022 will take sales into infinity and beyond.