American Greetings Rocks With One Direction Collection

CLEVELAND, Aug. 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Fans of the hugely popular band, One Direction, will now flock with excitement to the greeting card aisle at nationwide retailers. American Greetings Corporation introduces a fun, fan-based card line, inspired by the larger-than-life group. The One Direction collection features birthday and everyday greeting cards, including additional keepsakes like key chains, posters and stickers.

American Greetings brings technological innovation to this new card collection with impressive sound, light, music and motion. For example, One Direction fans are sure to feel extra special if they receive one of the cards where the voices of their favorite pop stars can be heard offering special messages. These cards bring excitement to every young consumer.

Adored by "Directioners," worldwide, One Direction is currently on a sold-out 2013 World Tour. The boys, Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik, together are the global phenomenon, who, with the help of The X Factor, the biggest television show in the UK, watched their debut album go to number one in 15 countries around the world.  With no end in sight, the One Direction 3D Movie, "This is US," will premiere across the country on August 30, and the band has already announced plans for a 2014 stadium tour.

"We are thrilled to bring One Direction enthusiasts birthday wishes and friendly greetings from their favorite five guys," said Elizabeth McGrath, director of product development at American Greetings. "It is important to us to connect with consumers of all ages, and with the help of Harry, Liam, Louis, Niall and Zayn, we can do just that!"

As the industry leader in greeting card inventions, American Greetings has introduced more than 100 new greeting card formats under the Inventions brand, offering the ultimate selection of exciting, new-to-the world ways to celebrate birthdays and other happy occasions. Incorporating brand-new twists on technology in cards with carefully written copy and celebratory artwork, the combined effect is the perfect selection of greeting cards that are sure to surprise and delight any recipient.

Consumers can find the One Direction collection, in addition to a great selection of fresh and inspiring cards from American Greetings, at participating drug chains, grocery stores and mass retailers nationwide, as well as in American Greetings and Carlton Cards retail stores. For more information on American Greetings, please visit www.corporate.americangreetings.com. You can also follow American Greetings on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest.

About American Greetings Corporation

For more than 100 years, American Greetings Corporation has been a creator and manufacturer of innovative social expression products that assist consumers in enhancing their relationships to create happiness, laughter and love.  The Company's major greeting card lines are American Greetings, Carlton Cards, Gibson, Recycled Paper Greetings and Papyrus, and other paper product offerings include DesignWare party goods and American Greetings and Plus Mark gift-wrap and boxed cards.  American Greetings also has one of the largest collections of greetings on the Web, including greeting cards available at Cardstore.com and electronic greeting cards available at AmericanGreetings.com.  In addition to its product lines, American Greetings also creates and licenses popular character brands through the AG Properties group.  Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, American Greetings generates annual revenue of approximately $1.9 billion, and its products can be found in retail outlets worldwide.  For more information on the Company, visit http://corporate.americangreetings.com.

SOURCE American Greetings Corporation