GCU is discussing a possible partnership with an online gift card retailer.  The solution would be POD paper greeting cards for them to sell online to accompany their gift cards, a natural fit.  They sell poplar gift cards like Nordstrom, iTunes, Sears, Chili’s, Cold Stone, etc.  
 
We want to share this possible partnership with the artist community to get your feedback.  Overall we are very confident in the value this partner would bring and welcome the additional card sales and exposure.  We also hold great confidence in the overall quality of their business practices and reputation.  
 
They would offer on their site a selection of GCU cards of which:
 
a)  they would select a limited collection of around 100 or so cards    
b)  some type of artist's credits will appear on the back (may differ from today’s BOC)
c)  they would do the POD printing not GCU
d)  they will pay GCU 50 cents for each card sold of which will be split 50/50 between GCU and artist.  Each party will earn 25 cents per card sold.  This would likely be reported on a monthly basis and paid as part of your GCU quarterly earnings
e)  they may or may not use the artist provided inside verse
f)   their usage would be limited for this purpose only
g)  sale volumes will be low at first with plans & hopes for continued growth
 
NOTE:  If you are not interested in participating in this opportunity artists will have the option to easily Opt-Out.  
 
If we move ahead, this will require a good amount of GCU's effort on developing tools and reporting for this partner.  We see this as another great opportunity to sell more of your cards!  
 
Please let us know what thoughts or questions you have.

Thank you for filling us in, Mindy.This sounds like a great opportunity!  
~Audrey

Well it sounds a good idea, just hope they are versatile in their choices if it goes ahead, that's the only concern I guess, other than that it sounds like a good oppertunity to get better known. I wish you luck with it, it could generate a lot more custom for GCU as well to a top idea in that respect as well. I can't see many artists opting out though, it does open up another outlet.
 
Hugs
Moonie

Wow, that does sound very interesting.  Can't wait to hear more information about this new endeavor.  
 
Thank  you....  Sher

I think any 'drop in the bucket' will make a ripple.... a ripple will grow to a wave and so on, and so on. Right on! Cheers to GCU. Lisa

that's awesome a great opportunity!!!

So does this mean card sales in GCU and the Partnering Company?

I think it is a good idea.  As you said, any artist not interested in having their cards included can opt out. I like it!  Way to go GCU, on your continues growth!

Absolutely....go for it! Any exposure we here at GCU can get would be fantastic.
elizabeth

Sounds good Mindy.  Thanks for the update!
Kathy

Quote from Tessa_139072 on Mar 16^th, 2010, 3:45pm:

 
Sorry, not sure I understand your question.  Card sales on GCU will be business as usual but in addition this partnering company will be selling some of our GCU cards on their site.  Does that answer your question?

if the BOC credit linked directly to MY GCU site, I wouldn't mind cutting my commish by 1/2, should one of my cards be chosen.  I had actually PMd Mindy a few months ago, suggesting GCU offer gift cards as well, so folks could easily purchase gift and card all in one place!  I figured if my grocery store can offer over 50 different retailers for gift cards, it shouldn't be that hard for GCU to do it.  Sounds like someone else had the same idea!  

Quote from Rosalie_136698 on Mar 16^th, 2010, 4:48pm:

 
Quality would be a requirement.  We are confident it is their goal too and we will be sure to be involved in the process to make sure this happens.

Thank you Mindy, That is wonderful news!  
We have talented artists, the cards speak for themselves,  
and free advertising is a "Win-Win".  
Janet Lee

Mindy,
 
Wonderful idea, great potential!...I have a couple of important questions that need to be asked now even though considerations/negotiations are still early in development:
 
1)  If this becomes reality, how will the cards be selected that would give the GCU very large membership a "fair opportunity" to have their cards picked up by these venues?  Who will decide?  Will you have a contest, or something similar?
 
2)  You indicated that some sort of credit will be given on the back of the cards.  Wonderful.  But...what about the creative rights?  Will the artist, independently or through GCU, need to:  
     a) relinquish their full rights to these designs, meaning the design will be "exclusive" and strictly for that venue and the artist will not be able to sell it, or use elsewhere for commercial purposes; or  
     b) agree to give a "limited, one time use rights other than what is now given through GCU?;  
     c) have guidelines for reorders that restrict reprinting to GCU to prevent the venue from printing the cards/designs themselves; or  
     d) have the selected cards distributed to these venues completely via the current GCU policies/methods that would allow the designs to be available to everyone with the rights protected by the GCU policies?
 
It is a great venture and it will be complex since GPU will need to be the middle person and have the responsibility of handling the selections, coordinating the efforts, and paying the artists.  Hope some sort of "arrangements" can be made to have this become a reality.
 
Thanks.
 
Patricia
 

Yayy Mindy!  I'm here because I enjoy having my images and verses used and appreciated by other folks.  Any money I earn helps my grandchildren go to a Christian school and that's a definate plus for me.
But you know what?  If I only got pennies on the card, I'd probably still be doing this.  I love the outlet for my work and I know that with time and the extra effort expended on a continuing basis, my work is improving.  I find the idea of this new partnering  exciting and filled with hope for all of us.  Even if one of my cards is never chosen by the partner, the ones chosen and used will point folks back to us, and that could mean back to Me!  
A couple of years ago, I purchased something through Borders (online) for a Birthday Gift for a loved one.  The assortment of Birthday Cards to use was pathetic.  I mentioned to my husband, 'Too bad they wouldn't partner with GCU and offer our cards.  Would be great for their customers and for us on GCU!'
   So glad to see something like this is a real possibility.  
Thanks once again, GCU  

Quote from Lisa_135184 on Mar 17^th, 2010, 11:22am:

No debate wished for or intended and your opinion is certainly just that, but I must take complete issue with this assessment:
 
Quote from Lisa_135184 on Mar 17^th, 2010, 11:22am:

 
which I feel is inaccurate and unjust.
 
 

Partnerships are wonderful ways to expand.  Good luck!  I offer my card selection freely.
 
Thank you for sharing and including all of us.
 
 
Bright

I think it is a great idea! The more the merrier.

Quote from Lisa_135184 on Mar 17^th, 2010, 11:22am:

 
No debate as it is your opinion.  However I must clarify on your inaccurate statement that GCU will make a gain without doing any work.  For this partnership to take place and work properly there is A LOT of work to be done on GCU's side let alone the resources and business acumen to court such a deal.  This opportunity did not just come out of the blue.

Goodness, I'm all for this, I can only dream one of my cards will get picked!

Quote from Carol_136775 on Mar 19^th, 2010, 6:58am:

 
Thank you, Carol, for this very objective and articulate statement. You have echoed my sentiments on this subject exactly, but much more eloquently than I could have done...

Hi Mindy and all....guess I'm a little late to this party as have been on vacation!  This seems kind of exciting and I'm all for spreading the word. I've read through all the concerns, but overall it seems like a good idea and I'd certainly be happy if chosen as one of the 100...that said I'm going to have to let this percolate through my brain which is a bit tired at present as it's nearly midnight here!
  Nite