Everybody knew what the e-mail meant. It went out last fall to employees of the Production Art Division of Hallmark Cards. It said that manager Lee Burner had scheduled a mandatory meeting for the next day. Somebody from HR would be there.
Production artists were told to report to a conference room in the Rice Center, a section on the south side of Hallmark's Crown Center headquarters. The Rice Center is often the place for fun times at Hallmark, where the company hosts motivational speakers, including Ami James, a tattoo artist from Miami Ink. But the employees figured that some wouldn't return to their jobs at the end of the day.
Burner, who didn't return phone calls from The Pitch, is an upper-level manager with a reputation as a man willing to wield the ax. In early 2007, he warned the Production Art Division that some positions might be cut or that the department itself could disappear. "We will be a smaller company in the next two or three years," he predicted at a meeting last spring, according to an employee who was there.
The meeting in October was supposed to mark the end of Burner's reorganization of the division. He had already spent three months analyzing each position. But Hallmark employees often joke about how change happens slowly there — sometimes giving the example of how the Kwanzaa line took years to develop — and so far, nobody had been fired.
Burner's presentation in the Rice Center included a slide show. At one point, a pie chart revealed the department's new job titles. Burner breezed over the slide and was about to continue when somebody shouted a question.
"There's no part of that pie that says 'production artist' anywhere. Where's our portion?" the employee asked, according to an artist who was there that day.
"Well, we don't know right now," Burner replied.
"Are there going to be layoffs?" the employee asked.
"Well, we can't say," Burner answered.
By the end of the presentation, Burner had revealed the real point of his speech. The artists in the Production Art Division would no longer be working on art. The creative portions of their jobs would disappear. No longer would they be working on the designs of cards, party supplies or novelty items. Now they'd be called "print production technicians," and instead of designing artwork, they would only be checking to make sure that outsourced artwork was ready for printing.
"It essentially becomes almost pushing-a-button work, with no creative portion," one of the department's artists tells The Pitch. "When we applied for these jobs, we had to turn in a portfolio and show we were artists. Now there's no creativity."
Hallmark has been outsourcing its workforce overseas for the past decade. A company that once was synonymous with Kansas City now has a shrinking local staff. Still owned by the Hall family, the private company doesn't have to report layoffs. But according to a company spokeswoman, Hallmark has lost a quarter of its workforce since 1999.
Hallmark blames the layoffs on competition, largely from the Internet and e-mail. But the company is far from suffering. On March 31, Hallmark reported reported $4.4 billion in revenue for 2007, up 8 percent over 2006. The company has reported at least $4 billion in revenue per year since 1998. Hallmark won't release its profit numbers, but a spokeswoman says the company had double-digit growth last year in its earnings.
Outsourcing and job cuts may seem normal for corporate America, but Hallmark founder Joyce Hall created his company with the idea of valuing his employees over all else. Hall protected every employee during hard times — even through the Great Depression — until he retired in 1966. The company mantra, still printed on cards and posters given to employees over the years, promises "That the people of Hallmark are our Company's most valuable resource."
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You all including the writer of this long article are young. Back when I was attending KU in the middle 1960’s I worked summer jobs at Hallmark Card Co. in Lawrence, KS. First I was a card selector, then an order filler then I did hand work on card then I worked a glue machine and did hand work on the cards. Everyone wants to remember the good old days then less talk the good old days. WHAT ARE YOU ALL CRAZY? Joyce Hall the saint? Less pretend for a minute you knew not everyone worked in KC, MO at the Headquarters. You thought he was great? Well I never ever saw him I was dirt I worked the lines. We got no free milk or tea from the nice lady pushing a cart? WHAT the are you talking about? Fresh treats out of the vending machines. This is me laughing. None of these problems would be happening if not for Joyce Hall. During 1964 / 65 era Unions tried to organize the Hallmark workers but we were told that if we even stopped to talk to them or so much as spoke a word to them even in the parking lot we’d be fired and before Joyce Hall would let us lowly works who worked for $100.00 a week he would fold up the company and move it to a place where people wanted a job with the Hallmark Card Company. Being in school at KU and my Husband also being a KU student I couldn’t afford to rock the boat, needless to say my little check meant we could pay rent and eat. So am I surprised that Hallmark is taking its jobs to China. NO. Try I’m surprised they have any jobs left in the USA. And don’t tell me what a great family man Joyce Hall was he was after making as much money as he could. They may all be rich but hopefully they are all also going to hell when they die. Since I worked there in a factory with no exits in case of a fire (well OK they had exits but you’d have died before you got to them!) and no windows in the factory to even see out of don’t tell me how great any of the Halls were it was like working as a slave in a rowing ship back in Roman times.
Wow, this is a good news for china.
Warm Regards,
Izay Cabrera
Miami South Beach Hotels
Did you see one of the Crown Center Guards was arrested for sexual misconduct, go fox4news.com. Must be some truth to these posts, I've kept up with this.
Did you see one of the Crown Center Guards was arrested for sexual misconduct, go fox4news.com.
Must be some truth to these posts, I've kept up with this.
To Three decade man, actually, it's gotten worse here at Crow Center- especially at Kessinger Hunter, if you were fortunate to land elsewhere consider yourself lucky!
They got rid of some good people, replaced them with younger, lazier, cheaper workers, who don't care, we are just numbers here, that's all, try our best each day to not get terminated, it's taxing, we fight this fight each and every day, Better get back to work, Gary Hill has his lynch mob supervisors out "lurking" the things people do to one another for the almighty $ sign! It's scary!
To Three decade man, actually, it's gotten worse here at Crow Center- especially at Kessinger Hunter, if you were fortunate to land elsewhere consider yourself lucky! They got rid of some good people, replaced them with younger, lazier, cheaper workers, who don't care, we are just numbers here, that's all, try our best each day to not get terminated, it's taxing, we fight this fight each and every day, Better get back to work, Gary Hill has his lynch mob supervisors out "lurking" the things people do to one another for the almighty $ sign! It's scary!
I haven't checked this blog in ages, thought I'd revisit it just to see if anything new has been added.
I'm glad someone put that Chris Ronan really was "JW", when I worked backed there I heard of Chris Ronan through my friends Amy and Anne of CCRC's marketing dept, didn't know to much about him other then that. That wouldn't suprise me that someone from CCRC would attempt to defuse such comments, especially when they new the truth was surfacing.
I don't have much contact from Crown Center anymore, and honestly, I like it that way, I worked for Kessingr Hunter- Crown Center Security for almost 17 years, ended my time in the Exhibit Hall, when Amy Berridge was the Hall Manager, those days.
I wanted to comment, many though I had in the past, actually I posted (1) under three decade man, that was me.
I recently saw the movie Wall Street 2, it was very good! It reminded me of my last couple of years at Crown Center, during the period of 2002- 03-04, my final years there, this film was based on America during that time period, right after 911.
Although Crown Center was involved in the stock market, investor trading, such things like that, all the elements of power- greed- stabbing workers in the back, selling out long time friends to get-ahead, were displayed in Wall Street 2, that stuff I saw at Crown Center, and many of us were victims, lived thorugh it, and lost our jobs as a result of some of that stuff.
This film really hit home, Gordon Gecko reminded me so much of Gary Hill and Charles Renstchler, the environment they created and put workers through. Gecko had a collapse, as did Rentschler, I guess one could say sometimes, life does emulate the movies!
I recommend this film, it will paint a good picture of what life was like working at Kessinger Hunter- Crown Center and Hallmark during that time in our work history, I don't speak to many back there anymore, they eliminated a lot of the older workforce, hell, even they saw the light and got rid of Charles Rentschler, so some good did come out of that, as for me, I've moved on to a much better organization- one that reminds me of the happier times at Crown Center, during the mid 80's the 90's, the hey day as far as I'm concerned, Good Luck- signed a Thee Decade Man from the Exhibit Hall days.
I haven't checked this blog in ages, thought I'd revisit it just to see if anything new has been added. I'm glad someone put that Chris Ronan really was "JW", when I worked backed there I heard of Chris Ronan through my friends Amy and Anne of CCRC's marketing dept, didn't know to much about him other then that. That wouldn't suprise me that someone from CCRC would attempt to defuse such comments, especially when they new the truth was surfacing. I don't have much contact from Crown Center anymore, and honestly, I like it that way, I worked for Kessingr Hunter- Crown Center Security for almost 17 years, ended my time in the Exhibit Hall, when Amy Berridge was the Hall Manager, those days. I wanted to comment, many though I had in the past, actually I posted (1) under three decade man, that was me. I recently saw the movie Wall Street 2, it was very good! It reminded me of my last couple of years at Crown Center, during the period of 2002- 03-04, my final years there, this film was based on America during that time period, right after 911. Although Crown Center was involved in the stock market, investor trading, such things like that, all the elements of power- greed- stabbing workers in the back, selling out long time friends to get-ahead, were displayed in Wall Street 2, that stuff I saw at Crown Center, and many of us were victims, lived thorugh it, and lost our jobs as a result of some of that stuff. This film really hit home, Gordon Gecko reminded me so much of Gary Hill and Charles Renstchler, the environment they created and put workers through. Gecko had a collapse, as did Rentschler, I guess one could say sometimes, life does emulate the movies! I recommend this film, it will paint a good picture of what life was like working at Kessinger Hunter- Crown Center and Hallmark during that time in our work history, I don't speak to many back there anymore, they eliminated a lot of the older workforce, hell, even they saw the light and got rid of Charles Rentschler, so some good did come out of that, as for me, I've moved on to a much better organization- one that reminds me of the happier times at Crown Center, during the mid 80's the 90's, the hey day as far as I'm concerned, Good Luck- signed a Thee Decade Man from the Exhibit Hall days.
If you read most of these blogs, there is what appears to be a Hallmark PR man who defends Hallmark management with smart ass comments, I was told from a CCRC Staff member the party posing as "JW" in these posts, was really Chris Ronan of Crown Centers Marketing Department, if you know Chris, this is right up his alley, he was monitoring this site and responded accordingly. Thought a few of you out there might be interested in this information, Thanks, a Crown Center worker.
If you read most of these blogs, there is what appears to be a Hallmark PR man who defends Hallmark management with smart ass comments, I was told from a CCRC Staff member the party posing as "JW" in these posts, was really Chris Ronan of Crown Centers Marketing Department, if you know Chris, this is right up his alley, he was monitoring this site and responded accordingly. Thought a few of you out there might be interested in this information, Thanks, a Crown Center worker.
Has anyone heard from or seen Charles Rentschler, he's mentioned several times in these blogs? Robert # 345, any word from him?
Has anyone heard from or seen Charles Rentschler, he's mentioned several times in these blogs? Robert # 345, any word from him?
I went looking for a Mother's Day card today and was shocked to see how many of Hallmark's cards are made in China. Geez, can't American business even make something like a greeting card here in the US anymore? It took me a while to find a card that was made in the U.S.A., and the selection was necessarily limited. I'll look for American Greetings cards next time. It probably won't make a difference in the world, but at least my conscience will be clear.
I went looking for a Mother's Day card today and was shocked to see how many of Hallmark's cards are made in China. Geez, can't American business even make something like a greeting card here in the US anymore? It took me a while to find a card that was made in the U.S.A., and the selection was necessarily limited. I'll look for American Greetings cards next time. It probably won't make a difference in the world, but at least my conscience will be clear.
The jig is up, people. From now on I will be deleting all comments on this story.
C.J. Janovy
Editor
The Pitch
The jig is up, people. From now on I will be deleting all comments on this story. C.J. Janovy Editor The Pitch
snake bitten-- are you still in that mad house?- set up a site where folks can voice their real opinions with out having to hold back here---anyone out there that could do this--post it here-- I have dirt you wouldn't belive..
snake bitten-- are you still in that mad house?- set up a site where folks can voice their real opinions with out having to hold back here---anyone out there that could do this--post it here-- I have dirt you wouldn't belive..
I think I'll give the Irish Festival Headquarters a call as well, Mike in midtown, Thanks' for posting that information.
Whenever I shop back there, alot of the employees, and Guards seem very upity and rude, like we are all doing them a favor for even being there in the first place, now I have an idea why. LD
I think I'll give the Irish Festival Headquarters a call as well, Mike in midtown, Thanks' for posting that information. Whenever I shop back there, alot of the employees, and Guards seem very upity and rude, like we are all doing them a favor for even being there in the first place, now I have an idea why. LD
Mike from midtown, Great Post! I was back and forth about attending this years festival, after all of this, I don't want to be anywhere near that hellhole called Crown Center.
Big corporations as Hallmark & Kessinger Hunter need a wake up call from time to time,I have no doubt they walk all over the workforce, and hold them "corporate hostage".
I'll drop the Irish Fest. Staff a line and will voice my displeasure as well, Great Idea! Steve Drummond, KC North
The Kansas City Irish Festival, 4049 Central Kansas City Misouri, 64111
email is: info@kcirishfest.com
There home office # is (816) 997- 0837
I will be in touch with this organization 1st thing Monday morning demanding and explanation on why they are holding there event back at Crown Center.
I am totally disgusted on how Kessinger Hunter treats it's work force, I'm am as disgusted as well with Hallmark and Crown Center Redevelopment just sitting back and ignoring all of this, I will be voicing my displeasure to the Irish Fest. Staff, I hope many from the Kansas City area will do the same.
I WILL NOT ATTEND,REFUSE TO any functions at Crown Center until they stop allowing such treatment of it's employees, I'm down there alot, I know alot of these workers, they are great people doing the best they can, but get treated like crap by their Management staff.More so on the Kessinger Hunter and Hallmark side.
Lets flood the Irish Festival staff with phone calls and "e-mails' maybe they have some pull to help the workers out and bring additional attention to this matter.
Hallmark, Crown Center Redevelopment Corp, why are you continually ignoring this? How come you continually allow for your workforce to be mistreated in such a manner, this borders on inhumane, since you continue to allow this, I'm about to bring additional attention to you guys, people of Kansas City. please follow my lead on this, to our community, these are good people, lets demand an explanation! Mike from Midtown
Mike from midtown, Great Post! I was back and forth about attending this years festival, after all of this, I don't want to be anywhere near that hellhole called Crown Center. Big corporations as Hallmark & Kessinger Hunter need a wake up call from time to time,I have no doubt they walk all over the workforce, and hold them "corporate hostage". I'll drop the Irish Fest. Staff a line and will voice my displeasure as well, Great Idea! Steve Drummond, KC North
The Kansas City Irish Festival, 4049 Central Kansas City Misouri, 64111 email is: info@kcirishfest.com There home office # is (816) 997- 0837 I will be in touch with this organization 1st thing Monday morning demanding and explanation on why they are holding there event back at Crown Center. I am totally disgusted on how Kessinger Hunter treats it's work force, I'm am as disgusted as well with Hallmark and Crown Center Redevelopment just sitting back and ignoring all of this, I will be voicing my displeasure to the Irish Fest. Staff, I hope many from the Kansas City area will do the same. I WILL NOT ATTEND,REFUSE TO any functions at Crown Center until they stop allowing such treatment of it's employees, I'm down there alot, I know alot of these workers, they are great people doing the best they can, but get treated like crap by their Management staff.More so on the Kessinger Hunter and Hallmark side. Lets flood the Irish Festival staff with phone calls and "e-mails' maybe they have some pull to help the workers out and bring additional attention to this matter. Hallmark, Crown Center Redevelopment Corp, why are you continually ignoring this? How come you continually allow for your workforce to be mistreated in such a manner, this borders on inhumane, since you continue to allow this, I'm about to bring additional attention to you guys, people of Kansas City. please follow my lead on this, to our community, these are good people, lets demand an explanation! Mike from Midtown
simple as this - you can't fix the problems down there if you just keep promoting puppets on a string. The punk on a string down there now will look you straight in the eye and lie to you- he won't blink- he won't flinch- he's dirty from the day he got there. Word is when he got hired was "he's a real nice guy" but will stab you in the back to move up!.... watch yor back....!!!---
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