b'Register at www.stationerymatters.news to receive our biweekly industry e-newsletterNEWSBastet & Bee on Brexit entente cordialeSakina and Andrew Robinson, the couple behind Anglo-French stationery brand Bastet & Bee, live in France and sell their bright graphic notepads on National Stationery Week gathers momentum both sides of the Channel. After Brexit, Brand new partners and the campaigns first ever retail sponsor, Ryman, means Nationalthe success of their small start-up Stationery Week is gearing up to be bigger and better than ever for 2019. Now in itswill rely on more than just lentente eighth year, the initiative looks set to inspire even more stationery fans to write cards andcordiale, the historic goodwill between letters and share images of their favourite stationery on social media. Key to the weeksFrance and Britain. So what do they success are its supplier sponsors. Derwent, the British heritage brand founded back inmake of the Brexit-related chaos 1832, will embrace its role in the #natstatweek consumer campaign, offering tips to getunfolding in the Commons? Sakina creative with drawing and writing, and put its name to a day in the weeks beloved SevenRobinson says: Were going through Days of Stationery.a nail-biting period as were unsure of Derwents marketing director Nicola Shepherd told Stationery Matters: Weve chosenthe impact a No-Deal Brexit will have to be a Partner of National Stationery Week because we feel very strongly about keepingon us. The three of us keep calm and the stationery sector alive and kicking in the UK. Derwent needs to be a part of this, andcarry on ticking things off our pre-involved in engaging young people about the benefits of writing, drawing and crafting.Brexit to-do list, such as taking French Were particularly interested in the link between craft, wellbeing and mental health.classes and addressing potential Weve sponsored Friday during the campaigns Seven Days of Stationery with the hashtagresidency issues. #FeelgoodFriday as we want to give our customers a compelling reason to engage withThe UK and France are both arts and crafts and to feel the positive benefits, Shepherd concluded. our target markets. With our biggest www.nationalstationeryweek.comcommunity of buyers but also a www.derwentart.com couple of suppliers based in the UK, we are left with many questions but few answers, for example on import fees, VAT, additional loss and visa requirements for business travel. The strategy is to hope for the best and plan for the worst. We are in the process of getting as much information as possible in order to limit the risks and costspackages being held up at customs for example, and to reassure our British stockists and resellers.www.bastetandbee.comWe Are In Good Company totes positive messages about sobrietyLucy Wilkins and Sara Bender, two senior strategic marketingChallenging a card industry that has been known to call wine leaders who met while working in the advertising industry,Mummy Juice, the young brand offers a trendy, design-led range founded We Are In Good Company having been affected bytoting alternative, positive messages. Enter the companys first alcoholism hurting their loved ones. The UK card and gift industrynon-paper product, the Tee Tote al tote bag, plus new cards often celebrates British drinking culture yet fails to support thoseespecially for Mothers Day that celebrate sobriety rather than who need or want to stop drinking. The pair admit: Right now,inebriation. For stockists who claim that alcohol-related goods giving up drinking is hard. Alcohol is perceived as the fun bestsell, Wilkins and Bender are keen to point out that statistics from friend; the life and soul of the party. Sober is seen as the boringthe ONS show that one in five adultsthats around 10.4 million loser hiding in a church basement Remember, giving up alcoholpeoplenow abstain from booze altogether. Thats food (not doesnt mean you lose your sense of humour. Lets celebrate alldrink) for thought.the good stuff being sober brings to our lives. www.weareingoodcompany.com 12 SPRING//SUMMER 2019'