Greetings card giant Hallmark UK has turned to experts to develop its internal news magazine.

Journalists and designers at Otley-based Words&Pictures are working on Hallmark’s bi-monthly magazine Connect, which covers a range of issues from company personalities to new products.

Ian Stuart, international president of Hallmark Cards, said: “What really attracted us to Words&Pictures was the energy and passion of the team for exciting and meaningful communication.

“The strategy of linking stories to the Hallmark vision and values highlighted Words&-Pictures’ understanding of our business as well as what we wanted to communicate.”

Hallmark produces cards, gift-wrap and accessories at its Bradford headquarters. The US-owned company is celebrating its centenary year.

The contract is the latest in a clutch of client wins for Words&Pictures, which include the Co-operative Pharmacy and building supplies giant Saint-Gobain.

Words&Pictures will produce the Co-operative Pharmacy’s magazine Together, aimed at its UK-wide chain of chemists, while Saint-Gobain is using its publication The View to connect its management teams in outlets across the world.

Tony Layton, Words&Pictures’ managing director, said the recent successes were proof of the “clear blue water” the company’s designers, writers and project managers were putting between themselves and the competition.

He said: “It’s the combination of a powerful focus our people keep on clients’ strategic objectives with their award-winning designs that makes all the difference.”

Words&Pictures has recently won agency of the year for the third successive year in the Communicators in Business awards for the North.

Clients include Honda, Asda, Procter & Gamble, Yorkshire Water and Boots.