BOSTON – Sappi North America, a leading producer and global supplier of diversified paper and packaging products, today announced that it has been selected as a winner in the paper industry's prestigious 2016 Pulp & Paper International (PPI) Awards, Bringing Paper to Life - Innovative Printing & Writing Campaign of the Year Award category.

The PPI Awards are the only global honors recognizing the achievements of companies, mills and individuals in the pulp and paper sector. Sappi is the proud recipient of such an honor for its 2015 Holiday Kit marketing campaign, which contained a variety of festive gift wrapping that highlighted the tactile impact of high-quality coated paper.

Designed by VSA Partners, Sappi North America created a direct marketing campaign directed at high-value corporate end-users and prospective clients. The 2015 Holiday Kit contained a reusable box and bag, wrapping paper, cards and tags printed on various weights and finishes of Sappi’s Opus paper, leveraging the science of touch to trigger a connection between the Sappi brand and the recipient. The kit also worked to demonstrate Sappi’s paper solutions, arming the target audience with evidence and giving them the confidence to advocate for paper choices that will enhance their brand communications in the future. To complete the sensory experience, parts of the Holiday Kit were infused with scents like cinnamon and peppermint. The holiday kit was printed by Classic Color. 

“We could not be more excited about this recognition from RISI. When we were planning our holiday marketing last year, we knew we wanted to make an impact and integrate the haptics research we completed with Dr. Eagleman,” said Patti Groh, Director of Marketing  Communications, Sappi North America. “We were able to provide a sensory experience with our 2015 Holiday Kits that offered textures, smells, and visuals that leapt off the page. We’re looking forward to creating more compelling pieces like this that highlight the limitless possibilities of paper and Sappi’s product lines’ ability to create memorable brand experiences.” 

Sappi also received a second nomination in the Bringing Paper to Life category for its research and marketing campaign “The Neuroscience of Touch: Haptic Brain, Haptic Brand,” as well as a nomination in the Environmental Leader category for its hood heat recovery project at its Somerset Mill in Skowhegan, Maine. Sappi Europe was recognized as a finalist for the Fiber Based Packaging Innovation Award for Algro Guard OHG.

To see the full list of 2016 winners and nominees, please visit: http://events.risiinfo.com/ppi-awards/awards/award-winners.