Hi everyone,
Di from Select Australia was nice enough to answer some questions I put to her late last week and I hope you find the answers informative.
1) The new 2012 AFL Champions have just been released and the 2012 NRL Champions cards are about to hit the market in the next few weeks. What has been the initial feedback so far for both of these releases?
Everyone seems pretty happy with the content, design and collation so far. Hopefully everyone will enjoy the sticker/frame concept.
2) The NRL and AFL Champions releases are geared towards younger collectors, are you able to give us any hints as to what we can expect in series 2 releases? Will these cards be targeted towards higher end collectors?
As always, Series 2 for both codes is a superior product, signatures etc. The NRL have had a very big say in what content we are allowed for Series 2. Some collector requests have been granted......
3) Are you able to take us through the timeline of creating a set from conception through to the finished product? Are you able to share some insights into what is involved this process?
This process takes quite a few months. For example, we are well underway with Series 2. Of course, we must use images from the current season for Series 2 (impossible with Series 1).
It begins with meetings regarding the content, which is then approved by the codes. Followed by lists of players. Managers contacted, negotiations made. Meanwhile the cards are being designed, which are then sent to the codes for approval. Copy is written, again, approval required. This process is quite lengthy, particularly with the NRL, and can take many weeks. Images are sourced, sent for ID and approval to the codes. More waiting!! Then finally we are able to marry copy & images with approved design. Sometimes when we are using a foiling process that is complex we will have to have samples made to see if the concept works in reality. Of course things happen, players leave clubs or images not available due to players not playing, so changes need to be made, more approval, more waiting!!
When the cards are finally approved, proof read by many eyes - and yes I know mistakes still happen, amazingly - then they are sent to print. Printing, packing and shipping takes many weeks also, and these days, for the Series 1 collections and the printing in China, Chinese New Year must be taken into consideration. Quite frustrating!!
Meanwhile we work on our point of sale material, more approvals!! Distribution takes quite some time also, we ship them into stores and the newsagent system as soon as possible. This is why we dont give a release date until we are certain we can deliver into store on time.
4) Some of the feedback we have received through our website Ozcardtrader.com.au is that collectors would love to see memorabilia cards included in both AFL and NRL releases. Are there any plans for Select to re introduce these cards into any upcoming releases? Are there any challenges you face with releasing these type of cards?
The main challenges faced are gaining the approval of not only the codes, but the players themselves. Some players (who are no longer contracted) decline to participate for various reasons and this can impact on whether a subset is viable.
5) Select last released a Cricket set in 2009/10 that was very well received. Are there any plans to produce Cricket cards again in the near future?
Select no longer holds the licence to produce Cricket cards.
6) Are there any other sports that Select would be interested in producing cards for?
Given the large production costs associated with even a small run of quality cards, they would have to be a sell out.
7) Would Select ever consider publishing a list of the number of outstanding unredeemed redemption cards from its prior releases?
Not at this stage but if a collector were to contact me I could give a ballpark figure for a particular collection.
8) If collectors have any questions regarding Select products, whats the best method to contact Select?
Definately email ( info@selectaustralia.com.au ) or telephone me. It is pointless writing a negative comment onto a forum or Facebook when you have not given us the opportunity to make things right.
9) Finally, are there any messages you would like to pass on to our Ozcards members?
We hope you enjoy your footy cards. And thanks for collecting Select!!
Cheers
Matt
Di from Select Australia was nice enough to answer some questions I put to her late last week and I hope you find the answers informative.
1) The new 2012 AFL Champions have just been released and the 2012 NRL Champions cards are about to hit the market in the next few weeks. What has been the initial feedback so far for both of these releases?
Everyone seems pretty happy with the content, design and collation so far. Hopefully everyone will enjoy the sticker/frame concept.
2) The NRL and AFL Champions releases are geared towards younger collectors, are you able to give us any hints as to what we can expect in series 2 releases? Will these cards be targeted towards higher end collectors?
As always, Series 2 for both codes is a superior product, signatures etc. The NRL have had a very big say in what content we are allowed for Series 2. Some collector requests have been granted......
3) Are you able to take us through the timeline of creating a set from conception through to the finished product? Are you able to share some insights into what is involved this process?
This process takes quite a few months. For example, we are well underway with Series 2. Of course, we must use images from the current season for Series 2 (impossible with Series 1).
It begins with meetings regarding the content, which is then approved by the codes. Followed by lists of players. Managers contacted, negotiations made. Meanwhile the cards are being designed, which are then sent to the codes for approval. Copy is written, again, approval required. This process is quite lengthy, particularly with the NRL, and can take many weeks. Images are sourced, sent for ID and approval to the codes. More waiting!! Then finally we are able to marry copy & images with approved design. Sometimes when we are using a foiling process that is complex we will have to have samples made to see if the concept works in reality. Of course things happen, players leave clubs or images not available due to players not playing, so changes need to be made, more approval, more waiting!!
When the cards are finally approved, proof read by many eyes - and yes I know mistakes still happen, amazingly - then they are sent to print. Printing, packing and shipping takes many weeks also, and these days, for the Series 1 collections and the printing in China, Chinese New Year must be taken into consideration. Quite frustrating!!
Meanwhile we work on our point of sale material, more approvals!! Distribution takes quite some time also, we ship them into stores and the newsagent system as soon as possible. This is why we dont give a release date until we are certain we can deliver into store on time.
4) Some of the feedback we have received through our website Ozcardtrader.com.au is that collectors would love to see memorabilia cards included in both AFL and NRL releases. Are there any plans for Select to re introduce these cards into any upcoming releases? Are there any challenges you face with releasing these type of cards?
The main challenges faced are gaining the approval of not only the codes, but the players themselves. Some players (who are no longer contracted) decline to participate for various reasons and this can impact on whether a subset is viable.
5) Select last released a Cricket set in 2009/10 that was very well received. Are there any plans to produce Cricket cards again in the near future?
Select no longer holds the licence to produce Cricket cards.
6) Are there any other sports that Select would be interested in producing cards for?
Given the large production costs associated with even a small run of quality cards, they would have to be a sell out.
7) Would Select ever consider publishing a list of the number of outstanding unredeemed redemption cards from its prior releases?
Not at this stage but if a collector were to contact me I could give a ballpark figure for a particular collection.
8) If collectors have any questions regarding Select products, whats the best method to contact Select?
Definately email ( info@selectaustralia.com.au ) or telephone me. It is pointless writing a negative comment onto a forum or Facebook when you have not given us the opportunity to make things right.
9) Finally, are there any messages you would like to pass on to our Ozcards members?
We hope you enjoy your footy cards. And thanks for collecting Select!!
Cheers
Matt
