BREAKING NEWS! UD & Topps Out:Panini offically In!

[aussie26]

one card company could be a concern ie Select Australia.
Hopefully Panini have some fresh ideas, i wonder what will happen to upperdeck / topps old stocks(boxes) will they skyrocket in value or drop?

 

[chadjaja]

WOW there is some ignorant comments on the net being bandied around.

Panini has about 4 times the revenue that UD has and people are questioning whether they can produce chrome cards, refractors or have enough money to sign players.

What direction they CHOOSE to take is the key.

 

[Allstar cards inc]

Panini used to be the European distributor for Fleer (and possibly UD) in the early 90's when those companies released Spanish, Italian, French versions of their cards...so there may still be a relationship of some sort??? (I'm clutching at straws in the hope that they still make a Fleer product for me!!)

Here's a link to the Panini website...looks like they make some interesting cards....the "Thumb Wrestling Federation Sticker Collection" for example!!!

Panini

 

[A1CardsandGaming]

WOW is a pretty good word to use with regards to this !!!

 

[Allstar cards inc]

From the Panini website...

27/01/2009

NBA have appointed Panini as their EXCLUSIVE licensee for the collectable category

See the attached News Announcement for further details.

These are now difficult times but Panini has been used to investing in its core business activities and this will continue. Recent history has witnessed Panini growing its sales activity by investment in Marketing and Territory development. Some very remarkable successes over recent years have been witnessed on both Entertainment collectables as well as within the Sports area.

From a geographical point of view Panini are active in over 100 markets around the world but business achievement in the USA has been modest by comparison to the market potential. Hitherto Panini has not been deeply involved in the US Trading Card segment but this is now planned to change in a substantial way.

The NBA have had two substantial Trading Card producers involved as their licensees over recent years but from the new 2009/10 season Panini will take worldwide responsibility for Trading Cards and Sticker Album collectables on an Exclusive basis.

In the USA Panini will create a program of activity which will focus attention on the NBA brand through an unprecedented Marketing Campaign which will re-create the domestic trading card market. To enable this strategy Panini is proud to announce that a new subsidiary business will be set up immediately entitled "Panini America, Inc".

See the below News Announcement for further details.




NBA NAMES PANINI EXCLUSIVE TRADING CARD PARTNER

NEW YORK, Jan. 27, 2009 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced a new exclusive, multiyear licensing agreement with The Panini Group – the leading global publisher of collectibles. The new partnership will focus on redefining the domestic NBA trading card category by enhancing the relationship with existing NBA card enthusiasts, cultivating a new generation of collectors, supporting hobby shops and retailers, and by creating new product growth opportunities worldwide.

As the NBA's exclusive trading card and sticker partner, Panini will produce NBA trading cards, stickers and sticker albums beginning with the 2009-10 NBA season. Together with the NBA, Panini will provide significant retail marketing and promotional support including TV, print and on-line initiatives and in-store events for both hobby shops and retailers.

"Over the years, NBA trading cards have served as an important source to connect fans of all ages with our game," said Sal LaRocca, Executive Vice President, NBA Global Merchandising Group. "As we look to the future of our trading card business, there is general consensus, including with our current partners, Topps and Upper Deck, that moving forward with an exclusive partner is the best way for us to energize the category on a worldwide basis. We are fortunate to have had three outstanding companies interested in our trading card business and believe Panini's position as the leading global company in this industry aligns best with our global growth strategy."

LaRocca continued, "Our exclusive partnership with Panini provides us with the best opportunity to recreate the trading card market by developing the key retail channels with a variety of products and promotions geared towards all consumer segments."

Panini will leverage the strength of the NBA as a global sports league to develop the international trading card business and establish and build a sports collectibles business in the U.S. Currently, Panini has a successful North American collectibles business with consumer brands such as Disney's Hannah Montana and High School Musical, and Warner Bros.' Harry Potter, as well as with the UEFA Euro 2008 and FIFA World Cup sporting events. Internationally, Panini's leadership in the sticker category will provide additional growth opportunities for the NBA.

"As the leading global sports league, the NBA provides Panini with an international platform to expand the global trading card and collectibles markets by building our business in the U.S. and attracting new collectors around the world," said Peter Warsop, Panini Group Licensing Director.

 

[ozballer23]

Looks like to me that Pannini will bring collecting back to basics and get rid of the cluttered gu and auto market. Take a look at their 08-09 champions league cards Panini inserts are the main attraction of the set. Early 90's, here we come

 

[ozflava]

WOW there is some ignorant comments on the net being bandied around.

Panini has about 4 times the revenue that UD has and people are questioning whether they can produce chrome cards, refractors or have enough money to sign players.

What direction they CHOOSE to take is the key.

lol, funny isn't it?!?! If Sage and Press Pass can make auto, gu, refractors....anyone can. It's not like KFC.......where UD had the 11 secret herbs and spices. Some people a wiggin out so bad about this, quite funny.

 

[ozballer23]

lol, funny isn't it?!?! If Sage and Press Pass can make auto, gu, refractors....anyone can. It's not like KFC.......where UD had the 11 secret herbs and spices. Some people a wiggin out so bad about this, quite funny.

I'm sure that Topps and UD will continue to produce the cards, just no NBA logos will be allowed on any of their products, same as Press pass and Sage.

 

[dickyKnee]

Well that sure is huge news. Given the state of the hobby now i'm not sure that it is a bad thing, but its a shame that some of the tradition will be lost. But its sure going to shake things up and i do hate the thought of one company have exclusive rights, but i guess its better than Topps or UD have the exclusive rights

 

[loafic]

gee thats full on! i cant believe it... as stated here it may just be a good thing by panini shaking the hobby up a bit, i reckon we would all agree that things were getting a little stale (ie game used, auto etc)...

 

[ozflava]

I'm sure that Topps and UD will continue to produce the cards, just no NBA logos will be allowed on any of their products, same as Press pass and Sage.

ya missed the point mate. Chad was commenting how some collectors are freaking out that Panini is a sticker company......will they be able to make refractors/xfractors/gu stuff like that. I was saying if the 2 worst card companies out there can do it.......it's not rocket science.

I'd be surprised to see UD put out unlicensed NBA stuff......I guess we'll see

 

[ozballer23]

ya missed the point mate. Chad was commenting how some collectors are freaking out that Panini is a sticker company......will they be able to make refractors/xfractors/gu stuff like that. I was saying if the 2 worst card companies out there can do it.......it's not rocket science.

I'd be surprised to see UD put out unlicensed NBA stuff......I guess we'll see

lol, if there's money to be made, they'll be there

 

[sirdylan]

I bought a box of these Spanish Primera football cards from Panini and most of the "inserts" were holofoil team logos and players etc. which happens with most of their trading card series. I just hope they will go well in NBA with jerseys, patches and autos

 

[ozflava]

they are forming another branch of the company just for this. With a wide open market to itself, you can believe they will invest a lot of $$ and get the best people available. I think collectors need to be patient on this one.

 

[chadjaja]

Well lets just think for a minute. Those that think panini will produce stickers just like they did in the 90's and thats about it..... Well it WAS in the 90's they did that. Just think at what UD and Fleer looked like at the time too.

I'm sure we will see some low end stuff and stickers as the kids have been alienated by the high end product push of the last few years and the hobby needs kids to grow to be the adult collectors of tomorrow.

Sure singles are cheap but how many 6 year olds have an eBay account and buy them? They get hooked by getting mum or dad to pick up a pack at the shops as a treat.

Low end has its place.

That said there is a lot of money to be made in high end and so far the releases Panini have made don't lend themselves to any high end product. Would anyone pay $800 a box for 5 cards of Miley Cirus??

But the NBA high end market and buying base has already been established.

Panini do a much better job than UD in making profits and I dare say that will continue and you can't do that with just stickers and poor quality in sports cards.

I hope I'm right and we see some innovation in the hobby and problems fixed.

 

[adhunt99]

In fact, I hear they're bringing out scratch and sniff cards and game-used gum to spice up the hobby!

 

[chadjaja]

Just ONE card commemorating the World Champs would be appreciated. Its nearly FEB and not one yet since last JUNE!

I made the mistake to think the hobby was about the sport and league.

At least Panini can make a Back 2 Back set next year :-D

 

[ozballer23]

Just ONE card commemorating the World Champs would be appreciated. Its nearly FEB and not one yet since last JUNE!

I made the mistake to think the hobby was about the sport and league.

At least Panini can make a Back 2 Back set next year :-D

Talk about being optimistic...

 

[Allstar cards inc]

Just ONE card commemorating the World Champs would be appreciated. Its nearly FEB and not one yet since last JUNE!

I made the mistake to think the hobby was about the sport and league.

At least Panini can make a Back 2 Back set next year :-D

I don't understand why you would want a card featuring Spain?? (Reigning 2006 World Champions!!)

Although if any company was going to produce one it would be Panini!!!

 

[LarryJohnson02]

huge news it will be very interesting to watch this play out