FCB: What can collectors expect from your high end products? In the past
products like UD exquisite has drawn much praise from the international
basketball card market, and has been regarded as the best product in
basketball cards over the years. Will Panini produce similar game used
patch as we have seen on the market in the past 7 or so years?
LG: We plan on offering a variety of products from high-end cards to products
for the mass retailers. We intend to offer game-worn patch cards, autograph
cards and other special cards.
FCB: Does Topps/UD retain their exclusive contracts with their players (Shaq,
Kobe, Lebron, MJ, KG etc...)? If so, how successful can a product be
without autos and jerseys of all of these players?
LG: Panini cards will still include these elements. We are working with Topps
and Upper Deck on the specifics related to their exclusive player deals.
FCB: Will the autographs be signed directly on the card, or will you use sticker
based autographs?
LG: We expect to use a combination of directly signed card, as well as sticker
autographs.
FCB: What is your stance on redemption cards?
LG: We do not plans to have redemptions in a product, but sometimes due to
player scheduling it is unfortunately unavoidable when trying to procure
autographs.
FCB: Will you use your current company name to market products in the US, or
will you switch to a more US friendly marketing strategy?
LG: Panini will open a U.S. subsidiary in the U.S. Panini is a well-respected
global company and we’re confident that the considerable marketing and
promotional support they are planning to put behind NBA trading cards will
give us the opportunity to cultivate a new generation of fans. Panini has a
proven track record of opening and growing new markets throughout Europe
and Latin America and will apply its successful international growth
strategies in the U.S. to help us grow our domestic trading card business.