The Indian Premier League and Topps Company, Inc., a leader in sports and entertainment collectables worldwide, announced a long term partnership to launch a range of exciting and new collectable products for the IPL in 2011. Topps has been the market leader for collectable trading cards since inventing the modern trading card in 1952.
As part of this association, Topps will introduce a range of IPL collectables that will include stickers, albums and trading cards, which will be sold both at retail and digitally. Topps will support the partnership with a substantial marketing campaign, including TV and sampling initiatives as well as a nationwide ‘Game Play demonstration tour’, which will allow children to play and swap their IPL collectables.
Sundar Raman, Chief Operating Officer, Indian Premier League, said, “This alliance with Topps – the world leader in collectables, is part of our effort to actively engage IPL fans across multiple platforms. Collectable trading cards are an integral part of any fan experience globally and through this partnership we are happy to introduce Indian fans to this unique and exciting global concept. There have been numerous instances where collectable trading cards of famous players have become invaluable to their owners. I am certain that this association with Topps will set a trend in world cricket for others to follow.â€
Michael Eisner, Chairman, Topps further added, "Topps trading cards and stickers are, around the globe, an integral part of the history and heritage of many sports. Our relationship with the IPL today marks the start of a new era for IPL cricket fans that will enable them to connect with their sport, their team and their heroes through the medium of Topps products. The IPL is the most successful and exciting sports league to have been launched in the last 20 years and I am thrilled that Topps will be part of it".
Chris Rodman, Topps Vice President said, “The Topps business has, like the IPL, been built on creativity, innovation & dynamism and it is these skills that we will harness in generating mass consumer appeal for an exciting range of IPL collectables. Few properties in the world can rival the IPL for passion and interest and when this is allied to Topps trading cards and stickers we are confident in building a long term franchise that will benefit IPL cricket fans around the globe.â€
Headquartered in New York, Topps has global distribution and the company has sold more trading cards in the world than anyone else. Topps’ English Premier League Match Attax trading card product is the world’s most successful sports trading card.
Besides the English Premier League, Topps offers a wide range of both sport and entertainment collectables including products featuring the Bundesliga football, Serie A football, Major League Baseball (MLB), World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), Star Wars, Ben 10 and Disney’s Club Penguin.
Sounds interesting Matt, although to me it seems the online link suggestion may indicate a sort of "Teamcoach" set rather than a traditional trading card set?
Would love to know what high-end inserts they may have. As a luke-warm follower of the IPL I won't be holding my breath or starting to save just yet, but I hope they produce a quality product that caters for the serious collectors as well as just kids.
Sounds interesting Matt, although to me it seems the online link suggestion may indicate a sort of "Teamcoach" set rather than a traditional trading card set?
Would love to know what high-end inserts they may have. As a luke-warm follower of the IPL I won't be holding my breath or starting to save just yet, but I hope they produce a quality product that caters for the serious collectors as well as just kids.
hopefully these are a good production. as you say Liam the previous Indian cricket cards have all been very poor quality.
does this mean there will now be 3 cricket releases!! Topps, Futera and Select.
time to start saving!
hopefully these are a good production. as you say Liam the previous Indian cricket cards have all been very poor quality.
does this mean there will now be 3 cricket releases!! Topps, Futera and Select.
time to start saving!