Friday Oct 02, 2009
The Brill Report: Kobe in the fold
There is no more perfect fit in sports marketing. Kobe Bryant and Panini. What more could you ask for after Kobe signed an exclusive deal with the trading card and sticker maker. Here are the facts as Panini sees them.
1 ) Panini is the exclusive maker of basketball trading cards in the world. Kobe Bryant is the no. 1 players in the NBA today, LeBron James notwithstanding Kobe has won championships.
2 ) Panini is an Italian Company with world wide distribution in stickers. Kobe was raised in Italy, speaks fluent Italian and collected Panini stickers as a child.
3 ) Panini knows how to market it's goods. Kobe is known world wide and is a very easy marketere. He is Marquee.
It was only seen as inevitible and since UDA and UDC lost the rights to make NBA trading cards Kobe had to find someone to market with. His comments hold true.
"I know from my own experience growing up, how fun collecting and trading these products can be. I really believe collecting these products has the power, through the unique emotions of sports, to unify and strengthen bonds within families and across social groups, no matter what age you are. Panini and I are passionate about developing this hobby in many new and exciting ways."
It was a natural fit for the Italian company and the kid who grew up watching his father Jelly Bean Bryant play in the Italian version of professional basketball. Speaking Italian fluently means a great marketing tool for Italian TV as well. Kobe can address fans in their native tounge and this means a lot to those who have watched TV with subtitles.
I like Panini and always have. They will bring a fresh new approach to the trading card game even though it will take some time. Having Kobe locked up shows they are serious.
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(PANINI AMERICA) -- I'm sold! Panini just sent dealers and journalists a nice new packet and it actually included something usable. It was a large round basketball mouse pad with the word "Panini" on it. Finally something useful in the mail from a card manufacturer as a freebie outside of shopping bags. I've always liked Panini, my Italian is descent and I have friends and relatives in Italy. OK Panini I've given you a plug, now how about a job?
(RUMORVILLE) -- My how rumors spread. A former customer came up to me this week to pick up her annual Topps Factory Sets. I hold them while she's out of the state for months at a time. Her first question to me was "Is it true none of the card companies are going to make cards will the players on them? Are we still going to be able to get our Topps sets?" I explained the licenscing situation and how it evovled and how only Topps will have guys in their uniforms and logos. Her answer was "Good Topps will be the only real cards then?"
(1991 DONRUSS) -- Six weeks and counting. It has been six weeks since I unveiled my plan to make 1991 Donruss and other products of that era hot and valuable again. No one yet has taken me up on it. Darn it! I tried to get rid of that stuff for you guys but no one would listen. Another tree falling in the forest and lots of lumber was cut from 1986-1993 for trading cards.
(MCFARLANE LTD) -- McFarlane is taking the collector thing to the next level on it's prime action figure line. The Sportspicks figures will carry six different levels of collectibility including MVP which will be limited to up to 50 figures. In this instant collectible world no one yet has figured out what makes the thing collectible and desirable is time and the end user, not the manufacturer today.
(CORRECTION) -- Brad Abbott owns www.Rickeyhendersoncollectibles.com and contacted us to correct us upon stating it was Rickey's site. It is not but he has worked with the Henderson people regarding the site and products. Thank you for letting us know.
The latest Patti Waggin Tale. You have heard me talk about my new book about to hit store shelves on September 28. Well "Fan Letters to a Stripper; A Patti Waggin Tale" has been delayed about a month. It seems the shippers in China put the books on the wrong boat and it's still on the water. They will get to my publishers warehouse October 18. Now as long as Somali Pirates keep their hands off my ship we should be fine. Delayed, but fine. Our book signing at Book Soup in West Hollywood will be on November 1, at 2pm.
Sorry about taking last week off. Just too much to do and ran out of time. You can contact bob at bob.pattiwaggin-AT-gmail-DOT-com
Tags: rudolph baseball to a panini basketball burlesque fan waggin mlb kobe mcfarlane topps soup letters rickey nba book donruss stripper don patti
Thursday Jan 29, 2009
Free LeBron James 2003-04 Upper Deck Exclusive Rookie Card (Beckett Value $25.00)
We are down to the last few days to get the free LeBron James 2003-04 Upper Deck Exclusive Rookie Card (Beckett Value $25.00). All you have to do is spend $25.00 on SportsBuy and email the SportsBuy VIP Department at VIP-AT-SportsBuy-DOT-com with your transaction information and your free LeBron rookie will be sent to you.
Tags: lebron_james basketball
Sunday Jan 18, 2009
Basketball Rookie Class Rocks ThePit.com
This year's NBA Rookie Class has shown excellent potential. Top picks Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley and OJ Mayo have impressed, while later picks D.J. Augustin and Eric Gordon have exceed most expectations. This week ThePit.com conducted an "IPO" of the top rookies in this year's draft. Years from now, many may recall the 2008-09 clas as one of the greats. Below is the full list of ThePit's IPOs. 2008-09 Topps Chrome Marc Gasol RC If you are confused by this post and aren't a member of the Pit, then go here to see why so many people find it as such a compelling and profitable way to leverage their knowledge of sports.
Tags: rookie_cards basketball
Wednesday Dec 31, 2008
Michael Jordan Rookie Card
Showing that he truly is one of a kind, Michael Jordan has gotten his own product page for his rookie card--an honor usually bestowed on teams (such as the Yankees) or product sets like the 2008 Bowman Draft Picks Baseball. But the Michael Jordan rookie card is one of our top search queries and deserving of it's own page.
Tags: michael_jordan basketball
Monday Dec 01, 2008
Beckett Grading Services (BGS) to start grading 1983-86 Star Co Basketball Cards
In the early 80s, before Jordan, Bird and Magic reinvigorated basketball card collecting (not to mention the NBA in general), there was only one card manufacturer making basketball cards--Star. Unfortunately, Star did not put a lot of effort into making their cards distinct or unique and thus it was relatively easy and lucrative for counterfeiters (especially Michael Jordan rookie cards). Because of this many authenticators elected to stay away from grading Star cards.
Last week, Beckett Grading Services announced that they would begin authenticating the 83-86 Star cards. This is good news for collectors who've been holding on to quality raw Star cards from the 80s who will now have the ability to verify the legitimacy and quality of their cards as well as buyers who been on the sidelines for the same reasons.
Tags: grading basketball
Friday Nov 07, 2008
Kurt Rambis Autograph Signing December 17, 2008
Sportsbuy.com is proud to announce that a limited number of Laker fans will be able to have Kurt Rambis autograph items for their collections. All you need to do is to contact K.Klein-AT-sportsbuy-DOT-com or call him at 310.568-8825 x102 to secure your part of Laker Showtime history. Items are $30/autograph plus shipping.
Tags: lakers basketball kurt_rambis signing