Exclusive Video: Superstar Tim Tebow Arrives at Panini America Headquarters
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovVaVLjLcGI&fs=1&hl=en_US] Friday represented a most glorious day inside Panini America headquarters, where company employees embraced the arrival of Denver Broncos superstar quarterback Tim Tebow.
Attention, Certified Hockey Collectors: Which Would You Prefer?
Panini America Hockey Brand Manager Al Muir sauntered over to my desk today to let me know that he's ready to reveal the identities of the six Freshman Fabric Signatures rookie redemptions from 2010-11 Certified Hockey. For those passionate collectors who've been waiting on pins and needles for this information, Muir's revelation is quite exciting. But since Al and I couldn't come…
Panini Unwrapped: 2010-11 Panini Threads Basketball (The Designers Speak)
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hhn1dfYoz0&fs=1&hl=en_US] Panini America graphics gurus Lupe Partida and Seth Wade join Tracy Hackler for a decidedly design-intensive episode of Panini Unwrapped, starring 2010-11 Panini Threads Basketball.
A Day at Packout with Panini America
I didn't make my normal trek to Panini America headquarters in Arlington, Texas, for work on Tuesday morning. Instead, I ventured across town to the city of Allen to spend some quality time witnessing the finer points of trading card production. I left, however, with two huge regrets: One, that I couldn't stay longer -- like, say, two weeks longer; and…
The Details are in the (New Jersey) Devil
Add this to the incredibly long list of things at Panini America that you simply just don't see everyday: Hockey acquisitions guru Alex Carbajal on Wednesday wheeling a push cart stacked heaping high with an impeccable selection of game-worn hockey sweaters. At some point, I'm sure such sights will become old hat. But until then, I'm going to keep geeking out. I hope you don't…
Panini NFL Rookie of the Week
Week 12 Sam Bradford, STL – 22 for 37 for 308 yards and three touchdowns Other Rookie Highlights & Top Performances (more…)
Quality Controlling 2010 Gridiron Gear
I had the rare, resplendent opportunity on Tuesday to witness -- for the first time firsthand -- the unexpectedly breathtaking sights and sounds of trading cards being produced. To be sure, it's a fascinatingly well-oiled process that's intricate, complex and highly involved. It's also a process that I'll begin sharing with you extensively in the coming days and weeks via…
Panini America Behind the Scenes: Inside The “Kobe” Conference Room
Every Monday morning, I join Scott Prusha, my product-promoting partner, for a weekly marketing meeting with Jason Howarth, Panini America's Vice President of Marketing and, more importantly, our boss. With so much exciting, marketable stuff going on around us all the time, no two meetings are ever quite the same. Well, aside from two key facts: The weekly marketing meetings always start the same…
Coming Soon to a Panini America Hockey Product: Sweaters Fit for Kings
I couldn't help but notice Panini America's Alex Carbajal living like a king (make that "King") early last week, nattily festooned in the most majestic, special-edition Los Angeles Kings sweater I'd ever seen. It was the purple-reigning "vintage throwback" gem the Kings' Drew Doughty wore on Oct. 9, 2010, in the game at Vancouver that celebrated the Canucks' 40th anniversary. It's one of three sweaters from that game Panini America acquired directly from the Kings -- in…
Panini Peek: 2010 National Treasures Football Pen Pals Autographs
Say this about the 2010 National Treasures Football Pen Pals Autographs: They are on-card and they are spectacular. (And if you're patient, you'll be able to see for yourself soon enough.) To be sure, the cards -- signed in May at the 2010 NFL Players Rookie Premiere by some of the most collectible rookies in the league -- will be…