Breaking News: Panini America Bringing Kobe, Durant, Wall to Industry Summit
Panini America's ballyhooed Black Boxes slated for distribution during next week's 2011 Industry Summit just got a whole lot cooler. To help celebrate the highly anticipated May launch of Panini Authentic, the company announced on Friday that inserted into three of those boxes will be instant-win cards good for autographed pairs of shoes from exclusive spokesmen Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and John Wall. (more…)
Black Box Confidential: The Hand-Picked Gems Headed to the 2011 Industry Summit
Panini America's vaunted Black Box. It began back in 2002 as a way to provide added value to attendees of the industry's annual Hawaii Trade Conference. Before long, it became -- and remains -- one of the event's biggest attractions. Simply mention the term "Black Box" to veteran collectors and you're likely to get a raised eyebrow and a knowing nod, telling reactions inspired by the inherent buzz and…
The Panini America Interview: T-Wolves Rookie Superstar Wesley Johnson
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zDJPlx_4aw&w=480&h=390] LOS ANGELES -- Just minutes after engaging fans Saturday at the Panini America booth inside the NBA Jam Session, Minnesota Timberwolves star rookie Wesley Johnson sat down with Panini America's Chris Reed for a quick interview. The phenom from Corsicana, Texas, talks about his experience at NBA All-Star Weekend, the cards he collected growing up and why Panini NBA…
Panini America on Location: 2011 NBA All-Star Weekend (Massive Gallery)
LOS ANGELES -- During the furious five-day basketball free-for-all that was 2011 NBA All-Star Weekend, Mother Nature rained, Kobe Bryant reigned and Blake Griffin gave new meaning to the term “carhop.” All the while, Panini America was busy putting on a week-long, show-stealing performance of its own . . . at the Los Angeles Convention Center for NBA Jam Session…
Coming Soon . . . Complete Coverage from 2011 NBA All-Star Weekend
Be sure to stay tuned to The Knight's Lance for complete coverage from Panini America's exhaustive, event-filled trip to Los Angeles for the 2011 NBA All-Star Game, including tons of exclusive images and video. In the coming days you'll see everything, including Kobe Bryant getting his hands and feet immortalized in cement at the famed Grauman's Chinese Theater to interviews with NBA superstars…
Panini America Announces Leadership Role in the 2011 Industry Summit
With a company-wide mantra touting 2011 as “The Year of the Hobby Shop,” Panini America officials will participate in the 2011 Industry Summit and introduce a comprehensive commitment to independent sports and entertainment collectible retailers, company executives revealed today. “We made the biggest splash at the inaugural Industry Summit last year by giving attendees a glimpse into our long-term dedication…
National Signing Days, Panini America Style
In a whirlwind week earmarked by massive marketing activation at some of the most prestigious sporting events in the world, the Panini America team managed to conduct two successful show appearances simultaneously (the 2011 NHL All-Star Game in Raleigh, N.C., and Super Bowl XLV) and more player autographs than National Signing Day, which, coincidentally, took place Wednesday. Indeed, from NHL…
Panini America On Location: Week 2 Kicks Off at the 2011 NFL Experience
DALLAS -- It's a frigid 16 degrees outside the Dallas Convention Center. Inside, things are starting to heat up as the 2011 NFL Experience enters its second week. Virtually every school in North Texas has been closed the last two days as the Metroplex copes with a once-every-two-decades winter storm. The good news: That means more foot traffic inside the NFL Experience, where…
Panini America On Location: A Raucous NHL All-Star Weekend in Raleigh, N.C.
RALEIGH, N.C. -- We just thought Friday was wild and woolly during the first day of 2011 NHL All-Star Weekend. Turns out it was nothing more than an ice-breaking appetizer. Indeed the weekend gave way to a frenzied, festive free-for-fall that featured show-stealing Panini America activation at both the Raleigh Convention Center for NHL Fan Fair and at the RBC Center for a massive sampling opportunity…
Panini America On Location: Sights from the 2011 NFL Experience
With the big game now officially a week away, Saturday at the NFL Experience has "officially" become the kickoff to Super Bowl week. With snow predicted next week in North Texas, the Dallas Convention Center was smoking hot as pigskin fanatics gazed upon more than 850,000 square feet of football heaven. With so much to see, I only had time…