On Location: Panini America at the 2010 Pop Warner Super Bowl
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxxr3nc7eyg&fs=1&hl=en_US] From sticker swaps to signing sessions to an impromptu interview with Tampa Bay Buccaneers superstar Gerald McCoy, Panini America's trip to Disney World for the 54th Annual Pop Warner Super Bowl has been time well spent. Watch the video to see exactly what we mean.
Panini America Behind the Scenes: Constructing the Cut Autograph
I happen to share a cubical corner with Carl Braun, so I can tell pretty quickly when the Panini America brand manager is engaged in something that might be of great interest to the collecting masses. Certainly that was the case last week, when I looked up to see him looking down, intently focused on inspecting the bulging batch of signed documents atop his desk. Turns…
Panini Unwrapped: 2010 Panini Gridiron Gear Football (with Carlos Torrez)
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXYYHLTspZw&fs=1&hl=en_US] Panini America Football Brand Manager Carlos Torrez joins Tracy Hackler for a most revealing edition of Panini Unwrapped, starring the brand-spanking new 2010 Panini Gridiron Gear Football. Watch as they discover a signed three-piece Jahvid Best memorabilia card and a Jamaal Charles parallel with the loneliest sequential number imaginable.
The Trading Card Production Line: A Panini America World Premiere Video
I had the distinct pleasure of spending the utmost in quality time last week at our production facility in Allen, Texas, feasting on the sights, sounds and utterly blissful sensory overload that is the trading card production process. It was my first time to witness the wizardry firsthand. And you know what they say: You never forget your first time. (more…)
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.
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…
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…