On the Routing Table: Contenders Football, Crown Royale Hockey, Century Collection
I went snooping near the back of the building late Wednesday afternoon to see what I could find that could tide us over during the Thanksgiving holiday. Well, I found a most bountiful harbinger harvest at the trusty routing table, a veritable cornucopia of product-previewing goodness. On this particular afternoon, I was treated to pre-production paperwork for premier Panini America…
Quality Controlling 2010-11 Donruss Hockey
Hey, remember earlier this week when I brought you that early look at 2010-11 Donruss Hockey? Turns out those were retail quality control cases yielding those sneak peeks. On Wednesday, Panini America Hockey Brand Manager Al Muir and Assistant Brand Manager Clint Hall had the pleasure of quality controlling two hobby cases of the highly anticipated product that releases next…
Welcome to Panini America . . . Please Feel Free to Have a Look Around
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a16FyXbyVJQ&fs=1&hl=en_US] With most of the office heading out early for the Thanksgiving holiday, Wednesday afternoon provided a perfect opportunity for a little behind-the-scenes film making. This time around, get a firsthand look at the card- and memorabilia-filled reception area inside Panini America headquarters.
The Week That Was: Baseball Hall of Famers, Hockey Nameplates, Hoops Legends and NFL Rookie Inscriptions
Fabled philosopher Forrest Gump was fond of saying that "life was like a box of chocolates." Frankly, he could have just as easily said the same thing about life at Panini America. After all, from one week to the next you never know what you're going to get -- literally. Last week alone, we received signatures -- on cards, on…
Behind the Scenes: Panini America at Packout (with exclusive video)
The long list of my sports heroes actually isn't long at all. John Elway's at the top, followed by the likes of Carlton Fisk, Vance Johnson, Ed McCaffrey, Tim Tebow, Larry Fitzgerald, Clint Dolezel and Will Pettis. That's about it. But after the events of Friday morning, I'm contemplating adding one more to the list: John Mata. Who's John Mata?…
Panini Behind the Scenes: A Package Deal
Look, it's no secret that trading card packaging often gets a bad rap -- 0r is it "wrap?" -- in the wide, wonderful world of card collecting. It's a tragically underappreciated part of the total package (pun intended) that gets precious little attention from collectors -- despite being the first thing they see of their favorite products in most cases. But know…
Panini America Behind the Scenes: A History-Making Ernie Davis Jersey
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYXUb6mUEtY&fs=1&hl=en_US] Today's release of 2010 Certified Football is bolstered by the monumental inclusion of the first Ernie Davis game-worn memorabilia card. The jersey used in making the card was worn by Davis in a college all-star game in the early 1960s. Here's a closer look.
‘Whose Autographs Arrived Today?’ Another Can’t-Miss Panini America Contest.
Think you know autographs? We're about to find out. But first, a little background. The almost-daily "autos in house" emails from our very own Rosalinda Rios represent arguably the most anticipated and enlightening pieces of interoffice communication that many of us receive on a regular basis. As the title of their subject line suggests, Rios' late-morning e-missives provide a complete rundown…
Two Minutes with 76ers Rookie Evan Turner
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmF_cm1Geus&fs=1&hl=en_US] Philadelphia 76ers rookie sensation -- and Panini America spokesman -- Evan Turner came through town late last week on a swing through Texas to play the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs. Panini America acquisitions specialist Laurel Baker took advantage of his proximity to schedule a signing session that included this impromptu Q&A.
Scenes from the Floor: Saturday & Sunday at the 2010 Toronto Fall Expo (Updated)
You know that robust buzz we've been hearing all weekend? Well, we finally pinpointed its point of origin -- Toronto. Indeed, the profound excitement on display at this weekend's 2010 Toronto Fall Expo has generated good vibes that are being felt all the way back here in Arlington, Texas. In addition to seemingly universal glowing accounts of the show on…