At Long Last: Revisiting the Panini America Routing Table and its Golden Age Glimpses
Here's one sure sign that it's been way too long since we last visited the fabled Panini America Routing Table: It's not even a table anymore. It's been upgraded to a full-blown Routing Section, wedged neatly into a lightly trafficked hallway between the Product Development and Prepress departments. In any event, I ventured back there earlier this week to see what…
Today on the Panini America Routing Table: Previewing 2012 Absolute Football (Gallery)
As per its custom, Panini America's fabled Routing Table was its resplendent, revealing self earlier today, what with its overflowing supply of printed-out previews for 2012 Absolute Football. Yes, I realize that 2012 Prominence Football releases this week. But when you have a chance to provide a sneak peek at a big-time product like Absolute, well, you do it. It's been awhile since…
Panini America Routing Table Confidential: Peeking 2011-12 Prime & Dominion Hockey
Every product that Panini America creates -- even those as rich, decadent, high-end and hubbub-inducing as the upcoming 2011-12 Prime Hockey and 2011-12 Dominion Hockey -- first begin to take shape on the Routing Table that sits rather inconspicuously in the back of Panini America HQ in the Product Development area. It's the central location for the color copies that will…
The Panini America Routing Table Previews the Unique, Fun 2012 Triple Play Baseball
My name is Tracy Hackler. I am 42 years old. And I have a confession to make: I love 2012 Triple Play Baseball. I know this illustrated, animated tribute to baseball's best players -- with its 99-cent pack price, collectible stickers, and usable eye blacks -- is supposed to appeal to younger fans when it releases in July. But I can't…
Football Mystery, Hockey Newness Abound on the Panini America Routing Table
One of my New Year's resolutions for 2012 (along with getting back into -- and staying in -- shape) is venturing to the fabled Panini America Routing Table more often. I made a habit of it early last year and got some great sneak peeks along the way. But as 2011 progressed, other tasks took precedence. Starting today, however,…
The Panini America Routing Table Runneth Over: 2011 Absolute Memorabilia Football
Being out of town at the 32nd Annual National Sports Collectors Convention for most of last week really impacted my ability to saunter back to the Product Development area to peruse the sneak-peek sensation that is the Panini America Routing Table. Frankly, I simply couldn't wait to get back there when I returned to the office today. (more…)
Routing Table Sneak Peek: 2011 Absolute Memorabilia Football War Room Insert
I went out of my way to go check out the Panini America Routing Table as I was leaving the office yesterday evening. I'm glad I did. As usual, one of my favorite four-legged friends was a wealth of pre-release pearls, including a bevy of first looks at many of the key inserts from the upcoming 2011 Absolute Memorabilia Football. Here are 10 must-see images…
Uncommons: How Red Grange Inspired the 2011 Timeless Treasures Base-Card Design
Back in 2002, Donruss Elite Football made collecting history by incorporating a 1920s-era game-worn leather helmet from pigskin pioneer Red Grange into a simply legendary Throwback Threads memorabilia card. Almost 10 years later, that helmet is still paying dividends for Panini America. In fact, the Galloping Ghost's historic headwear provided Creative Director Brandon Lesley with the brilliant inspiration behind the base-card design of 2011 Timeless Treasures Football, making…
Panini America Routing Table Teases First Glimpses of Timeless Treasures Football
We made waves in mid June with the announcement that, for the first time ever, the big-ticket Timeless Treasures brand was hitting the gridiron in 2011. At the time of that big news, we were still really early in the creative process with but a handful of mocked up images to show. But as the Panini America Routing Table proudly illustrated yesterday evening, a lot…
The Panini America Routing Table Today: Sweet NFL Rookie Cards Headed Your Way
As football collectors everywhere continue confiscating their respective cardboard targets in 2011 Panini America football products such as Prestige, Donruss Elite and Score, know this: Some of tomorrow's most collected Rookie Cards are taking shape as we speak back on the Panini America Routing Table. I just returned to my desk with the photographic evidence to prove it. (more…)