Panini America Secures Exclusive Rights to One Direction; Photocards Coming in Fall

Panini America, the world’s largest sports and entertainment collectibles company, announced today that it has secured the exclusive global collectibles rights to British/Irish boy-band sensation One Direction. The relationship includes exclusivity in the U.S. The company’s first product devoted to the group, a set of 90 collectible photocards, will release in the fall.

Panini America, the world’s largest sports and entertainment collectibles company, announced today that it has secured the exclusive global collectibles rights to British/Irish boy-band sensation One Direction. The relationship includes exclusivity in the U.S. The company’s first product devoted to the group, a set of 90 collectible photocards, will release in the fall.

Drawing comparisons to the Beatles, One Direction burst onto the scene in 2011 after being discovered on the British television show “The X Factor.” The band’s debut album, “Up All Night,” became Britain’s fastest-selling debut album of the year. In 2012, the album debuted at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Top 200 chart, earning One Direction the distinction of being the first British band to debut at No. 1 in the U.S. with its first album.

“One Direction Mania has gripped the globe and all of us here at Panini America are huge fans,” said Mark Warsop, the CEO of Panini America. “We’re really excited about this partnership and we look forward to delivering unique One Direction collectibles that will appeal to fans of all ages.”

Panini America’s first One Direction product, a set of 90 collectible photocards – each measuring 4 by 6 inches and honoring band members Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson – will release in early fall. Each pack will include six photocards and will retail for $2. Fans can pre-order Panini America’s One Direction photocards and commemorative binder now at iCollectPanini.com, the company’s official online store.

The company also has plans for additional products, including a One Direction trading card set and the Official One Direction Sticker and Album Collection.

“We were impressed with the quality, creativity and potential of Panini America’s products, as well as the company’s proven track record with huge global entertainment properties,” said One Direction Management. “We’re confident the millions of One Direction fans in the United States will be equally impressed.”

Panini America is the only company in the world that manufactures licensed trading cards and stickers for the NBA, NFL, NFL PLAYERS, NHL, NHLPA, MLBPA and FIFA World Cup. The company also has exclusive relationships with USA Baseball, USA Basketball and the U.S. Soccer Women’s National Team.  In addition Panini also has relationships with the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, The Pro Football Hall of Fame and the National Baseball Hall of Fame and owns exclusive entertainment licenses with Disney, Justin Bieber and Michael Jackson, and more than 600 global licenses with other sports and entertainment properties.

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14 Replies to “Panini America Secures Exclusive Rights to One Direction; Photocards Coming in Fall”

  1. Panini is brilliant…love the product diversity and vision…won’t be long before you are the only trading card company standing!!

  2. Tracy u know that i am always honest with what i put down, and i love Panini its a part of me! I must be honest and say that i am not all for this product! Children and young girls will most likely love this product but, in 10 years people might not even remember who they are! The Justin B product was great idea and when u guys do a product on Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson, i think its fan tastic! Ive been waiting for Panini to come out with another MJ Product but this time there has to be autos in it! I know that u guys are trying to get a wider audience but i just dont think these kids are Panini worthy!!! Sorry if i upset anyone but u guys always say to give our input so i did!

  3. This is the first I’ve heard of the group, but seems wise to get a case or two of the product. I mean, look at how valuable vintage Beatles products are, over 40 years later.

  4. My daughters kaylee and RayRay just started flipping out when they read this post! They are HUGE One Direction fans! I have a good feeling that these cards might sell more than bieber did especially overseas. They have a huge fan base, my girls want to know if there will be any autos to be pulled in the set? Keep up the great works guys!

  5. Idk if this was a wise investment of Panini’s part. Seems like one of those items you see sitting on the shelf the following year after release, discounted to half price. I honestly think Panini should try to get some Tennis going! I love Tennis cards, and IMO Ace doesnt do enough. The women of Tennis are amazing and I always make sure to grab relic singles and autos. I would def look into it Tracy, alot of the boards talk about it also.

  6. My daughter went insane over the Justin Bieber cards, I finally bought one of his shirt relic cards for her Easter present which is now lovingly hung in a collage picture frame on her wall where nobody is allowed to touch it. Now she is in love with One Direction (specifically Harry) I am sure I will hear the same amount of begging this fall when she hears about this release.

    Will there be any inserts of just the picture cards of the group?

  7. THEY ARE HUGE, selling out everywhere, but they are the boy band du jour, they will be LOOOONG gone in a couple of years and comparing them to the Beatles…REALLY???? That was stupid when Oprah did that about the Jonas Brothers…remember them?

  8. Great union… Great band with a great card co.
    Just hope there will be some new unique photos and not the same old photos from 3 years ago that are on every other product. Looking forward to seeing them.
    Product would be a sellout with autograph or good chase cards.
    Good luck!!

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