hrad_23
Verified Trader
hi guys this little article was sent to me by tuffstuff in its newsletter. thought that i would share. i think that donruss is one of the best brands for football cards out there:
March 29, 2006
TOP STORY
DONRUSS PLAYOFF READY FOR MILESTONE NFL SEASON
In 1992, an upstart company based in Dallas arrived in the football card market with the goal of specializing in premium trading cards. Now entering its 15th season in the market, Donruss Playoff has gone through many changes. But one thing that has never changed is its success in, and enthusiasm for, the football card category. And company officials are ready to erase any doubt that the company can again thrive as a football-only manufacturer.
“Our past history has shown that we make the best products,” said Carlos Torrez, assistant football brand manager. “We will continue with that tradition and commit to making the best brands available.”
The focus on football card products is going to start for Donruss Playoff with Prestige Football in mid-May. It also has Donruss Elite slated for June 2006. “Prestige will have the first licensed cards in the market with updated draft information,” said company PR director Scott Prusha. “Collectors anxiously anticipate this product every year. It’s the first official kickoff to the football card season and it’s exciting for us that people view it that way.”
The kickoff to the 2006 football trading card season is particularly exciting because the outstanding rookie class provides opportunities to grow the category and introduce new collectors and kids to the hobby. “Donruss Playoff is going to work closely this year with the NFL and Players Inc to get kids involved,” said Prusha. “Right now names like Reggie Bush, Vince Young and Matt Leinart are fresh on kids’ minds and we hope that we can build on that popularity with some creative marketing initiatives that we have planned.”
Senior brand manager Ben Ecklar said this year’s rookie class is important but they’re just one part of the company’s expected success in 2006. “We’re using our motto, ‘Past, Present, Always’ as a theme to help market our company, the category and involve kids,” Ecklar said. “Add the legends from the past, the Hall of Famers, the current stars and we are excited at what collectors will be seeing in the industry this season.”
Ecklar said the company has purchased some rare memorabilia for use in its sets. “We’ve acquired some key memorabilia from the legends,” Ecklar said. “We had the Dutch Clark helmet at the Super Bowl show; he’s one of the first Hall of Famers from the charter class with Jim Thorpe and Red Grange. We’ll feature Clark on cards, along with cards of all three of them. We’ve also acquired other jerseys, like the Doak Walker Lions jersey, plus jerseys from Bobby Layne and Lance Alworth. So we’re showcasing the past for collectors with products like Classics and Leaf Limited with the legendary material.”
Donruss has used the “Past, Present, Always” theme for years. Ecklar said it refers not only to product content, but also to the company’s history and future. “It’s part of our products,” Ecklar added referring to the company’s theme. “We honor product tradition year after year. We listen to the collector’s feedback and we make appropriate changes to keep our brands fresh, but the core remains the same. We focus on brand integrity and identity in the development of all of our products.”
Prusha said the staff at Donruss Playoff is looking at the coming year as one of unlimited potential. “On Jan. 1, the new calendar turned over and presented new opportunities for us,” Prusha said. “We plan to take full advantage of our resources to lead the football trading card category and expand our product line into other markets.”
March 29, 2006
TOP STORY
DONRUSS PLAYOFF READY FOR MILESTONE NFL SEASON
In 1992, an upstart company based in Dallas arrived in the football card market with the goal of specializing in premium trading cards. Now entering its 15th season in the market, Donruss Playoff has gone through many changes. But one thing that has never changed is its success in, and enthusiasm for, the football card category. And company officials are ready to erase any doubt that the company can again thrive as a football-only manufacturer.
“Our past history has shown that we make the best products,” said Carlos Torrez, assistant football brand manager. “We will continue with that tradition and commit to making the best brands available.”
The focus on football card products is going to start for Donruss Playoff with Prestige Football in mid-May. It also has Donruss Elite slated for June 2006. “Prestige will have the first licensed cards in the market with updated draft information,” said company PR director Scott Prusha. “Collectors anxiously anticipate this product every year. It’s the first official kickoff to the football card season and it’s exciting for us that people view it that way.”
The kickoff to the 2006 football trading card season is particularly exciting because the outstanding rookie class provides opportunities to grow the category and introduce new collectors and kids to the hobby. “Donruss Playoff is going to work closely this year with the NFL and Players Inc to get kids involved,” said Prusha. “Right now names like Reggie Bush, Vince Young and Matt Leinart are fresh on kids’ minds and we hope that we can build on that popularity with some creative marketing initiatives that we have planned.”
Senior brand manager Ben Ecklar said this year’s rookie class is important but they’re just one part of the company’s expected success in 2006. “We’re using our motto, ‘Past, Present, Always’ as a theme to help market our company, the category and involve kids,” Ecklar said. “Add the legends from the past, the Hall of Famers, the current stars and we are excited at what collectors will be seeing in the industry this season.”
Ecklar said the company has purchased some rare memorabilia for use in its sets. “We’ve acquired some key memorabilia from the legends,” Ecklar said. “We had the Dutch Clark helmet at the Super Bowl show; he’s one of the first Hall of Famers from the charter class with Jim Thorpe and Red Grange. We’ll feature Clark on cards, along with cards of all three of them. We’ve also acquired other jerseys, like the Doak Walker Lions jersey, plus jerseys from Bobby Layne and Lance Alworth. So we’re showcasing the past for collectors with products like Classics and Leaf Limited with the legendary material.”
Donruss has used the “Past, Present, Always” theme for years. Ecklar said it refers not only to product content, but also to the company’s history and future. “It’s part of our products,” Ecklar added referring to the company’s theme. “We honor product tradition year after year. We listen to the collector’s feedback and we make appropriate changes to keep our brands fresh, but the core remains the same. We focus on brand integrity and identity in the development of all of our products.”
Prusha said the staff at Donruss Playoff is looking at the coming year as one of unlimited potential. “On Jan. 1, the new calendar turned over and presented new opportunities for us,” Prusha said. “We plan to take full advantage of our resources to lead the football trading card category and expand our product line into other markets.”
