according to other site panini joins the NHL License

[Bulk-Buyer]

Ok news. At least the monopoly is over, hopefully this will improve UD in many ways. Competition is needed in every marketplace.

 

[MIKEYSLEAFS]

Complete and utter lip service. I have sent several emails & letters to them discussing our displeasure with the exclusive (which potentially they heard) but also the collectors' views on ITG and Topps as well.

The poll we conducted last month was also included in those letters... the poll that showed that only 1.23% of collectors wanted a joint UD/Panini license. That poll that showed that a three-license grouping of UD/ITG & either Topps or Panini would appeal to 45.77% of collectors. That poll that showed almost 87% of voters wanted ITG involved in some way.

Idiots.

It all comes down to $$. They asked NO ONE about how the collectors feel. They didn't call hobby shops, they didn't call collectors. They relied upon information provided by UD & Panini. That's it. I'm sickened by this.

Brian... as I told you yesterday, last year 85% of my hobby money went to ITG and 15% to Rittenhouse. That will remain the case into the future.

And I like the idea of a Coke-style revolt...

what about razor hmmmmmmmm lol

 

[lumm0x]

Welcome to an 80 product year :|

 

[webottew]

Very interesting, Vegas. Thanks for posting

I'm curious if Topps expressed interest in producing NHL cards again or not. From that list, I think they would meet all criteria -- just not sure about #7. For ITG, I think #7 and #8 are areas they should improve to better their odds next time.

In the end, we felt that a semi-exclusive model brought us the following:

1. Customer choice
2. Revival of legacy brands
3. Product innovation
4. Scalable manufacturing to satisfy the growing demands from hobby stores and retailers
5. Global distribution
6. Innovative business models
7. Multi-million-dollar marketing commitments to encourage new collectors
8. Web-based interaction to encourage collecting behaviors, especially among the younger generation
9. A controllable supply that ensures all products have a unique “reason for being”
10. A business model that forges cooperation between all parties

 

[spooner9ball]

Well, this will be an interesting year for me, as outside of ITG, my buying habits just got dialed back ten years. This year, I'll be a kid again, buying a couple packs of each until I find something I like, and then deciding how much to spend. Not such a bad thing for me.

On the flip side, I can see a trip to the shop going as follows: RIP "crap". RIP "crap". RIP "crap. RIP "crap". "OK, pass me a box of '72 and 2 boxes of BTP".

That is, assuming the ensuing flood of products. If the bad news keeps rolling in for UD, they could be dropping sets left and right.

All speculation. Let's wait and see!!

 

[FrankToronto]

They're placing a great value on the "revival of legacy brands". I'm actually rather surprised by this. I do know that there are a lot of fans of Pacific, for instance, but is the "revival of legacy brands" of great value to collectors?

I'm not doubting. I'm actually curious. What do you think?

 

[The Great Zo]

In the end, we felt that a semi-exclusive model brought us the following:

1. Customer choice

It's becoming clear that there will be plenty of choice this time around...

3. Product innovation

Considering this hasn't happened arguably since The Cup was first released, I'm not holding my breath.

9. A controllable supply that ensures all products have a unique “reason for being”

Ha! This one's so far from the current situation it's laughable. There's one positive for ITG -- no question that each set has a purpose and was given effort in its production.

10. A business model that forges cooperation between all parties

Maybe this one is their attempt to speak against circumventions.

 

[mclean_m]

I'm looking forward to seeing some of the older brands being resurrected under Panini! It's going to be fun to see which products (new and old) Panini produces, and what UD decides to axe (hopefully Trilogy, SPGU et al..).

Too bad Topps and ITG weren't included in the new agreement. I will continue to collect the OHL stuff that ITG puts out in H&P and BTP.

 

[FrankToronto]

I'm looking forward to seeing some of the older brands being resurrected under Panini! It's going to be fun to see which products (new and old) Panini produces, and what UD decides to axe (hopefully Trilogy, SPGU et al..).

Ah, will UD have to axe anything? We're still going to have to wait an see. Just because an additional licence has been issued doesn't mean the mandate was for the number of product releases to be maintained.

 

[Triple B]

With respect to going to Panini, not sure if that is in my nature, going to someone with hat in hand looking for some type of relationship. Rather be my own man and do what I can do. What do you think?

Brian Price

I don't think there's any shame in approaching Panini and asking for a partnership of some sort. You have information and experience they'd be looking for and if they are willing to work with you, I would say why not?

Your products sell extremely well stand alone and if you were able to attach a sub-license to it (or however the arrangement would work), ITG would be in a better position to offer more creativity and content. You might have the shackles removed from your hands but still have to deal with the ones on your feet, but your hands are at least now free.

If the question comes down to selling ITG outright to Panini, that would be your call but I would hate to see that happen.

As for now, UD won't see a dime from me and based on Panini's basketball offerings, if their hockey lines are going to follow the same pattern, I'm out. ITG will get my money and I'll scale back on everything else.

 

[mully]

nhl license

http://bizofhockey.com/index.php?op...upper-deck-panini&catid=33:nhl-news&Itemid=51


not sure if this has been posted but this site tells all about the new licenses for next year

 

[jetsman]

topps brass said in a beckett interview a while back that they wanted in.

My question is whether or not the Attax and other such games will continue. it's a decent loophole for the company to gain hobby standing. with attax, #7 probably wasn't an issue since they had spent a good chunk to market attax and they're lightyears ahead of everyone in #8. the legacy may have been hurt most by UD having the OPC brands though.without it, only Topps and Stadium Club have true legacies in the hockey hobby.

Very interesting, Vegas. Thanks for posting

I'm curious if Topps expressed interest in producing NHL cards again or not. From that list, I think they would meet all criteria -- just not sure about #7. For ITG, I think #7 and #8 are areas they should improve to better their odds next time.

In the end, we felt that a semi-exclusive model brought us the following:

1. Customer choice
2. Revival of legacy brands
3. Product innovation
4. Scalable manufacturing to satisfy the growing demands from hobby stores and retailers
5. Global distribution
6. Innovative business models
7. Multi-million-dollar marketing commitments to encourage new collectors
8. Web-based interaction to encourage collecting behaviors, especially among the younger generation
9. A controllable supply that ensures all products have a unique “reason for being”
10. A business model that forges cooperation between all parties

 

[bidds55]

I don't think there's any shame in approaching Panini and asking for a partnership of some sort. You have information and experience they'd be looking for and if they are willing to work with you, I would say why not?

Your products sell extremely well stand alone and if you were able to attach a sub-license to it (or however the arrangement would work), ITG would be in a better position to offer more creativity and content. You might have the shackles removed from your hands but still have to deal with the ones on your feet, but your hands are at least now free.

If the question comes down to selling ITG outright to Panini, that would be your call but I would hate to see that happen.

As for now, UD won't see a dime from me and based on Panini's basketball offerings, if their hockey lines are going to follow the same pattern, I'm out. ITG will get my money and I'll scale back on everything else.

I think it would be great, if ITG produced a Panini set, using a sub-license, or as a third party producer, or however that sort of thing could be done. If it was a successful set, it would be a way for those who want ITG products licensed by the NHL/PA to have access to that, it would provide Panini with an opportunity to build their reputation as a serious producer in the hockey card market - since we can assume ITG would ensure the product was well designed, with real game used memorabilia, etc., and it would be a way for ITG to gain revenues that they otherwise have had the opportunity to earn.

If you can find a way to make it happen that you believe will benefit collectors, and ITG, and Panini will agree to it, I say go to town!

 

[braden]

Aside from a box of ITG 1972, I have been out of the hockey card market for a couple of years. This was due in part to losing a fair amount of interest in hockey, losing interest in the one thing I collected (Nik Antropov), and having little to no interest in the offerings from the licensed (UD) and unlicensed (ITG) companies.

Today's news may just bring me back. Panini's portfolio could include some fantastic hockey releases given their history of some incredibly strong baseball products and the possibility of old-school releases like Score and Pinnacle. At the very least I will be giving them a shot and that's more than I can say about my current involvement in the hockey card hobby.

I don't pretend to be nearly as versed in the process as any of those here but I am certainly in favour of this step. While I'd have loved to have seen Topps back in the fold, Panini, to me, has the potential to offer much more than either of the two companies currently putting out hockey products.

 

[bobbybruins]

Good for UD and Panini getting a license. Now, maybe we can get the kids back involve in this once upon a time "hobby" and not business of buying affortable cards and sets with the odd great hit without having to mortgage the house. I remember the good old days of pacific, crown royale, etc... they were FUN time

 

[sprague11]

Not to criticize Pacific (though I'll gladly take a pot shot or two at Jeff Morris) But I remember back on the old Beckett Board when half of the membership had "Please do not offer Pacific Products" in their sigs. Absence makes the heart grow fonder I guess.

I still pick up the odd Luxury Suite rookie and Christmas Ornament when I get the chance.

 

[The Great Zo]

Oh, I have little fondness of Pacific's last few years of production. Most of what they released was regurgitated, un-creative garbage.

It was in sharp contrast to the risk-taking they did in their first five years making NHL cards.

 

[brado8236]

For those of you unfamiliar with Panini's basketball and football offerings (and don't feel like going over to the basketball and football show and tell sections), allow me to show off a few things:

My only remaining Panini basketball card (out of Certified, which sold remarkably well):

I could certainly see this insert set catching on in hockey...

As for football, these are all 2009 products:

National Treasures:

Donruss Threads:

Limited:

Contenders:

There's a decent mix of stickers and hard-signed autos in both football and basketball products this season. In fact, the rookies in Contenders basketball were entirely hard-signed. My understanding is that Panini is trending towards more entirely hard-signed products in both late-season basketball this year and all sports next year.

Panini (well, Donruss) has traditionally been very responsive to the wants and needs of collectors. I suggest we all give them a shot before burying them without a single pack being produced...

 

[steen101984]

For those of you unfamiliar with Panini's basketball and football offerings (and don't feel like going over to the basketball and football show and tell sections), allow me to show off a few things:

My only remaining Panini basketball card (out of Certified, which sold remarkably well):

I could certainly see this insert set catching on in hockey...

As for football, these are all 2009 products:

National Treasures:

Donruss Threads:

Limited:

Contenders:

There's a decent mix of stickers and hard-signed autos in both football and basketball products this season. In fact, the rookies in Contenders basketball were entirely hard-signed. My understanding is that Panini is trending towards more entirely hard-signed products in both late-season basketball this year and all sports next year.

Panini (well, Donruss) has traditionally been very responsive to the wants and needs of collectors. I suggest we all give them a shot before burying them without a single pack being produced...

That Slideshow card is sweet. Thanks for showing us panini's offerings (and go bucs)

 

[DXFlyers]

Just got back from Boston, catching up on the news. Disappointed that ITG did not get an opportunity to get an offer for a license. Am I happy the exclusive is gone, yes. Am I happy that reading the press release Panini is going to release old brands like Pacific and Score, hell NO. Is there such a lack of creativity by Panini that they have to use the failed ideas of others?