Topps, a giant in the trading card industry, has unveiled a thrilling collaboration with Gary Vaynerchuk’s VeeFriends at the highly anticipated New York Comic Con. The innovative partnership introduces a fresh twist to the non-sports trading card market with the release of a new line of Topps Chrome cards featuring the beloved VeeFriends characters. This groundbreaking initiative signifies a strategic move by Topps and its parent company, Fanatics, to diversify beyond their traditional sports card offerings, following successful ventures with entertainment powerhouses like Disney and Marvel.
VeeFriends, an enchanting entertainment brand crafted by entrepreneur and avid collector Gary Vaynerchuk, has garnered a devoted following for its captivating characters and positive messages that promote kindness, accountability, and personal growth. Now, fans can rejoice as these endearing characters come to life on Topps Chrome cards through a multi-year partnership that kicks off at New York Comic Con. Attendees at the event will have the exclusive opportunity to snag free promo cards at the VeeFriends booth (#1217) on October 17, marking the genesis of this vibrant collaboration.
This union between VeeFriends and Topps Chrome marks the second collaboration between Vaynerchuk and Fanatics, building on the success of their previous venture in 2021 with the release of the first VeeFriends trading cards in association with Fanatics brand zerocool. With Topps on board, the brand is poised to captivate an even larger audience with its new line of Chrome cards showcasing popular characters like Notorious Ninja and Patient Panda.
Kelvin Smith, Senior Vice President of Global Licensing and Partnerships at Fanatics Collectibles, expressed his excitement about the innovative collaboration, emphasizing the shared goal of enhancing the fan and collector experience. The partnership with VeeFriends aligns seamlessly with Topps’ commitment to engaging new collectors and delving into the thriving non-sports card market, reflecting a strategic move to push boundaries and redefine the trading card landscape.
The driving force behind this collaboration is the shared mission to reach new collectors and provide a fresh, immersive experience in the collectibles realm. VeeFriends President Andy Krainak views this partnership as a golden opportunity to elevate the brand’s visibility and engage with a wider audience through innovative channels. By integrating VeeFriends characters into Topps Chrome products, the collaboration aims to fuse storytelling with collectibles, offering a multifaceted experience for kids and families to interact with their favorite characters across various mediums, from trading cards to comics and animations.
The debut at New York Comic Con serves as a strategic platform to introduce VeeFriends to a diverse audience of enthusiasts and collectors. Despite the event’s primary focus on entertainment and pop culture, the allure of VeeFriends’ characters, animations, and collectibles resonates with attendees of all ages, making it an ideal stage for this exciting unveiling.
For Topps, the partnership with VeeFriends signifies a pivotal milestone in expanding its presence in the non-sports trading card market, in addition to its recent collaborations with leading entertainment entities such as Disney, Marvel, and Lucasfilm. Kelvin Smith anticipates a vibrant future in the non-sports card category, hinting at upcoming ventures and a surge of creative releases from Topps to cater to the burgeoning demand in the entertainment-focused cards sector.
As Topps continues to explore new horizons and nurture strategic alliances, the VeeFriends partnership underscores the company’s dedication to diversification and innovation in the collectibles industry. The launch of the VeeFriends-Topps Chrome line at New York Comic Con promises an immersive experience for fans, children, and collectors alike, elevating the trading card landscape and providing fresh avenues for fans to connect with their cherished characters in exciting new ways.
