Topps, a prominent player in the sports trading card industry, has ventured into new territory by partnering with Gary Vaynerchuk’s VeeFriends to introduce a fresh line of trading cards. This collaboration marks a strategic move by Topps and parent company Fanatics to diversify their offerings beyond traditional sports cards and tap into the ever-growing popularity of non-sports trading cards.
VeeFriends, an entertainment brand founded by entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk, has garnered a loyal following for its distinctive and uplifting characters. These characters, known for promoting values like kindness and growth, will now be showcased on Topps Chrome cards as part of a multi-year partnership. The debut of the VeeFriends cards will take place at the highly anticipated New York Comic Con, offering attendees an exclusive first look at this exciting collaboration.
The partnership between VeeFriends and Topps marks a significant milestone in the expansion of both brands. This collaboration follows a previous successful partnership between VeeFriends and Fanatics, where they released the first VeeFriends trading cards under the Fanatics brand zerocool in 2021. With Topps on board, the reach of the VeeFriends brand is set to expand even further, featuring beloved characters like Notorious Ninja and Patient Panda on their new line of Chrome cards.
Kelvin Smith, Senior Vice President of Global Licensing and Partnerships at Fanatics Collectibles, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration. He stated, “We’re thrilled to be working with Gary and his team again, with the goal of making this partnership bigger and better. VeeFriends aligns perfectly with our mission to serve fans and collectors, and we look forward to what this collaboration will bring.”
The alliance between Topps and VeeFriends is not just a creative endeavor but also a strategic move to engage a broader audience of collectors. VeeFriends President Andy Krainak views this partnership as an opportunity to enhance the brand’s visibility and appeal to a wider demographic. By featuring VeeFriends characters on Topps Chrome products, the collaboration aims to leverage innovation, global distribution, and credibility to attract new collectors to the VeeFriends universe.
With its focus on storytelling and community-building, VeeFriends’ collaboration with Topps aligns seamlessly with Topps’ mission to cultivate a new generation of collectors. By offering a range of mediums such as trading cards, comics, and animations featuring VeeFriends characters, the partnership provides families and children with a unique way to engage with the brand and its vibrant universe.
The launch of the VeeFriends-Topps Chrome line at New York Comic Con is a strategic choice, as the event’s diverse audience presents an ideal opportunity to introduce VeeFriends to a wider collector base. While the event may not primarily revolve around sports cards, the appeal of VeeFriends’ characters, animations, and collectibles transcends age barriers, making it a compelling debut at this renowned event.
Topps’ collaboration with VeeFriends signifies a significant step towards expanding its presence in the non-sports trading card market. By forging partnerships with entertainment powerhouses like Disney, Marvel, and now VeeFriends, Topps is actively exploring opportunities to cater to the evolving interests of collectors and enthusiasts. Kelvin Smith highlighted the untapped potential of non-sports cards and teased upcoming projects in this space, hinting at a wave of new releases in the future.
Overall, the partnership between Topps and VeeFriends not only breathes new life into the trading card landscape but also solidifies VeeFriends’ position as a key player in the collectibles realm. By offering fans fresh ways to connect with their favorite characters through innovative trading card offerings, this collaboration sets the stage for an exciting new chapter in the world of collectibles.