Topps has formed a dynamic duo with Gary Vaynerchuk’s VeeFriends to inject a fresh breeze into the non-sports trading card scene. The new line of Topps Chrome cards blossoms from this partnership, marking another stride taken by Topps and parent company Fanatics to venture beyond their conventional sports card domain. With recent impressive collaborations with Disney and Marvel under their belt, Topps embarks on a new journey with VeeFriends to unveil their unique trading cards at New York Comic Con.
VeeFriends, the brainchild of entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk, has garnered a loyal following with its captivating characters and uplifting messages. These characters, inspired by kindness, accountability, and growth, will now grace the Topps Chrome cards in a multi-year partnership. The unveiling of this collaboration will take place at New York Comic Con, inviting attendees to be among the first to catch a glimpse of this exciting fusion.
This partnership between VeeFriends and Topps Chrome marks another chapter in the union between Vaynerchuk and Fanatics, following their 2021 collaboration with zerocool under the Fanatics brand. With Topps on board, the brand is poised to captivate an even wider audience with its new Chrome cards featuring beloved characters like Notorious Ninja and Patient Panda.
The alignment between VeeFriends and Topps is a seamless fit, as Topps continues its quest for innovative inroads into the non-sports card market. Kelvin Smith, Fanatics Collectibles’ Senior Vice President of Global Licensing and Partnerships, expressed enthusiasm over the collaboration, emphasizing the shared mission to cater to fans and collectors. This marks a step forward in serving the growing community of collectors and enthusiasts with novel offerings.
Topps’ foray into non-traditional cards is part of a broader strategy aimed at engaging a new wave of collectors. For VeeFriends President Andy Krainak, this partnership is a gateway to expanding the brand’s reach and tapping into new avenues of creativity. The collaboration with Topps not only elevates the brand but also serves as a platform to weave compelling narratives through trading cards, comics, and animations.
VeeFriends’ ethos of community-building through storytelling, games, events, and collectibles syncs seamlessly with Topps’ mission to entice a younger demographic of collectors and venture into fresh markets. The integration of VeeFriends characters into Topps Chrome products not only elevates both brands but also opens doors to innovative storytelling and broader global distribution, enhancing the appeal to a diverse audience.
The strategic unveiling of the VeeFriends-Topps Chrome line at New York Comic Con underscores a savvy move to introduce VeeFriends to a broader collector base. The event’s diverse audience provides an ideal platform to showcase VeeFriends’ characters, animations, and collectibles, catering to fans of all ages and interests in a setting ripe for this enthralling debut.
This collaboration cements Topps’ commitment to expanding its footprint in the non-sports trading card market, building on recent partnerships with entertainment giants like Disney, Marvel, and Lucasfilm. The growth trajectory in the non-sports card space, largely untapped according to Kelvin Smith, signals a promising future with more exciting developments in the pipeline from Topps.
As Topps explores fresh opportunities and collaborations, the alliance with VeeFriends underscores the company’s dedication to diversifying its offerings and attracting a new generation of enthusiasts to the world of trading cards. With the grand unveiling at New York Comic Con, the VeeFriends-Topps Chrome line promises to captivate fans, children, and collectors alike, breathing new life into the collectible universe and offering fans novel ways to connect with their cherished characters.
