Topps has collaborated with Gary Vaynerchuk’s VeeFriends to introduce a fresh twist to the trading card market with the launch of a new line of Topps Chrome cards. This partnership signifies Topps and parent company Fanatics’ venture into non-sports card offerings, branching out from their usual sports card lineups and recent collaborations with entertainment giants like Disney and Marvel. The innovative VeeFriends cards will debut at New York Comic Con, providing attendees with a first look at this exciting collaboration during the event from October 17-20.
VeeFriends, an entertainment brand spearheaded by entrepreneur and collector Gary Vaynerchuk, has garnered a loyal following due to its unique characters and positive messages. These characters, designed to promote kindness, accountability, and personal growth, will now be showcased on Topps Chrome cards as part of a multi-year partnership. The launch will kick off at New York Comic Con, where free promo cards will be distributed at the VeeFriends booth (#1217) on October 17.
This collaboration marks the second partnership between Vaynerchuk and Fanatics, following their 2021 collaboration with Fanatics brand zerocool to release the initial VeeFriends trading cards. With Topps onboard, the brand aims to engage an even larger audience through their new line of Chrome cards featuring beloved characters such as Notorious Ninja and Patient Panda.
The partnership between VeeFriends and Topps is a seamless fit as Topps continues to explore innovative avenues to expand into the non-sports card segment. Kelvin Smith, Senior Vice President of Global Licensing and Partnerships at Fanatics Collectibles, expressed enthusiasm for this new collaboration, highlighting their shared goal of enhancing the fan and collector experience. Topps’ foray into non-traditional cards aligns with their strategy to attract new collectors, with VeeFriends President Andy Krainak viewing this partnership as an opportunity to amplify the brand’s reach and tap into innovation and global distribution.
With 283 distinctive characters, VeeFriends focuses on fostering community through narratives, games, events, and collectibles. This ethos resonates with Topps’ objective to expand the trading card hobby by appealing to a younger audience and breaking into new markets. The collaboration with Topps enables kids and families to interact with VeeFriends characters through various mediums, including trading cards, comics, and animations, offering a unique storytelling experience within the trading card realm.
The launch at New York Comic Con strategically targets a diverse audience, introducing VeeFriends to a broader collector base. While the event’s primary focus may not be on sports cards, VeeFriends’ characters, animations, and collectibles appeal to fans of all ages, making it an ideal platform for this captivating debut.
For Topps, the partnership with VeeFriends signifies a significant advancement in diversifying its presence in the non-sports trading card market. With recent collaborations with entertainment powerhouses like Disney, Marvel, and Lucasfilm, Topps is intensifying its efforts to delve into entertainment-centric cards and cater to a wider audience. This partnership with VeeFriends exemplifies Topps’ commitment to expanding its offerings and captivating a new generation of collectors. The launch of the VeeFriends-Topps Chrome line at New York Comic Con is poised to capture the interest of fans, children, and collectors alike, injecting fresh energy into the trading card landscape and establishing VeeFriends as a prominent player in the collectibles realm, offering fans novel ways to engage with their favorite characters.
