Pavan
04-11-2007, 01:37 PM
Is There a Comeback 'In the Cards' for Former Celebs?: Upper Deck Launches Baseball Card Set That Includes Autograph Inserts Featuring - Among Others - Barry Williams, Lou Gossett Jr, Corey Feldman
LOS ANGELES, April 11 -- Trade you Padres pitcher Greg Maddux for Greg Brady? Marlins all-star Dontrelle Willis for that guy who used to answer to "What you talkin' about, Willis?"
Later this week, Upper Deck is launching its latest sports trading card
set, Spectrum Baseball 2007. In those packs along with cards featuring
Major League Baseball stars: autographed inserts of celebrities from the
1970s and '80s, actors and musicians whose fame -- like the speed of a
Maddux fastball, despite his continued greatness -- has arguably faded in
recent years.
But all have hope that there's a comeback in the cards for them with
this latest outreach to a new fan base, people that might be too young to
remember their hit TV shows, movies or songs. Among those involved: Barry
Williams ("The Brady Bunch"), Todd Bridges ("Diff'rent Strokes"), and
reality television star, Corey Feldman ("Goonies").
"Each of these actors and musicians represent an exciting piece of
Americana and pop culture," said Gregg Kohn, Upper Deck's baseball product
manager. "Many of my fondest childhood memories were of watching them on
television and in movies or hearing them on the radio. Each actor and
singer helped in their little way to bring smiles to faces and define an
era for many of today's adults."
"Better than a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the cards are a way
to recognize their achievements, highlight the great memories they've given
us over the years -- and, at the same time, have them personally connect
with a new generation of fans."
Some celebrities included in the set have chosen to take this personal
connection to another level, recalling in writing memorable scenes and
lyrics that for many were the laugh track and soundtrack to their lives
years ago.
For example, Oscar(TM)-award winner Lou Gossett, Jr. has written
"May-o-naise!" next to some of his signatures, the nickname his hard-nosed
drill-sergeant character in "An Officer and a Gentleman" gave
basic-training recruit Richard Gere. And satellite radio host Barry
Williams signed 'Johnny Bravo' and 'Greg Brady'.
Not all stars included are from yesteryear. The set ($6.99 a pack; two
autographs and two memorabilia cards per box; available at hobby shops
nationwide) features two in-the-now Hollywood A-listers, Josh Duhamel ("Las
Vegas," "Transformers") as well as Black Eyed Peas frontwoman, "Grindhouse"
actress -- and former '80s child star ("Kids Incorporated") -- Stacy
"Fergie" Ferguson.
Scotty Schwartz: From the holiday classic, 'A Christmas Story'
According to Kohn, the idea and impetus for the cards came from an
unlikely source: another former child actor, and current San Fernando
Valley sports trading card shop owner, Scotty Schwartz ("The Toy," "A
Christmas Story").
"Scotty's hobby shop has been one of Upper Deck's best retailers for
years," said Kohn. "He knows the ins and outs of the collectibles business,
he knows what's hot, what customers will buy."
"And: he has access to these celebrities. When he came to us with the
concept, there was no need to double-dog dare us: we truly believed this
idea would stick."
Throughout the past few months, Schwartz has spearheaded the signings
in his shop and at the homes of the celebrities, taking photos of each in
action to verify that indeed these autographs are the real deal.
Autographing clear plastic labels, the signatures were then transferred to
cards at Upper Deck's Carlsbad, Calif. facility, located 70 miles south of
Hollywood.
Kohn concluded: "With the success of such shows as 'Dancing with the
Stars,' 'The Surreal Life' and 'Celebrity Fit Club,' the demographic and
excitement surrounding these starts is already built in," Kohn continued.
"People love to see a comeback story; and we hope these cards are the
vehicle to help them to make it back to the top."
Complete Celebrity Checklist for Upper Deck's Spectrum Baseball 2007
Set:
Disco-era singer and teen heartthrob Leif Garret, Kristy McNichol
("Family"), Lori Petty ("A League of Their Own"), Jeff Conaway ("Taxi,"
"Grease"), Catherine Bach ("The Dukes of Hazard"), Ed O'Neill "Al Bundy"
(Married With Children), Ernie Hudson ("Ghostbusters," "The Crow"), Michael
Anthony Hall ("Sixteen Candles" and Dead Zone), Tony Burton ("Rocky") and
Mia St. John (boxer).
About the Upper Deck Company
Founded in 1988, The Upper Deck Co. is a premier global sports and
entertainment-publishing company that delivers a portfolio of relevant,
innovative and multi-dimensional product experiences to collectors, sports
and entertainment enthusiasts.
LOS ANGELES, April 11 -- Trade you Padres pitcher Greg Maddux for Greg Brady? Marlins all-star Dontrelle Willis for that guy who used to answer to "What you talkin' about, Willis?"
Later this week, Upper Deck is launching its latest sports trading card
set, Spectrum Baseball 2007. In those packs along with cards featuring
Major League Baseball stars: autographed inserts of celebrities from the
1970s and '80s, actors and musicians whose fame -- like the speed of a
Maddux fastball, despite his continued greatness -- has arguably faded in
recent years.
But all have hope that there's a comeback in the cards for them with
this latest outreach to a new fan base, people that might be too young to
remember their hit TV shows, movies or songs. Among those involved: Barry
Williams ("The Brady Bunch"), Todd Bridges ("Diff'rent Strokes"), and
reality television star, Corey Feldman ("Goonies").
"Each of these actors and musicians represent an exciting piece of
Americana and pop culture," said Gregg Kohn, Upper Deck's baseball product
manager. "Many of my fondest childhood memories were of watching them on
television and in movies or hearing them on the radio. Each actor and
singer helped in their little way to bring smiles to faces and define an
era for many of today's adults."
"Better than a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the cards are a way
to recognize their achievements, highlight the great memories they've given
us over the years -- and, at the same time, have them personally connect
with a new generation of fans."
Some celebrities included in the set have chosen to take this personal
connection to another level, recalling in writing memorable scenes and
lyrics that for many were the laugh track and soundtrack to their lives
years ago.
For example, Oscar(TM)-award winner Lou Gossett, Jr. has written
"May-o-naise!" next to some of his signatures, the nickname his hard-nosed
drill-sergeant character in "An Officer and a Gentleman" gave
basic-training recruit Richard Gere. And satellite radio host Barry
Williams signed 'Johnny Bravo' and 'Greg Brady'.
Not all stars included are from yesteryear. The set ($6.99 a pack; two
autographs and two memorabilia cards per box; available at hobby shops
nationwide) features two in-the-now Hollywood A-listers, Josh Duhamel ("Las
Vegas," "Transformers") as well as Black Eyed Peas frontwoman, "Grindhouse"
actress -- and former '80s child star ("Kids Incorporated") -- Stacy
"Fergie" Ferguson.
Scotty Schwartz: From the holiday classic, 'A Christmas Story'
According to Kohn, the idea and impetus for the cards came from an
unlikely source: another former child actor, and current San Fernando
Valley sports trading card shop owner, Scotty Schwartz ("The Toy," "A
Christmas Story").
"Scotty's hobby shop has been one of Upper Deck's best retailers for
years," said Kohn. "He knows the ins and outs of the collectibles business,
he knows what's hot, what customers will buy."
"And: he has access to these celebrities. When he came to us with the
concept, there was no need to double-dog dare us: we truly believed this
idea would stick."
Throughout the past few months, Schwartz has spearheaded the signings
in his shop and at the homes of the celebrities, taking photos of each in
action to verify that indeed these autographs are the real deal.
Autographing clear plastic labels, the signatures were then transferred to
cards at Upper Deck's Carlsbad, Calif. facility, located 70 miles south of
Hollywood.
Kohn concluded: "With the success of such shows as 'Dancing with the
Stars,' 'The Surreal Life' and 'Celebrity Fit Club,' the demographic and
excitement surrounding these starts is already built in," Kohn continued.
"People love to see a comeback story; and we hope these cards are the
vehicle to help them to make it back to the top."
Complete Celebrity Checklist for Upper Deck's Spectrum Baseball 2007
Set:
Disco-era singer and teen heartthrob Leif Garret, Kristy McNichol
("Family"), Lori Petty ("A League of Their Own"), Jeff Conaway ("Taxi,"
"Grease"), Catherine Bach ("The Dukes of Hazard"), Ed O'Neill "Al Bundy"
(Married With Children), Ernie Hudson ("Ghostbusters," "The Crow"), Michael
Anthony Hall ("Sixteen Candles" and Dead Zone), Tony Burton ("Rocky") and
Mia St. John (boxer).
About the Upper Deck Company
Founded in 1988, The Upper Deck Co. is a premier global sports and
entertainment-publishing company that delivers a portfolio of relevant,
innovative and multi-dimensional product experiences to collectors, sports
and entertainment enthusiasts.