Eisner will look to expand Topps' overseas presence

Michael Eisner says there is "lots of upside" when it comes to growth opportunities for Topps, and among the areas where the new owner of the company believes it can expand is in Europe.

In an interview published recently in the London-based Financial Times, Eisner said he wanted to expand the company's international presence. He reiterated his belief that he hopes to develop media properties around the Bazooka Joe character, but he also believes the company can better utilize its licensing arrangement with the English Premier League, the top English soccer league.

Eisner told the publication that Topps' relationship with the league was one of the reasons he was interested in buying the company. He believes the league's popularity will help Topps grow its presence in Europe, Asia and other markets.

Also figuring heavily in his expansion plan is eTopps, the company's online sports marketplace. While eTopps hasn't developed the large customer base in the U.S. that Topps envisioned when the service launched in 2001, Eisner believes he can expand its reach. "We are going to take it and turn it into a place where parents can teach their children how to invest and learn about it through sport," he said in the interview. "I believe my obsession can turn eTopps into the fundamental place to instruct kids in the financial markets."

Eisner said the common theme that runs through the sports and media-based companies his Tornante Co. has purchased is synergy. "If you look at Disney, there's ABC with ESPN, or High School Musical on the Disney Channel and Disney records," he said. "Topps can be built into a media brand. It's the whole idea of creating something greater than the individual parts."
-Cardtrade.com

COMMENTS:

Be the first to comment on this news!