1. Thought I’d start by asking some personal questions - Besides your work, what are the things you do for enjoyment, relaxation, and Fun???
Golf, attempting to work out, and family stuff like going to my daughters gymnastics and ballet classes.
2. How many hours a day do you work and has there ever been a day when you wished that you could be doing something else?
I work a lot..Much more than my family prefers, but they understand. The travel is extensive as well. As far as being at Funko..only golf tempts me to get out of the office.
3. What are you looking forward to doing in your life (other than funko related)?
Retiring in Maui, while I surf and play golf every day....
4. What does your wife think about your collection and owning a toy company?
She's not much into toys..my daughter is...Both love Funko though.
5. Now onto the Funko questions - What single piece been the biggest seller for Funko? Which are close to the top?
Darth Vader is #1, then Iron Man, then Yoda, Boba.....
6. Funko Force, Nodniks and the USB Drives are poised to put Funko on a whole new level. Where do you see these lines taking the company as a whole?
They provide us a new avenue or new customer to potentially sell our product to. This helps in theory, to grow our company. The electronics especially can bring us to new stores who would not normally carry toys or Funko products.
7. Why you physically have to go to China?
To find new factories, to check on our factory, look at new potential products lines..I go about 3-4 times per year.
What do you like to eat when you’re down there?
not much! Ugggh..I bring beef jerky and starve to death mostly.
8. Big Headz looked cool, but it seems that Funko Force replaced them, and that's not a bad thing at all. What about the lost product lines? the Star Wars Wind Ups? The Seinfeld line? The Operation Guy?
The big headz cost too much to produce versus the perceived value of the toy. Windups are the same issue. Burger King put a line of Star Wars windups out they were quite good, and gave them away...Seinfeld is still a looong and slow process, but I have hope. Operation guy was a Becker thing with Hasbro that never got off the ground due to licensing issues.
9. Have licenses with big-name companies such as Lucasfilms and Marvel made it easier to negotiation smaller licenses and have they made the Funko name more recognizable in the toy market?
Yes..absolutely. Star Wars opened the door to Wal Mart, Target and TRU..and in turn opened more licensing opportunities.
10. Any chance we might see our favorite cereal monsters get the Funko Force vinyl treatment? USB Drives? Maybe regular wobblers metallic or otherwise?
maybe..we will see the initial sales to evaluate.
11. How much does Funatic suggestion play into licenses and variations that we see?
We certainly take views into the overall evaluation process. And of course Funatics idea do make a big splash come Comic Con time.
12. Can you give us any scoop on new lines/Franchises coming out for Funko? At least to keep us satisfied until Funday?
We'll the secret has been leaked a bit, but we are doing a HUGE Music line of Nodniks, Funko Force(Non bobbles) and Wobblers of Elvis, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison and Bob Marley. Really cool stuff and the likenesses are super cool but Funko-ized of course. And keep an eye out for Bruce Lee and Che Guevara!
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A big thanks to Brian for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions! Take it from me, there are some awesome top secret things on the way that will make you poo your pants! Stock up on Depends or a comparable store bought brand NOW!
Hopefully this will keep everyone satisfied until Comic Con and Funday!'
-swobobafett
Then something that I have been after
since I first saw it 3 years ago ..
Also got my FUNATIC card today !!!
Reed & Sue w/ Box Art
Guess what time it is?
Comic-Con Pre-buy time!
Funko is proud to offer this very very special Comic-Con package!!
Here are a couple of key points to remember when ordering:
1 Normal cost on this pack would be $515.00 PLUS shipping.
1 But the Pre-Buy Special is being offered at only $500.00!!
WITH FREE SHIPPING!!! (To the Continental US)
1 All items contained in this pack are Comic-Con Exclusives!
1 Each pack will contain 28 items, one of each of the following:
(To avoid totally spoiling the surprise, we’ve come up with these super awesome hints! Enjoy!)
1. This underworld FAV bobble is getting the heavy metal (metallic paints) treatment!
(Version: #1, Production: ONLY 96 pieces, Cost: $17)
2. This underworld FAV bobble is getting the heavy metal (metallic paints) treatment!
(Version #2, Production: ONLY 96 pieces, Cost: $17)
3. This underworld FAV bobble is getting the heavy metal (metallic paints) treatment!
(Version #2, Production: ONLY 96 pieces, Cost: $17)
4. This Funko Force is from the 501st area code…straight from a Galaxy far far away.
(Production: ONLY 1008 Pieces, Cost: $20)
5. He is back...and this special edition GOLD version bobble would make Arnold proud!
(Production: ONLY 1008 Pieces, Cost: $17)
6. Old School Fink bobble getting a new metallic paint job!
(Production: ONLY 480 Pieces, Cost: $17)
7. This Captain gets a full transporter and LED light effect. Truly out of this world...beam me up Scotty!
(Production: ONLY 1008 Pieces, Cost: $17)
8. Glow in the Dark bobble from all our favorite children's book. Truly WILD!!!
(Production: ONLY 480 pieces, Cost: $17)
9. This Marvel Masher bobble gets the full ORANGE GLOW in the Dark Treatment! His fantastic debut is Comic Con.
(Production: ONLY 480 pieces, Cost: $17)
10. Freddy Funko meets everyone's favorite Boy!
(Production: ONLY 144 pieces, Cost: $17)
11. This brand new Fink makes his debut in San Diego...and he is holding a big ol' surf board!
(Production: ONLY 480 pieces, Cost: $17)
12. This brand new bobble makes his debut at the con in a mist of Purple Haze.
(Production: ONLY 480 pieces, Cost: $17)
13. Not to be outdone…the King steps in and shows his rock n roll prowess. Thank you…Thank you very much!
(Production: ONLY 480 pieces, Cost: $17)
14. NODNIKS 2 pack style...NODNIKS...Kroffty style...Clingin' and Clangin' and Puffin.
(Version: #1, Production: ONLY 196 pieces, Cost: $17)
15. NODNIKS 2 pack style...NODNIKS...Kroffty style....Clingin' and Clangin' and Puffin.
(Version: #2, Production: ONLY 196 pieces, Cost: $17)
16. This Marvel Villain is metallic painted and chrome based...a pure beauty of 3rd Reich.
(Production: ONLY 480 pieces, Cost: $17)
17. Funko Force hits marvel in a big American way...Marvel's superhero gets a special RETRO treatment!
(Production: ONLY 480 pieces, Cost: $20)
18. This video game icon gets a metallic paint on his armor FUNKO FORCE style.
(Production: ONLY 1500 pieces, Cost: $20)
19. Marvel madness with this RETRO bobble debut...Truly Incredible.
(Production: ONLY 480 pieces, Cost: $17)
20. An American hero gets the GLOW in the Dark bobble treatment for a HUGE upcoming blockbuster movie.
(Production: ONLY 480 pieces, Cost: $17)
21. Funko FORCE HB Style! Makin' his debut at the Con! Metallic to the max! Henry!!!!!
(Production: ONLY 196 pieces, Cost: $20)
22. Funko FORCE HB Style! Also debuting at the Con! Metallic paint for this super spy!
(Production: ONLY 196 pieces, Cost: $20)
23. Funko FORCE HB Style! Also debuting at the Con! Metallic paint for this prehistoric super hero!
(Production: ONLY 196 pieces, Cost: $20)
24. To the land...land of the Con! A super 2 set of Funko Force figures...Metallic in nature...Kroffty in style.
(Production: ONLY 196 pieces, Cost: $20)
25. NODNIKS...Being down Graceland style...Single pack…Funko FORCE HB Style!
(Production: ONLY 480 pieces, Cost: $12)
26. Fink gets the NODNIKS 2 Pack treatment...with super cool colors.
(Production: ONLY 480 pieces, Cost: $17)
27. Chrome metallic paints for this popular droid....May the force be with you!
(Production: ONLY 480 pieces, Cost: $17)
28. This hot rod freak gets the 12" Bank treatment with a special GLOW and movable arms!!!!
(Production: ONLY 480 pieces, Cost: $40)
So many words…I know!
If all of this makes no sense to you…
PLEASE ASK QUESTIONS! Then get your orders in!
If all of this makes perfect sense to you…You know who you are. ;)
Skip the questions and GET YOUR ORDERS IN NOW!
Quickfire Judges -
Ilan , Betty, & Michael
Week 1 Chefs -
Elizabeth Falkner, Graham Eliot-Bowles,
Suzanne Tracht, Wylie Dufresne
Suzanne Tracht, Quickfire
Fried Shallot Rings with Microgreen Salad and Dr. Pepper Aioli
Suzanne Tracht
Risotto with Uni, Clams and Prawns, Wild Boar Strip with Oyster Beer Sauce, Mango Corn Salad
WINNER Week 2 - Suzanne Tracht
10,000 for
JFS/SOVA Community Food
and Resource Program
Check back here on Thursday's after the new episodes ..
BRAVO Wednesday nights @ 10 pm
TOP CHEF MASTERS
