Panini America hires new VP of Operations
By Chris Olds | Beckett Baseball Editor
Panini America has hired a new Vice President of Operations, the company announced Wednesday, and it’s an individual with substantial industry experience.
The post went to long-time Upper Deck VP of creative services Martin Welling, who was with the company for 18 years. According to the company, Welling will oversee product development, production and creative departments at Panini while reporting to CEO Mark Warsop.
“Martin joins the Panini America team boasting a wealth of experience within our industry,” Warsop said. “Without question, he will be a valuable member of our team.”
Welling began his time at Upper Deck as a senior designer before moving up to a leadership post.
“He resigned as a widely respected leader within that company and throughout the entire sports collectibles industry,” said Warsop, noting that “meeting the schedule is critical to our company’s success and Martin will play a vital role in leading that charge.”
Welling said he is ready to take on the opportunities that are ahead of him.
“I’m truly excited about the challenges that are ahead,” Welling said. “Panini America is the industry leader for a reason: It excels in providing opportunities for success for its employees and customers and promotes team spirit and mutual respect throughout the organization and industry.”
Panini, which entered the U.S. card market in 2009, has licenses for the NBA, NFL and NHL as well as a baseball license through the MLB Players Association.
Chris Olds is the editor of Beckett Baseball magazine. Have a comment, question or idea? Send an email to him at colds@beckett.com. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here.
Um like upperdeck made good decisions over the years they lost almost all their licenses so you retread a guy that help bring them down. Panini I dont know were your getting your advice from but as a person that runs 3 successful businesses a retread is never the answer it’s a stop gap to an end. From terrible brand management to horrible redemption times Panini needed more than what they invested in here.
I don’t think as VP of the Creative Department he had much input or hand in the woes at UD. And the Creative Department at UD was probably the strongest asset they had. Hopefully they can boost Panini’s designs some. To date, the best designs they had if you as me are Totally Certified, National Treasures and Crown Royale. That’s it.
maybe this guy will make it so all their products dont look the same…
also, can panini stop with the base card that they take and cut a random hole in and put a jersey swatch in there and call it a jersey card…i hate that so much…take some pride in what you make…
hey chris olds, when are you leaving beckett and joining panini?
shocker…..that someone made it 18 years working for Mr. Richard McSunshine