Fleer Takes "Clothes Minded" Approach to New American Idol® Trading
Card Set
Fleer Trading Cards wants to take fans behind the scenes and bring them closer
than ever to their favorite Idols with the inaugural release of American Idol®
Season 3 Trading Cards.
Idol enthusiasts will not only be privy to exclusive backstage photography of
America's favorite television show but will see the contestants sing their way
from their audition stage right through to their place in the final 12 through
agreements with FremantleMedia, 19 TV and FOX television.
"Working with FremantleMedia, 19 TV and FOX, we were able to gain access to
exclusive behind the scenes photography and utilize their on-air footage," said
Fleer spokesman Joshua Perlman. "With this product, we want each of the millions
and millions of American Idol fans to feel like they are there with the
contestants."
To ensure that "being there" feeling, Fleer has acquired actual wardrobe items
worn on the show from each of the 12 finalists for use in the set. There's a tank top
worn by Hawaiian hopeful Jasmine Trias, a dress shirt donned by the soulful George Huff
and also an infamous pink dress worn by Jennifer Hudson that received less than
enthusiastic marks from the judges.
Much like the contestants themselves, the items will go through several rounds
of cuts until 1" x 1" swatches of fabric are left to be embedded into uniquely
collectible trading cards.
The trading card set also features perhaps the very first autographs scrawled by
the finalists since they realized their newfound stardom. Each Signed, Sealed
and Delivered card features the John Hancock of John Stevens and Jon Peter
Lewis, along with the likes of Fantasia Barrino, Diana DeGarmo and all the rest
of the dazzling dozen. Even host Ryan Seacrest and judge Randy Jackson got in on
the act and lent their signatures to the set.
One would guess that the odds of obtaining one of these autographed or
event-worn wardrobe cards would be longer than becoming the American Idol®.
However, Fleer has ensured that these very special cards get into the hands of
Idol fans by delivering them at a rate of 1 in 18 packs - or two per 36-count
box.
"We wanted to make sure that these cards make it into the hands of the fans of
the show," said Perlman. "The ability to have a piece of your favorite idol for
the pack of a price of trading cards is a concept we feel will be warmly received."
The American Idol® trading card set will release on April 26, 2004 with an SRP
of $1.99 per pack. Each pack contains five trading cards. The complete set
includes: 38 Contestants Cards, 3 Talent Cards, 6 Rejected! Cards, 32 The
Auditions Cards and ten (10) On Location Cards. There are also randomly inserted
chase cards including: 15 Behind the Scenes Cards and 32 Idol Chatter cards as
well as the autographed and event-worn wardrobe cards.
For die-hard fans of the show, Fleer even made sure to include cards of cult
favorites such as Nicole "Scooter Girl" Tieri and the one and only William Hung.
"This set totally encapsulates Season 3 of American Idol®," said Perlman. "All
of the personalities that America has come to know and love are there and
presented in ways never seen before."
Source: Fleer/SkyBox International LP
Date: April 26, 2004
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