Leaf is back!

[ronfromfresno]

Donruss has already done a nice job of offering Leaf buybacks in 2005.

 

[Card Magnet]

So that was the big announcement we were promised? I'm a little let down to be honest. It's essentially the same company with a new name. Having the brand name does not make you the old brand. It's the same company just with a new name, no matter how you try to twist it (even if it was bought out by somebody else but the entire team is kept the same, and all licenses were transferred). The brand name doesn't make the product, the staff does, and the staff remains the same.

All that changes is instead of "Razor" on everything, it will be "Leaf". Now if some sets are produced with the same style of the old Leaf cards, that's the only thing (to me personally) that really makes this new brand name worth anything more than a quick read on the boards.

That being said, I don't want to come off as a [strike:2f48ekns]Razor[/strike:2f48ekns] Leaf hater. I've always like the products that Razor put out, and the product looks great on the Leaf preview site. I can't wait for [strike:2f48ekns]Razor[/strike:2f48ekns]Leaf Army All-American Football!

 

[morgoth]

I don't really get this move at all.

1. Leaf will not be producing anything baseball related. So the person who was tired of the Topps monopoly, well this won't solve that.

2. Leaf had alot of brands that collectors liked that were basically taken over by Paninni so what's left for them to scavenge?

3. The designs and product lineup is just a name change from Razor to Leaf so what has the name actually gotten them? Leaf sure doesn't have a 60 year history in MMA cards. Its kinda silly as all the past history with Leaf was in Boxing (one set) and the rest in Football and Baseball.

4. If they don't try and start making licensed MLB product then its just a waste of time and effort on their part and basically screwing up the Leaf name.

 

[thefatguy]

I don't really get this move at all.

1. Leaf will not be producing anything baseball related. So the person who was tired of the Topps monopoly, well this won't solve that.

There's just 1?

 

[morgoth]

Of officially Licenesed products, yes Topps is the only one right now

 

[AKA Coastal]

Good move by Leaf/Razor. They needed a new name. The Razor name has to much baggage. Now they just need to stay off message boards and put some quality products out. Did I mention stay off message boards? It just doesn't work.

 

[RZimm11]

If true, that would make even less sense, since supposedly Razor has a good reputation in the non-baseball card market, or at least that's the story Brian has been trying to hammer into our heads the past 18 months or so.

Can he make Leaf Limited? What about Leaf Century(remember Panini made it but didn't distribute it? It had Ruth and Gehrig and Cobb stuff in it, I remember seeing actual cards in the sell sheet.)

From what's been shown, it seems like he's more worried about putting an established brand name on Razor products (MMA, Pop Century, etc.).

Haven't heard one word about re-introducing ANYTHING Leaf yet.

If that were to happen, it might actually seem like a good move, and I'd probably buy some ( I liked Leaf!). Otherwise, like has been said, he's just trying to buy a reputation with the name.

If you're buying the Leaf brand name, use it for Leaf products, don't just waste the name to re-brand yours.

I agree with you 100%. My point is exactly that it is a waste. Since they won't be putting out baseball, all they are doing is using the Leaf name and putting it on their Razor product line.

Their supposed "good" name in non-sports is being sacrificed to try and dupe collectors with an established name that will not be producing baseball! People will see "Leaf" and immediately recognize it, and probably look into it, and maybe buy it just for the name, until they start asking "where's the baseball/football/etc"?

The only way it would make any sense is if they were going to produce established Leaf product lines, which they aren't, they are only taking the name and slapping it on non-sports cards.

 

[pigskincardboard]

I don't really get this move at all.

1. Leaf will not be producing anything baseball related. So the person who was tired of the Topps monopoly, well this won't solve that.

2. Leaf had alot of brands that collectors liked that were basically taken over by Paninni so what's left for them to scavenge?

3. The designs and product lineup is just a name change from Razor to Leaf so what has the name actually gotten them? Leaf sure doesn't have a 60 year history in MMA cards. Its kinda silly as all the past history with Leaf was in Boxing (one set) and the rest in Football and Baseball.

4. If they don't try and start making licensed MLB product then its just a waste of time and effort on their part and basically screwing up the Leaf name.

I think you have to look at the bigger picture. By large, MMA fans are relatively new to the Hobby and between the ages of half-retarded (okay, that's not an age) and about 30-something. The name Leaf doesn't have to symbolize or stand for anything, it just has to be somewhere in their minds. To compete with Topps -- remember, most of these customers can't tie their shoes -- all you need is basic name recognition. The people who actually know the difference between Topps and Leaf are probably smart enough to purchase the best product or both products, regardless. You never have to worry about *those* type of people because they're generally not affected by simplistic marketing moves. To address those people, you literally just have to put out a good product.

This is a move to address people the people that aren't card fanatics and it's a good move. People that buy cards still want them to be worth something one day and will gravitate to stability rather than a fly-by-night corporation. Half of these people probably haven't the fondest clue that Leaf disappeared.

This should signify a move to the mass-market and walmart (that's where these people shop, when they're not clothing themselves in potato sacks,) I'd imagine.

 

[RZimm11]

Good move by Leaf/Razor. They needed a new name. The Razor name has to much baggage. Now they just need to stay off message boards and put some quality products out. Did I mention stay off message boards? It just doesn't work.

Thanked!

If they just produce stuff and put out sell sheets, and let the PRODUCT speak for itself, instead of the mouthpiece of the company bragging about how huge every release will be (and subsequently going back on everything), they'd probably have much fewer upset customers!

 

[morgoth]

I guess I am taking the move on how it would affect me and my purchase habbits. I would be somewhat excited to see some more Leaf products like the 2004-5 version of higher end Leaf brands but not excited to see the Leaf name and or designs on MMA cards as I don't collect those.

I personally think of Leaf as a baseball card manufacturer.

 

[Card Magnet]

We're missing the big question - does BG get to make another username here? I think he already has two. Aren't the rules one account per person?

 

[uniquebaseballcards]

Razor/Leaf/Brian Gray/whomever is fun to watch, they always seem to get somebody here to talk about their product incessantly. The more people talk about their products the better it is for their sales.

And BTW I'm completely neutral with regard to their offerings. Everyone may carry on now :lol:

 

[tikitomoka]

I will be anxiously awaiting Leaf Metal with some sick retro 'Razor Metal' buybacks. I'm sure i won't be the only one.

 

[trademhigh]

Can it make MLB licensed cards?

Really? ::facepalm::

 

[Topnotchsy]

I don't really get this move at all.

1. Leaf will not be producing anything baseball related. So the person who was tired of the Topps monopoly, well this won't solve that.

2. Leaf had alot of brands that collectors liked that were basically taken over by Paninni so what's left for them to scavenge?

3. The designs and product lineup is just a name change from Razor to Leaf so what has the name actually gotten them? Leaf sure doesn't have a 60 year history in MMA cards. Its kinda silly as all the past history with Leaf was in Boxing (one set) and the rest in Football and Baseball.

4. If they don't try and start making licensed MLB product then its just a waste of time and effort on their part and basically screwing up the Leaf name.

I think you have to look at the bigger picture. By large, MMA fans are relatively new to the Hobby and between the ages of half-retarded (okay, that's not an age) and about 30-something. The name Leaf doesn't have to symbolize or stand for anything, it just has to be somewhere in their minds. To compete with Topps -- remember, most of these customers can't tie their shoes -- all you need is basic name recognition. The people who actually know the difference between Topps and Leaf are probably smart enough to purchase the best product or both products, regardless. You never have to worry about *those* type of people because they're generally not affected by simplistic marketing moves. To address those people, you literally just have to put out a good product.

This is a move to address people the people that aren't card fanatics and it's a good move. People that buy cards still want them to be worth something one day and will gravitate to stability rather than a fly-by-night corporation. Half of these people probably haven't the fondest clue that Leaf disappeared.

This should signify a move to the mass-market and walmart (that's where these people shop, when they're not clothing themselves in potato sacks,) I'd imagine.

Why all the negativity and stereotyping of MMA fans?

 

[soccerman034]

“Like my boy tells me; if it looks like a rat and smells like a rat, by golly, it is a rat.”
-Terrelle Owens

 

[zep33]

I don't really get this move at all.

1. Leaf will not be producing anything baseball related. So the person who was tired of the Topps monopoly, well this won't solve that.

2. Leaf had alot of brands that collectors liked that were basically taken over by Paninni so what's left for them to scavenge?

3. The designs and product lineup is just a name change from Razor to Leaf so what has the name actually gotten them? Leaf sure doesn't have a 60 year history in MMA cards. Its kinda silly as all the past history with Leaf was in Boxing (one set) and the rest in Football and Baseball.

4. If they don't try and start making licensed MLB product then its just a waste of time and effort on their part and basically screwing up the Leaf name.

I think you have to look at the bigger picture. By large, MMA fans are relatively new to the Hobby and between the ages of half-retarded (okay, that's not an age) and about 30-something. The name Leaf doesn't have to symbolize or stand for anything, it just has to be somewhere in their minds. To compete with Topps -- remember, most of these customers can't tie their shoes -- all you need is basic name recognition. The people who actually know the difference between Topps and Leaf are probably smart enough to purchase the best product or both products, regardless. You never have to worry about *those* type of people because they're generally not affected by simplistic marketing moves. To address those people, you literally just have to put out a good product.

This is a move to address people the people that aren't card fanatics and it's a good move. People that buy cards still want them to be worth something one day and will gravitate to stability rather than a fly-by-night corporation. Half of these people probably haven't the fondest clue that Leaf disappeared.

This should signify a move to the mass-market and walmart (that's where these people shop, when they're not clothing themselves in potato sacks,) I'd imagine.

by that poor excuse for a thought process, those same people you are belittling would not have known Leaf ever existed to begin with

 

[pigskincardboard]

I don't really get this move at all.

1. Leaf will not be producing anything baseball related. So the person who was tired of the Topps monopoly, well this won't solve that.

2. Leaf had alot of brands that collectors liked that were basically taken over by Paninni so what's left for them to scavenge?

3. The designs and product lineup is just a name change from Razor to Leaf so what has the name actually gotten them? Leaf sure doesn't have a 60 year history in MMA cards. Its kinda silly as all the past history with Leaf was in Boxing (one set) and the rest in Football and Baseball.

4. If they don't try and start making licensed MLB product then its just a waste of time and effort on their part and basically screwing up the Leaf name.

I think you have to look at the bigger picture. By large, MMA fans are relatively new to the Hobby and between the ages of half-retarded (okay, that's not an age) and about 30-something. The name Leaf doesn't have to symbolize or stand for anything, it just has to be somewhere in their minds. To compete with Topps -- remember, most of these customers can't tie their shoes -- all you need is basic name recognition. The people who actually know the difference between Topps and Leaf are probably smart enough to purchase the best product or both products, regardless. You never have to worry about *those* type of people because they're generally not affected by simplistic marketing moves. To address those people, you literally just have to put out a good product.

This is a move to address people the people that aren't card fanatics and it's a good move. People that buy cards still want them to be worth something one day and will gravitate to stability rather than a fly-by-night corporation. Half of these people probably haven't the fondest clue that Leaf disappeared.

This should signify a move to the mass-market and walmart (that's where these people shop, when they're not clothing themselves in potato sacks,) I'd imagine.

Why all the negativity and stereotyping of MMA fans?

Oh, I think MMA fans are the bottom of the barrel when it comes to sports fans. Of course there are exceptions, I'd say somewhere around 5% of MMA fans genuinely appreciate the technical aspect of the sport. For the most part though, they just like watching fully grown men beat the piss out of each other. It's a pretty good rule that the less contact, the greater the fans' intelligence. Basketball is of course the great equalizer, but I think i'd go like this: MMA, Football, Hockey, Basketball, Baseball, Soccer, Golf and Tennis.

In response to the second post, everyone between the ages of 25 and 35 collected cards as a kid before eventually dropping it. There's definitely name recognition there.

 

[Brad]

Makes sense in retrospect. In football, Leaf Certified Materials and Leaf Limited were renamed Donruss Certified Materials and Donruss Limited by Panini.

 

[Bob Loblaw]

This was the big surprise?

Shades of the Gobblygooker.