In addition to serving as the PR and promotions agency for Fleer/SkyBox for nearly 10 years, NMG was enlisted by the company in 1996 to help develop and implement the most aggressive public relations initiative in the hobby industry.

The Fleer/SkyBox Hobby Bullpen program was an impactful package of programs that demonstrated the company’s commitment to the hobby channel of trade as opposed to their previous focus on mass market retail channels.

In tandem with the company’s marketing department, NMG created and managed the following programs from 1996-99.

Hobby Legends Tour: NMG staged more than 200 free player autograph sessions at hobby shops nationwide. NMG also coordinated hospitality events for the company’s Authorized Distributor network featuring appearances by some of the biggest names in sports.

Mystery Shopper: NMG visited more than 1,000 hobby shops and behalf of Fleer/SkyBox to get feedback from hobby retailers on everything from P-O-P material to products.

FlipMaster Challenge: to encourage hobby retailer to provide interactive events for their customers NMG and Fleer/SkyBox brought back card flipping with a nationwide series of card flipping tournaments at hobby shops, stadiums and league events.