Funko Funkast - Questions for Brian!

[Pablinho96]

...how do you like your eggs?

[McScruffy]

This is awesome and yet another reason I love Funko as a company!

My question would be if Funko was in a position to acquire any existing toy/collectible line or company what would it be and why?

[RoboFist]

This is actually super awesome! The podcast has really grown on me, and I'm super stoked to listen to this episode!

I only have three questions that I've always wanted to know about Brian:

1. We all know that you have a soft spot for Hanna-Barbera, and that has allowed you to make as many Hanna-Barbera Pops as you want. Same with Scott Pilgrim vs The World. I was wondering, what other niche licenses do you love that you go out of your way to make more of simply because you like them so much? Because that's a collector's dream

2. Funko has been a huge part of my life since 2012. For many people, so much longer than that. Something happened around 2015 when Funko (and Pops in particular) just exploded. As it's popularity skyrocketed, so too did a lot of misplaced hate. Expectations for everything your company does - from SDCC exclusive reveals to "Powered by Funko" unboxings - have had enormous expectations build up around them, with a lot of unfair outcry and anger directed at you. How do you cope with the sudden, unjustified hate and controversy when your number one priority for Funko has always been an emphasis on fun?

3. I know this one seems silly, but please understand that I'm not upset nor am I making demands I've honestly just been insanely curious...Aladdin. Could you possibly peel back the curtain as to why you haven't been able to make him a Pop after all this time?

Thanks Yoko! This is fun regardless if my questions get read on the podcast!

[Nerdfulthingz]

I have heard you are a fan of Amanda Visell (As am I!)
Could we ever see a specialty series of Retro Freddys' or POPs designed by "guest" artists that you choose like Amanda?

[Megacam]

There might be an answer to this already that I'm unaware of...but:
Where did the idea/inspiration for Freddy Funko come from? Is it based on a real person?

Also...Do you collect one of every item that Funko makes for your personal collection?

[perfectgame34]

Ok one quick jokey question - if you had Sully in a room and told him he had to give you a Guardians Dorito to keep his job, do you think he would?

Iiiii am stealing this for myself and will ask Sully on the podcast next week Shhh no one tell him!

[funkystark]

Yes! Nice one Lauren, can't wait to hear the outcome next week

[Rgncajun]

What has changed with the dorbz line this year? They seem much more impressive thanks years passed.

[Trixt]

How much of your Pez collection have you reacquired since you bought Funko?

[Trixt]

Disregard.

[Lonikins]

Ok one quick jokey question - if you had Sully in a room and told him he had to give you a Guardians Dorito to keep his job, do you think he would?

Iiiii am stealing this for myself and will ask Sully on the podcast next week Shhh no one tell him!

Mwhahahaha. I am going to tease him on twitter now.

[Lonikins]

Yes! Nice one Lauren, can't wait to hear the outcome next week

Maybe he will finally cave and open the bag

[Typale]

Sounds great to me! Here's my question!

As I hope all the charity events and auctions do well and I've tried to support them as well as snag a rare piece that I might never get I was wondering if you have upcoming plans for another one? With SDCC, Fundays, the grand opening and the FDO events just happening or about to happen I bet there are some great pieces hanging around the office that might be used for charity!

And thanks Funko for the last opportunity to help Boys and Girls club as well as get this wonderful piece!

[willy wonka]

This is awesome!

With the interest in wobblers once again gaining steam, are there any plans to add to the line of Freddy Funko Wobblers?

Also, I'm loving the Spastik Pop line. Keep 'em coming

[chezpopp]

Nice. Great opportunity. Thanks for chance.


With a resurgence of some Funko original characters being made into pops and dorbz, and the hekkin great creative talent you guys have, will we see more new characters developed that are Funko's own IP.

Also are the rumors of a nine pack tbone dorbz true.

[chezpopp]

Sounds great to me! Here's my question!

As I hope all the charity events and auctions do well and I've tried to support them as well as snag a rare piece that I might never get I was wondering if you have upcoming plans for another one? With SDCC, Fundays, the grand opening and the FDO events just happening or about to happen I bet there are some great pieces hanging around the office that might be used for charity!

And thanks Funko for the last opportunity to help Boys and Girls club as well as get this wonderful piece!

I didn't know the boys and girls club auctioned of babies. Damn looks like you got a good one I think.

[Typale]

I didn't know the boys and girls club auctioned of babies. Damn looks like you got a good one I think.

Thank you heh

[glassflippers]

Where do you see Funko in 5 years? Celebrating Freddy's birthday on a Funatics Cruise maybe?

[Imagery]

Love that Brian is giving everyone a chance to pick his brain

As everyone enjoys a good party and hanging out with fellow Funatics, are there future plans for more Fundays/Fright Night type events... perhaps spread across the country, alternating coasts?
And more hypothetical, if you could hold a Funko bash anywhere in the world, where would you want it to be?

[Trixt]

This is awesome!

With the interest in wobblers once again gaining steam, are there any plans to add to the line of Freddy Funko Wobblers?

Also, I'm loving the Spastik Pop line. Keep 'em coming

More Freddy Wobblers please.

[Martian1314]

A couple of question

While talking to other collectors they said that Funko might slow down or collectors might get out of the game because of pops being released for almost every week or released a lot this couple of months.

What do you say about people that is not happy when you produced a lot and when you produced a limited number?

With the HQ being open in August and We all know people will travel from all over. How would you handle the demand and is this going to be a ticketed event to have control the crowd?

Is funko pop up shop for sdcc for badge holder only or is it going to open it to the public?

[jkcohen626]

I have a few questions. Some may be too shallow for you, but I think that you might like some of them.

1. What is your favorite specific box from a Powered By Funko service (e.g. The Death Star Box, Festival of Friends, DCTV)? This question could also go to anybody else in the Funkast.

2. Would you ever consider having a chain of Funko stores similar to LEGO? What about just a couple more in major areas, like New York City or Chicago?

3. Would you ever consider not exclusive Freddy Funko products? There are so many people who love Freddy and I'm wondering if you think he would be popular enough to sell as a common.

4. How far in advance do you start planning a product? Does it vary by licence? If so, how long in advance for some of the more popular licenses like Marvel, DC and Star Wars? What about Freddy Funko and other Funko originals?

Thanks again for this awesome opportunity.

Is funko pop up shop for sdcc for badge holder only or is it going to open it to the public?

OOOOH, I can answer this one. It will be open to the public, but you should expect to have to camp out or get there super early to get in.

[Vypinoy]

1. Is there any license/line you know you may never acquire and have always wanted to do but cant?

2. If there was a female Freddy Funko what would her name be?

Thanks for the opportunity!

[dcooperfl]

How do you balance the extreme growth of the company and maintaining the tight knit community? It seems to be a tough balance.

[ruxy_100]

Who is your favourite - Yoko or Cam? And do you see benefit in holding a rap battle to help you decide?

[CollectorBadger]

Ok one quick jokey question - if you had Sully in a room and told him he had to give you a Guardians Dorito to keep his job, do you think he would?

Iiiii am stealing this for myself and will ask Sully on the podcast next week Shhh no one tell him!

When you guys were eating the other bag, you could hear the tension in his voice.....trying not to explode. GREAT gag

Ohhhhhh poor Sully

[McScruffy]

Another question for Brian, If you could have any musical artist write a Funko theme song who would it be?

[Lonikins]

Ok one quick jokey question - if you had Sully in a room and told him he had to give you a Guardians Dorito to keep his job, do you think he would?

Iiiii am stealing this for myself and will ask Sully on the podcast next week Shhh no one tell him!

When you guys were eating the other bag, you could hear the tension in his voice.....trying not to explode. GREAT gag

Ohhhhhh poor Sully

Right??? It was hilarious - you could hear him on the edge of snapping, but he managed to keep himself contained.

[Infinity]

I don't know if my question will be interesting because it"s a selfish question but I try^^ :

Would you consider sending Disney Treasures to Europe one day? We'd loooooove to have that box and I'm sure we 'd be a good market ^^
Why some boxes are sent to Europe but not all of them? Is there a difference?

[Libertyroxx]

Love this idea, thanks Yoko!

1. I guess my first question(and I'm sure this has been answered many times) is, how was the idea for Pop vinyl first born?

2. Do you ever see Funko going public and having an IPO?

3. Which Fundays Freddy Pop has been your favorite to date?

4. How will the acquisition of Underground Toys impact what Funko items are available in Europe?

Thanks for everything!

[Rantt]

I was wondering as Funko is gaining popularity worldwide, will there be possible to have a Funday for collectors who's not in USA. For example a Funday for Asia...like Thailand, Philippines, Singapore or Australia????

[SnackDaddy]

Hi Brian, thanks for taking our questions (and thanks to Yoko for collecting them)!

In a movie about Funko, who would you like to portray yourself?

[RedRoo]

When you acquired Funko all those years ago did you think it would become this big?

[homietrav]

Thanks, Yoko. Heres my questions;

Where does winning the collectible of the Year and People's Choice of the Year award rank in your accomplishments as a company?

What awards or accomplishments would you like to see Funko achieve in the coming years?

thanks,

[clashcityrocker33]

Thanks for the post and opportunity Yoko.

"With Fundays quickly approaching, the talk of which Freddys we will see this year grows and grows and is one of the highlights of the night. Looking back over the many Fundays, are there any Freddy concepts which you wanted to produce but just didn't work whether it was design or license?"

-and/or-

"Regarding your "rumored" affinity for Hanna Barbera, do you keep a list of characters you want to see produced in both POP! and Dorbz form or is it more spontaneous with whichever characters pique your interest/nostalgia at the time?'

Thank you.

[Hoodrat_jedi]

Hello Brian! What is your favorite Funko piece of all time, and what is the story behind it that lead it to being your all-time favorite?

[SnackDaddy]

Just noticed someone asked my question before me, should have read through the questions first, so here is another question.

With the success of the various subscription boxes that Funko makes, are you guys planning on making anymore? (A Freddy Funko Box would be LEGIT!)

[wraithkelso]

What are you most excited about with the new HQ?

[SnackDaddy]

If you can collab with any other toy company for a piece, which company would it be and what piece would you like to create?

[froyomorada]

1.) As a Leader, would you rather be Respected or Feared?

2.) What other CEOs do you look up to?

3.) What are the 3 things you like and dislike about your current position.

4.) If you could have a luncheon with any three people (real of fictitious/ from any time period, dead or alive) , which three people would you choose and why?