Welcome to TBO.com. Skip directly to: our Keyword Search, Section Navigation, Content.

TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online

Bob D’Angelo

Bob is a longtime member of the Florida sports media, having served as a reporter and copy editor for more than 30 years. His true sports passion, however, is the history of the various games, exhibited by his in-depth book reviews and hobby of collecting cards and other sports memorabilia. He blogs for TBO.com on both subjects, transferring his work for the Tampa Tribune to the realm of cyberspace.

E-Mail The Bookie:

Have a question or comment for Bob?

E-Mail Bob

On Twitter:

Follow Bob here:

Bookie Tweets

Most Recent Entries

Monthly Archives

Panini adds Welling to staff

Posted Dec 8, 2011 by Bob D'Angelo

Updated Dec 8, 2011 at 02:49 PM

Panini beefed up its staff big time this week by hiring Martin Welling as vice president of operations.

Welling spent the last 18 years working for Upper Deck, most recently as the company’s senior vice president for creative services. Upper Deck was the card collectibles leader in sharp, brilliantly colored photography. Welling joined Upper Deck as a designer and helped guide the company into the digital era.

That is a coup for Panini. An added bonus for Panini is that Welling is a big basketball fan (he likes the Jazz and Lakers), so that product is going to benefit tremendously under his watch, in my opinion.

At Panini, Welling will oversee the product development, production and creative departments for the company and will report to Panini America CEO Mark Warsop.

In a news release, Warsop lauded Welling’s experience and creativity.

Panini’s early forays into the sports card industry has been successful so far. Welling’s hiring has to be looked at as a big plus.