Funko

Funko Inc. is an American company that manufactures licensed pop culture collectibles, best known for its licensed vinyl figurines and bobbleheads. Founded in 1998 by Mike Becker, the company was originally conceived as a small project to create various low-tech, nostalgia-themed toys. The company's first manufactured bobblehead was of the well-known restaurant advertising icon, the Big Boy mascot.

History

Mike Becker founded Funko in 1998 with the aim of producing nostalgic-themed toys for a niche market. The company's first product line featured bobbleheads, also known as 'wobblers', of various characters such as the Big Boy mascot and Austin Powers. Despite initial low sales, Becker continued to push for the growth of the company.

In 2005, Funko was sold to its current CEO, Brian Mariotti, who significantly expanded the company's licensed product lines. Under Mariotti's leadership, Funko gained the licensing rights to produce products based on many popular media franchises, including Star Wars, Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Disney, and Harry Potter.

Products

Funko's most famous product line is the Pop! Vinyl figures, which are stylized vinyl collectibles with a distinct, oversized head design. These figures cover a wide range of pop culture, from movies and TV shows to comic books and video games. Other product lines include the Plushies, Mystery Minis, and Dorbz.

Licensing

Funko's business model revolves around obtaining licensing agreements with various pop culture entities. These agreements allow Funko to produce and sell products featuring characters and logos from a wide range of media franchises. As of 2021, Funko holds over 1,000 active licensing agreements, covering a vast array of pop culture icons.

Reception

Funko products have been well-received by collectors and fans of pop culture, with the Pop! Vinyl figures in particular gaining a dedicated fanbase. However, the company has also faced criticism for the perceived over-saturation of the collectibles market and the quality of some of its products.

See also

• Bobblehead
• Collectable
• Pop culture