Bleacher Creature creator to speak at inventors' meeting
Matthew Hoffman, founder and president of Bleacher Creatures, will speak at this month's Inventors Association of Idaho meeting via Skype at 2 p.m. Wednesday on the second floor of the Columbia Bank Building.
SANDPOINT — As a sports fanatic and father of three, Bleacher Creature founder Matthew Hoffman was always on the lookout for new and unique sports toys for his kids.
The lack of options inspired him to create Bleacher Creatures. Hoffman started the company in 2011, and it has since become a successful industry of turning icons such as athletes into collectible characters — a cross between a plush toy and an action figure.
Hoffman will speak, via Skype, at the Inventors Association of Idaho meeting Wednesday about how his idea became a success.
"This is our first shot in this room, in the Columbia Bank Building, to bring in a nationally known entrepreneur with a nationally known, visible product line," said IAI member Bill Hertzberg.
With Skype capability in building where the meetings are held each month, Hertzberg said the group plans to host more nationally and internationally renowned inventors and entrepreneurs in the future.
With the motto, "Put Your Passion In Play," Bleacher Creatures has officially partnered with Major League Baseball, the MLB Association, the National Football League, NFL Players Association, National Basketball Association, National Hockey League, NHL Players Association and Major League Soccer, as well as Marvel, DC Comics, Nascar and WWE. President Donald Trump and former presidents, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton are available, and even Pope Francis received a 10-inch plush version of himself when he landed in New York for a 2015 visit.
Bleacher Creatures has expanded internationally as well, to markets in United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, France Canada, Australia, the Middle East and Asia.
The IAI meeting will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday on second floor of the Columbia Bank Building, 414 Church St.