The Topps Company has issued a statement responding to the Pembridge Value Opportunity Fund's announced plans to nominate a slate of three directors for election to the Topps' Board of Directors at the next stockholder's meeting (see 'Topps Back in Proxy Fight').  'Topps' Board is comprised of seasoned industry leaders who have engaged in building shareholder value and positioning Topps for profitable growth,' the statement said. 'The Board has confidence in the Company's growth strategy and in Topps' prospects for the future, as well as management's ability to execute that strategy.'

Topps noted that its Board is reviewing Pembridge's notification and will formulate a further response to it after appropriate consideration.  Topps is an important supplier to pop culture stores thanks to its ownership of WizKids, the category-creating producer of collectible miniature games (CMGs) and constructible strategy games (CSGs) as well as by virtue of its entertainment cards (Star Wars, LOTR, Wacky Packages) and sports cards.