V

VeeFriends

NFT collectibles marketplace with AI tools

Brand Operations Associate

Full-TimeUpdated on 10/23/2026
$70k - $75k/yr
Mid
New York, NY, USA
In Person
Project & Program ManagementProgram Management

About the job

Requirements
  • Requires 2–4+ years of experience in Brand Operations, Project Coordination, Program Management, Marketing Operations, Creative Operations, Product Operations, or a related function.
  • Requires strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Requires the ability to manage multiple projects, timelines, tasks, and stakeholders simultaneously.
  • Requires strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Requires comfort following up with cross-functional teams and helping drive accountability.
  • Requires experience using project management and workflow tools such as ClickUp, Airtable, Asana, Monday.com, Canva, Google Workspace, or similar platforms.
  • Requires the ability to take direction, organize information, and translate priorities into clear next steps.
  • Requires comfort operating in a fast-paced, evolving environment with shifting priorities.
  • Requires a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with sound judgment and follow-through.
  • Requires an interest in consumer products, entertainment, collectibles, character-based brands, culture, community, and storytelling.
Responsibilities
  • Support day-to-day management and maintenance of the integrated Product and Brand calendar.
  • Track key milestones, launch dates, campaign timelines, retail programs, licensing initiatives, experiential moments, and other brand and commercial priorities.
  • Translate leadership priorities and project plans into actionable timelines, workflows, and task lists.
  • Maintain visibility into project status, deadlines, dependencies, bottlenecks, and risks across departments.
  • Help ensure cross-functional teams have visibility into upcoming launches, deliverables, and key dates.
  • Coordinate work across Creative, Product Development, Supply Chain and Operations, Marketing, Sales and Commercial teams, and external vendors and partners, particularly in Licensing and Collaborations.
  • Follow up with internal stakeholders to keep timelines, deliverables, feedback, and approvals on track.
  • Prepare agendas, notes, recaps, and action items for recurring cross-functional meetings, launch readiness reviews, and project check-ins.
  • Maintain clear communication between teams regarding priorities, ownership, timelines, and next steps.
  • Support the development of scalable processes, operating cadences, and documentation to improve organizational efficiency.
  • Maintain and update project management tools and workflow systems, including ClickUp and related operational platforms.
  • Ensure tasks, deadlines, owners, briefs, assets, and approvals are accurately reflected in internal systems.
  • Help teams use project management tools consistently and effectively.
  • Support dashboard updates, project trackers, standard operating procedures, and internal documentation.
  • Identify gaps in workflow, process, or system usage and escalate opportunities for improvement to the Brand Operations lead.
  • Coordinate and track creative deliverables across in-house teams and external freelance partners.
  • Maintain visibility into creative assignments, deadlines, feedback rounds, and approval status.
  • Organize and track a network of creative contractors and external service providers.
  • Support delivery of creative outputs, including product and packaging work, marketing, social, content, and direct-response deliverables.
  • Help ensure creative work is completed on time, within scope, and aligned with project priorities.
  • Identify potential timeline, resource, or execution risks early and escalate concerns appropriately.
  • Maintain accurate information on project status, outstanding needs, and upcoming deadlines to support leadership and cross-functional teams.
  • Assist with process improvements, workflow optimization, and operational problem-solving.
  • Support accountability, proactive planning, and clear communication across the organization.
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience working within a consumer brand, entertainment company, retail organization, agency, licensing business, or high-growth startup environment is preferred.

About the company

V

VeeFriends

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Website

VeeFriends creates and sells digital art NFTs based on 283 hand-drawn characters by Gary Vaynerchuk. Each NFT represents ownership of a unique image on the blockchain and comes with a license that lets the owner display the artwork on social media and non-commercial platforms. Buyers own the NFT and can trade it on NFT marketplaces; the creator earns royalties on secondary sales. VeeFriends also uses AI-powered tools for media intelligence and visual search to help manage and transform images and videos on its platform. The company differs from others by leveraging Gary Vaynerchuk’s brand, offering a fixed set of licensed characters, and combining NFT collectibles with built-in AI features for asset management. Its goal is to grow a dedicated community of digital art collectors and fans while earning revenue from initial NFT sales and ongoing royalties from secondary sales.

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

Seed

Total Funding

$50M

Headquarters

New York City, New York

Founded

2021

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • September 17, 2026 collectible coins expand VeeFriends into live-shopping retail.
  • 2026 Topps Chrome sold premium Sapphire, Mega, and Blaster formats across global channels.
  • Fanatics Fest 2026, Walmart Marketplace, and Whatnot keep VeeFriends visible to collectors.

What critics are saying

  • NFT demand remains fragile; VeeFriends still depends on GaryVee hype and collector speculation.
  • Reprints ended the newspaper comic strip in January 2026, shrinking original-media reach.
  • If Topps or live-shopping channels falter, VeeFriends loses its core revenue engine.

What makes VeeFriends unique

  • Gary Vaynerchuk’s brand powers VeeFriends’ collector demand and distribution.
  • Topps Chrome 2026 gives VeeFriends mainstream sports-card shelf space on June 10, 2026.
  • Burn Island ties NFTs, redemption, and physical collectibles into one ecosystem.

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

Benefits

  • Flexible Work Hours

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

1%

1 year growth

4%

2 year growth

0%
Licensing International
Oct 14th, 2026
Surprise hits are speeding up the licensing pace.

Surprise hits are speeding up the licensing pace. By Mark Seavy The speed at which licensing agreements are struck - and product arrives at retail - is accelerating amid a flow of surprise hit films and television series. And though last week's New York Comic Con (NYCC) showed that tentpole films (and the traditional assets that accompany them for brand licensing) aren't going anywhere, the event also made it clear that sleeper hit independent films and streaming series are changing the distribution dynamics. That shift follows horror film hits like Curry Barker's Obsession, produced by Universal Pictures, and Kane Parsons' Backrooms, distributed by A24 Entertainment, which were surprises at the box office but ultimately were slow to secure licensing deals. And several streaming hits, including KPop Demon Hunters, Ted Lasso, and Stranger Things, went on to become licensing success stories when products launched many months after their release. In the case of Stranger Things, the series was released in 2016 but the bulk of licensed merchandise did not arrive until the following year. The same held true for Ted Lasso, which gained attention with its first season in 2020 but did not field a large product assortment until the following year. In the case of Obsession, Funko had started to develop a Pop! figure featuring the Nikki Freeman character within two months of the film's release in May. The company relied on social listening to gauge interest and then used trailers and press photos to create a non-licensed version before getting approval from Universal for the final product, said James Bischoff, VP for Licensing and Business Development at Funko. The finished Nikki product is expected to be delivered by December. Funko also has boosted Mondo to 30 licenses from four when it acquired the company in 2022, including a 6.75-inch Masters of the Universe Mer-Man figure introduced at NYCC. There have been instances where companies were able to overcome traditional timelines in order to meet demand, however. For example, Spirit Halloween fielded products for KPop Demon Hunters just weeks after it exploded in popularity last summer. The Halloween retailer sped up production and launched costumes (Rumi, Mira, and Zoey) through its stores in October 2025 after the film was released on Netflix in the U.S. in June 2025. "Back in the day, there was a style guide and you started talking about the property 14 months out [from release] and you would build up from there," said Benjamin Butcher, a former Disney and Funko executive who founded Kaleidos Creative, which has introduced collectibles with its own IP and that of licensed artists though 250 Hot Topic and Box Lunch stores and 32 Newbury Comics outlets. "I do not think you have that as much anymore. The time for creating IP is smaller, everything is compressed, and you must be nimble." That need to be nimble is also being driven by shorter stays at retail, licensing industry executives said. While tentpole films once typically enjoyed a six-month run at retail for licensed products, that has since shrunk to 12-18 weeks. In aligning with that change, VeeFriends has been "caught by how quickly you can move with licensing," said Andy Krainak, President of VeeFriends, which has licensed its characters to Topps for trading cards. The company also released 22 issues of its comic book, including the most recent version featuring the new Gentle Giant character, and has collaborated with Authentic Brands Group's Reebok and Jazwares' Squishmallows. To shorten the development cycle, VeeFriends is managing product sourcing itself. But other suppliers maintain that how quickly licensed products can be brought to market varies by licensor. VeeFriends also plans to launch fruit snacks in 2027 using its own sourcing network, CEO Gary Vaynerchuk said. "There isn't consistency [in terms of approvals]," said Sergio Godinho, U.S. General Manager and Chief Operating Officer for trading card supplier Kayou, which unveiled a licensing agreement for Rainbow Group's Winx Club at NYCC and is readying its own Hari & Hacci plush pendants in expanding from deals with Feld Entertainment's Monster Jam, Viz Media's Naruto, Aniplex's Demon Slayer, and Hasbro's My Little Pony. "There definitely is more of an element of speed now, but I wouldn't say it is faster because sometimes it takes forever [to finalize an agreement]." But those agreements are ultimately coming together, with a number of new partnerships and line extensions seen at NYCC. LEGO, for example, continued to build out its Batman line with two Batmobile-based building sets and an addition to its wall art line with a 1,849-piece Joker set that's due January 1 and based on Detective Comics cover art first released in 2011. Marvel Comics, meanwhile, paired with Japanese publisher Kadokawa for five titles, including those featuring Deadpool, Iron Man, Spider-Gwen, Spider-Man, and Venom that combine Japan-set stories with manga adaptions. And NHS Inc.'s skateboard supplier Santa Cruz launched a blind bag collab with Pokémon that will pair boards and with 30 Pokémon trading card designs. "It is all a game of energy, and we try to do as much as we can with as many partners as we can to gain attention," Krainak said. "Every single week there is a new collaboration, and they conjure attention through their frequency. Other companies take a more curated approach."

VeeFriends
Oct 7th, 2026
VeeFriends x Funko Bitty POP! Mystery Collection arrives at New York Comic Con.

VeeFriends x Funko Bitty POP! Mystery Collection arrives at New York Comic Con. VeeFriends and Funko first teamed up at the 2024 New York Comic Con with the limited-edition Pop! Jolly Jack-O, winner of the 2024 PSA Gemmy for Best Funko POP!. Gold and Silver editions followed at NYCC in 2025. Now, the collaboration is bringing main character energy to a tiny new collection. Introducing the VeeFriends x Funko Bitty POP! Mystery Collection, available exclusively at the 2026 New York Comic Con. Featuring five fan-favorite VeeFriends characters and seven collectible versions, the collection puts a little mystery into every reveal. Each individually wrapped pack contains one Bitty POP! figure for you to discover, including Ambitious Angel, Decisive Duck, Moral Monkey, Rare Robot, and Zealous Zombie. The VeeFriends x Funko Bitty POP! Mystery Collection is available exclusively at VeeFriends Booth #2835 during New York Comic Con. The collection features individual packs and 24-pack cases. Eligible Series 1 Spectacular holders of the featured characters can also claim one case of the collection per eligible NFT owned from October 8th at 12 PM ET through October 22nd at 12 PM ET. Fast facts. * Collection: VeeFriends x Funko Bitty POP! Mystery Collection * Featured Characters: Ambitious Angel, Decisive Duck, Moral Monkey, Rare Robot, and Zealous Zombie * Inside Each Pack: One individually wrapped mystery Bitty POP! figure * Price: $3.99 per pack | $89.99 per 24-pack case * Where to Buy: Exclusively at VeeFriends Booth #2835 during New York Comic Con * Purchase Limits: None * Holder Benefit: Series 1 Spectacular holders of Ambitious Angel, Decisive Duck, Moral Monkey, Rare Robot, and Zealous Zombie can claim one case per eligible NFT owned * Holder Claim Window: October 8th at 12 PM ET through October 22nd at 12 PM ET via VeeFriends Shop Who's in the collection. The VeeFriends x Funko Bitty POP! Mystery Collection features five fan-favorite VeeFriends characters in seven collectible versions.

VeeFriends
Jul 15th, 2026
Everything you need to know about veefriends at Fanatics Fest | products, activations, livestreams.

Everything you need to know about veefriends at Fanatics Fest | products, activations, livestreams. VeeFriends is heading to New York City this week for Fanatics Fest 2026! Join the VeeFriends team at the Javits Center from Thursday, July 16th through Sunday, July 19th for a full weekend celebrating collectors, community, and the hobby. With three unique activations across the show floor, VeeFriends is bringing 2026 Topps Chrome VeeFriends, Sapphire Edition, graded comic books, collectibles, giveaways, community experiences, and more to one of the biggest weekends in sports culture and collecting. You can find VeeFriends, Inc. at: * VeeFriends Booth: #359 (Level 3) * VeeFriends Dealer Table: #2144 (Level 3) * VeeFriends @ Fanatics Collect Card Combine presented by AT&T (Level 1) Whether you're a longtime collector or discovering VeeFriends for the first time, there will be plenty of ways to get involved throughout the weekend. What you can expect at Fanatics Fest. VeeFriends will bring a variety of collectibles, products, and experiences to Fanatics Fest across three locations throughout the Javits Center. At the VeeFriends booths, collectors can shop a wide selection of products, including: * 2026 Topps Chrome VeeFriends * 2026 Topps Chrome VeeFriends Sapphire Edition * Graded VeeFriends comic books * Mini figurines * Raw cards * Slabs Beyond collecting, attendees can experience the VeeFriends community through giveaways, live content from the show floor, and opportunities to connect with the team throughout the weekend. Get VeeFriends's stories in your inbox. Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer. Fans can also participate in the Fanatics Collect Card Combine, a beginner-friendly experience designed to help attendees learn more about collecting and the hobby. Fanatics Fest 2026: your best shot at Topps Chrome VeeFriends Sapphire for less. Attending Fanatics Fest in person? This is your chance to enter a geo-gated EQL draw for the opportunity to purchase a box of 2026 Topps Chrome VeeFriends Sapphire Edition directly from the VeeFriends booth. Built on the same 200-character checklist as 2026 Topps Chrome VeeFriends, Sapphire Edition delivers an elevated collecting experience with premium Sapphire Chrome stock, substantially more limited print runs, two Sapphire-exclusive insert sets and ultra low numbered Sapphire-exclusive base parallels. Each Topps Chrome Sapphire Edition Box contains: 8 packs per box 4 cards per pack 4 numbered Sapphire parallels per box A limited number of Sapphire Edition boxes will be available exclusively for Fanatics Fest attendees through daily EQL draws. You'll have two chances to enter a geo-gated EQL draw on the Javits Center show floor for a shot at purchasing 2026 Topps Chrome VeeFriends Sapphire Edition. At 11am ET each day, head to VeeFriends Booth #359 and scan the QR code to enter. What: 1st chance Sapphire EQL Dates: Friday, July 17th Times: 11:00 AM ET - 4:00 PM ET Location: Booth #359 - scan the QR code to enter What: 2nd chance Sapphire EQL Date: Saturday, July 18th Times: 11:00 AM ET - 4:00 PM ET Location: Booth #359 - scan the QR code to enter Eligibility: Only attendees physically present at Fanatics Fest (geo-gated) Boxes Available Per EQL: 1 Price: $150 per box Winner Announcement: Email will be sent for winning confirmation later in the afternoon Pickup: Boxes must be picked up on-site by 11:00am ET on the following day of your EQL entry. This is one of the best opportunities for collectors attending Fanatics Fest to get their hands on 2026 Topps Chrome VeeFriends Sapphire Edition directly from VeeFriends. Good luck! Catch all the action on its livestreams. Can't make it to Fanatics Fest? You can still experience the action from wherever you are. The VeeFriends team will be creating live content directly from the show floor throughout the event, bringing collectors behind the scenes with product showcases, community moments, and more. Tune into veefriends.com/live to check out the livestreams that are listed below and follow along throughout the weekend!

VeeFriends
May 15th, 2026
Road to Chrome: spotlighting The MegaHeads insert in 2026 Topps Chrome VeeFriends.

Road to Chrome: spotlighting The MegaHeads insert in 2026 Topps Chrome VeeFriends. The rumblings beneath Burn Island have made their way to physical trading cards! The MegaHeads insert brings one of the most dramatic, gigantic, stylized visual upgrades in the VeeFriends universe straight to the 2026 Topps Chrome set. The MegaHeads insert is exclusive to the Mega Box format, so you won't find these larger-than-life characters anywhere else. It's a high-stakes, highly rewarding hunt that will have rippers, die-hard character fans, and Burn Island veterans clearing shelves to track down all 25 featured characters. Let's take a closer look at this Topps Chrome insert featuring these oversized characters. The Burn Island connection. To understand the MegaHeads insert, you have to trace its origins back to the digital ecosystem. In April 2026, Burn Island launched "Eruption: MegaHeads". This limited-time event allows Series 2 VeeFriends NFT holders to burn a Book Games token to swap their character's art to the brand-new "MegaHeads" pose (this Eruption is now open until September 4th, 2026). The upgrade completely transformed the characters, blowing up their proportions to feature a gigantic, oversized head treatment that changed how their expressions were perceived. Now, Topps has captured that exact larger-than-life energy on premium Chrome. MegaHeads evolves from digital to Physical in Chrome. This insert fully embraces the exaggerated visual energy of the digital Burn Island Eruption. Looking at the Very, Very, Very, Very Lucky Black Cat and Notorious Ninja cards above, the characters' massive, stylized heads take center stage, creating an intense yet playful presence. The cards themselves feature a swirling, tunnel-like vortex background in varying shades, drawing the eye directly to the oversized characters. The massive, stylized "MEGAHEADS" title font sits proudly at the top, perfectly matching the loud, fun energy of the art. Get VeeFriends's stories in your inbox. Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer. While these two cards are a perfect showcase, they are just two examples of how this entire set completely breaks the traditional visual rules. Across the entire MegaHeads checklist, characters trade their classic proportions for this humongous, larger-than-life presentation. When combined with premium Topps Chrome technology, these exaggerated designs become incredibly striking. The high-gloss metallic finish makes the oversized faces visually pop off the surface, while the swirling vortex backgrounds create a mesmerizing depth that is only amplified by the cards' reflective shine. The rarities: Base: 1 per box on average Look for Ultra Rare Red Refractors /5 and a Superfractor 1/1 for every character. Why MegaHeads is A must-have. * Digital-to-Physical Bridge: The MegaHeads insert perfectly encapsulates an Eruption from VeeFriends' Burn Island and immortalizes it on a Topps Chrome card. * The Mega Chase: Since the MegaHeads insert is strictly exclusive to the Mega Box format, these cards provide a highly specific and targeted chase for collectors. * Visual Disruption: The oversized proportions and intense expressions completely break the traditional mold of VeeFriends character art, making them stand out drastically in a binder or display. Which characters are featured in The MegaHeads insert. The MegaHeads insert features 25 characters built around the oversized, exaggerated character heads from Burn Island's Eruption: MegaHeads. MegaHeads come exclusively in the Mega Box format. Featured characters: Adventurous Astronaut, Ambitious Angel, Be The Bigger Person, Clever Crocodile, Common Sense Cow, Competitive Clown, Dynamic Dinosaur, Fearless Fairy, Heart Trooper, Hustling Hamster, Jolly Jack-O, Kind Warrior, Knowing Gnome, Modest Moose, Notorious Ninja, Optimistic Otter, Passionate Parrot, Ponder It From All Angles, Rare Robot, Resilient Red Devil, Self-Aware Hare, Sensitive Centipede, Steadfast Snake, Very, Very, Very, Very, Lucky Black Cat, and Zealous Zombie. The ultimate chase in the MegaHeads set is the Very, Very, Very, Very, Lucky Black Cat, who is the iconic character that proudly serves as the official VeeFriends logo. But not far behind is the elusive Notorious Ninja, especially for the incredibly lucky collector who manages to pull its 1/1 SuperFractor. 2026 Topps Chrome VeeFriends arrives for global release on June 10th! Stay locked in for all 2026 Topps Chrome VeeFriends updates, reveals, early access opportunities, and availability of Topps Chrome in retail locations by signing up at veefriends.com/chrome.

VeeFriends
Dec 19th, 2025
RoundUp: Koala 2025 Briefcase Announced, Comic Book #9 Sales End, 2026 TCG Updates And 2025 TCG Championship Recap & MORE!

RoundUp: Koala 2025 briefcase announced, Comic Book #9 sales end, 2026 TCG updates and 2025 TCG Championship recap & MORE! As the end of 2025 approaches, VeeFriends, LLC at VeeFriends want to thank you for reading along this year. VeeFriends, LLC put together the RoundUp each week to bring you digestible recaps of the latest and greatest happenings at VeeFriends, and VeeFriends, LLC truly appreciate your interest and passion for the brand. With that said, here's a look back at everything that happened in its final week of 2025. This Week at VeeFriends: VeeFriends announced 18 unique collectibles that will be delivered to Koala holders in the Koala 2025 Collector's Briefcase, Comic Book #9 sales concluded with a Whatnot drop hosted by GaryVee, a champion was crowned at the 2025 VeeFriends TCG Championship, VeeFriends announced significant changes coming to VeeFriends TCG in 2026, and more! Let's look back at a week where everyone started talking about Koalas all of a sudden, and for good reason. Koalas, you have A delivery. Koala 2025 began as a mysterious BOOK GAMES NFT released in 2022 with a briefcase marked "2025." Now? It's open. VeeFriends officially unveiled the Koala 2025 Collector's Briefcase, a highly exclusive and premium reward for Koala 2025 and Series 1 Keynote Koala holders included in a December 18th snapshot. This custom briefcase is packed with eighteen one-of-a-kind collectibles that celebrate the VeeFriends Class of 2022. * a Koala Series 1 Chase Case (8 of which unlock a Series 1 Gary Originally Owned NFT redemption) * six Manga Metals: Series O (made with pure silver or gold) * five yearbook-style Class of 2022 pins * one 24K gold-plated coin * one VeeFriends x Hagley West Watch * Black and white variants of VeeFriends Comic Books #5, #7, and #8 (including one signed book by the cover artist) * one Koala 2025 Super Sticker. On January 14, 2026, eligible Koala holders will receive an NFT airdrop to the wallet that held the eligible token at the time of the snapshot. They can then burn that NFT to redeem their physical briefcase via Burn Island. Shipping begins in Q1 2026 (January through March). VeeFriends will cover global shipping, and duties. Eligible Koala holders have until December 31st, 2026 to redeem. Get VeeFriends's stories in your inbox. Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer. Congratulations to everyone included in the snapshot. This is a truly special moment for the Koala community. VeeFriends, LLC can't wait to see these briefcases opened, explored, and shared as they begin shipping in early 2026. The story of Kind Warrior has begun. Comic Book #9: Kind Warrior finally became available to fans this week, beginning with an exclusive holder sale followed by a public sale, and a live sale on Whatnot with GaryVee. If you missed any of these sales, don't worry! Remaining inventory will continue to be sold on upcoming VeeFriends live shows on Whatnot and TikTok. A champion was crowned and 2026 updates. The 2025 VeeFriends TCG season wrapped up in Los Angeles and DanTheMan emerged as champion. Thank you to everyone who traveled out to LA to compete! VeeFriends, LLC had a blast! What's ahead for VeeFriends TCG in 2026. VeeFriends then shared its TCG plans for 2026, which include premium prizes for top finishers and a streamlined tournament path with three official qualifying events before the 2026 championship. Competitors will be able to earn points on the leaderboard beginning with a community-driven event hosted alongside iBenKind and Wh1skyjak in Lufkin, TX. The next qualifying event will be at San Diego Comic-Con in July. The final qualifying event takes place at The National 2026 in Chicago in late July/early August. The Championship is set for October where top leaderboard players and additional qualifiers will compete for the title. Leaderboard points will only be earned at the four VeeFriends-hosted tournaments. From one token... to Sapphire. The Fair Entry Draw for Burn Island Eruption: Sapphire Box closed this week. One lucky BOOK GAMES holder won the Topps VeeFriends Chrome 2025 Sapphire Box, a treasure valued around $6,000. The Sapphire Box was up for grabs for just one BOOK GAMES token in the Fair Entry Draw. Congratulations to the winner on securing this iconic prize from the first Base-era Eruption! Burn Island Eruption: Sapphire Box is an example of the incredible opportunities that await when you activate your tokens on Base, which is the only way you can participate in future Eruptions and Treasure Chests on Burn Island. Comic of the week.