Meet the Masterminds of Fanattik – Chapter 5, Louise
We’re a close-knit family here at Fanattik HQ (in fact, two of our directors are married to one another), and we’re all passionate about film, TV, gaming, and many other geeky pursuits. Join us as we pull back the curtain and introduce you to the brilliant minds behind the scenes. Get ready to meet the team driving the creation of your favourite treasures!
Chapter 5 – Louise Marks – C-3PO - Colleagues, Comms & Culture
How long have you been with Fanattik and what does your job entail?
Anthony and I were dating when he set up the business so I’ve been involved in one way or another from the very beginning. My home was the first office and warehouse we had, I used to load up my first daughter’s buggy with parcels to take to the post office and when I was on maternity leave with my second daughter I’d drive around with her whilst delivering to warehouses. These days I work closely with Oli, our Head of Digital and Tom in e-commerce and with my fellow directors Anthony, Melissa & Luiz on the future direction of the business.
Which brands that Fanattik work with are your favourites?
We work with so many film, TV & gaming titles now that it’s hard to choose a favourite. Back to the Future and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles take me right back to my 80s childhood (I even remember TMNT being styled as Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles in the UK) whilst Friends is from my teen years (Friday nights at uni we didn’t go out until after it had been on Channel 4) and I loved Mean Girls in my 20s (I can’t believe that was 20 years ago already). As you can see, nostalgia plays quite the role in my selection!
What's your favourite products that Fanattik have produced?
The Jurassic Park opening weekend 24k gold plated ticket. It was limited to 1,000 worldwide and we sold out the same day when we launched it in 2020. It was in the early days of covid and in the hardest of times the support and encouragement we had from the Jurassic Park fan community was incredible.
I’ve also got my eye on some of the pieces that are currently in development for some new titles so watch this space.
Away from Fanattik, what’s your favourite film/TV Show/video game/tabletop game?
I don’t think I can narrow it down to only one…
Favourite films – Legally Blonde, Mean Girls, Elf, Home Alone
Favourite TV shows – Big Bang Theory, Manifest, Queer Eye, NCIS, Friday Night Dinner
Video Game – Mario Kart 8 (on Nintendo Switch with my children) and does Wordle count?
Board/tabletop Game – Scrabble, Rummikub and chess but it has to be The Simpsons 3D chess set from the late 90s/00s that my 10 year old spent her own money on in the charity shop as a Christmas gift for Anthony
Do you have any interesting geeky stories?
I used to go and hang out on the set of SMTV and CD:UK when I was in my late teens/early twenties as I had a friend that worked at ITV so I remember being part of an audience of about 20 and watching Jennifer Lopez perform, that was pretty special. I also interned a little at GQ magazine and worked the door at a couple of their GQ Men of the Year awards, I noted the more well-known the celebrity was, the more polite they were, greeting us on their way in (most notably Sir Paul McCartney). I’ve met Andrew Garfield too although that was way before he became a famous actor. He was a few years below me at school and his Dad was my swimming coach for years.
