Fuzzballs Creator Marc Sach Talks Origins, Fan Power, and the New Fanattik Collab
The world of Fuzzballs is a whirlwind of cuteness, personality, and joy – and now, thanks to a new collaboration with Fanattik, fans can get their paws on an all-new range of Fuzzballs gifts and collectibles.
We caught up with Marc Sach, the creator of Fuzzballs, to talk about how the brand began, what drives its success, and why working with Fanattik felt like the perfect match.
From a T-Shirt Tiger to a Global Brand
Fuzzballs wasn’t born in a boardroom – it started as a humble doodle from Marc’s imagination.
“Back in the early 2000s, I designed a playful tiger for a t-shirt. I loved the idea of taking a powerful animal and making it super cute and approachable. That idea stuck with me,” says Marc.
“In 2013, I finally sat down during a lunch break and started bringing those ideas to life using Illustrator. I was exploring vector art and wanted to create something simple, stylized, and above all – cute.”
That lunch break sketch became Timmy the Tiger, the first Fuzzball, and soon led to an entire cast of lovable, round, squishy characters: from Whisky the Cat to Ollie the Bunny and beyond. Sharing early doodles online gained a passionate following on Tumblr, and demand quickly snowballed into merchandise.
“People started asking for t-shirts, mugs, stickers – and I realized this was more than just a side project.”
777 Products and Counting
Fast forward to today, and Fuzzballs has become a major lifestyle brand. There are 777 products available just on the official website, including clothing, plush toys, enamel pins, chocolate bars, and even soda.
“It’s not about one big hit product. Our fans build a whole experience around their favourite characters – they’ll grab a mug, a tote, some stickers, maybe a shirt too. It’s part of why we’ve lasted. People love the entire world we’ve built.”
Seasonal and limited-edition collections also drive serious excitement. From video game mashups to sushi-themed sets, Marc says fans can’t get enough of exclusive items that reflect their interests.
“It’s all about fun, collectability, and self-expression.”
And the numbers back it up – Fuzzballs social media stickers have been used over 2 billion times, helping to expand its global presence across retailers like HMV, WHSmith, Hot Topic, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Scribbler, and more.
A Collaboration Made in Cute Heaven
So what made Fanattik the right partner?
“I’d followed Anthony Marks [Fanattik MD] for a while and really respected his passion. When we met, I realized Fanattik gets it. They don’t just slap a logo on a product – they design collectibles that fans actually care about.”
Marc was especially impressed with products like Fanattik’s Jurassic Park employee badge – something niche but cool, perfect for a fan’s desk or shelf.
“That’s exactly what people want. Not just merch – meaningful merch.”
The first wave of Fuzzballs x Fanattik collectibles includes a desk pad, mystery pins, a bottle opener, a coin, tech decals, and more – with plans to expand further.
“The collectible coin is probably my personal favourite. There’s something really special about holding a little piece of the brand in your hand.”
Built By Fans, For Fans
Marc’s journey from T-shirt designer to brand director wasn’t driven by business ambition – it was powered by creativity and community.
“I’m not a businessperson. I’m a creator who’s learned the business stuff along the way. Our fans are the real bosses – they tell us what they want, and we listen.”
And that’s what keeps Fuzzballs authentic. The characters have stories and quirks that resonate with people of all ages.
“Timmy’s silly and clumsy. Whisky loves junk food and naps. Ollie’s all about cookies. Everyone sees a little bit of themselves in them.”
When asked to pick a favourite Fuzzball, Marc pauses.
“Honestly, I love them all. But the fans are my true favourite. They’ve helped build this brand from the ground up. And now, with Fanattik, we get to give them even more ways to enjoy the world they’ve helped create.”
Shop the brand-new Fuzzballs x Fanattik range now here – and prepare for a serious dose of cute.