LEGO changes its employee minifigure business card policy, making them rarer than ever

October 4, 2023 | 0

Some bad news for fans hoping to get their hands on a LEGO employee minifigure business card. LEGO have recently changed their internal policy for these business cards, and they are now only limited to those in the active owner family (aka if your last name is Kristiansen), or those in LEGO’s Executive Leadership team.

It was noted by attendees of Skaerbaek (and even myself during my recent trip to Billund) that LEGO employees weren’t handing out their minifigure business cards, as was the practice for years.

If you’re unaware, LEGO produces these Minifigure Business Cards in the likeness of employees, with their names on the front, and contact details and email addresses printed on the back. These are usually reserved for senior employees (Director-level), or those with high-profile external roles, especially those that have plenty of contact with LEGO fans and AFOLs.

It was customary to receive one when meeting LEGO employees, or to trade with them if you bumped into them at LEGO Conventions and events, so I think plenty of LEGO fans will be disappointed with this news.

Here’s the official statement below

Official statement via the LEGO Ambassador Network

We recognize the culture of trading amongst fans and trading minifigures with employees. We recently made the change that employee minifigure business cards will be for the active owner family and ELT. We could see a new culture develop for other LEGO employees and departments but with this change just happening, we don’t know what the future holds.

There were complexities with the administration, and production of these business cards, especially with the growth of The LEGO Group that it seems like this sweeping change was put in place to reduce complexities, and I guess cut costs at the same time.

Anecdotally, in recent years, I had heard from senior LEGO employees that it was taking longer than usual for their business cards to be replenished, so it seems like there were also production bottlenecks with these, especially as they’re freely handed out to business and external partners, in the same way you’d do a conventional business card.

This is speculative, but I also think that LEGO wasn’t a fan of the secondary market and incredibly high valuations of these minifigure business cards.

As they are very rare, and typically only handed out for special occasions or during business meetings, they have developed a cult following, especially with high end collectors, who would spend hundreds of dollars on eBay or Bricklink for these business cards.

I can see why LEGO wants to dissuade this practice, but it’s still disappointing nonetheless.

Sad news if you’ve been holding out for one of these to be gifted to you, but I’ll leave you with this incredible collection of business cards which was on display at Skaerbaek Fan Weekend 2022 by Jesper Andersen.

I reckon with this news, the price and valuation of these business cards have now skyrocketed as LEGO have now made them rarer and more coveted than ever now that they’re all but “retired” unless you’re part of the owner family or Executive Leadership Team.

Do you have any LEGO Minifigure Business Cards in your collection? What do you think of these?

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