Despite Layoffs, Funko Says Poster Line Will Continue [Updated]

Posted on | by GDL

Update: Amid all of the drama on Friday, Gizmodo reporter Germain Lussier, who was working on his story about the layoffs, Tweeted that he had heard from his sources that Funko had not officially ended the Mondo poster line.

Meanwhile, a rep for Mondo told Collider that although layoffs did take place, “the poster business will continue.”

We’ll update this story as/if more comes out. In the meantime, you can watch Jay and John talk about this story on this week’s Toy Geeks over on the Geek. Dad. Life. YouTube page.

First, they trashed POPS. Now, they’ve gutted a beloved pop culture brand.

The Wrap broke the news today that beleaguered company Funko laid off most of the staff of Mondo and ended its poster division and The Lab, a division meant for cutting-edge experiences and products. Only two divisions remain for now: toys and records. Funko bought Mondo from Alamo Drafthouse less than a year ago, in June 2022, for $14 million in cash. The company had 30 full-time employees at the time of the sale.

According to their website, Mondo began as in 2004 as a “quasi-bootleg t-shirt shop” in the basement of a movie theater in Austin, TX. They expanded in 2007, working with artists and studios to design licensed products. They started with posters then added soundtrack LPs, and eventually toys and other items.

The Lab division was run by Mondo co-founder Rob Jones. Both Jones and his co-founder Mitch Putnam were a part of the layoffs. Senior creative director Eric Garza also has been laid off. As of right now, Funko has not made any official comments about the news.

News spread quickly over social media, with everyone from artists to small business to actor Elijah Wood lamenting the decision.

What are your thoughts on Funko gutting Mondo and laying off its workers? Let us know in the comments.