AutoT Portal to Launch With Exclusively Licensed Lithographs by Artist Bob Ross
By Gary Symons
TLL Editor in Chief
Walmart has taken a bold step into the world of digital collectibles, partnering with NECA to launch a new platform called AutoT.
The National Entertainment Collectibles Association and Walmart have already created what they say is a “first of its kind revolutionary digital collectible platform featuring limited-edition figures and collectibles.”
AutoT is launching exclusively at Walmart in select stores nationwide with first of their kind Bob Ross Lithographs. Ross is the beloved host of the popular television show The Joy of Painting, and is as familiar to millions of people around the world as much for his soothing voice and encouraging instructions as for his amazing ability to bring beautiful scenes to life from blank canvas to completion in each half-hour episode.
Now, for the first time ever, fans can adorn their homes with 10 different officially licensed prints of some of Ross’s most expressive paintings.
So, what exactly is AutoT?
Essentially, the AutoT website was built by NECA as a collectible platform featuring limited edition figures and collectibles.
Once a customer purchases an AUTO T box at Walmart, they enter the digital code found on their Walmart receipt into their personal account at AutoTvault.com to reveal which collectible item they’ve received.
Collectors can store their digital collectible for up to two years free of charge in the NECA Vault or have the physical item shipped to them.
As well, AutoT is not just an ecommerce platform, as it also allows users to trade or sell their collectibles on the platform. For both Walmart and NECA, AutoT is a major step into the world of digital collectibles that up until now has been dominated by NFT platforms like Open Sea.
“At Walmart, we are always finding new ways to bring innovation and one-of-a-kind offerings to our customers,” said Laura Rush, SVP, Electronics, Toys & Seasonal at Walmart U.S. “NECA’s unique collectibles and inventive AutoT platform offers a new type of shopping experience to shoppers, ensuring that Walmart is bringing the best in tech and entertainment to customers nationwide.”
NECA says the AutoT platform allows fans to buy and trade with confidence, guaranteeing the authenticity of the collectibles. The AutoT website uses patent pending blockchain technology to track the authenticity and ownership history of AutoTcollectibles so fans can buy, sell and trade on the platform, knowing the items are verified as authentic.
“NECA is the world leader in pop culture figures and collectibles,” said Joel Weinshanker, managing partner of NECA, “Partnering with Walmart, we are excited to bring exclusive NECA merchandise featuring today’s hottest IPs into the digital world.”
In addition to the Bob Ross lithographs, AutoT is launching with new-to-market figures from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, featuring Shredder, Renet, and Foot Soldier. Fans will also have a chance to receive rare chase variants signed by co-creator Kevin Eastman.
The first AutoT sale started on Oct. 6 online at Walmart.com and in select stores nationwide on Oct. 15, and new products will be dropping at regular intervals, the companies say.