Strategic partnership ideas for putting Pod Plug's physical vending network together with RipIt's digital collecting platform.
RipIt is Logan Paul's new gamified Pokémon collecting platform, launched in February 2026 right after he sold his PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator card for $16.5 million (world record for a trading card). The platform lets users buy into digital pack rips for a chance at real, physical graded cards.
It's built around a leaderboard/waitlist system where users climb ranks, invite friends, and unlock access to rarer pulls. Think of it as the digital version of what our Pokémon machines do in person.
Why we're looking at them: Their content is guerrilla marketing at its best. They're all about the thrill of ripping packs, which is exactly the experience our Pokémon vending machines deliver in the real world. RipIt owns digital. We own physical. There's a natural overlap here.
Run RipIt promo content on all Pod Plug machine ad screens. Every machine has an HD screen that loops branded content to everyone who walks by or makes a purchase. RipIt clips, pack-rip highlights, QR codes to download the app. Thousands of daily impressions across 16 states.
Quick WinWrap select Pokémon vending machines in RipIt branding. The machines become walking billboards in malls, grocery stores, and airports. RipIt gets physical presence in high-traffic locations they'd never normally access. We get a machine that looks 10x cooler and attracts more buyers.
Medium LiftAfter someone buys packs from a Pod Plug machine, the screen shows a QR code: "Loved ripping packs? Do it digitally on RipIt." We funnel real-world collectors directly into their platform. Trackable with unique QR codes per market so both sides can see conversion data.
Quick WinEvery Pod Plug Pokémon purchase comes with a code that gives you bonus points, a free digital rip, or leaderboard credit on RipIt. Bridges the physical-to-digital gap. Gives our customers a reason to download RipIt. Gives RipIt users a reason to seek out our machines.
Big SwingRipIt x Pod Plug exclusive packs or promo cards only available through our vending machines. Creates scarcity, drives foot traffic to our locations, and gives collectors a reason to talk about both brands. Limited drops could tie into RipIt's leaderboard milestone unlocks.
Big SwingThe dream scenario. Logan Paul walks up to a Pod Plug machine, rips packs on camera. One post from him could put Pod Plug in front of tens of millions of people. Even a story mention or a quick TikTok would be massive. We could stage this at one of our mall or airport locations for maximum visual impact.
Big SwingA recurring content series where we compare physical vs. digital pack rips. "Which way do you rip?" Pod Plug machines vs. RipIt app, side by side. Creates organic engagement, drives followers both ways, and taps into the pack-ripping community that already loves both formats.
Medium LiftPhysical brand presence in 163+ high-traffic locations they'd never access otherwise. A direct-to-consumer funnel from real-world collectors into their platform. Co-branding that makes them feel like more than just an app. Content opportunities at real vending locations.
Association with Logan Paul and the biggest name in Pokémon collecting right now. Massive organic social exposure to millions of followers. Cooler-looking machines that attract more buyers. A stronger pitch to new venues ("we're partnered with Logan Paul's platform").
RipIt just launched off a $16.5M world-record moment. They're building buzz and need physical touchpoints. We're scaling Pokémon machines into new markets. Both brands are in growth mode. First-mover advantage matters here.
Same exact demographic: Gen Z and millennial Pokémon collectors aged 18-30 who are into both physical and digital collecting. Our machine buyers are their ideal platform users. Their followers are our ideal customers.
Cost. Logan Paul's team isn't cheap. The ad screen and QR code ideas (Ideas 1 and 3) could potentially be pitched as value exchanges rather than paid deals, since we're giving RipIt free physical distribution. The bigger ideas (machine wraps, content collabs) would likely involve budget. Worth figuring out what we're willing to spend before the conversation starts.
Who to contact. We'd need to find the right person on the RipIt team. Probably not Logan directly. Look for a partnerships or BD lead. Could also try reaching out through Instagram DMs to @ripit or through their launch page at launch.ripit.co.
Start small. Recommend leading with Ideas 1 and 3 (screen takeover + QR funnel) as a no-cost pilot. If the numbers look good, that opens the door for wraps, content collabs, and the bigger plays.
Exclusivity angle. Could be worth offering RipIt exclusive screen placement (no competing Pokémon brands on our ad screens) in exchange for social mentions. Exclusivity is a bargaining chip.
In case Ethan's direct connection to Logan's team doesn't pan out, here's a list of backup contacts and channels worth pursuing. Prioritized from most likely to get us in the door to longer shots.
Co-founder of Impaulsive, long-time business partner of Logan Paul, and involved in most of Logan's deals. If anyone is going to forward a partnership idea to Logan, it's Mike. Instagram: @mikemajlak. Worth a DM or finding his email through his team.
Top PriorityHey Mike, Ethan here, founder of Pod Plug. Long-time Impaulsive listener.
Quick context. I run 163 vending machines across 16 states, and a growing number of them are Pokémon card machines placed in malls, grocery stores, and airports.
I saw the RipIt launch and I think there's a real partnership opportunity between Pod Plug and RipIt. RipIt owns the digital pack-ripping experience. Pod Plug owns the physical one.
I have a handful of ideas that I think could move the needle for both sides, from ad screen placements to co-branded machines to a content play with Logan.
Would you be open to pointing me to the right person on your team? I'll bring the ideas and the numbers.
Appreciate it either way.
Once the official platform launches fully, there will likely be a partnerships or BD email on the site. Start by emailing partnerships@ripit.co or hello@ripit.co. Also check launch.ripit.co for a contact form.
Easy SendHi team,
I'm Ethan Kohan, founder and CEO of Pod Plug. We operate 163 specialty vending machines across 16 states, with a rapidly expanding fleet of Pokémon card vending machines placed in malls, grocery stores, and airports.
I'm reaching out because I think there's a strong strategic fit between Pod Plug and RipIt.
RipIt is building the best digital pack-ripping experience. Pod Plug is building the physical one. Our customers are your ideal platform users, and your users are our ideal customers. Same audience, different channel.
A few ideas I'd love to explore: RipIt-branded content on our HD machine ad screens, QR integrations that funnel in-store buyers into RipIt, full machine wraps on select Pokémon machines, and co-branded product drops or content collaborations.
Could we set up 15 to 20 minutes with whoever on your team handles partnerships? I'll come prepared with the ideas, the numbers, and flexibility on structure.
Looking forward to it.
The official RipIt Instagram account is actively posting content. A short, direct DM from Ethan's @vendingguyethan account could get seen quickly, especially if we lead with a hook like "we run 163 Pokémon vending machines, want to partner with RipIt."
Quick SendHey team, Ethan here, founder of Pod Plug. We run 163 specialty vending machines across 16 states, including a growing fleet of Pokémon card machines in malls, grocery stores, and airports.
Watched the launch. Huge fan of what you're building.
I think there's a real partnership here. RipIt is building the best digital pack-ripping experience, and Pod Plug is building the physical one. Same audience, different channel.
Who should I talk to on your team about partnerships? Happy to send over a quick doc with a few ideas.
Goldin hosted the $16.5M Pikachu Illustrator auction where RipIt was announced. Ken is deeply plugged into Logan's collectibles orbit and could warm-intro us to the RipIt team. Worth reaching out on LinkedIn or via Goldin's partnerships channel.
Warm IntroHey Ken,
I'm Ethan Kohan, founder and CEO of Pod Plug. We run 163 specialty vending machines across 16 states, including a growing fleet of Pokémon card vending machines in malls, grocery stores, and airports.
Congrats on the Pikachu Illustrator auction. Incredible moment for the whole collecting world.
I'm reaching out because I think there's a natural partnership between Pod Plug and RipIt, and you're probably one of the best-connected people in this space. I'd love to find the right person on Logan's team to talk to.
Would you be open to a quick intro if it feels like a fit?
Appreciate any direction you can point me in.
Impaulsive moved to the WWE & Fanatics digital content network in 2025. Fanatics has a massive BD team and already operates in collectibles (Topps, trading cards). A Fanatics partnerships rep might know exactly who to connect us with on the RipIt side.
Warm IntroLonger shot but huge upside: pitch Ethan as a guest on Impaulsive. Story: 25-year-old who built $6M+ in vending machines, now putting Pokémon machines in malls. Young entrepreneur story, Pokémon angle, guerrilla marketing vibe. Gets us in front of Logan directly.
Long ShotDarren Rovell broke the RipIt launch news on X. He's deeply connected to Logan and the collectibles world. Getting a story about "Pod Plug vending machines meet Logan Paul's RipIt" into his coverage could force the conversation and get RipIt's attention organically.
Creative AngleThis one goes directly to Logan if Ethan can get it in front of him. Peer-to-peer tone. Clear. Confident. Not starstruck. Ends with a small, specific ask.
Why this email works: Opens with credibility (163 machines, 16 states) in line one. References the auction and RipIt launch so he knows we're paying attention. Frames the partnership as a clean value exchange with no pitch-heavy energy. Peer-to-peer tone throughout. Ends with a small, specific ask — 15 minutes with his partnerships person, not Logan himself.