An ICv2 Release.  Top comics and manga, digital, and media executives; animation producers; and world-famous comic creators are gathering at the ICv2 Conference on Comics & Digital II on the eve of New York Comic Con to discuss the accelerating changes in comics being driven by technology, by changes in the audience, and by the increasing transmedia uses of comics. 

A last-minute addition, a Fireside Chat between Nerdist Industries Co-Founder (and Talking Dead host) Chris Hardwick and famed animation producer Fred Seibert, will cap off the afternoon, leading into a cocktail reception where attendees can meet, mingle, and talk about the day’s events. 

The ICv2 Conference, for comics and graphic novel publishers, digital executives, comic creators, retailers and wholesalers, librarians and educators, producers, agents, and managers, and licensees, licensors, and marketers will be held at the Javits Center on Wednesday afternoon, October 10th.  The panels and presentations will analyze what’s happening in comics now, where the industry is going, and how to embrace the future that’s rapidly emerging.

Speakers and panelists at the ICv2 Conference include:

 

Presented by Milton Griepp, ICv2.

 

Mark Banaszak, Managing Editor, Diamond BookShelf; Editor, Kidscomics.com

Carol Burrell, Editorial Director, Graphic Universe (Lerner)

Ed Masessa, Senior Manager Product Development, Scholastic Book Fairs

Francoise Mouly, Publisher and Editorial Director, Toon Books

Jim Salicrup, Editor in Chief, Papercutz

Moderated by Scott Robins, librarian, co-author of A Parent’s Guide to the Best Kids Comics.

 

Dave Gibbons, Artist, Writer, Advisory Board Member--Madefire

Brian Haberlin, Co-founder, Anomaly Productions

Hank Kanalz--SVP Digital, DC Entertainment

John Roberts, Co-founder, comiXology

Mark Waid, Writer, Founder, Thrillbent

Moderated by Heidi MacDonald, comic editor and commentator from The Beat

 

Dan Buckley, Publisher, President--Print, Animation, Digital, Marvel

Peter Levin, CEO, Nerdist Industries, and Co-President, Digital Strategy of Legendary Ent.

Alvin Lu, Executive Vice President Publishing, Viz Media

Michael Murphey, CEO, iVerse

David Steinberger, CEO, comiXology

Moderated by Rob Salkowitz, writer of Comic-Con and the Business of Pop Culture

 

Chris Hardwick, Founder and Chief Creative Officer, Nerdist Industries

Fred Seibert, Founder and CEO, Frederator Studios

 

Cocktail Reception, sponsored by Nerdist and Samsung, follows the panels!

 

For more information, click here.

 

Registration for the event is available here.

 

New York Comic Con-credentialed press, just RSVP to MGriepp@ICv2.com

 

ICv2 is the #1 industry source on the business of geek culture, including comics and graphic novels, manga and anime, movie/TV products, and hobby games daily on its Website, ICv2.com, and in its magazine, Internal Correspondence. For the people on the front lines of the geek culture business, staying ahead of the trends isn't something that can be left to chance-it's a basic necessity for being successful. That's why ICv2 is the #1 source of news and information for the buyers, gatekeepers, and tastemakers on the front lines. ICv2 is where trend-watching has become a science.

Founded in 2007 with the mission of bringing comics to people everywhere, comiXology--in just five short years--has revolutionized the comic book and graphic novel world.  From creating the industry leading platform for digital comics to tools and services for brick and mortar retailers, comiXology has led the charge in exposing new audiences to the rich history and culture of comic books.  With the development of the Comics by comiXology digital comics platform--available across iPhone, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire and the Web--comiXology provides the easiest way worldwide for people to enjoy comics at just the click of a button!

Nerdist Industries is a multi-platform creator of genre and popular culture content.  Their online presence includes a website at Nerdist.com, a premium YouTube channel (youtube.com/nerdist), the Nerdist News daily e-newsletters, 1.7 million Twitter fans and a podcast network including the flagship Nerdist Podcast which is also produced as a TV show on BBC America.  Nerdist hosts live events such as The Nerdist Podcast Live! and Course of the Force, an annual Comic-Con lightsaber relay in partnership with Lucasfilm LTD.  In July 2012, Nerdist Industries was acquired by Legendary Entertainment, the company behind such genre films as Inception, Watchmen, 300, Man of Steel and The Dark Knight Trilogy.

Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, (Samsung Mobile) a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets, wireless infrastructure and other telecommunications products throughout North America.  For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.

Publishers Weekly is the leading publication serving all segments involved in the creation, production, marketing and sale of the written word in book, audio, video and electronic formats.  It is the prime source of comprehensive news and provides unique industry data including an annotated bestseller list, hot deals and retail news.  PW is recognized as the leading publication for international and U.S. book publishing industry.  PW's Website, PublishersWeekly.com is packed with great information from the hottest industry news to book reviews to the popular e-newsletters, which includes PW ComicsWorld.

The Beat, now in its eighth year, is dedicated to providing the timeliest and most pertinent news and information about comics, the people who make them, the readers who love them and the world that shapes them.  Heidi MacDonald is an Eisner Award-nominated writer and editor and a veteran entertainment industry journalist. As an editor she has worked for Disney, Warner Bros., and Fox, among many others.

New York Comic Con is the East Coast's biggest and most exciting popular culture convention. Our show floor plays host to the latest and greatest in comics, graphic novels, anime, manga, video games, toys, movies, and television.  Our panels and autograph sessions give fans a chance to interact with their favorite creators.  Our screening rooms feature sneak peeks at films and television shows months before they hit either big or small screens.  And with dedicated professional hours, New York Comic Con is a market place, bringing together the major players in the entertainment industry.  New York Comic Con is the second largest pop culture convention in America with over 105,000 attendees in 2011, and the only one that takes place in the comic book, publishing, media, and licensing capital of the world--Gotham City.