ICv2 caught up with Wizard Entertainment owner Gareb Shamus at Wizard World in Chicago and got the inside skinny on what's really going on at WizardWorld.com.  Despite rumors that WizardWorld would cease creating new content for its site, Shamus told us that he actually expects improved content on the site in the coming months.  He believes the rumors began when WizardWorld, Inc. laid off its New York City staff and moved to Congers, where the site will have around eight or nine employees, down from a high of 25.   WizardWorld, Inc. is the owner of the WizardWorld.com website.  Wizard Entertainment publishes Wizard, Toy Fare, Inquest et. al. and runs the Wizard World conventions.  Wizard Entertainment is headquartered in Congers, New York, and has an ad sales office in New York City.  Once the site operations are sharing space with the magazines, Shamus said that the content-sharing between the print publications and the website will be expanded, allowing the site to draw on the editorial material being created for the magazines on an ongoing basis.  He said that a hosting switch at the same time as the move to Congers had taken longer than expected and delayed some content updates, which had fueled the rumors. 

 

The lay-offs and consolidation at WizardWorld.com follow a long-time fundraising effort by Shamus.  A total of $8 million was raised--$4 million in April of 2000 and $4 million in January of 2001.  Shamus said that he had been fundraising continuously for additional capital to fuel expansion of the site until recently, when efforts were halted due to the unfavorable climate in the investing community.  After meeting with over 100 venture capital firms, Shamus indicated that he felt if there had been a fund interested in financing Wizard World this year he would have found it.   The site will continue, with its exchange and online collection management, reporting of collectible pricing and trends, comic babes, and other features.  Shamus said that revenues had been increasing rapidly from exchange commissions, advertising, and sales of exclusive merchandise, and that he expected the growth to continue. 

 

On the show front, Shamus said that pre-registrations for the Chicago Wizard World show were up about 25% over last year's numbers, which he expected to be reflected in the final tally of attendees.  The Philadelphia show recently acquired by Wizard will be first of a number of new shows.  Shamus indicated that while the Philadelphia show will be called Wizard World East for now, that as additional shows are added that name may change.