Image Comics has hired Matt Parkinson as VP of Sales & Publishing, reporting directly to Publisher and CCO Eric Stephenson. Parkinson will oversee Image’s Sales department, and Book Market & Library Sales Manager Chloe Ramos and Director of Direct Market Sales Alex Cox will report directly to him. Specialty Sales Coordinator Jon Schlaffman will now report to Cox.

Parkinson comes to Image after a 17-year career at Dark Horse, where he was VP of Marketing, overseeing all day-to-day operations of the marketing department, including relationships with the direct market, publicity and social media, and conventions and special events. Previously, as director of online marketing, he was involved with Dark Horse’s digital strategy, including the launch of its digital comics service (see “Parkinson Takes Over Marketing at Dark Horse”). He left the company in May (see “Dark Horse Promotes Cara O’Neil”).

Image also promoted five executive-level staff members to VP positions: Lorelei Bunjes, formerly the Director of Digital Services, to VP of Digital Strategy; Dirk Wood, formerly the Director of International Sales & Licensing, to VP of International Sales & Licensing; Heather Doornink, formerly the Production Director, to VP of Production; Nicole Lapalme, formerly the Controller, to VP of Finance; and Kat Salazar, formerly the Director of PR & Marketing, to VP of PR & Marketing.