Since the first New York Comic Con in 2006, ICv2 has hosted industry conferences in conjunction with the show, bringing together the leaders of the comics and graphic novel industry to discuss the issues of the day. This year, the focus is on the powerful new change drivers in the comics business and where they might lead.
"The comics business is in an ongoing period of rapid change," ICv2 CEO Milton Griepp said of the topic. "In the last year we've had an IPO, a raft of new start-ups, some well-funded, and are seeing big changes in how comics are created, published, and sold. The ICv2 Insider Talks will bring together the thought leaders that can help us understand these changes so we can survive and thrive in the next comics revolution."
Leading up to the Insider Talks, the Comic Industry Social Hour is a great opportunity to meet, mingle, and network with other leaders of the industry.
Speakers and attendees include:
- Publishers
- Digital executives
- Distributors
- Retailers
- Writers and artists
- Librarians and educators
- Licensees, licensors, and marketers
- Press
What, When and Where
What: The ICv2 Insider Talks will kick off with the Comic Industry Social Hour and registration from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., followed by two hours of programming, including the ICv2 White Paper and panelists from across the comics and graphic novel business.
When: 2:30-5:30 p.m., Thursday, October 17, 2024
Where: River Pavilion, Jacob Javits Convention Center, New York City
If you are a business or creative professional and would like a free invitation to the event, email Conferences@ICv2.com. You must also have a New York Comic Con badge in one of their pro categories to attend.
If you are press and would like to cover the event, email Conferences@ICv2.com.
Here are the details:
Comic Industry Social Hour (2:30-3:30 p.m.)
Meet, mingle, and network with other leaders of the comics and graphic novel industry.
ICv2 CEO Milton Griepp will present the ICv2 White Paper, with the charts and graphs that show the state of the comics and graphic novel market in all its channels as we move toward the next comics revolution.
Milton Griepp is the founder and President of ICv2, since 2001 the undisputed industry authority on the business of geek culture. He is a 45-year veteran of the geek culture business, and has managed companies that have sold over $1 billion in retail value of geek culture products as CEO of Capital City Distribution and Next Planet Over. He also served on the board of comiXology for five years until its sale to Amazon, and was Vice President and board member of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.
The Future of Comics Is Vertical (4:00-4:30 p.m.)
Eisner-nominated ICv2 columnist Rob Salkowitz leads the discussion with the top execs from WEBTOON U.S. and GlobalComix, two leaders in the webtoon space, on the popularity of vertical scroll, what readers it’s bringing to the medium, the two-way relationship between print and vertical, and what it all means for the future of the business.
For more on this panel, see "The Future of Comics Is Vertical."
Direct-to-Consumer, the Ultimate Disintermediation? (4:30-5:00 p.m.)
The Covid pandemic was a time of shortening supply chains, as publishers struggled to get their products to consumers and increasingly turned to direct-to-consumer sales through crowdfunding, e-commerce, and live selling. ICv2 CEO Milton Griepp talks to two publishing executives that have long histories with direct-to-consumer sales about the strategy and its place in a channel structure that also includes the trade.
For more on this panel, see "Direct-to-Consumer, the Ultimate Disintermediation?"
The New Wave of Comic Publishers (5:00-5:30 p.m.)
Over a dozen new comic publishers and content houses, many with high-profile founders and/or substantial financing, have been created or launched in the past 12 months. What's behind this explosion of entrepreneurship in a tough business? Top comics journalist Heidi MacDonald gets the inside story from two executives in this new wave.
For more on this panel, see "The Next Comics Revolution Talks Publishing Start-ups."
These companies make this event possible:
GlobalComix is a comics platform for the modern era, dedicated to reshaping the landscape of graphic fiction creation, distribution, and consumption on a global scale. Focused on providing tools to grow and succeed, GlobalComix is on a tireless mission to create the best platform in the world to publish, discover, and read comics. GlobalComix empowers creators with the tools they need to reach new audiences, monetize their work, and engage with fans in novel ways. For readers, GlobalComix offers a diverse, immersive, and engaging reading experience that spans genres and geographies.
With over 40 years of service, Diamond Comic Distributors is a leader in the worldwide distribution of comics, games, toys, collectibles and preservation supplies. With an unparalleled distribution network, Diamond’s mission is to support and serve our customers and partners with all their pop culture needs. Diamond is part of Geppi Family Enterprises, the largest producers and distributors of English-language comics, toys, collectibles, games, and preservation supplies worldwide.
Mad Cave Studios, established in 2014, is an independent publisher committed to providing worldwide entertainment across an array of genres. Mad Cave's catalog includes a captivating blend of licensed, creator-owned, and original works, masterfully created by a diverse cast of storytellers focused on cultivating impactful character-driven narratives. Mad Cave Studios is the parent company to Maverick, Nakama Press, and Papercutz, enriching the literary landscape for readers of all ages.
ICv2 is the #1 industry source on the business of geek culture, including comics and graphic novels, manga, hobby games, and merch, on its website, ICv2.com, in its magazine, Internal Correspondence Annual, and with events like these. 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. ICv2 is the #1 source of news and information for the thought leaders at the forefront of change.