San Diego Comic Convention – the organiser of the iconic pop art and culture Comic-Con event – has appointed IMG as its first ever exclusive licensing representative.
IMG will now work in partnership with SDCC to extend the reach of the non-profit’s mission of promoting comics and related popular art forms, and engaging with their respective fan communities.
While originally focused primarily on comic books, film and science fiction, Comic-Con has since come to encompass and celebrate related art and fantasy content, as well as anime, interactive multimedia, costuming and much more in all its formats, with an ever-increasing menu of forums, screenings, exhibits, and workshops at the San Diego Convention Center.
More than 135,000 people attend its annual convention, along with countless thousands who trek to San Diego each summer to take part in the many outside activations and activities.
IMG will be working with SDCC to identify partners which can develop products, retail destinations and experiences for the millions of fans not able to partake in the annual Comic-Con convention experience.
“Over 50 years ago, the Comic-Con founders simply wanted to draw attention and recognition to the comics and other art forms they loved,” commented Bruno Maglione, president of licensing at IMG. “In doing so, they discovered a shared interest in this and related sci-fi, fantasy and genre content wider than they could have possibly imagined.
“Today, that comic culture is mainstream entertainment culture thanks in large part to Comic-Con’s championing of this art form and its brilliant creators, and Comic-Con is the leading curator brand and guide in this space, allowing it to secure consumer attention and deliver consumer value in more ways.”
David Glanzer, chief communications and strategy officer for SDCC, continued: “We began talking to IMG around six months ago and in the course of those discussions, it hit home to us that we could use our expertise to serve the ever-growing fan community in more ways, places and times than ever before.
“In 2021, we embarked on the new Comic-Con Museum and now, with IMG’s expertise working with specialist partners to deliver authentic brand experiences, we can pursue an exciting new phase for the Comic-Con brand.”
Comic-Con is due to return to the San Diego Convention Center from 21-24 July 2022.
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