comiXology Goes Live With Over 100 Comics Stores Through Their Retailer Digital Storefronts Program

Comic Stores Can Now Prosper From the Sale of Digital Comics From Top Comic Publishers

New York, NY- August 23^th, 2011 – comiXology in partnership with ICv2, today launched over 100 online storefronts to sell digital comics as a result of its Digital Storefront program for retailers.  Participating comic retailers have gone live with their deployment of a comiXology-powered store and reader, enabling them to prosper from the sale of digital comics from top comic publishers, including DC Comics, Image, BOOM! Studios, Dynamite and many more. Also, in conjunction with DC and their Relaunch, all participating retailers will be able to sell all the same day as print comics.

Announced in January, the Digital Storefront program enables retailers the ability to sell digital comics with a simple integration into their existing site while tapping into comiXology’s vibrant digital marketplace. Any comic book fan will now be able to purchase digital comics online from their local comic store’s digital storefront with a portion of each purchase going directly to the retailer. All digital purchases will be compatible with the Comics by comiXology platform, providing fans the ability to enjoy their comics on their mobile devices (iOS and Android) and on the Web at their retailer’s websites by way of cross-platform synchronization.

“These retailers have put their trust in us from day one and we’re excited to make good on our commitment to bring them into the vibrant digital marketplace leveraging comiXology’s technology as a backbone for their success,” said David Steinberger, CEO of comiXology. “We have been working hard with our retail and publishing partners to make this program a reality for the benefit of the comic industry and take pride in starting to see it come to fruition.  We look forward to continuing on this important initiative and celebrating its success with all our partners.”

comiXology’s participating publishers DC Comics, Image, BOOM! Studios, Dynamite benefit from comiXology’s Digital Storefront Affiliate program through wider distribution on the Web and by strengthening the relationships between publishers, comic stores, and fans that have so successfully made comics a major force in world culture.

ComiXology Announces Program for Retailers to Sell Digital Comics

Industry’s first digital storefront affiliate program provides roadmap for retailers to thrive in digital marketplace

New York, NY / January 27th 2011 – comiXology, the leading distributor of digital comics, announced today the industry’s first Digital Storefront Affiliate program for retailers. The program will empower comic book merchants to prosper from the sale of digital comics with a comiXology-powered store and reader. Leveraging comiXology’s technology will provide retailers the foundation for future digital initiatives as the program evolves.

The comiXology Digital Storefront Affiliate program offers retailers the opportunity to tap into comiXology’s vibrant digital marketplace with a simple integration into their existing site. These retailers will be able to offer their customers access to comiXology’s library of digital comics and integrated reader from participating publishers.  Consumers will now be able to purchase digital comics online from their local comic store’s digital storefront for the first time.  All digital purchases will also be compatible with the Comics by comiXology platform, providing fans the ability to enjoy their comics on their mobile devices and on the Web at their retailer’s websites by way of cross-platform synchronization.

“By having a comiXology-powered store and reader integrated with our existing new and back-issue comics website, we will provide our customers with even more access to the comics they love while increasing their loyalty to us,” said Chris Powell, General Manager and CRO of Lone Star Comics and mycomicshop.com.  “Having seen comiXology’s Retailer Tools and Pull List services, we trust comiXology’s technology to help us thrive in a market where customers are interested in both print and digital comics.  ComiXology will help us provide the one-stop shopping that customers are looking for.

Participating publishers will benefit from comiXology’s Digital Storefront Affiliate program through wider distribution on the Web and by strengthening the bonds between publishers, comic stores, and fans that have so successfully made comics a major force in world culture. comiXology plans to announce participating publishers in the coming weeks.

“The comiXology digital sales and reading platform embedded directly on a retailers website is a great opportunity for retailers to participate in the digital comic business,” said David Steinberger, CEO of comiXology.  “As a result, the program will create a new marketplace online for publishers and retailers to increase revenue streams while strengthening their relationships. It also marks the beginning of new way of thinking for retailers, which will ultimately lead them to taking full ownership of their digital initiatives as we continue to roll out the stages of the program.”

ICv2 recently announced a strategic agreement with comiXology to provide customer support for all comiXology’s retail initiatives including its Retailer Tools and the Digital Storefront Affiliate program.  Milton Griepp, CEO of ICv2, Steinberger, and comiXology CTO and co-founder John Roberts will demo the Digital Storefront Affiliate program at the upcoming ComicsPRO conference in February.

“Comic retailers have built and nurtured the local communities that support the comics business, and it’s important that those retailers have a way to participate in and profit from the digital comics revolution,” said Roberts.“ Building on the success of our Retailer Tools, we look to expand our relationship with retailers by helping brand each digital storefront to the specific retailer, while hosting it at no cost.  With a plan to integrate the Retailer Tools and Pull List, comic retailers will become a one-stop shop for all comic readers needs.”

“Digital comics can be a great tool for reaching out to new or lapsed customers, and retailers should not be afraid of this new format.  Instead, they should look for ways to make the digital format complement their existing print business,” Powell added.

To request more information about the Digital Storefront Affiliate program, retailers can visit http://retailers.comixology.com/digital_form/

About comiXology
Since 2007 comiXology has been developing the technological infrastructure to bring comics into the digital mainstream and expose new audiences to the rich history and culture of the industry. Through partnerships with top comic book publishers including Marvel Comics, DC Comics, BOOM! Studios and Image Comics as well as their own mobile and web apps which hosts over 5500 digital titles, comiXology has become a leader in digital comic book proliferation. Also focused on creating strong ties with retail stores through its technology solutions, comiXology continues to transform the previously fragmented comic ecosystem into a vibrant and cohesive marketplace.

http://www.comixology.com/

comiXology Teams With ICv2 to Expand Retailer Network and Increase Brick and Mortar Growth Opportunities

ICv2 to manage customer service and support for comiXology’s retailer tools

New York, NY / January 21th – comiXology announced today a strategic agreement with ICv2, the #1 source for business information in the comic industry. ICv2, led by CEO Milton Griepp, will work closely with comiXology to further develop, manage and expand its relationships with brick and mortar comic book retailers as new programs and technologies are introduced to help retailers prosper.

The relationship will also build on comiXology’s Retailer Tools, which have been growing sales and improving the operational efficiency of local comic stores since 2009 with their online pull list management software and free cover gallery for any Website.  The Retailer Tools includes the widely used comiXology Pull List app, enabling fans to pre-order comics for pick up from their local stores through the app. ICv2 will be handling sales, marketing, and customer service for The Retailer Tools.

“From day one, we always understood that the brick-and-mortar retailers are the backbone of the comic industry community,” said David Steinberger, CEO of comiXology. “Making them stronger businesses creates a greater opportunity for us to collaborate and grow the comic marketplace together. Milton’s insight during his term on our board has been a huge asset to us and we are glad to partner with him to advance our retailer relations and technology.”

comiXology recently launched a new Pull List Email format, empowering retailers to attract new customers by directing consumers who aren’t already connected to a retailer towards an established comiXology retailer.

“What attracted us to comiXology was the vision of a platform for fans, retailers, and publishers that enhances sales of all comics, both physical and digital,” said Griepp. “ICv2’s long experience with the retailer community, combined with comiXology’s unique platform, offers huge opportunities to grow the business at a time of dynamic change in the industry.”

About comiXology

Since 2007 comiXology has been developing the technological infrastructure to bring comics into the digital mainstream and expose new audiences to the rich history and culture of the industry. Through partnerships with top comic book publishers including Marvel Comics, DC Comics, BOOM! Studios and Image Comics as well as their own mobile and web apps which hosts nearly 5000 digital titles, comiXology has become a leader in digital comic book proliferation. Also focused on creating strong ties with retail stores through its technology solutions, comiXology continues to transform the previously fragmented comic ecosystem into a vibrant and cohesive marketplace.

About ICv2

ICv2 is the industry’s source on the business of comics and graphic novels, also covering manga and anime, movie/TV products (including cool DVDs, figures, and more), and hobby games (collectible, cool board, minis, RPGs) daily on its Website, ICv2.com, and in its magazine, Internal Correspondence.  For the people on the front lines of the pop 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.