Growing up a local comic shop was always within close proximity regardless of the borough I lived in. While comics and collectibles have become mainstream the mom and pop local comic shops are fewer and fewer and even with social media at times they are not the easiest to find. Marvel wants to do their part to change that.
Marvel is announcing a new a geotargeting initiative that aims to get local comic shops more foot traffic leveraging all the current communication mediums Marvel has at their disposal. Comic fans will get detailed info from Marvel with locations, store hours and phone numbers as well as inventory via this new initiative. Marvel estimates reaching millions of readers with this new technology.
The first comics to leverage the tech will be the upcoming X-Men Gold and Secret Empire books.
Here is a sample of the how the program will work.
I am happy to see Marvel taking a more active role in driving foot traffic to local shops. A local shop is not just a place to buy books but also a place to bond with fellow fans, connect with creators and sometimes forge friendships all thanks to comics. I look forward to seeing this program in action and watching my some of my favorite shops flourish.
Show Press Release
Marvel Reveals New GeoTargeting Technologies To Aid Comic Retailers
New York, NY—March 8th, 2017 — The fun and excitement is happening each and every week at your local comic shop! Today, Marvel is excited to announce a new marketing initiative specially designed to increase comic store foot traffic and bring new readers into stores through the use of GeoTargeting technologies.
“Marvel is always looking for ways to get more people through the doors of their local comic stores,“ says Marvel SVP Sales & Marketing David Gabriel. “With these new tools at our disposal, we’re looking to tap into fans of Marvel television, films, animation, games and even our licensed product and turn them into comic book readers. Not only will these prospective readers learn exactly where their nearest shop is, but all the great Marvel comics waiting for them when they get there!”
Once again leading the way in how comics reach larger audiences, these new technologies will provide both new, casual, and hardcore fans with information about comic shops in their area (location, store hours, phone #) and the exciting Marvel Comics waiting for them inside! Embedded within Marvel e-mails, shared across over Marvel social media networks, fed through advertising partners, and more – this ambitious program is estimated to reach millions of prospective readers – both new and existing!
“Comic book shops have been and always will be the lifeblood of our industry,” says Marvel Editor-in-Chief Axel Alonso. “It’s Marvel’s mission to not only keep those retailers stocked with exciting comics but to keep fans coming through their doors week after week to engage with those communities. We have a lot of exciting ideas for how to reach new and lapsed fans in 2017, and this is just the start.”
Rolling out first with spring Marvel comic launches, including X-MEN GOLD and SECRET EMPIRE, Marvel is set to reach entirely new audiences in 2017! The biggest characters and creators are waiting for you at your nearest comic book retailer!
To find a comic shop near you, visit www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook.
About Marvel: Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information visit www.marvel.com © MARVEL 2017
