Tokyopop Plans TV Ads for Manga

[your father is]

From ICv2:

In a dramatic step toward building a mass market, Tokyopop will be advertising its manga titles on television. The ad flight will begin in May and run through September, covering the key summer selling season. Tokyopop VP-Marketing John Powers told us that the ads will run on Cartoon Network, MTV, Spike TV, G4, and Tech TV. Among the properties to be advertised are Saiyuki, D.N.Angel, Tokyo Babylon, Princess Ai, and Tokyo Tribes.

We asked Powers about the creative for the ads. "Combining a dynamic use of featured manga covers and interior panel art, the ads will consist of computer generated imagery in a state-of-the-art animated presentation," he said. "We're able to introduce television viewers to the true essence of manga, while giving them a peek into some of its most enjoyable stories and characters."

Although comic publishers have produced television ads for use in coop programs in the past, and Hasbro paid for television ads for comics featuring its toy properties in the 80s, this is the first time in our recollection that a comic publisher has borne the full cost for television advertising for its products. Retailers have asked for such publisher support for comic sales for decades; Tokyopop is to be applauded for taking this bold step.

Interesting news. It looks like manga is here to stay.

 

[stevelabny]

executives at DC and Marvel say "We can't afford advertising.". "It isn't worth it to advertise."

executives at Tokyopop somehow have decided that their much smaller company CAN afford it.

Hmmm. Marvel and DC also resisted selling through bookstores for years, in favor of the direct comics market that is easily to control. When manga started selling through the bookstores, Marvel and DC immediately upped their presence in bookstores with MANY tpbs and collections that are kept in print.

It won't be long before Marvel and DC follow suit again.

I have said all along that it is absolutely INSANE that they don't advertise the entire comics industry, and that those in charge of this decision should be fired. (I have, on these boards even. anyone want a link?)

Now, Tokyopop will prove me right.

Part of me is happy that this is the continuation of geek power and potentially can save american comics if the big two follow quickly before more market share is lost to the manga.

The other part of me wants to go to the offices of DC and Marvel, find the decision makers and urinate on them.

 

[your father is]

So, any manga-style artists wanna collaborate on a four page sample for Tokyopop?

guidelines:

MANGA CREATORS
If you are a creator or a creative team and have an idea for a new manga that you plan to draw and write, send us your pitch in the following format:

- Four to six pages of finished sequential art (inked, toned and lettered) from any part of the story.

- One to three pages with finished character designs (inked and toned) of your three most important characters.

- One synopsis page selling the series concept. This should include a two-sentence summary, details about the main character's journey, the antagonist's motivation, the target audience appeal and reasons why we should consider publishing this series.

- One page giving us some information on the main characters (name, background, role and personality, as well as how they will develop throughout the story arc, what path they will take and why).

- One to three pages giving us an idea of how the concept would break down into three 150-page graphic novels. Keep in mind that the first volume should always be self-contained.

The reason we suggest this format is that it gives us something that can be evaluated quickly by our team. It demonstrates to us how well you have thought out your story and characters. Remember, more is not better. Conveying the general idea economically and making it interesting is the real challenge. We've set aside lots of submissions that were too long and detailed and never got the point across. They're just too overwhelming for a busy editor to read.

 

[Arima]

TP likes to gamble with risky business scemes like this and usually just ends up pissing off hardcore fans. They lost a lot of respect for how they treated the Initial D anime release.

I don't think Marvel and DC have to follow suit. They already have a pretty dedicated fanbase. TP likes to throw money around like this and with the volume of manga titles they are licensing they need to get new fans to buy their stuff.

 

[s/LaSH]

I don't think Marvel and DC have to follow suit. They already have a pretty dedicated fanbase. TP likes to throw money around like this and with the volume of manga titles they are licensing they need to get new fans to buy their stuff.

Which brings up a new point: Why wouldn't Marvel and DC want more readers? With today's best-selling comics selling barely one tenth of those ten years ago, who wouldn't want to buff their sales figures?

You're saying TP wants to get more people buying its stuff, basically. The big companies, presumably, have a similar approach to making money. If they don't, well, the stupid shall not inherit the Earth.

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

TP likes to gamble with risky business scemes like this and usually just ends up pissing off hardcore fans. They lost a lot of respect for how they treated the Initial D anime release.

I don't think Marvel and DC have to follow suit. They already have a pretty dedicated fanbase. TP likes to throw money around like this and with the volume of manga titles they are licensing they need to get new fans to buy their stuff.

They lost a lot more than just respect from that Initial D screw up, IMO.