MattBrady
09-05-2006, 08:38 AM
<img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Actor_Hero/HeroInitiativemd.jpg" border="0" align="right">After five years of going by the (arguably confusing, given the industry it aids) moniker ACTOR, A Commitment to Our Roots is changing its name to The Hero Initiative. Though the name may change, the Fund’s mission remains the same, that is, to raise funds and deliver assistance to comic book creators in need.
“I think we did a very good job of establishing 'brand identity' for A.C.T.O.R. within the comic market. But as soon as we took the mission outside the village of comics, you'd see confusion in people's eyes,” said Jim Mclauchlin, president of The Hero Initiative in a release. “The 'Hero' concept is one that ties very, very closely to comics, and resonates well. It lets everyone know what we're about."
According to McLauchlin, the name change will help the organization to remove barriers that were getting in its way to help build its momentum while boosting its ongoing evolution and outreach to broader audiences.
“In order to start moving into the mainstream consciousness, we needed to a name that would resonate with everyone whether or not they read comics,” McLauchlin added. “And we’re not stopping with a new name and logo – we will be announcing a new board of directors this week.”
Speaking to Newsarama, McLauchlin clarified the reasons behind the name change, saying, “There were three reasons basically: First, a lot of folks on the Board of Directors really wanted to change it. It didn't quite ‘fit’ the mission. Second, I think we did a <i>very</i> good job of establishing ‘brand identity,’ such as it is, within the comic market, but whenever we tried to explain ourselves outside the "little village," you'd see the deer-in-the-headlights look. It just didn't compute with the name. So really, that kinda ties back to the first.
“Third, and most importantly, it serves the mission of ‘mainstreaming’ the cause. My ultimate goal is not to just circulate money <i>within</i> the comic industry, but to bring it in from <i>outside</i>. That helps everyone, Right now, we're getting contributions from Ralphs, which is a giant grocery store chain in the West, the Indiana State Employees, and even Microsoft—I'll take Bill Gates' money any day of the week! We're close to striking a deal with a branch of the AOL-Time/Warner media empire, and have more irons in the fire as well. With all the movies and media and whatever else surrounding comic characters, it's not fair for <i>only</i> comic book insiders to be funding and supporting our mission. So we're expanding and changing to reach the millions of fans out there who buy movie tickets, toys, or even the Spider-Man Fruit Roll-Ups. They, and the companies that produce movies and snack food, can and should also participate in taking care of the people who spawned the industry they now enjoy.”
The idea for the name was (board member and Marvel Editor in Chief) Joe Quesada’s idea, McLauchlin said. “He said that you say that, and bam!—people associate comic books. I tend to agree,” LcLauchlin said. “We tweaked that into ‘The Hero Initiative,’ and I put in a call to Shelton Drum, who owns the Heroes Aren't Hard to Find store and runs Heroes Con in North Carolina. Not that he really owns the word, but I didn't want to step on his toes, either. I told him we were planning a name change, and asked if he'd be cool with something derivative of ‘Hero.’ He said he thought it was a great idea. He said the name is certainly treated him well over the years, and he was actually rather flattered that we'd want to do similar.”
Also, to kill any rumors, McLauchlin stressed that the name change, which has been in the works for nearly a year, is in no way associated with dissociating ACTOR or McLauchlin with the events at last years’ Mid Ohio Con which saw his and ACTOR’s names being “telephone gamed” into being associated with inappropriate behavior.
“We changed our name to better identify us in the mainstream, fit our mission, and increase our donor base,” McLauchlin said. “Whatever may or may not have happened in some hotel hot tub has nothing to do with ACTOR, Hero, any of its membership past or present, or any of its constituent elements, and I think that's very clear and a matter of public record. We had as much to do with that as we did the War of 1812, which is to say, nothing. If people got us confused with others, well, that's damned annoying. But I don't think it was ever an issue with our supporters and donors, or right-thinking folks anywhere. This change to is take our cause to the millions of people more who enjoy what the comic industry has spawned. Only fair, I think.”
Quesada: “When I was first approached about being involved in this charity, I jumped at the chance. Without slighting anyone else, I believe that there is no better cause in our industry today. None of what we enjoy today would exist without the incredible talents of the people who created the stories that have entertained all these years. There is no better way to give back and honor the legacy of every talented man and woman who has graced the pages of a comic book than by giving what you can to Hero. In our continued mission and with a new name, you'll be helping those that have given you so much."
The new website, http://www.HeroInitiative.org, and email address, HeroInitiative@aol.com, will be up and running this week.
<i>The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need. Hero creates a financial safety net for yesterdays' creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. It's a chance for all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment. For more information, visit www.heroinitiative.org or call 310-909-7809.</i>
“I think we did a very good job of establishing 'brand identity' for A.C.T.O.R. within the comic market. But as soon as we took the mission outside the village of comics, you'd see confusion in people's eyes,” said Jim Mclauchlin, president of The Hero Initiative in a release. “The 'Hero' concept is one that ties very, very closely to comics, and resonates well. It lets everyone know what we're about."
According to McLauchlin, the name change will help the organization to remove barriers that were getting in its way to help build its momentum while boosting its ongoing evolution and outreach to broader audiences.
“In order to start moving into the mainstream consciousness, we needed to a name that would resonate with everyone whether or not they read comics,” McLauchlin added. “And we’re not stopping with a new name and logo – we will be announcing a new board of directors this week.”
Speaking to Newsarama, McLauchlin clarified the reasons behind the name change, saying, “There were three reasons basically: First, a lot of folks on the Board of Directors really wanted to change it. It didn't quite ‘fit’ the mission. Second, I think we did a <i>very</i> good job of establishing ‘brand identity,’ such as it is, within the comic market, but whenever we tried to explain ourselves outside the "little village," you'd see the deer-in-the-headlights look. It just didn't compute with the name. So really, that kinda ties back to the first.
“Third, and most importantly, it serves the mission of ‘mainstreaming’ the cause. My ultimate goal is not to just circulate money <i>within</i> the comic industry, but to bring it in from <i>outside</i>. That helps everyone, Right now, we're getting contributions from Ralphs, which is a giant grocery store chain in the West, the Indiana State Employees, and even Microsoft—I'll take Bill Gates' money any day of the week! We're close to striking a deal with a branch of the AOL-Time/Warner media empire, and have more irons in the fire as well. With all the movies and media and whatever else surrounding comic characters, it's not fair for <i>only</i> comic book insiders to be funding and supporting our mission. So we're expanding and changing to reach the millions of fans out there who buy movie tickets, toys, or even the Spider-Man Fruit Roll-Ups. They, and the companies that produce movies and snack food, can and should also participate in taking care of the people who spawned the industry they now enjoy.”
The idea for the name was (board member and Marvel Editor in Chief) Joe Quesada’s idea, McLauchlin said. “He said that you say that, and bam!—people associate comic books. I tend to agree,” LcLauchlin said. “We tweaked that into ‘The Hero Initiative,’ and I put in a call to Shelton Drum, who owns the Heroes Aren't Hard to Find store and runs Heroes Con in North Carolina. Not that he really owns the word, but I didn't want to step on his toes, either. I told him we were planning a name change, and asked if he'd be cool with something derivative of ‘Hero.’ He said he thought it was a great idea. He said the name is certainly treated him well over the years, and he was actually rather flattered that we'd want to do similar.”
Also, to kill any rumors, McLauchlin stressed that the name change, which has been in the works for nearly a year, is in no way associated with dissociating ACTOR or McLauchlin with the events at last years’ Mid Ohio Con which saw his and ACTOR’s names being “telephone gamed” into being associated with inappropriate behavior.
“We changed our name to better identify us in the mainstream, fit our mission, and increase our donor base,” McLauchlin said. “Whatever may or may not have happened in some hotel hot tub has nothing to do with ACTOR, Hero, any of its membership past or present, or any of its constituent elements, and I think that's very clear and a matter of public record. We had as much to do with that as we did the War of 1812, which is to say, nothing. If people got us confused with others, well, that's damned annoying. But I don't think it was ever an issue with our supporters and donors, or right-thinking folks anywhere. This change to is take our cause to the millions of people more who enjoy what the comic industry has spawned. Only fair, I think.”
Quesada: “When I was first approached about being involved in this charity, I jumped at the chance. Without slighting anyone else, I believe that there is no better cause in our industry today. None of what we enjoy today would exist without the incredible talents of the people who created the stories that have entertained all these years. There is no better way to give back and honor the legacy of every talented man and woman who has graced the pages of a comic book than by giving what you can to Hero. In our continued mission and with a new name, you'll be helping those that have given you so much."
The new website, http://www.HeroInitiative.org, and email address, HeroInitiative@aol.com, will be up and running this week.
<i>The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need. Hero creates a financial safety net for yesterdays' creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. It's a chance for all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment. For more information, visit www.heroinitiative.org or call 310-909-7809.</i>