DEMONAKOS JOINS IMAGE AS PUBLIC RELATIONS AND MARKETING COORDINATOR

[MattBrady]

With B. Clay Moore's departure from Image Comics as PR and Marketing guru, a void was left. Nature, and the comic book industry abhor those kinds of things, and thus, Image has confirmed to Newsarama that Jim Demonakos, co-owner of The Comic Stop in Lynnwood, WA and founder of the Emerald City Comicon has joined the company as its Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator.

"I think the thing that made Jim most attractive to us was his experience as a retailer," Image Executive Director Eric Stephenson told Newsarama. "It's important to see things through retailers' eyes and while it would be ridiculous to assume all retailers think or run their stores exactly the same, having someone who has worked that side of things seems like a good idea. Jim's going to have a perspective Erik [Larsen, publisher] or myself might not. Along the same lines, Jim's been running the Emerald City Comicon for the past three years and not only does he put on a fantastic show, but he does an excellent job of promoting the show within the Seattle. He nails down TV, radio and newspaper coverage every year and the results speak for themselves: attendance for the show is up year after year. So, on one level, Jim has a lot of experience with con organization, and on another, his marketing efforts in support of the shows he's put on are pretty impressive. Beyond that, Jim has experience as a Web designer, which is going to allow him to be hands-on with the Image website in a way neither Clay nor myself could have been. He's also one of the most patient and nicest guys you could hope to meet, which I think goes a long way in any job that requires dealing with the public."

As Demonakos sees it, the move to Image is the next rung on a ladder he's been on since he read his first comic (a Fantastic Four #1 reprint) at age 7. "After reading for years, there came a point where I wanted to get more involved than just on the fan-level, so I helped open a store in the Seattle-area called The Comic Stop," Demonakos said. "After about three years, it was going pretty swell, so we opened a second one.

"On top of that, having traveled out to other conventions like the WonderCon and San Diego, I knew that Seattle could really use and support a top-notch show. So, we started up the Emerald City ComiCon, which drew over 6,300 people in its third year, which was the best-ever attendance for a Seattle show.

"The offer from Image is another way for me to get involved in this industry and it's somewhere I hope to be able to make an even more positive impact.

"Plus, I was offered unlimited supplies of Home Run Pies."

And why Image? What does Demonakos see in the company that made him give up the other? "Image Comics is a company like no other, there is a genuine sense of excitement about the projects coming from the company. As a retailer, I was ordering more Image books, and more copies of Image books, than I had in a long time. For me, it's a great fit, I've been a fan of the company for a long time and now getting to be a part of it, being able to get word out to the industry that some of the most innovative and exciting books are being published here, that's a worthwhile gig."

For Demonakos, the "move" to Image will have literal meaning as well, with the retailer/web designer/convention organizer giving up his moist Seattle environs for Image HQ in Berkley. Why? After all, Moore handled the job from Kansas.

"The primary reason we moved the Image office to Berkeley in the first place was so the staff could be in one place," Stephenson said. "Erik was working from home in Oakland and the office was in Southern California, and it was just causing too many headaches. This is an extension of that goal, really, to have the entire staff in the same place. In the long run, it's easier on everybody. There are just a number of instances where things can get done faster when everybody is in the same place."

When Demonakos hits the ground running on May 2nd, his plate will already be full. "Jim will essentially be doing everything Clay was doing -- taking charge of PR-related duties, overseeing our involvement in the conventions we attend and looking after the website," Stephenson said. "Jim's also going to be heading up efforts to develop the business in new and different ways. Jim's full of ideas, and I'm sure he'll define the job in his own way once he really gets going.

"Also, we'd like to reach out to the retail community a little bit more. As a former retailer, Jim has a different sense of what works and what doesn't in terms of promotions than Clay or I did. Again, Jim has a lot of ideas about how things should be done, and he's pretty eager to implement them. He's been looking at Image from the outside and kind of taking stock of what's working and what's not. I think he's looking to establish some consistency that maybe wasn't there before, both in terms of retailer relations and how we look at our convention planning."

Demonakos: "Short-term, I want to start getting word out about all the books Image has coming out for the summer. There are going to be some exciting announcements at the conventions that will thrill the pants off readers.

"Long-term, Image Comics is a company that is chalk-full of great books, and I want fans and retailers to start paying attention to that section of Previews, which is something too many of both ignore. I want to re-establish the 'brand' of Image as a company whose very stamp of 'I' means quality books. There are a lot of ways to accomplish this and something I will be working very hard to establish."

Finally, Demonakos' change of locales does not mean anything dire for the Emerald City Comicon. Far from it. "The show will go on, as they say, the next one is planned for April 1 & 2, 2006. Emerald City is run by four people, with me being one of them. It was established early on that there needs to be one main contact guy and that was me, but all it means is I will be stepping back and letting the other three guys shine."

[skeletorjr]

This has nothing to do with the news, but man, that is the coolest last name ever.

DEMONAKOS, I SUMMON THEE FORTH FROM THE VOID!!!!!!!!!!!

[jasinmartin]

Wow!!!

Way to go Jim, congrats!

Jim’s sherparding of the Emerald City Comicon, and it’s growth and success has been a real boon to the NW comic scene. I’ve no doubt he’ll bring the same to Image.

The only drawback is perhaps not seeing the ECC continue to grow by leaps and bounds… (a challenge the rest of his crew I'm sure will relish).

Exciting announcement! I look forward to seeing Jim's impact on the company!

[KevenGardner]

Congrats Jim! You've got a lot to do heading right into con season, but it looks like you're ready to hit the ground running.

Another great move by Image!!

[Skinshark]

Congrats Jim, I hope you continue to do amazing work! The Emerald City Comicon was sorely needed, I just hope it continues its upward climb.

Good luck!


=s=

[choisez]

Good Luck Jim!

-Eddy

[Reaper]

I live here in Lynnwood, WA and The Comic Stop is my local store. In fact, it was Jim that turned me on to Newsarama.

In my youth I rambled across the country and visited many a comic store. The Comic Stop is by far my all time favorite. It is clean, well lit, spacious, well stocked, organized, and run by a great group of guys.

I am so very happy to hear about your new job Jim . It sounds like a great opportunity. I'll miss seeing you at the shop though man. Good luck and God bless!

-Tim Grimm

[Jay Faerber]

Congrats on the new gig, Jim! And welcome aboard the big "i."

I've visited The Comic Stop a number of times (not often enough, sadly), and it's one of the best-run, best-looking stores I've ever been to. And the Emerald City Con has blossomed into my favorite convention of the year.

I think Jim's gonna do a fantastic job in his new role. I just hope he doesn't hold a grudge because I missed his going-away party.

~ Jay

[Chris Eliopoulos]

Congrats, Jimbo!

Image is a better place for having you, my friend!

Jim is a great guy and I'm sure will soon become one of the best marketing guys in the business!

All this and he's greek, too!

Happy Easter!

[BDavis]

Damn I just talk to Jim last week! Now I know Why he wasn't at the shop yesterday!

Should've been more inquisitive.

Anyway, congrats Jim. Could not have happened to a nicer guy!

[clayholio]

Congratulations, Jim! That's great news!

Jim's work at the Emerald City Comic-Con bodes very well for Image. It's easily been my favorite convention to do for the last 3 years, and I'm sure he'll do a similarly bang-up job at Image.

Best of luck in the new job!

[AlexLothos]

Congratulations, Jim! The ideas in this article sounded really good... I can't wait to see them in action!

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

Slowly but surely, the SAVAGE DRAGON fanbase is taking over Image Comics from within...

Congrats, Jim!

-Augie

[Captain Slinky]

This exchange actually took place between me and Jim a few months ago:

JIM: Did you check out Adam Strange #1?
ME: Oh, uhm, no... I wasn't really sure if I wanted -
JIM: (In a disgusted tone) Dammit, Brian, why you gotta make me do this! (Grabs a copy of Adam Strange #1 and puts it on my stack) You're gonna buy it, you're gonna love it, you're gonna buy every issue.
ME: But I don't -
JIM: UHT! Now, will that be all for you today?

I bought it. I loved it. I bought every issue. And THAT'S the type of marketing Image Comics NEEDS!

[Ray Dillon]

Welcome! Welcome!

And, yeah, cool last name.

[Mario Gully]

Congrads Jim! Welcome to the big "i"! I'm really excited about this news because retailers have a frontline perspective on what kind of marketing works and what don't work.


This is great. Everybody knows that Image is on the RISE in a major way!




It just keeps getting better.....

[Hannibal Tabu]

Seriously -- what's with the addiction to Home Run Pies? Image should get an endorsement deal from those guys at this rate! >8^)

[eric_image]

Originally posted by Hannibal Tabu
Seriously -- what's with the addiction to Home Run Pies? Image should get an endorsement deal from those guys at this rate! >8^)

You don't even want to know how often that's discussed around here...

[Monkey Eater]

I met Jim at a con and could tell he was an awesome guy that really cared about comics and the industry (he's got a sick sketchbook too!). Congrats dude! Give me a call and we can grab some Zachary's in Berkeley - Kevin

[spambot]

Congrat's Jim!
I'm a regular at The Comic Stop and Jim is a very cool guy. I wish him much success in his new venture. Oh, and if you guys didn't get a chance to go to Emerald City ComiCon in the past, it's a highly recommended con.

[Tony Moore]

this is awesome news for Image and for everyone who deals with them. Jim's an awesome guy and i look forward to having him shill my stuff.

-T

PS: Jim, i'm pregnant and there's a 35% chance it's yours.

[remender73]

Originally posted by Tony Moore
this is awesome news for Image and for everyone who deals with them. Jim's an awesome guy and i look forward to having him shill my stuff.

-T

PS: Jim, i'm pregnant and there's a 35% chance it's yours.

Does that mean Cory and I also have a 35% it's ours?

Man, now THAT was a party.

[Gary Lau]

Congrats, Jim!

Jim's one of the coolest guy I know and I think he's totally awesome for Image Comics! We've been friends for ages and I've always admired his achievements in both The Comic Stop and the Emerald City con.

All the best and don't eat all the pies, Jim! Save some for me!!