IDW a premiere publisher

Any creator writing for a publisher not named Marvel, DC, Image or Dark Horse will tell you that times are tough. You're constantly in their shadow and have little outlets to get your works out (Omnicomic would like to take this moment to say that you're always welcomed here!). The "big four" are about to get one more though, as according to a press release, IDW has just become the first publisher to advance to "premier" status since Diamond began the classification way back in 1996. Take it away Diamond VP Purchasing Bill Schanes. “Since IDW began publishing, they have grown consistently each and every year, while at the same time establishing one of the best editorial, marketing, and business teams in our industry. They’re easy to work with, understand our market, and are forging ahead with new strategies and plans to grow the consumer appetite for comics and graphic novels.” What does this mean for you the reader? Not much actually. As a Premier Publisher IDW will be more visible in the Diamond Catalog and will get extended previews. They'll maintain their current discounts/terms of sale, will be added to the Final Order Cut-Off program and will maintain their exclusive book market distribution deal with Diamond. I'd be lying if a lot of the benefits are really just corporate speak that makes it seem like IDW won some contest, but seriously, props to IDW for churning out quality stuff on a consistent basis. Getting grouped with the previously mentioned big four is awesome and worthy of congratulations. Well kids, it looks like IDW is all grown up and running with the big boys now. Just don't forget about us "non-premieres" from your Diamond tower upon high. And let us know how the food is up there. Full press release after the jump. Diamond Comic Distributors and IDW Publishing announced today that IDW has become the first publisher to advance to “premier” status since the classification was implemented in 1996. Diamond and IDW have signed a new, multi-year agreement that features a number of fresh initiatives, including premier status, in recognition of IDW’s success as a top tier comic book and graphic novel publisher. Under the agreement, Diamond will continue to be the exclusive distributor of IDW comic books and graphic novels to the comic book specialty market, and to the bookstore market through its Diamond Book Distributors division. “This change recognizes the growth and importance of IDW Publishing,” said Diamond President and CEO, Steve Geppi, “and we look forward to working with them for many years to come.” Diamond VP Purchasing Bill Schanes added, “Since IDW began publishing, they have grown consistently each and every year, while at the same time establishing one of the best editorial, marketing, and business teams in our industry. They’re easy to work with, understand our market, and are forging ahead with new strategies and plans to grow the consumer appetite for comics and graphic novels.” In April, Diamond’s PREVIEWS catalog and PREVIEWSworld.com website will showcase IDW’s new vendor status as the company moves to the “Premier Comics” section. IDW will have an exclusive section in the front of the catalog each month, highlighting their new offerings to comic shop retailers and customers. “We are very pleased to have completed this groundbreaking agreement with Diamond,” said Ted Adams, CEO of IDW Publishing. “By combining Diamond’s leadership in distribution with IDW’s ten-plus years in developing, creating and marketing comic books and graphic novels, we have created an ideal relationship for each of our companies. The comic book medium is trending upward in all parts of consumer awareness and we are proud to be a partner with Diamond for the future.” Key points to the agreement include: Premier Publisher Under the new agreement and as a result of the company’s consistently strong market share, IDW will have premier status within Diamond and Diamond’s PREVIEWS, including an exclusive section at the front of the monthly catalog. Discount and Terms of Sales IDW Publishing will remain in a traditional buy/sell relationship with Diamond, with their books continuing to be sold to comic shops under Diamond’s Terms of Sale (unlike Diamond’s brokerage arrangement with publishers like Marvel and DC Comics where Diamond acts as a sales agent). Discounts will remain unchanged at this time. Final Order Cut-Off IDW will be added to Diamond’s Final Order Cut-Off Program sometime in the near future. “Since IDW is a traditional buy/sell vendor, we have some programming work to do, but we expect to have that finalized later this year,” said Schanes. Book Market Distribution Diamond remains the exclusive book market distributor of IDW’s publishing efforts. “We’re extremely proud of the progress we’ve made in helping IDW grow its sales in the book store market over the last five years,” said Diamond Book Distributors VP Sales & Marketing, Kuo-Yu Liang. “From their strong licensed properties to their successful launch last year of the Worthwhile Books line for kids, IDW has adeptly shown what products will sell into the book market channel.”

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