PORTSMOUTH INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF COMICS portsmouthcomiccon.co.uk MEDIA & TRADE PACK INTRODUCING Portsmouth International Comic Con is a new, independent comic book and pop culture event, set to bring the best in entertainment to the UK’s South Coast in May 2018. The brainchild of Portsmouth Guildhall and Tripwire Magazine, the convention will feature guest panels, signings, showcases, competitions, cosplay, special events and merchandise, meaning there is something for everyone across the weekend. The weekend is set to be the biggest comic con on the south coast, with a projected 10,000 visitors descending upon the historic Portsmouth Guildhall for the event. The show will also celebrate the 80th anniversary of the first appearance of Superman, the art of HBO’s Game of Thrones, go behind the scenes on Doctor Who and it will also pay tribute to the art of comics in general. Portsmouth International Comic Con will feature artists from all over the world, including French artists like Bengal and Claire Wendling, British artists Laurence Campbell and Mark Buckingham, Rafael Albuquerque from Brazil and American artists such Tommy Lee Edwards and Gene Ha. ABOUT... Portsmouth Guildhall Described as the “Beating Heart” of the city, Portsmouth Guildhall is the area’s premier entertainment venue, and one of the most dramatic additions to the city’s horizon. Best known for playing host to artists including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, and more recently Oasis and Gorillaz, Portsmouth Guildhall offers more than just legendary concerts. Portsmouth Guildhall attracts 260,000 visitors a year, attending over 780 events including large annual festivals / conventions including Portsmouth Beer Festival, Portsmouth Tattoo Convention, Cheese Fest, Portsmouth Comedy Festival and much more. With more than a dozen spaces across three floors in the venue, Portsmouth International Comic Con is set to become an event like no other with an anticipated 10,000 visitors coming from across the UK, US and Europe. As the UK’s only Island City, home of landmarks including Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard, the Mary Rose and HMS Warrior, Portsmouth is a unique and vibrant location with excellent transport links from London, Brighton, Southampton and the rest of the South East, providing guests and sponsors a chance to engage with passionate fans from a large area. Guildhall Square, Portsmouth, PO1 2AB portsmouthguildhall.org.uk Clocktower Classics - Annual Family Motorshow Portsmouth Tattoo Convention (Annual Event) ABOUT... Tripwire Magazine Tripwire started life as a magazine back in 1992 and quickly garnered a reputation for covering the more independent side of the comics industry in the UK and US. It began to cover films and TV in 1999. It ceased publication as a print magazine in 2013 but launched as a website in 2015, adapting seamlessly to the new digital format. It is seen as the pre-eminent British comics and genre publication with industry fans that include Richard Taylor, who heads up Peter Jackson’s Weta, American Gods writer-producer Bryan Fuller, best-selling Scottish crime writer Ian Rankin (Rebus), Senior DC VP Mark Chiarello and movie poster legend Drew Struzan (Indiana Jones, Star Wars). Tripwire has interviewed every major mover and shaker in the worlds of comics, TV and film including Matt Groening (The Simpsons), Guillermo del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth) and Joss Whedon (Batgirl). 2017 marks Tripwire’s 25th anniversary. “Tripwire represents that most precious gem: a pop culture publication by fans, for fans. It is, then, terrif- ically exciting to see Tripwire stretch its tentacles firmly into the digital sphere with this superbly curated compendium of genre culture.” Richard Taylor, Weta Workshop (NZ) (Lord Of The Rings, The Hobbit) “TRIPWIRE has been, for more than two decades the touchstone of comic book culture in the UK and one of the leading periodicals dedicated to this narrative art form. Incisive, smart and always relevant.” Guillermo del Toro, Director, Hellboy, Crimson Peak, Pan’s Labyrinth, Pacific Rim “Hard to believe that Tripwire is already 25 – and looking more youthful than ever. Still the coolest magazine on the planet,and helping young and old alike fritter away their lives with the best coverage of comics, film, TV and games. All hail, and here’s to the next 25!” Ian Rankin, best-selling author, Rebus MARKETING AGENDA Marketing Promotion To attract an audience of 10,000+ we have a robust We have a substantial advertising budget and will be marketing plan in place with key advertising spaces promoting the event widely throughout the country to our already booked! target markets: • Regional Large format billboard advertising • Regional Radio advertising Date Announcement • National Comics and Trade Publication advertising In March 2017 we announced Portsmouth International • Regional Press advertising Comic Con through our social media channels. Posts • Online & Social Media advertising achieved a high level of organic engagement, an un- • Regional Distribution of 50,000 flyers boosted reach of over 50,000, reflecting the appetite for • National Event attendance this event. • PR campaign • Marketing through venue partners including Ticketmaster. On Sale Tickets and the website for Portsmouth International Comic Con will go live on 1st September 2017. At Partnerships this time we will release a number of key names and There are a limited number of partnership opportunities exhibitors attending Portsmouth International Comic available for: Con to create media interest, communicate with the • Media partners established audiences of Portsmouth Guildhall and • Industry partners Tripwire Magazine, begin print distribution and attend relevant events. Please get in touch with us on 023 9387 0203 to discuss a possible partnership now! PROGRAMMING Photo Opportunities Illustrators With film & TV props and as part Artists alley featuring some of the of Cosplay competitions. most notable names in the comic book trade. Merchandise Cosplay Unique and exciting collectables An opportunity to dress up as is will be on sale from vendors tradition for Comic Cons across the across the country. world, with prizes to be won as part of competitions. Panels / Q&A’s Family Fun Panels will be hosted by some of A huge range of entertaining the most experienced people in activities for all ages. the comics industry. SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES Associate your brand with the largest Comic Con in the South of England. We have a range of sponsorship opportunities available or can put together tailored packages on request. Main Sponsor - £10,000 Wristband Sponsor - £800 As the main sponsor for Portsmouth International Comic Your logo on 10,000 wristbands given to all attendees of Portsmouth International Comic Con. Con you will receive significant exposure in our Marketing & PR campaigns prior to the event and branding presence during the event itself. Panel Sponsor - £350 • Your logo included on all marketing materials Sponsorship of one of the great panel, quiz, interview or • Your logo on event website screening events at Portsmouth International Comic Con will • Banner advertisement on all event e-shots give great publicity for your name. • Inclusion in e-shot to Portsmouth Guildhall and Tripwire databases – 40,000 people • Your company name listed on the event website • Minimum of x5 mentions in social media posts • Your company name listed in the show programme • 3 x 2m stand at show alongside the event you are sponsoring • Space for x2 pull up banners in other locations in venue • A thank you message to your company at the start and during event finish of the event you are sponsoring • Space for x2 vinyl banners outside venue • Double page spread in show programme • Up to x50 tickets for your guests Programme Advertisements - TBC Prices for individual adverts in the Portsmouth International Comic Con programme will become available in late 2017. Official Supporter - £3,000 As an Official Supporter of Portsmouth International Comic Con you will receive enhanced exposure prior to the event and at the event itself. Perfect for targeting the key • Your logo on event website demographic that spends money on • Minimum of x3 mentions in social media posts • Logo on all event e-shots what they love: films, comics, • 3 x 2m stand at show • Full page in show programme • Up to x20 tickets for your guests merch, games, etc. Guest Sponsor - £1,500 Sponsorship of one of the fantastic guests at Portsmouth International Comic Con will help maximise your exposure and profits at the event! • Your logo on event website • Two 3 x 2m stands at show – your chosen guest will be situated on one of these stands with your branding visible • ½ page advert in show programme Sponsored stage branding in the Harlequin Room at Portsmouth Guildhall’s “Beating Heart” all-day concert. CONFIRMED COMIC ARTISTS Rafael Albuquerque Tommy Lee Edwards Russell Walks Albuquerque is an Eisner award One of the most respected and versatile Walks is an official Star Wars artist. nominated Brazilian comic artist first creators today, Edwards has illustrated Although his original goals included noticed drawing Blue Beetle for DC. He comics like Mother Panic (with Gerard both becoming bionic and joining the has been an artist in the American field Way), TURF (with Jonathan Ross), rebellion against the Empire, Walks for over a decade, and it was as co- The Question and Wolverine. He’s eventually decided his destiny lay creator of Vertigo’s American Vampire collaborated with the Hughes Brothers along another path, and chose art with writer Scott Snyder, with input as the concept artist on their Denzel school over adventure. Adept at both from horror legend Stephen King, Washington epic The Book of Eli, traditional and digital illustration that really brought him to people’s and has contributed to the design of & design, he has created art based attention. He has collaborated with productions including Akira, Master of on licensed properties for clients Mark Millar on Huck for Image and the Universe, Harry Potter, Superman including Paramount, 20th Century just completed a run on DC’s Batgirl Returns, Star Wars, Indiana Jones & Fox, Random House and many others.