Here’s one of those announcements that looks super vague on paper but given the people involved, you know it will yield some results. ComiXology and Milton Griepp’s ICv2 are teaming up to help develop tools for retailers. ICv2 is, of course, best known for its sales estimates and business news. Although the leader in the digital comics space, comiXology has also developed a number of services for retailers, including their “pull list” — it’s not hard to see how that might work with ICv2 to give us some kind of useful metrics. Griepp is on the board of comiXology.
comiXology announced today a strategic agreement with ICv2, the #1 source for business information in the comic industry. ICv2, led by CEO Milton Griepp, will work closely with comiXology to further develop, manage and expand its relationships with brick and mortar comic book retailers as new programs and technologies are introduced to help retailers prosper.
The relationship will also build on comiXology Retailer Tools, which have been growing sales and improving the operational efficiency of local comic stores since 2009 with their online pull list management software and free cover gallery for any Website. The Retailer Tools includes the widely used comiXology Pull List App, enabling fans to pre-order comics for pick up from their local stores through the app. ICv2 will be handling sales, marketing, and customer service for The Retailer Tools.
“From day one, we always understood that the brick-and-mortar retailers are the backbone of the comic industry community,” said David Steinberger, CEO of comiXology. “Making them stronger businesses creates a greater opportunity for us to collaborate and grow the comic marketplace together. Milton’s insight during his term on our board has been a huge asset to us and we are glad to partner with him to advance our retailer relations and technology.”
comiXology recently launched a new Pull List Email format, empowering retailers to attract new customers by directing consumers who aren’t already connected to a retailer towards an established comiXology retailer.
“What attracted us to comiXology was the vision of a platform for fans, retailers, and publishers that enhances sales of all comics, both physical and digital,” said Griepp. “ICv2’s long experience with the retailer community, combined with comiXology’s unique platform, offers huge opportunities to grow the business at a time of dynamic change in the industry.”
Wow. So Comixology is now competing with Diamond.
Diamond has the lead in store systems (Comics Suite), but Comixology has the lead in digital comics and customer outreach. With the retailer tools, Comixology seems to offer title data almost as rich as Diamond Previews.
Which will be first to offer a digital comics storefront to comics retailers?
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