Diamond Appoints Chris Powell Of MyComicShop.com As Executive Director Of Business Development

[Rich Johnston]

It wasn't long ago I heard that Chris Powell, manager of Lone Star Comicsand MyComicShop.com was to take a specific senior position in the comic book industry. I didn't run the story because talking to the company in question, it just wasn't true. Loks like the source may have got the story right, but the company wrong.

Now I understand that Powell will move to Maryland to become Diamond Comic Distributors' Executive Director of Business Development for the comic book speciality market, with a mission to increase the number of comic stores in the market, and help existing stores expand. This was an aim of the company as expressed at San Diego Comic Con, and it appears Powell will be givn the task of making it flesh.

Powell was a founder of ComicsPro and served as President of the CBLDF. He will begin his new role in March.

[Dans07sti]

What does a executive director of buisness development actually do?

[darkspark]

this is just so freaking interesting...

[AcomicShop]

What does a executive director of buisness development actually do?

I don't know for sure, but this is awesome that Diamond is trying to devolop the retail end of the industry WITH a great retailer at the healm!

CP is a smart and wonderful man, and this also means I'VE GOT A FRIEND IN THE DIAMOND BUSINESS!

[Pulp Nouveau Mike]

this is just so freaking interesting...

If you're not being sarcastic, I agree with you completely. I may have to get in touch with this gen'leman.

[stygma]

nice newsbit, very cool that he's got the job.
i do worry about conflict of interest here tho, but i would NOT want to suggest that he's that kind of guy. im more concerned about what pressures Diamond (and others) will put on him, and what games/manipulation he will have to endure. for all we know this one big scam by a higher corp to make appear that retailers and print comics are supported, when really they are happy to see them undermined so the money will go digital!
its always about money and control folks.

Best of luck to Mr. Powell !!

[mohawk_jones]

What does a executive director of buisness development actually do?

I actually had two interviews with DCD in regards to this position so I can shed a little bit of light on that.

The basic goals of the position are:
- Encouraging existing retailers to expand their operations by opening new locations.
- To identify underserved markets and help find existing/new retailers to serve them.
- Encourage existing stores to look at malls, shopping centers and other high visibility areas to increase foot traffic.
- Help guide new accounts to ensure the maximum success. To crate more healthy retailers from the start, less trial & error/learning curve.
- Roll out plans for new stores and follow up to ensure they are maximizing their product mix.
- Work with publishers to create new account welcome packets and incentives, incentives for expanding existing operations.

Diamond wants to 100% support print and brick & mortar stores. Creating/encouraging healthily stores is good for them as well as for the industry. Bringing stores into under-served markets and getting stores into higher profile areas with the hope to find new/lapsed readers, putting stores where there is not one currently to encourage brick & mortar sales and grow the comic reading community. Help new accounts avoiding over served markets and targeting good locations. It's good for Diamond (more orders) and the print industry (new readers, visibility).

I was very excited for this position but I am very glad to see that it's going to Chris. He's a great guy and has the background and years of experience needed to make it work. It's a great opportunity for the industry and something Diamond has been working on for a while now. From what I understand Marvel and DC are behind it 100% with full support. Even with their digital incentives they are still really pulling for print and brick & mortar stores to thrive.

Best of luck to Chris!

[Dave Elliott]

This is great news. Chris has always been a supporter of retailer growth and a source of expertise. Sure he wouldn't have taken this if it wasn't a ligit play at expansion.

Best of luck Chris.

[bostonbrand]

I am of the opinion that Diamond could help brick and mortar by doing what they do better. First of all some folks who are actually trained to pack shipments. The sheer amount of damage and missing items in our shipments since they closed down the southern california hub has been insane. They would save a hell of a lot on shipping to replace damaged and missing items. I cant be sure, but I believe that they are or at least were using a staffing service. I know this because I have found staffing company i.d. laminates in two different shipments.

Not saying this position and Chris doing it is a bad idea. I just feel like there are some other cracks in the system that need addressing as well.

Clearly I saw this as an opportunity to vent my diamond based frustrations.

[MechanicalClavicles]

This means that no comic will ever arrive in true "near mint" condition ever again.

Ever.