Posted in: Comics, Digital, Recent Updates | Tagged: Comics, comixology, diamond, diamond digital, iverse, pvp, scott kurtz

Michael Murphey Explains Everything About Diamond Digital

Published Thu, 10 Feb 2011 10:25:50 -0600

by Rich Johnston

Comments

Michael Murphey, CEO of iVerse Media has been answering questions on what exactly is happening with the new Diamond Digital service that iVerse has formed with Diamond Comics Distribution. Here are a few examples.

Steve Horton asked Michael a number of questions about how the service would work. Murphy replied;

The code will redeem in ComicsPlus app. We have a working demo of this to show at ComicsPRO and conventions.

Retailers will be able to have web stores in a very simple process regardless of what other site systems they may use.

It will be something similar to (pasting a bit of Javascript code into their existing site) in terms of complexity. We want to make this as easy as possible for everyone.#

As for iPad compatibility, he writes

Regarding Flash — I can't speak 100% on that for launch, but I can say I plan to live in a Flash free world in 2011.

The deal for publishers is a good one – it's a good one for retailers too. It will be very hard for anyone to match it.

When asked if that meant iVerse took no percentage cut, but did a deal elsewhere, say a fee from Diamond, he replied;

We have an agreement with Diamond that works for us to be able to make a great deal for all parties involved.

Which sounds like yes to me. As to whether the service could link up to existing apps such as IDW's, he replied;

At launch it's Comics+ only…but Comics+ will be available in a lot more ways than it currently is.

There was a bit of a back and forth with PVP creator Scott Kurtz as the latter tweeted;

Kurtz: Diamond Digital? Come on. It's like the industry is trying to invent a mechanical horse instead of a car. Count the number of people who take a cut in the DD scenario: Diamond, Iverse, Apple, Retailer, Publisher. Creator ends up owing $1.16.

Murphey: The cut scenario is not as you're describing it here. It's Retailer, Distributor, Publisher – just like always. No Apple.

Kurtz: Sorry. THREE middlemen. Not four.

Murphey: the point is that it's not any different than the current system, and it's not designed to hurt creators.

Kurtz: How does it help creators? It's helping retailers and diamond. For sure. Maybe even the publisher.

Murphey: how is offering MORE ways for a creator to sell their works NOT helping them? Beyond that, here's a few examples of how this can help. A small press pub could give away promotional material digitally in stores that retailers can use to help sell titles. creators can create audio commentaries and bonus materials for their books to help drive sales and stand out on the shelves.if they want they can charge for those plus versions and make more per sale or they could give that away if they wanted. if they want they can charge for those plus versions and make more per sale or they could give that away if they wanted.

Kurtz: I'm just don't see why a retailer or diamond needs to be involved for that. Other than for YOU guys to make a cut. Independent creators can already do that without having to give Iverse, a retailer or Diamond any of the money.

Murphey: I'm sorry if you don't see any value in the hundreds of thousands of dollars iVerse and others have invested in our platforms. building apps isn't cheap and we've invested in that for comics creators and publishers. Not everyone wants to do a web comic. We're not here to sit and try to steal from creators and you know that.

Kurtz: Honestly, I feel like both iVerse and Comixology already cater to large publishers over individual creators.

Murphey: I will say I wish we had more bandwidth to work with every great concept we see. I'm doing everything I can to do more.

Kurtz: Well, I'm sorry. But this feels like helping Diamond and retailers and not creators.

Murphy: what is so WRONG with helping retailers?

Kurtz: Nothing wrong with helping retailers. It just feels like going into a store to buy something digital is counter productive.

Murphey: but buying something digital WHILE you're in the store is what we're trying to do here. Retailers can sell digital online too. publishers are already largely waiting 30 days before letting us sell digital copies. The idea here is to let hardcore fans like me buy digital when I get my print books. Pubs don't want to hurt retail sales, so we're trying to help find a solution. I think several of our publishing partners would disagree with you about us. Ask Ape Entertainment.