Comic-Con's key for TV

Interesting article from Variety, on how television series are being promoted at Comic-con, and how the event attracts fans way beyond the comicbook world.

"It's taken on a life of its own," Warner Bros. TV Group exec VP of marketing Lisa Gregorian said of the event.

"There are fans there of all kinds of entertainment," she continued. "And these are people who communicate what they like through blogs and the Internet."

The Internet has changed the way in which we market TV shows... "We're marketing much further out than we ever did," Gregorian said. "The awareness of these new shows is so much higher."

And while "Jericho" didn't become a major hit last season, CBS Paramount believes its show also got a boost from a strong showing at last year's Comic-Con.

"They launched it before it even aired," said Lauri Metrose, VP of communications for the studio. She describes the Comic-Con crowd as "tastemakers."

"These are the people who are online, talking about TV shows and movies," Metrose said. Studios "are getting savvy to the fact that these people are passionate and can make a difference."

Comic-Con has also spread beyond its sci-fi roots, expanding to become a showcase for all sorts of programs with nerd or superfan appeal.

"It's about smart shows and shows that appeal to the smart audience that's down there," said Phil Gonzales, VP of communications for CBS Entertainment.

emily | 9:59 PM | Advertising / Marketing |
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