Geek Marketing at the San Diego Comic Con

What once started as a small festival of comic book fans some 40 years ago has now turned into a mecca of media that encompasses not only the comic industry but also the video game and movie industries. I’ve lost track of what number  Comic Con this was for me but every year it seems to get bigger and better. Besides the costumes, the panels, the vendors, the chance to meet your favorite creators and the general atmosphere, one of the fun things for me is to see all the different types of marketing at the con. It seemed I was not the only one, when I stumbled on this gallery on the io9.com  website: http://io9.com/5598161//gallery/ When you think about it, what better place to find creative marketing than a convention centered around creative industries?

Some of these marketing items might even spark a creative idea or two for your company next time you need some marketing buzz, are attending a convention, or just looking to do something a little more our of the box than what you’re used to.

Custom Printed Bags

This is one of the staples at Comic Con and large and small companies participate by creating eye-catching bags that advertise their company or product. Once people start picking them up, you’ve got walking advertisements going all over! Outside of conventions, companies also custom print items such as reusable grocery totes as giveaways (actually, I’m still using the bag I grabbed at the Dark Horse comics booth last year for a grocery bag). Not only are they an easy way to subtly market, they’re also good for the environment.

Wearables

Beyond t-shirts, there’s a whole world of wearable creative items that can be branded with your marketing. A fan favorite at Comic Con is always buttons. What’s best about buttons is that people usually do not toss them out like they would a paper flyer. They’ve got sticking power – literally. Buttons are pretty cost effective too. If ordering thousands of them the price could easily drop to about 5 or 10 cents a button. Other items to wear include hats, lanyards and bracelets – all of which I saw prominently at the San Diego Comic Convention.

“Quirky” Items

Something that is unusual in context, useful, and free can also be a great way to market! Take for instance the branded deodorant stick from Mattel seen at Comic Con. Yes, it can get a little hot and sticky while waiting in line for hours for a big panel and after a certain amount of time anyone who’s been to the con knows that it can be a real test of endurance. “Fresh Comic-Con Relief” was stamped at the bottom of these. Quirky and memorable.

Fear.net, a multi-platform movie network catering to horror was giving away branded instant pop corn. Fun and tasty.

So next time you need a fresh way to market, consider some of these creative items!

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