From: [phoenixz z z] at [aol.com] (Phoenixzzz)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics.info
Subject: Marvel/Heroes World report
Date: Sat, 25 Mar 95 05:24:12 GMT
Content-Length: 3061


Hi Everyone....well I was able to attend the first Marvel/Heroes
World meeting held in NYC on March 24th. Below is some of the items
that were discussed and my comments. Please remember that my comments
are my own. They are not meant to be for or against anyone. If I
have misinterpreted somthing, then I apologize. Then again, maybe the
presentation needs to be changed so other like me don't.....

Terry Stewart started the festivities. He talked about The Marvel
Covanant - Establishing Marve'heroes World Relationship with the
Retailer. Interesting side comments: involvement in Theme Parks,
Restaurants, and a Maevel Live Action Tour.

By the end of the summer you will see the introduction of 99 cent
comics in each of the Marvel family titles. These are not aimed
for kids but for the regular readers.

The Current Max Discount is 57.5 %. The New Max Discount will be 62%.
The crowd does not get over excited because they are still waiting to
see what all this means.

There will be changes in traditional buying patterns.
1. More "Jumping On" points for people to start a title.
2. Increased communications with retailers.
3. Improved re-order availability.

Marvel will be reducing titles to focus on their core hits.
In fact, DC will have more titles in June than Marvel.

Without getting into too much, Marvel includes, Marvel Comics,
Malibu, Toy Biz, Fleer, Skybox, Bongo (distribution rights),
and Motown Animation.

The nitty gritty for retailers, etc. is that there will be a Basic
Program and an Incentive Program. Previously there were, I believe
5 or 6 discount levels. There are now 11 levels. The total sales
levels to rach certain discounts have been reduced. The base discount
ranges from 40% to 55%. You can obtain up to an additional 7%
discount based on Three Bonus Incentives:

1. Full Line Support Bonus Incentive - +2%
Purchase 75% or more of the combined Marvel & Malibu full line
Minimum 5 copies/title

2. Sales Growth Bonus Incentive
Increased sales - Predetermined goal set by Marvel. Goal established
each month to reflect changes in product offering.

3. Super Growth Bonus Incentive
Based on either of the following: a) additional sales growth beyond
growth bonus #2 or b) participation in merchandising/display of
specific Marvel projects - average one per week.

All retailers will receive Bonus #1 and #2 for July.

All books will be delivered on Wednesdays...

There were a lot of questions and answers, and if you like me to
try and answer them, please feel free to contact and I'll try.
Also, if you would like to know about future storylines, ask for
my monthly newsletter as we go over them.

Basically, though, retailers seem to have a genuine concern that
they will reach their present discount levels under the new terms.
Will small retailers survive??? That's going to be a tough question
to answer at the moment. Most of us don't mind opening an additional
accounts with other distributors. Unfortunately though, if our overall
discount goes down, we won't make it.....

Good Luck Everyone...