Media Release -- TOKYOPOP and Diamond announced today a new sales and distribution agreement between the companies, with a focus on consolidating efforts to build out the manga graphic novel segment across both comic book and bookselling retailers. The new endeavor will commence on July 1, 2011, as TOKYOPOP transitions over its current bookselling distribution from Harper Collins to Diamond Book Distributors.
The new arrangement will become Diamond Book Distributor's most comprehensive effort to date within the manga space, as TOKYOPOP's 150+ annual new releases and 2000+ backlist titles will become available through the comic book distribution giant. As part of that effort, TOKYOPOP's President & COO John Parker will join Diamond in the newly-created role of Vice President of Business Development.
"I'm excited about the opportunities for both TOKYOPOP and Diamond in this new arrangement," Parker said. "A combination of the strengths of both companies will lead to significant new opportunities in the manga business."
TOKYOPOP Founder & CEO Stu Levy added, "John has been my right-hand partner at TOKYOPOP for nearly twelve years, and I am thrilled to have him be the one helming our critical new business partnership with Diamond Book Distributors."
Both comic shop and book retailers will be able to purchase the entire range of TOKYOPOP products from one source, Diamond Comic Distributors, and partake in creative marketing efforts to increase their in-store sales of manga.
Diamond's Vice President of Purchasing Bill Schanes said, "Diamond welcomes John Parker and the premiere innovators and leaders of the manga revolution, TOKYOPOP. We are excited about our future together."
For book market retailers interested in more information about the upcoming product line, please contact Moria Trent at Diamond 410-560-7100 ext. 862.
