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Ringing The Changes – Valiant Reveals X-O Manowar #1 Sell-Through Campaign To Aid Retailers

Published Tue, 28 Feb 2017 13:00:32 -0600

In recent years, the Big Two have increasingly relied on overships, aggressively calculated incentives, and stratospherically high variant cover offerings to make ensure domination on the Diamond market share chart… and then promptly stop promoting their titles once they've reached Final Order Cut-Off, moving onto the next month's titles, a status quo that has often left retailers excess stock on their shelves and more than a few complaints about how the industry promotes titles.

So… what is Valiant going to do?

Two weeks ago at ComicsPRO 2017, Valiant representatives told attending retailers that the release of publisher's forthcoming X-O Manowar #1 – in stores on March 22nd from creators Matt Kindt and Tomas Giorello – would be accompanied by "the largest sell-through campaign of 2017."

Today, they announced the first wave of details in support of that initiative, hoping to arm retailers with tools to make Valiant's biggest series launch of 2017 a hit in their stores in March and beyond.

And it all comes down to some rings.

X-O MANOWAR SILICONE RINGS

Several weeks ago at the ComicsPRO conference in Memphis, TN, Valiant debuted a limited-edition run of powder-coated X-O MANOWAR metal rings – coarsely brushed pewter laced with the signature gold tendrils of the Shanhara armor – to homage the new X-O Manowar ring hand-crafted by Aric of Dacia in the opening pages of March's X-O MANOWAR (2017) #1. Now, on the heels of increased fan and retailer demand, Valiant is delivering Aric of Dacia's armor-plated weapon of war into the hands of comics fans everywhere with X-O Manowar silcone promotional rings.

X-O MANOWAR (2017) #1 SPRING PREVIEWS

Get your first look inside the staggering battle that lies ahead right here with this exclusive, 16-page comic preview featuring artwork, character designs, creator commentary, and interviews from the entirety of X-O MANOWAR's all-star creative team!

X-O MANOWAR (2017) #1 POINT-OF-PURCHASE (POP) PROMOTIONAL ITEMS – WINDOW CLINGS AND MORE

To date, Valiant has released a formidable battery of in-store X-O MANOWAR promotional items for retailers, including posters, six-foot standees, section signs, calendars, box cutters, and more. Look for Valiant's POP program in support of X-O MANOWAR (2017) #1 to continue on an ongoing basis with a special sell-through package including window clings, promotional pens, and more.

CUSTOM STORE SIGNAGE

Looking for new ways to promote X-O MANOWAR in your store? Valiant will design and manufacture custom signage to fit any area in your comic shop – from the front door to the ceiling, no space is too large or too small to spotlight Valiant's biggest ongoing series of 2017!

CONTINUAL CONSUMER ADVERTISING & MARKETING SUPPORT

In advance of the release of X-O MANOWAR #1 and for weeks afterward, Valiant will undertake large-scale advertising buys with leading comic book publications, websites and podcasts, including Bleeding Cool, ComicBook.com, Multiversity Comics, Newsarama, and more. Plus: Look for additional X-O MANOWAR promotions at more than 40 conventions across summer 2017, including Seattle's Emerald City Comicon, Anaheim's WonderCon, Chicago's C2E2, and live dates on the 2017 Warped Tour.

TARGETED SOCIAL MEDIA CO-OP ADVERTISING

Looking to boost your reach in your store's geographic area? Contact retailers@valiantentertainment.com and Valiant will design and promote targeted Facebook campaigns advertising X-O MANOWAR #1 in your town or city.

X-O MANOWAR #1 TRAILERS – CUSTOMIZED FOR YOUR STORE!

Coming in advance of Valiant's biggest launch of the year, Valiant will customize copies of the all-new animated trailer for X-O MANOWAR #1 – spotlighting the cosmos-crushing debut of 2017 from all-star creators Matt Kindt and Tomas Giorello – with a special title card advertising your store logo's and contact information.

X-O MANOWAR #1 (2017) RETAILER REVIEW CONTEST

Retailers and store staff: Win cash, and insane Valiant swag for you and your store! Read X-O MANOWAR (2017) #1 and film a brief 10-second review, then send the video to Valiant for a chance to win some amazing prizes!

WAYS TO WIN

Review X-O MANOWAR #1 in a short 10 second video clip. (every video should include: who you are, the name/location of your shop, and what you thought of X-O MANOWAR #1.

Post your video using the hashtag #XOREVIEW. Tag us on Twitter (@ValiantComics), Facebook (@ValiantComics), or Instagram (@ValiantEntertainment) AND tag the store's social media.