Blake Kobashigawa Named Vice President of Sales, IDW Publishing

Joseph Hughes Promoted To Director Of Creative Affairs, IDW Entertainment

Marisa Stotter Elevated to Manager of Creative Affairs

SAN DIEGO / LOS ANGELES, CA – September 10, 2020 – IDW Publishing (IDWP) and IDW Entertainment (IDWE), divisions of IDW Media Holdings Inc. (OTC PINK: IDWM), an integrated media company today announced that Blake Kobashigawa has been named Vice President of Sales, IDWP. Joseph Hughes has been named Director of Creative Affairs, IDWE, and Marisa Stotter has been elevated to Manager of Creative Affairs, IDWE.

“Blake and Joe, both of whom enjoyed tremendous success at one of the comic industry’s most storied operations, DC Comics, are the perfect choices to fill their respective crucial roles at IDW,” said Nachie Marsham, Publisher, IDWP. “Blake is an innovative team-builder with a history of seeking out new business and strengthening existing relationships. Joe has impeccable taste, strong industry relationships, and a passion for both creators and the creative. We’re privileged to have them on board.”

As IDWP’s new Vice President of Sales, Kobashigawa will be responsible for developing the company’s sales strategy, initiatives, campaigns and overall business objectives across all markets.

Kobashigawa previously spent more than seven years at DC Comics, working in multiple capacities including sales, marketing, business development and product development for the book trade, mass, digital and direct-to-consumer markets. At DC Comics, he spearheaded the Essential Graphic Novels program, and led its international book and mass market initiatives.

“My childhood dream was to work in comics and I’ve been a lifelong fan. So, coming back to this industry that I love so much with this incredible opportunity at IDW is more than I could have ever hoped for,” said Kobashigawa, VP, Sales. “I’m beyond excited to dig in and expand IDW’s reach with comic shops, book stores and mass market retailers, as well as librarians and educators.”

Since leaving DC in 2018, Kobashigawa has worked as the Head of Industry Operations at Merchbar.com, the world’s largest direct to consumer marketplace for official music merchandise.

Hughes moves up from an editorial role with IDWP to IDWE’s Director of Creative Affairs. He will be responsible for working across the business to develop strategy and hone creative for IDW’s translation of its extensive IP library into TV, film, podcasts and digital media. He will manage creator talent for all IDWE projects, identify and recruit creators to pitch new comics for publishing consideration, and work with creative affairs and development to identify and curate titles to pitch to external talent.

During his time with IDWP, Hughes successfully developed and oversaw significant titles including Star Trek, DuckTales, Samurai Jack and Sonic the Hedgehog while building and maintaining relationships with major industry licensors. Hughes previously served as Editor-in-Chief at ComicsAlliance. During his tenure, the site received the Eisner Award for Journalism, the industry’s highest honor. Before being an Editor-in-Chief, Hughes worked at DC Comics as a Direct Sales Representative and later as an Assistant Editor at the Vertigo imprint. He was previously a Manager at Forbidden Planet in New York.

“Transitioning from publishing to the entertainment side of IDW is extremely exciting for me,” said Hughes, Director, Creative Affairs. “This new position allows me to focus on all of my favorite aspects of the business — working with the best creative minds in the industry, bringing to life IDW’s library of beloved titles and discovering new and novel stories to transform into diverse media for fans to enjoy.

Stotter moves from Senior Coordinator to Manager of Creative Affairs, IDWE, where she will support the translation of library titles with media rights into their optimal ancillary format including tv, film, podcasts and other digital media.

“We’re thrilled that Marisa will expand her role at IDW to bring more titles from our active library to the screen and highlight new stories and voices,” said IDW VP of Creative Affairs, Veronica Brooks.

Before joining the IDW team, Stotter was Coordinator of Scripted Television for Conde Nast Entertainment. She started her career producing and directing the documentary She Makes Comics.

“I’ve been a comic book lover ever since I can remember so when I landed in the IDW family, I couldn’t have been more excited. I’m looking forward to my expanded role with the company,” said Stotter, Manager, Creative Affairs.

ABOUT IDW PUBLISHING

IDW Publishing (IDWP), a subsidiary of IDW Media Holdings Inc. (OTC PINK: IDWM), is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels, art books, trade paperbacks, and tabletop games. IDWP is one of the top four publishers of comic books and graphic novels in the U.S. with a library of world-renowned licensed content and original series. IDWP’s critically-acclaimed imprints include Top Shelf Productions, Artist’s Editions, EuroComics, The Library of American Comics, Sunday Press, and Yoe! Books.

 ABOUT IDW ENTERTAINMENT

IDW Entertainment “IDWE” is charged with developing, financing, producing and distributing creative, diversified and targeted entertainment content ranging from series and features to interactive experiences and digital content from sister company IDW Publishing’s extensive IP catalog of comic books and graphic novels, as well as from third party content.

Since launching in 2013, IDWE has successfully delivered three seasons of the critically-acclaimed “Wynonna Earp”, which debuted on SYFY in the U.S.; Spike TV in the UK and Australia; and Netflix Globally. The company is also in production on a Netflix series adaptation of the popular comic book “Locke & Key” by Joe Hill and show run by Carlton Cuse, slated to premiere in 2020.  IDWE has completed production on the Netflix Original series “VWars” set to premiere in 2019, starring Ian Somerhalder; and “October Faction” also slated to premiere in 2019.

IDWE is a franchise studio division of IDW Media Holdings, Inc. (OTC: IDWM), a fully integrated media company.