Oz and I have seen this, it is mostly finished being developed- so it looks as though this is really going to happen. This store is the reason they have been doing things with the server (they still need to have a weekend freeze to get everything moved properly, btw).
I'm not sure how much we will be able to tell you about any plans or details at this stage, but essentially if you have a Drunk Duck account, you can have a DD Store account (they will be linked). The artist uploads an image (of a minimum DPI) and the buyer uses an interface to put that image onto any of a selection of merchandise. So, it's print on demand, but rather than having to figure out if you want to offer shirts, prints, etc… you can more or less 'offer' all of them.
DD Store accounts will be managed via PayPal (both buying and selling), so unfortunately you will need a PayPal account to make use of the store. Platinum felt this was the most secure and easiest way to manage that end of it, and it also means that sellers' payments aren't tied up waiting for minimum amounts, checks, etc.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PLATINUM STUDIOS PARTNERS WITH EZPRINTS
Partnership Allows Users to Create Their Own Merchandise Via Webcomics Portal DrunkDuck.com
Los Angeles, CA – January X, 2010 – Platinum Studios, Inc. (OTCBB: PDOS), an entertainment company that controls an international library of more than 5,600 comic book characters which it adapts, produces and licenses for all forms of media, and ezprints, Inc., a provider of personalized product and related technology solutions, have partnered to create a revolutionary merchandise creation and fulfillment program for Platinum’s leading webcomics portal, DrunkDuck.com.
This new program will allow users of DrunkDuck.com to choose art from the site, design their own products, and order merchandise from a storefront integrated directly into the popular webcomics portal. Comic creators on the site will be able to earn money from merchandising their creations on the same website that they are currently publishing their work. Artists and creators who opt in will be earning money from every sale related to their work.
“Now, for the first time, the thousands of comics on DrunkDuck will be available for merchandising without need for creators to go to third-party merchandising sites, set up separate accounts, and hope that their readers go there,†says Platinum Studios Chairman and CEO Scott Mitchell Rosenberg. “It will all be in one convenient place, accessible from their comic page right on DrunkDuck.com.â€
According to PMA Marketing Research, custom products and services, like those offered through this new program on DrunkDuck.com, represent the fastest growing category in the $89.6 billion photo imaging industry. In fact, at a time when consumer spending remains low and economic forecasts remain bleak, ezprints recently reported that units shipped during its peak week were up 109 percent.
We’re very excited about our partnership with Platinum Studios,†said Wes Herman, CEO of ezprints, Inc. “Scott and his team will be leveraging our easy-to-use online product creation tool, ezp builder, in a way that no one else has to date, providing their base of passionate artists and fans with an unparalleled amount of control over the look and feel of the merchandise. “
Rosenberg added, “Platinum has been exploring ways to provide creators unprecedented profit participation and ezprints’ezp builder is exactly what we needed to make that happen. By creating a situation where both creators and Platinum profit from each transaction, Platinum is supporting a broad base of independent artists and increasing its own bottom line by helping to greater monetize the over 160 million pages views it received on Drunk Duck."
The program is currently in Beta Testing and is expected to launch in early February of this year.
About Platinum Studios, Inc.
Platinum Studios (OTCBB: PDOS) is an entertainment company that controls an international library of comic book characters from all over the world, which it adapts, produces and licenses for all forms of media including print, film, online, mobile / wireless, gaming, and merchandising.
Platinum Studios - Comics Fueling Media EVERYWHERE!
Platinum Studios Safe Harbor Statement
Matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "may," "intend," "expect" and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. Although expected, actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations of Platinum Studios and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with: the impact of economic, competitive and other factors affecting Platinum Studios and its operations; its markets, products, and distributor performance, the impact on the national and local economies resulting from terrorist actions, and U.S. actions subsequently, and other factors detailed in reports filed by Platinum Studios with the SEC.
About ezprints, Inc.
Founded in 1998 to provide digital photofinishing solutions, ezprints has transformed itself into a private label end-to-end personalized product solution provider. From its proprietary, easy-to-use technology to its state-of-the-art printing and shipping capabilities, ezprints effortlessly turns websites into revenue-generators. Ezprints provides personalized professional grade prints, home décor products, stationery products and a wide variety of gift items. For more information, please visit www.ezpservices.com.
###
Platinum Studios Contacts:
Dan Forcey
(310) 807-8125
info@platinumstudios.com
Investor Relations:
Thomas Becker
Platinum Studios, Inc. – Investor Relations
(702) 478-7363
investors@platinumstudios.com
ezprints Media Contact:
Manda Hunt
manda@lenoxcommunications.com
(404) 441.3455
ezprints, Inc. Contact:
Mike Rosenberg
mrosenberg@ezprints-inc.com
(678) 405-7359
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Comic Talk and General Discussion *
Platinum Studios partners with EZ Prints (Drunk Duck is getting a store)
How versatile will the products we'll be able to offer be? Are we talking just regular sized comics? Will there be a page limit? How about trade sized books? Digest sized novels for the manga folks? Hardcovers?
And what about posters or prints, or other non-book specific print products?
EDIT: Nevermind, after looking at their official site, I see they don't actually do any book binding products, it's only prints and cards and stuff. Which is still cool, but I was hoping they'd actually offer book products. Oh well.
EDIT: Nevermind, after looking at their official site, I see they don't actually do any book binding products, it's only prints and cards and stuff. Which is still cool, but I was hoping they'd actually offer book products. Oh well.Yes, it's more like Cafe Press. -merchandising.
One cool thing extra:
People won't need a comic to put work on stuff for sale. People can join DD just to sell art (printed of things) through the store. And of course people with comics can put whatever work they like on things- as long as they created it themselves.
I don't know anything about ezprint, but it's a cool idea. It would make it a lot easier for people to find your store and actually purchase something which has always been a bit of an issue in my experience with DD.
I do want to know about what kind of restriction there would be on what you're allowed to place in your store. I mean, while it would be cool to allow fans to pick up selected non-comic related works as special editions or something, I can't imagine that you wouldn't wind up with some people abusing that and placing an entire store of completely un-related stuff without ever even starting a comic and just using DD like a blog with a built-in store for their non-comic work.
edit: nevermind. Oz, as usual, has impeccable timing.
As long as you create it and own copyright you can sell it. Whatever work you want you can get printed. No restriction.*
People simply don't have to make any comics at all, all they need is a DD account :)
*Things will still have to be vetted in case there's something bad…
You can have adult stuff in there as well I think.
edit: nevermind. Oz, as usual, has impeccable timing.^__^
I'm actually pretty excited about this!
I'm not sure how much I'll want to use it, but I can definitely think of some stuff that will be fun.
I wounder when we'll do a community project: "Fit a ton of characters onto this shirt, your comic urls on back" thingy. That will be pretty sweet.
You will indeed be able to have adult stuff on there. There will be an age filter the same way there is on the main site. And it's definitely not just prints. If you want to see a sampling of the kinds of stuff they offer, you can see it here: http://ezpservices.com/services/what-we-offer.aspx#products. If anyone has any questions, I'm happy to answer them via PQ or here. I'm glad you guys are excited about it. The admins and Kinh (in our office) have put a lot of work into it setting it up and I hope you all will get to see it very soon!
-Platinum Dan
Oh this is neat. Though I was a bit ticked at 1st cause I thought they were going to be a store like KaBlam or Comixpress. And I just had my comics all printed at KaBlam.
I always like to be affiliated with DD stuff, so I'll be looking forward to this for… (looks thorough site)
Panoramas O_O oooh nice!
Oh man, I wanted to list them… but they make so much ^_^
These guys will make a fortune on numbnuts like me!!! I want a Calender with my characters so bad!!! XD
aw cool! i dont have to back alley this shit anymore! :D i echo Aurora in saying are there any rights or anything they claim to your workand add my own nag by asking how much of a precent you get from a sale? i think it's cool either way that people might actually get to wear some PM swag, just curious.
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