COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL 2018 PRESS GUIDELINES
July 19 22 Comic - Con I nternational 2018 S an Diego Convention Center COMIC-CON JULY 19-22, 2018 Due to increasing demand for complimentary press badges and a limited amount of badges available, Comic-Con International has revised the process to apply for a Comic-Con 2018 press badge. Press Applications are due by Friday, November 3, 2017 The online Comic-Con 2018 Press Application can be found here: form.jotform.us/comiccon/sdcc2018press Please be sure to read this entire PDF carefully before submitting your application for consideration. NEW FOR 2018: Press applications must be submitted online. Please visit form.jotform.us/comiccon/sdcc2018press to access the online press application. Each press applicant must submit a signed assignment letter, on company letterhead, from the Editor/Outlet Key Contact with their application. The assignment assignment to cover Comic-Con 2018. IMPORTANT GUIDELINES TO CONSIDER WHEN APPLYING: There will be no onsite registration for press. Each press applicant must have his or her own confirmed Comic-Con Member ID to submit a press application for consideration. Multiple applicants may not apply with the same Comic-Con Member ID. Press applicants must provide the Comic-Con Member ID and last name of their Outlet Key Contact on their press application. The Outlet Key Contact is your Editor in Chief, Assignment Editor, or may be the person who has assigned you to cover the convention. If you are the Outlet Key Contact, please list your own Comic-Con Member ID and last name in this section of the application. If your Outlet Key Contact does not currently have a Comic-Con Member ID, please have them visit secure2.comic-con.org/memberid/ and select New Member ID in the upper left corner. Tumblr accounts, social media sites, and community forums will NOT be considered for press badges. Information on how to update your outlet information can be found on page 3. Approved freelance press applicants will only be valid for the year applying. 1
HOW TO APPLY FOR A PRESS BADGE All press applicants fall into one of two categories: First-Time Applicants or Returning Press. To determine your category, log in to your Comic-Con Member ID account. If you are Returning Press, your member class will be Press and your press verification status will be DUE or NOT DUE. If you are a First-Time Applicant, no press verification status will be displayed. FIRST-TIME APPLICANTS If you have never attended our conventions as a member of the press, or if you have attended under a different category but are now working as press, you are a First-Time Applicant. Before you apply as press, please make sure you fall into one of the five press categories Print Media, Digital Media, Broadcast Media, Blog/Podcast, or Documentary (detailed information on each category can be found on pages 4 and 5). Once you have confirmed that you fall into one of the five press categories, and can submit the appropriate supporting verification materials and assignment letter, please visit form.jotform.us/comiccon/sdcc2018press to submit the online Comic-Con 2018 Press Application. You must submit your online press application by FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017 to be considered for a Comic-Con 2018 press badge. Please allow 8 to 10 weeks for processing and review. You will be notified via email if you have been approved or declined. If you do not receive a response from Comic-Con International within 8 to 10 weeks, please forward your Comic-Con 2018 Press Application Received email to pressreg@comic-con.org. Make sure to include your Comic-Con Member ID, last name, and the date your application was submitted. RETURNING PRESS Those who have previously applied and were approved as press are considered Returning Press. All Returning Press are either verification DUE or verification NOT DUE. All press members must be verified every two years, unless requested earlier by Comic-Con International. To check your current press verification status, please log in to your Comic-Con Member ID account. VERIFICATION DUE Press members with the verification status DUE are required to submit the online press application to be considered for a Comic-Con 2018 press badge. When submitting your online press application, you must also attach a signed assignment letter, on company letterhead, along with supporting verification materials. Depending on which press category you fall into, detailed information about the supporting verification materials you need to provide can be found on pages 4 and 5. Once you have confirmed that you fall into one of the five press categories, and can submit the appropriate supporting verification materials and assignment letter, please visit form.jotform.us/comiccon/sdcc2018press to submit the online Comic-Con 2018 Press Application. You must submit your online press application by FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017 to be considered for a Comic-Con 2018 press badge. continued on next page 2
HOW TO APPLY FOR A PRESS BADGE (continued) Please allow 8 to 10 weeks for processing and review. You will be notified via email if you have been approved or declined. If you do not receive a response from Comic-Con International within 8 to 10 weeks, please forward your Comic-Con 2018 Press Application Received email to pressreg@comic-con.org. Make sure to include your Comic-Con Member ID, last name, and the date your application was submitted. If there are multiple members from your outlet applying, we will review and process all of your outlet s submitted applications once we receive the total amount indicated on the online application. For example, if you indicate that there are 4 members applying from the outlet, we will review and process the applications once all 4 applications have been received. We recommend submitting all applications from your outlet within the same week as it may delay the review of your outlet s applications. VERIFICATION NOT DUE NO ACTION IS REQUIRED AT THIS TIME FOR RETURNING NOT DUE PRESS. All NOT DUE press will be sent an email with instructions on how to register for a Comic-Con 2018 press badge when online press badge registration opens. To receive this email notification, please sign in to your Member ID account and confirm that you did not opt out of email correspondence from Comic-Con International. This information is found in the My Account tab under the OPT-OUTS section once you have logged in. Need to update your press outlet information? If you are no longer at the outlet currently listed in your Member ID account, or need to update your outlet information, you must visit form.jotform.us/comiccon/sdcc2018press to submit the online Comic-Con 2018 Press Application by FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017. Please follow the Verification DUE instructions for Returning Press (found on pages 2 and 3) to submit an application to update to your press outlet information. 3
VERIFICATION MATERIALS NEW FOR COMIC-CON 2018! ASSIGNMENT LETTER Each press applicant must submit a signed assignment letter, on company letterhead, from the Editor/Outlet Key Contact along with their application. The assignment assignment to cover Comic-Con 2018. PRESS CATEGORIES Each year Comic-Con welcomes members of the press from all over the world. Although requirements vary, Comic-Con International will consider applications from press outlets in the comics, animation, film, television, gaming, and other pop culture-related industries. Press outlets will fall into one of five categories: Print Media, Digital Media, Broadcast Media, Blog/Podcast, or Documentary. Tumblr accounts, social media sites, and community forums will NOT be considered for press badges. Additionally, though documentary crews will be able to submit a press application online, they will not be eligible for complimentary press badges. If approved, documentary crews will be given the option to purchase badges. Documentary crews that would like to videotape, film, and/or record any matter that will be used for commercial purposes (non-news) must first obtain written permission from Comic-Con International. Please review the five press category descriptions on the following page to determine which one your outlet falls into. Each category may have different verification material requirements. Applications submitted without the required supporting verification materials and assignment letter will NOT be considered. continued on next page 4
VERIFICATION MATERIALS (continued) DIGITAL MEDIA (Online: Newspapers/Magazines/Channels/Internet News & Coverage Sites) Applying under the Digital Media category, the outlet must be operating and established for at least 18 months. Each applicant must submit : THREE industry related bylined (credits applicant s name) articles, photos, or videos published within the last 3 months. Exact URL addresses for each of the bylined examples are required. Applicant archive URL showing, at minimum, the last 3 months. PRINT MEDIA (Newspapers, Magazines, Weeklies, Periodicals) Applying under the Print Media category, the outlet s publication should currently be in distribution/circulation for at least 18 months. Each applicant must submit: THREE industry related bylined (credits applicant s name) articles or photos published within the last 3 months. Please scan the examples with the applicant s name highlighted. A scanned copy of the outlet s current masthead, which clearly displays the member s name and editorial title. BLOG / PODCAST (Personal Discussion/Informational Websites) Applying under the Blog / Podcast category, the outlet must be operating and established for at least 18 months. Each applicant must submit: TWO industry related bylined (credits applicant s name) articles, photos or videos published within the last 3 months. Exact URL addresses for each of the bylined examples are required. Applicant archive URL showing, at minimum, the last 3 months. BROADCAST MEDIA (Television Stations & Radio Stations) Applying under the Broadcast Media category, the outlet must be operating and established for at least 18 months. Each applicant must submit: Station call letters and broadcast area THREE industry related bylined (credits applicant s name) articles, photos or videos published within the last 3 months. Exact URL addresses for each of the bylined examples are required. DOCUMENTARY Applying under the Documentary category, subject must be industry related and the documentary must also acquire prior permissions from any Comic-Con participants you wish to film. Each applicant must submit: A scanned copy of the script, outline, treatment and/or webpage of proposed documentary. Please detail the specifics as to what you hope to record. Include crew size and list of equipment you are planning to use. REMINDER: Documentary crews will be able to submit a press application online but they will not be eligible for complimentary press badges. If approved, documentary crews will be given the option to purchase badges for $276 each. Documentary crews that would like to videotape, film, and/or record any matter that will be used for commercial purposes (non-news) must first obtain written permission from Comic-Con International. Due to the volume of inquiries, not all documentary requests can be accommodated. 5
HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION A Comic-Con 2018 Press Application must be submitted online at: form.jotform.us/comiccon/sdcc2018press Your application and verification materials are due by FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017 to be considered for a Comic-Con 2018 press badge. Applications submitted without the required supporting verification materials and assignment letter will NOT be considered. If there are multiple members from your outlet applying, we will review and process all of your outlet s submitted applications once we receive the total amount indicated on the online application. For example, if you indicate that there are 4 members applying from the outlet, we will review and process the applications once all 4 applications have been received. We recommend submitting all applications from your outlet within the same week as it may delay the review of your outlet s applications. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Frequently asked questions regarding press application/registration can be found at: www.comic-con.org/cci/press-faq As always, the issuance of a press badge is at the sole discretion of Comic-Con International. Please be respectful of all attendees. A press badge is provided as a courtesy to cover the event. Comic-Con International does not tolerate coverage that includes stunt-type events, ambush interviewing, or any sort of action that could make any attendees feel unsafe or uncomfortable. All approved members of the press are held to Comic-Con s Code of Conduct and all other Convention Policies (www.comic-con.org/cci/convention-policies). PLEASE NOTE: Names, outlets, titles, and email addresses of approved and registered press will be made available to studios, exhibitors, programming participants, etc., prior to each convention (COMIC-CON 2018 PRESS LIST). For more information on Comic-Con 2018 please visit: www.comic-con.org/cci 6
COMIC-CON 2018 PRESS CHECKLIST We strongly recommend that you follow the checklist below when submitting your Comic-Con 2018 press application. Failure to submit required information or materials could potentially disqualify your application. FIRST TIME PRESS APPLICANTS STEP 1: Register for a Comic-Con Member ID at https://secure2.comic-con.org/memberid/ STEP 2: Download the Comic-Con 2018 Press Guidelines PDF at www.comic-con.org/cci/press STEP 3: Carefully read the instructions on how to apply for a press badge. STEP 4: Complete and submit the online Comic-Con 2018 Press Application at (form.jotform.us/comiccon/sdcc2018press) STEP 5: Your press application and materials must be submitted by FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017. Requests after this date will not be considered. STEP 6: Receive notice (via email) if your application has been approved or declined. STEP 7: If you are approved, you will be notified via a second email when online press badge registration opens. To receive this email notification, please sign in to your Member ID account and confirm that you did not opt out of email correspondence from Comic-Con International. This information is found in the My Account tab under the OPT-OUTS section once you have logged in. RETURNING PRESS: VERIFICATION DUE OR RETURNING PRESS NEEDING TO UPDATE COMPANY/ OUTLET INFORMATION STEP 1: Download the Comic-Con 2018 Press Guidelines PDF at (www.comic-con.org/cci/press) STEP 2: Carefully read the instructions on how to apply for a press badge. STEP 3: Complete and submit the online Comic-Con 2018 Press Application at (form.jotform.us/comiccon/sdcc2018press) STEP 4: Your press application and materials must be submitted by FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017. Requests sent after this date will not be considered. STEP 5: Receive notice (via email) if your application has been approved or declined. STEP 6: If you are approved, you will be notified via a second email when online press badge registration opens. To receive this email notification, please sign in to your Member ID account and confirm that you did not opt out of email correspondence from Comic-Con International. This information is found in the My Account tab under the OPT-OUTS section once you have logged in. RETURNING PRESS: VERIFICATION NOT DUE If your 2018 press verification status is NOT DUE, you will be notified via email when online press badge registration opens. To receive this email notification, please sign in to your Member ID account and confirm that you did not opt out of email correspondence from Comic-Con International. This information is found on the My Account tab under the OPT-OUTS section once you have logged in. 7