Meet David Glanzer , Comic-con International Marketing and PR Director

In three months, the world’s most anticipated pop culture comic convention – Comic-con International: San Diego will begin. Comic-con was founded in 1970, when a group of San Diego sci-fi, comics and movie fans – the late Shel Dorf, Ken Krueger, and Richard Alf got together to put on the first comic book convention in southern California. Comic-Con has drawn to attendance of 130,000 crowd in recent years. The event continues to grow tremendously maxing out San Diego Convention Center space.

Let’s meet the man who is responsible for letting the public know who they are and what they are doing. David Glanzer, Director of Marketing and Public Relations of Comic-Con International deals with press and media all over the world.

I am so fortunate to feature David Glanzer for popbuff.com. During his grueling schedule prepping up for WonderCon Anaheim, David took some time to answer my questions.  I was at WonderCon a couple weeks ago and I was amazed how much it has grown.

WonderCon Anaheim 2015

WonderCon at The Anaheim Convention Center

This Q and A reveals how David started his career with Comic-con and the ingredient of Comic-Con’s success.

Ruchel:  When and how did you start with Comic-Con International San Diego. How did you climb the success ladder?
David: I began attending the show way back in 1978. Then in 1984 I had a friend who was on the committee and asked if I could help with press releases as I had some experience with those. Then one thing lead to another and here I am.

Ruchel: Comic-con International has been dubbed as one of the best pop culture events in the world. What is the ingredient of Comic-con’s success?
David: Well we’re fans ourselves and are dedicated to creating the kind of convention we would want to attend ourselves. Of course we’re lucky because we have great exhibitors and program/panel participants. Some amazing volunteers, staff and a great board of directors. But I would have to say the fans, the attendees who come every year are a big reason for our success. After all, without them we wouldn’t have a show.

Ruchel:  There are rumors that Comic-con will be moving to a different city. What is your take on this?
David: We maxed out the space at the convention center in San Diego some years ago. For this reason we have had to limit attendance and exhibitors. But thankfully the city, mayor, convention center and many local hotels have allowed us to expand outside the facility. Right now we’re negotiating for discounted room rates for our hotel blocks. Most of the hotels are working with us to make sure we can stay in San Diego. But ultimately if we can’t do what’s best for our fans and attendees, we may have to find somewhere else to go.

Ruchel: What do you like most about your job?
David: That’s a tough question because there is so much about it I enjoy. Probably the best is meeting new people and rekindling old friendships. There are some people I see only once a year at the show and yet we pick up as if no time as passed at all. And it’s amazing to let people know who we are and what we do. We’re a great umbrella where people of different interests converge for four great days each summer. Getting to talk about that as part of my job is fantastic.

David Glanzer PR and Marketing Director of Comic-Con International

Ruchel: What are the challenges of your job?
David: Not being able to accommodate the requests of everyone who would like to attend. Because we have limited badges, hotel rooms and exhibitor space, not everyone who wants to take part can. And that’s something I think we all wish we could change.

Ruchel: Can you tell us what your job entails?
David: My department is responsible for letting the public know who we are and what we’re doing. We also handle sponsorship requests, news inquiries, rights and clearances for people who may want to associate themselves with us, dealing with press and media all over the world. There’s a lot to do, but it’s fun.

Attendees at WonderCon Anaheim

Ruchel: Who is your favorite pop culture icon and why?
David: Wow, that’s a great question and a really difficult one to answer. There really are so many. If it were a living person I might have to say William Shatner. He attended our show once many years ago when most people still didn’t know who we were. He recorded a segment for broadcast later that week on a very popular morning news program and asked if there was anything he could do to help us. He was very nice, very kind and made sure the cameraman got plenty of images of our logo. When the piece aired later in the week, it was the best ad for us and it was national. AND he’s Capt. Kirk…I’ve been a huge Star Trek fan since I was a kid, so he was as cool in person and I hoped he would be so I would have to say he’s one of my favorite pop culture icons.

Ruchel: What advice can you give for people who wants to work for an event like Comic-Con International?
David: I would say you must love popular art. This is a job, there are definitely aspects that are business, but having a love for popular art is essential I think.

Fox’s Wayward Pines Panel at WonderCon

Fox’s The Last Month on Earth Panel

Will Forte with a fan

Will Forte with fans

Popbuff blogger Ruchel Freibrun and Will Forte

Have you been to Comic-Con International or WonderCon Anaheim? Share your thoughts.