What we can learn from Sheldon Dorf; the creator of Comic-Con

December 3, 2009

Sheldon Dorf is dead. Why should we care? Because Sheldon Dorf showed how one, rather quiet person can create an industry changing event.

In the 1960’s, Dorf decided that there should be an event for people who loved comic books. Starting with fewer than one hundred attendees, the event has grown to become Comic-Con, a monster event that last year drew 127,000 fervent fans to San Diego.

The conference now draws whole families of enthusiasts who come dressed in costumes and get sneak peeks at coming science fiction movies, television shows and video games. Wouldn’t it be great if we had our own Sheldon Dorf to do something similar for the toy industry?

Well, maybe we do and they’re just getting started. Are you the toy industry’s Sheldon Dorf or do you know someone who is? If so, write in and let us know.

Posted by Richard Gottlieb on December 3, 2009 | Comments (2)

December 3, 2009

In response to: What we can learn from Sheldon Dorf; the creator of Comic-Con
Colleen McCarthy-Evans commented:

Mary Couzin is another Sheldon Dorf, but you already knew that! :-)

December 3, 2009

In response to: What we can learn from Sheldon Dorf; the creator of Comic-Con
Chesscubed commented:

I make no pretense to that of Mr Dorf. As I set out to invent 3-way chess, I simply considered it as a way to take care of the annoying 3rd person. I knew nothing of the chess industry, or previous attempts at the same goal. Nor could I have conceived the amplified emotion level created by three as a group compared to the stereotyped solitary two. And that the three player game would be a new chess platform. What I learned of the chess industry is bittersweet. Chess is quietly, the single largest boardgame market ever. On the other hand, most federations run at a deficit. Chess is worthy of worldwide marketing and promotion, but lacks money to do so. For years, no one bothered with chess market statistics. As we speak, it is considered by Hasbro to be a niche market. Chesscubed offers a fun way to get involved with chess. Because of the simple patent, it can be marketed. It can cast a cool and compelling spin on chess as a whole. Because it is a new platform, a unique world of chess3 can be unleashed in schools, plastic, wood, metal, stone, glass, electronic, movies and unlimited on-line applications. Chesscubed is coming; with ground breaking events being planned for the near future. USCF says over 600 million people play chess. So 9% of the world play; 91% never had a reason. Chess3 has the power so shake up those numbers!