Archie Gets New CEO, Founder’s Son Jon Goldwater
- Posted by Johanna on June 25, 2009 at 7:15 am
- Category: Archie Comics
Archie Comics has announced that the son of company founder John L. Goldwater, Jon Goldwater, has become CEO. He “looks forward to expanding the role of his family’s company, Archie Comics Publications, in prominence in the comic book medium as well as other media” and “plans on bringing the kids from Riverdale to a larger multi-media audience.”
Mentioned are not just the usual characters but “other long-standing Archie properties such as Katy Keene, Lil Jinx, the Red Circle Heroes, Sabrina, Josie & the Pussycats, Cosmo the Merry Martian, Pat the Brat, Wilbur Wilkins, Bingo Wilkins, Suzie and Ginger Snapp, just to name a few.” Wow, some there I’ve never even heard of! The press release continues:
Jon Goldwater purchased an ownership interest in the company with the intent of making Archie Comics [an] entertainment powerhouse. In his first few days as CEO he has already started negotiations on projects that will be announced shortly, including a big budget Archie feature film, a new Archie animated project, a Katy Keene television program, and a major music deal for the Archies.
Impressive, if all that happens. I know they’ve been pushing the music connections lately, with more stories about the gang as a band.
4 Responses to “Archie Gets New CEO, Founder’s Son Jon Goldwater”
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June 25, 2009 at 12:10 pm
I’m severely disengaged from “pop music” as pertains to what is actually currently “popular” but it would seem that the time is right for the Archies to make a comeback of sorts. Jonas Brothers, etc… of course Archie Publications is no Disney but we’re pretty much talking about the same thing.
June 25, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Oh, nice comparison. I like a lot of “bubblegum” pop myself.
June 25, 2009 at 5:08 pm
I wonder what effect any plans he has for the Red Circle characters would have on their current DC revival?
June 25, 2009 at 7:57 pm
It’s good to see someone in charge that is enthusiastic about the Archie characters. Marvel has said (and apparently their financials back it up) that they are primarily a character licensing company. DC doesn’t even have to make that statement; it’s obvious.
It’s hard to say if this multi-media push will be good for the comics. While non-stop, lousy, mega-crossover events have ruined Marvel and DC comics, they do look good and there is some occasional good innovation with the characters. With Archie Comics… in some cases, they have no where to go but up in terms of quality.
The comic book art form should never go away, but time may passing the “floppy” format by. I wouldn’t be surprised if new guy transfers the comics to another medium and/or format fairly soon.
The possibility of seeing some new TV shows and movies is kind of exciting. The Sabrina show was pretty good (though the comic book may have just been canceled.) I could totally see Katy Keene as a Disney show.