PRESS RELEASE –
IDW Publishing today announced some exciting editorial shifts with a major promotion and a new hire.
David Hedgecock has been promoted from Managing Editor to Editor-in-Chief. In his new role, David will be handling the day-to-day management associated with producing the company’s print publications, providing direction and supervision for the editorial staff, while also focusing his attention on increasing readership and utilizing new media. David joined IDW as Managing Editor in 2013 after having previously served as CEO for Ape Entertainment. He is currently spearheading the Revolution event series, which sees multiple Hasbro properties merge into a single shared universe.
Chris Ryall continues as the company’s Chief Creative Officer in an expanded capacity by concentrating his efforts on developing new creative opportunities for all divisions of IDW. This includes the pursuit of new creative talent, stories, and licenses, developing proposals, and identifying new publishing opportunities, distribution channels, and formats. Having joined IDW as Editor-in-Chief in 2004, Chris boasts one of the longest-standing stretches for this position in comics and under his watch helped grow the company into an editorial powerhouse, developing such properties as the award-winning Locke & Key, Hasbro’s Transformers, Toho’s Godzilla, CBS/Paramount’s Star Trek, and 2000 AD’s Judge Dredd, among many others. He will also remain actively involved in writing for the company including Rom, which will tie-in closely with the new universe established in Revolution.
“In his three years at IDW, David has shown the drive and commitment that is needed to be successful in his new position,” says Chief Creative Officer Chris Ryall. “This move is well-earned and I can’t think of anyone better suited to succeed me in this position. I’m excited to continue working with him and the rest of the team while working to take the company to even greater heights.”
“Chris has given me big shoes to fill,” said newly minted Editor-in-Chief David Hedgecock. “Working with the editorial team at IDW over the past few years has been a career high. I’m excited for this next chapter to begin and for many more years of creativity to come working with the the most talented people in comics.”
Joining the newly restructured editorial department is Chris Cerasi, who has held various editorial positions over the years with a concentration in licensed publishing having handled some of today’s biggest global properties, including the Star Wars franchise for LucasBooks, and the pantheon of the DC Universe in the Licensed Publishing division of DC Entertainment. He has project managed titles tied in to both the comic and multi-media interpretations of DC’s characters, including Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, Smallville, Superman Returns, and has worked on Warner Bros.’ hit TV show, Supernatural, since 2006. Other recent work includes Angry Birds and other properties for Rovio Entertainment.
“We’re excited to welcome our newest addition to the team, Christopher Cerasi, who brings with him a wealth of talent and experience from his considerable time at DC, Lucasfilm, and Rovio,” said David Hedgecock. “Chris is another perfect addition to the IDW staff.”
About IDW
IDW Media Holdings, Inc. (OTC:IDWM) is a fully integrated media company, which includes publishing, games, entertainment, and the San Diego Comic Art Gallery.
IDW Publishing’s comic book and graphic novel catalog includes some of the world’s most popular entertainment brands, including Transformers, My Little Pony, Star Trek, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Ghostbusters, and Disney’s classic characters. At IDW’s core is its commitment to creator-owned comics including 30 Days of Night, Locke & Key, Wormwood, Ragnarök, V-Wars, and Archangel by bestselling sci-fi author William Gibson.
IDW Publishing is also home to the acclaimed and award-winning imprints; Top Shelf, The Library of American Comics, Yoe! Books, and Artist Editions, showcasing the greatest original art ever published in American comic books.
IDW Games’ diverse line-up includes the international phenomenon Machi Koro, as well as hit licensed games such as X-Files, Back to the Future, The Godfather, and TMNT.
IDW Entertainment currently serves as the worldwide distributor of Wynonna Earp airing on the Syfy Channel in the U.S. and is producing BBC America’s Dirk Gently, based the best seller by Douglas Adams starring Elijah Wood and Sam Barnett, and Brooklyn Animal Control for USA Network.
