Advertising & Sponsorship Opportunities
Started in 2001 as Wasabi Anime, Green Mustard Entertainment is a production company that designs, operates, and promotes events for consumer-focused media shows (aka pop culture conventions. ) Our experienced team of artists, designers, event managers, and performers have developed themed entertainment for a number of internationally known conventions and festivals across North America including Anime Expo, Calgary/Edmonton Expo, Dragon Con, Fan Expo Boston/Canada/Dallas, Florida Supercon, Gen Con, MEGACON, Origins Game Fair, and many, may more. In 2012, Green Mustard Entertainment started WasabiCon as a one-day event focused on video games, cosplay, anime, and geek culture. The event drew over 500 attendees that year, and in 2013 the convention was expanded into a two-day event. Since that first event, attendance has grown to exceed 3,600 fans over the event s two days in 2018 - an average of 33% per year. Diversity and inclusiveness are a big part of what drives WasabiCon each year. Our convention welcomes fans of all ages with interests in comic books, cosplay, video games, anime, science fiction, tabletop gaming, and a wide assortment of other forms of genre entertainment. According to our data acquired via onsite registration forms and Eventbrite.com since 2007, our primary customers at our conventions are between 15 and 34 years old and consist of 54% female and 46% male attendees. For WasabiCon specifically, over 75% of these attendees are local to the Duval County area.
HOW DO FANS LEARN ABOUT WasabiCon connects with our past, present, and future attendees in a variety of ways, and social media is an important part of the fan experience. Our team (and our brand) are routinely active on all prevalent community websites and microblogs. In addition to standard engagements, we also invest in paid advertising on key platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 7,200+ likes Regularly Updated 4,300+ followers 2,900+ followers Regularly Updated Along with standard social media practices, we also send out physical mailers to all previous attendees of our conventions in Northeast/Central Florida and Southeast Georgia. This currently consists of over 5,000 unique confirmed names and addresses. E-mail blasts are sent out on a regular basis too, with a master list of over 35,000 addresses compiled since our company s inception in 2001. Approximately 15% of those are based in the Central and North Florida areas using available demographic information. Odds are, if you've walked into a Jacksonville area comic book or game store over the past seven years, you've come across our advertising. In addition to accessing unique partnership opportunities, local businesses carry WasabiCon posters and flyers in exchange for complimentary passes to our event. WasabiCon also does local promotional appearances and event support. We ve set up booths and provided programming at regional happenings like the Beaches Comic Con at the Jacksonville Library, the Jacksonville Art Walk, Video Games Live at the Florida Theatre, Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp games, and a wide assortment of other genre and community interest related gatherings. We know and understand that being a part of the city s culture is integral to the growth of productions like ours, and our team enjoys appearing around town whenever possible! All advertising partners and sponsors get a social media post and email blast, plus their logo on www.wasabicon.com for exposure.
COSTUME CONTEST SPONSOR PRICE: $1,000 (or a prize donation + cash) One of the most popular events at the convention is the annual WasabiCon Costume Contest. A comic con standard, the costume contest is an opportunity for attendees to showcase their hard work and dedication to fandom through the re-creation of their favorite characters via cosplay. The competition itself is typically a standing room only presentation in the Main Events room each year with awards given to the top participants: Best of Show (aka THE winner ) Runner Up (aka the winner that s not THE winner ) Best Junior Costume (aka the winner that is under the age of 14 ) Honorable Mention (aka you were good enough for us to notice ) Best Costume Group (aka the folks who looked cool together in costume ) Three (3) Judges Awards The Costume Contest Sponsor receives the following: Sponsored by denoted on every mention of the WasabiCon Costume Contest online, in print, and in public announcements. Six (6) complimentary passes to the event. section and on the WasabiCon Costume Contest rules page. One (1) free printed item or flyer included in the convention s swag bag. NOTE: This must be provided by you, the sponsor, at least ten calendar days before the event. NOTE: This level of sponsorship can be donated as a $250 cash donation + prize donation equal to or exceeding $750. The cash donation goes towards the purchase of trophies and/or plaques.
EVENT ROOM SPONSOR PRICE: $1,000 + Event Room Entertainment & Resources Part of what sets WasabiCon apart from the standard pop culture convention format is the enhanced focus on interactivity with attendees. This is done by way of Event Rooms at the convention that focus on specific facets of the fan experience. While not all of our Event Rooms are available for sponsorship, there are key ones that can benefit from branding and partnering with related businesses. Event Room sponsors are responsible for their rooms holistically: staffing, decoration/theming, and operational resources. For example: if you are a video game room sponsor, you are responsible for providing the games systems, televisions, games, etc. These details are designed on a case to case basis. Rooms available for 2019 are: Game Rooms (Video, tabletop, etc.) Workshop Rooms Other concept rooms (Maid Cafe, etc.) An Event Room Sponsor typically receives the following: Sponsored by denoted on every mention of the room online, in print, and in public announcements. ( The [Sponsor Name] Game Room or The Cosplay Workshops Room sponsored by [Sponsor Name] ) Six (6) complimentary passes to the event. section and wherever the room is listed/mentioned. One (1) free printed item or flyer included in the convention s swag bag. NOTE: This must be provided by you, the sponsor, at least ten calendar days before the event. A dedicated event room for the duration of the convention. The room s hours of operation must match (at minimum) the Exhibitors Hall hours. Sponsor is permitted to sell merchandise in their event room.
EXHIBITORS HALL PRICE: $350 per 10 x10 vendor booth The WasabiCon Exhibitors Hall is one of the primary attractions for attendees each year. It s a place where businesses can sell merchandise, promote companies, or connect with fans for advertising and engagement. Space is limited, and booths sell out well in advance every year. Complete information regarding this year s Exhibitors Hall is available online at www.wasabicon.com/vendors Additionally, you can contact our vendor coordinator, Jo Witherington, via email at Vendors@WasabiCon.com.
GUEST SPONSOR PRICE: $1,500 (or the cost of flight & hotel fees) Media Guests are an attraction at every major pop culture event in Florida, and WasabiCon is no different! Our convention works to bring in exciting personalities for attendees to meet each year in an attempt to enhance the overall fan experience for the weekend. Past guests have included Amanda Miller ( Sailor Moon Crystal ); Candy Keane ( Cosplay Model & Blogger ); David Sobolov ( CW s The Flash ); Gregg Berger ( The Transformers ); Justin Briner ( My Hero Academia ); Kimberly Brooks ( Voltron: Legendary Defender ); Jon Bailey ( Honest Trailers ); Sean Schemmel ( Dragon Ball Z ); Todd Haberkorn ( Fairy Tail ); and many other talented groups and individuals! Partnering with WasabiCon to bring in a Media Guest can draw exposure to your business when planned for alignment with your company s goals and theming. Examples include: Creating awareness via a Media Guest s social media presence & influence. (Plan a visit to your specific store or city the day prior to the event.) Attraction to your business during the convention. (Place your booth directly next to the Media Guest s signing table in the Exhibitor s Hall or - in some cases - schedule signings AT your booth!) A Media Guest sponsor receives the following: Sponsored by denoted on with the announcement of the Media Guest via website, email blast, and social media posts. Six (6) complimentary passes to the event. section. One (1) free printed item or flyer included in the convention s swag bag. NOTE: This must be provided by you, the sponsor, at least ten calendar days before the event. One (1) complimentary Vendor Booth in the Exhibitor s Hall plus two (2) Vendor badges (included with the booth) for company to promote and/or sell merchandise during the event. NOTE: This level of sponsorship can be a flat cash donation or the direct purchase of the Media Guest s airfare and hotel accomodations for the event.
MAIN STAGE SPONSOR PRICE: $2,000 The Main Events stage at WasabiCon is one of the most highly visible areas of the convention. Attendees gather there throughout the weekend to see Featured Talent and Media Guests presentations, large scale panels, game shows, and the annual Costume Contest. The WasabiCon Main Stage sponsor will have their logo added to the backdrop (step and repeat) that is set up on the back of the stage. This means every photo on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. that fans take of that stage will feature your brand for everyone to see! The backdrop size is (typically) eight feet tall by ten feet wide - making plenty of space for performers on stage to be showcased with your brand. PLEASE NOTE: Only one Main Stage sponsorship is available each year. The Main Stage sponsor receives the following: Six (6) complimentary passes to the event. Company banner on the front page of the event website with hyperlink in the Sponsors section. Thank you message tagging your business on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Email blast about your business partnering with the convention as a sponsor. One (1) free printed item or flyer included in the convention s swag bag. NOTE: This must be provided by you, the sponsor, at least ten calendar days before the event. Company s logo (along with Event s name and logo) featured on the backdrop on the Main Events stage.
SWAG BAG BAG DONATION: Free PRICE: $150 for cards/flyers OR $100 for promotional items Each year, the first 2,500 WasabiCon attendees receive a swag bag when they check into the convention. Event attendees love free stuff - so a bag with promotional information helps set the first impression of the amazing elements available for them when they get to the convention. A swag BAG DONATION means your logo/brand will be seen by thousands of attendees the moment they arrive and through the weekend - especially since many fans carry them around during the convention to hold other items they collect/buy/pick up. The BAG DONATION sponsor must provided 2,500 bags (plastic or reusable/polypropylene - not paper) at least fourteen (14) days before the convention. Bags should be no smaller than 15 x 12. The Bag Donation sponsor receives the following: Two (2) complimentary passes to the event. section. One (1) free printed item or flyer included in the convention s swag bag. NOTE: This must be provided by you, the sponsor, at least ten calendar days before the event. Items places in the swag back can either be a promotional card or flyer (no larger than a standard brochure size) for $150 OR a small promotional item (such as pens, bracelets, decals, etc.) for $100. All items are subject to approval by the convention s marketing team. A Swag Bag Item sponsor (either level) receives the following: One (1) complimentary pass to the event. section. One (1) card/flyer or item included in the convention s swag bag. (Must be provided by you, the sponsor, at least ten calendar days before the event.)
TABLETOP ROOM TABLE SPONSOR PRICE: $150 Tabletop Gaming is a large part of fan culture making it a great way to connect with friends and family. There are over half a dozen stores specializing in tabletop gaming in Jacksonville, Florida, and fans are eager to learn about places where they can play and connect with other gamers. This year, WasabiCon is offering TABLE SPONSORSHIPS in our Tabletop Game Room. Each sponsor will take over space in the room in form of a dedicated table. This includes: One (1) eight foot round table with tablecloth. Eight (8) chairs. A sign placed at the center of the table denoting it as The [SPONSOR] Game Table featuring your company s name and logo. This sponsorship also receives the following: During the course of the weekend, members of your business will be able to host games and tournaments at the table. This schedule will be coordinated and announced with you and your team in advance allowing attendees to come for planned game intros, promos, giveaways, etc. When your company isn t sponsoring an activity at the table, it will be open to general gaming - meaning players will see your logo and info every time they sit there! Two (2) complimentary passes to the event. section. PLEASE NOTE: Only four Tabletop Table sponsorships are available this year.
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES WasabiCon is a creative event, so we re always open to ideas when partnering with other businesses for promotions. If none of the sponsorship opportunities in this packet seem right for you, but you are still interested in promoting through WasabiCon - let us know! Our marketing team can explore other options to help suit your company s specific needs. Additionally, here are some other sponsorship ideas. EVENT BADGE (LAMINATE) Each weekend convention attendee, artist, guest, vendor, and staff will receive a convention badge with his/her/their name on it. The front will feature artwork and information for this year s convention - but back has space available! If you re interested in getting your company s logo there, let us know and we can discuss available badge sizes and costs. HOTEL KEY CARD Want your company s logo on every key card at the convention s host hotel? We can do that! Let us know you re interested and we can get you pricing information. PARTY SPONSORSHIPS WasabiCon offers a variety of kickoff events the Friday evening before the convention in and around Jacksonville, Florida. Opportunities exist to host one of these parties OR an on-site party OR even an after-party on Sunday evening. Contact us for strategies and available opportunities. PRIZE DONATIONS WasabiCon hosts a number of contests and game shows leading up to and during the convention. Based on the size of a specific donation, we can offer trades for advertising and other perks! CONTACT INFORMATION Questions? Ready to sponsor? Want to know more about how WasabiCon can work with you? You can contact Danielle Garbett, the WasabiCon 2019 Event Coordinator, via email at Danielle@GreenMustard.com or call the office at (407) 536-9272. Wasabi Anime and WasabiCon are registered trademarks of Green Mustard Entertainment, Inc.