Archie Comics has just made a hire and some promotions that solidify their role as a fast-track comics publishing company. Jim Sokolowski has joined the company as SVP – Sales and Business Development. Additionally, Harold Buchholz has been promoted to Senior Vice President – Publishing and Operations; Paul Kaminski has been named Executive Director of Editorial; and Alex Segura has moved up to Vice President – Publicity and Marketing.
“This is a very exciting time for Archie, and we’ve made some moves to continue the great success we’ve experienced going,” said Archie Comics Co-CEO Jon Goldwater in a statement. “The addition of Ski is essential to solidifying our place in an ever-changing market, especially with new properties like NEW CRUSADERS and our growing Red Circle imprint. I couldn’t be happier to welcome him aboard.”
“Promoting Harold, Paul and Alex was a no-brainer,” he continued. “These three individuals have proven themselves to be essential to the company from the moment they each stepped into our offices. I’m excited to have them as part of our team. The sky’s the limit for Archie, and we’re fully-equipped to maximize some of the best-known characters in the world to an ever-growing audience.”
Sokolowski—universally known as Ski to pals—was last seen exiting Marvel as part of cost-cutting moves. An industry-savvy exec who was a key part of both Marvel and DC’s publishing plans in various roles, he brings a ton of industry experience and knowledge to Archie, where he’ll oversee sales efforts in the direct, bookstore, digital, and newsstand market.
Buchholz has been in charge of Archie’s distribution, printing and packaging, and has been responsible for much of Archie’s surge in graphic novel production (THE MARRIED LIFE). He’s also known in the indie comics community for working with Jimmy Gownley and Renaissance Press on AMELIA RULES! and as president of Acredale Media, the all-ages comic book print brokerage and consulting service.
Kaminski oversaw sale growth for his mostly licensed editorial portfolio of SONIC THE HEDGEHOG, SONIC UNIVERSE, MEGA MAN, STAN LEE AND THE MIGHTY SEVEN, and NEW CRUSADERS. In his new role, he’ll oversee both GNs and comics.
Segura was formerly Executive Director of Publicity and Marketing, and has basically been promoted because he’s one of the best at what he does in the whole comic book industry, as shown by the coverage Archie’s received everywhere from the New York Times to the Daily Mail. He also wrote the ARCHIE MEETS KISS miniseries.
With some pesky legal troubles seemingly in the rearview mirror and a socially adventurous publishing slate that’s gotten a lot of attention, bringing Ski on board and consolidating a new generation of execs leaves Archie ready to explore even more territory.
One cannot help but read between the lines.
Congrats to the crew!
Archie continues to make all the right moves. Congrats to all!
Congrats to Ski — and to Archie for their wisdom and perspicacity!
And to all for the promotions!
I worked with Harold during his Acredale days and had no idea he was over at Archie. Glad to hear the news — he’s a really good guy