In tandem with the beginning of ComicsPRO 2023 in Pittsburgh, Oni Press – the multiple Eisner and Harvey Award-winning comic book and graphic novel publisher – is proud to announce multiple new hires and promotions for the company’s marketing and sales teams.
First, Oni is excited to welcome former Third Eye Comics General Manager Michael Torma as Senior Sales Manager. As the former head of the sales team at the Eisner Spirit of Retailing Award-nominated store’s flagship Annapolis, MD location, Torma has nearly 15 years of experience in optimizing the mechanics of comics retail for one of the United States’ largest and most closely watched comic shop chains.
In his new role, Torma will be tasked with expanding Oni’s operations in the Direct Market and book market; increasing the company’s communication and effectiveness with comic shops and independent bookstores; working hand-in-hand with Oni’s distribution partners at Diamond Comic Distributors, Lunar Distribution, and Simon & Schuster; and building a successful battery of tools and strategies to support Oni’s robust and wide-ranging line of comics and graphic novels.
“Adding a veteran comic shop retailer with Torma’s depth of knowledge and experience is an invaluable asset for a publisher of Oni’s reach and stature,” said Hunter Gorinson, President & Publisher of the Oni-Lion Forge Publishing Group. “Torma will be a key addition to Oni’s growing and multi-faceted team as we fortify our plans for the future.”
Then, Oni is also proud to announce that Desiree Rodriguez – the longstanding Oni Press and Lion Forge editor behind multiple acclaimed titles, including the Eisner Award-winning anthology Puerto Rico Strong – has been promoted to the role of Digital Marketing Manager. In her new role, Rodriguez will oversee all of Oni’s cross-platform social media content generation and management, while working in close collaboration with Oni’s creators, editors, and marketing department to maximize awareness, visibility, and engagement for Oni’s upcoming slate of comics and graphic novels.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside Desiree for many years and I couldn’t be more excited to have her join the marketing team,” says Katie Sainz, Director of Marketing. “Desiree’s passion for comics and insightful knowledge of the marketplace will bring depth and nuance to the Digital Marketing Manager role.”
Oni’s latest hires and promotions follow the appointment of former BOOM! Studios and Dark Horse veteran editor, Sierra Hahn, to the position of Editor-in-Chief earlier this week.
Source: Press Release