Hot Topic® To Sponsor Third Annual Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo in Los Angeles

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Oct. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Advanstar Communications, Inc. and Comikaze Entertainment, Inc. today announced a partnership with Hot Topic, a fan-favorite retailer of pop culture and music merchandise, to promote Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo, the largest and newest comic and pop culture convention in Los Angeles. The convention will take place November 1-3, 2013 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Hot Topic will sponsor the Hot Topic Main Stage at Stan Lee's Comikaze, which will bring fans A-list panels, entertainment and other events.  Bruce Campbell, Weird Al, Elvira, Stan Lee and others will appear on the Main Stage, and fans can participate in events including a $10,000 Cosplay tournament there.

"I've been a fan of Hot Topic for years," said Regina Carpinelli, Founder and CEO of Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo. "We think their contribution to pop culture through innovative retailing and their support for "nerd" properties is fantastic.  We're honored to be partnered with them to bring some of those properties to life at Comikaze on the Hot Topic Main Stage."

"Pop culture is a part of the Hot Topic DNA. Like our customers, we're obsessed with all things geeky," said Cindy Levitt, VP and General Merchandise Manager at Hot Topic. "We couldn't be more excited to partner with Stan Lee's Comikaze to bring exciting products and content to pop culture fans. Keep an eye on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for some fun stuff leading up to the conference, too."

In celebration of the 3^rd annual pop culture convention, Hot Topic and Comikaze will also launch #HOTTOPICTUESDAYS on the @StanLeeComikaze Twitter account, giving fans a chance to win Hot Topic pop culture apparel and merchandise each Tuesday beginning in October. Additional promotions include in-store promotions at Hot Topic's 45 Southern California locations, and a Hot Topic booth at Stan Lee's Comikaze expo floor, where fans will find exclusive pop culture product, celebrity autographs and other surprises.

For more information on Stan Lee's Comikze Expo or to get tickets, log onto ComikazeExpo.com or email [email protected]

About Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo
Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo is the largest multimedia pop culture convention in Los Angeles. The brainchild of Regina Carpinelli and her siblings, Comikaze is co-owned and produced by Avdanstar Communications, Inc., the largest producer of trade shows in the Country.  Partnering with comic legend Stan Lee and Elvira Mistress of the Dark, Comikaze brings together the best in comics, gaming, horror, sci-fi, fantasy, anime and all other cult programming.

About Hot Topic
Hot Topic is a mall- and web-based specialty retailer beloved by rebellious and expressive teens for nearly 25 years. Hot Topic offers music and pop culture junkies band-related apparel and accessories, licensed merchandise, and fashion apparel and accessories. Hot Topic operates 630 stores in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico and an online store at hottopic.com. Find Hot Topic on Twitter (twitter.com/hottopic), Facebook (facebook.com/hottopic), YouTube (youtube.com/hottopic) and Instagram (instagram.com/hottopic).

About Advanstar Communcaitnos, Inc.
Advanstar Communications Inc., the largest producers of trade shows and events in the U.S., is a leading worldwide media company providing integrated marketing solutions for the Fashion, Licensing, Life Sciences and Powersports Industries. Advanstar serves business professionals and consumers in these industries with its portfolio of 147 events, 68 publications and directories, 267 electronic products and Web sites, as well as educational and direct marketing products and services. Market leading brands and a commitment to delivering innovative, quality products and services enables Advanstar to "Connect Our Customers with Theirs."

Contact:
Julie Messing-Paea,
Advanstar Communications, Inc.
[email protected] / 310.857.7580

Jennifer Vides
Hot Topic
[email protected] / 626-839-4681 X 2970

SOURCE Advanstar Communications, Inc.