From Fan to Pro: InterMyth Founder JPG's Pop Culture and SDCC Expertise

Founder of InterMyth, JPG, is a pop culture educator, consultant, and TTRPG performer who successfully transitioned from being a fan to a professional in the geek space. Notably, while he works professionally in this space, he emphasizes that he never stops being a fan. In fact, he still enjoys and “nerds out” about pop culture, whether at events like San Diego Comic-Con or at home watching the latest releases.

InterMyth and its history with geek culture

JPG has been a part of the pop culture space for the past 15 years, transitioning through various roles, from podcasting and live streaming to Twitch streaming, video games, talk shows, and finally, within the past few years, consulting for content creation. His company, InterMyth, works with both creators and brands, helping them navigate the intersection of commercial interests and fan passion. JPG believes that fans hold the power in shaping pop culture, as their consumption and word-of-mouth recommendations drive the success of brands and products.

The joke that he uses on stage is that,”I’m intimately familiar with the inside of a locker being shoved into it so many times. And, you know, I come from this,I come from this culture where you had to hide all of this stuff, and then it just a few, like a decade or so later, everything was cool, and everybody wanted to talk to you about it. And so,we have this shift from the nerdy things that we loved going from underground to mainstream and, that with that shift, it’s built all this huge, like a subculture of wanting to share these gifts with other people. And I started in podcasting,and that was an incredible time. And we had decided that socially and culturally,having somebody with my ethnicity, with my nationality, have somebody on camera kind of represent that was going to be what’s was going to be more important to us and became more important to us as we kept seeing and being blessed with a lot of success. So, when it comes to being a fan andgetting to work in this space professionally has been amazing, but it never stops you from being a fan. And I still get to nerd out whether I am rubbing elbows with people and after parties at Comic-Con, whether I’m just in my home getting to watch the latest streaming release, I still get to be a fan.”

Fan Power in Pop-Cultur and the San Diego Comic-Con programming evolution

JPG has taken part in San Diego Comic-Con for many years and has witnessed the evolution of the convention’s culture firsthand. San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) is an annual convention celebrating pop culture and is regardied as the biggest and best comic convention. It significantly impacts San Diego’s economy, generating over $160 million in direct spending and attracting over 130,000 attendees. It serves as a platform for entertainment industry announcements, fosters community among fans, and contributes to the cultural acceptance of comics and other forms of popular culture. JPG highlights the convention’s consistent support for educational goals, the focus on atendee engagement and its commitment to providing insightful and educational content alongside entertainment.

JPG, founder and Chief Generalist Consultant at InterMyth

I think fans are the ones who truly have the power in this scenario. You know, brand management and products can only be effective once they’re consumed and people are giving them great word of mouth. That’s where fans come in, and cutting the fan out of the process is a mistake. For example, when you see some of these conventions that only invite industry people, it completely removes the one piece that makes this work for everyone. So, when it comes to fan-centric conventions like this, it’s integral that we have a huge number of people on the streets of San Diego because they’re the ones who are leading the charge to say, “Hey, this is what I’m into, and this is what you should be into as well.”

Impact over Numbers

In addition to his work with InterMyth, JPG offers public speaking and panel coaching services, recognizing the challenges panelists face in crafting impactful presentations. His coaching helps panelists clarify their goals, tailor their content to resonate with the audience, and ensure a successful panel experience.

I would measure the success of a panel not by statistics or numbers. I’ve done panels where no one showed up, with no audience members in the seats, and I still felt successful because I achieved my short and long-term goals. For example, if your goal is to create live content in a safe space that gives people access, it shouldn’t matter if no one is physically present. You’re still creating valuable content and practicing in a real-life setting. My biggest measurement of success is when someone tells me that my panel helped them see something in a new light. One of the best examples of this was when an 11-year-old child came out to their parents and me after a panel where we discussed the Filipino American experience. I had walked what felt like miles across downtown San Diego to get back to my hotel. They saw me at the elevators and stopped me right before I entered my room. They told me they had just come out to their parents and wanted me to know that I had given them the strength and comfort to do so. There was only one person in that room, but their experience shows that if we measure success by how we make people feel rather than numbers, we can achieve great things.

InterMyth helps content creators Grow

For brands interested in participating in events like San Diego Comic-Con, JPG recommends prioritizing authenticity and passion above all else. He emphasizes that understanding and connecting with the fan base is crucial for success in the pop culture space.

I think the biggest challenge I’ve seen when crafting a panel is understanding your goals. I believe many writers go through a similar scenario. If you’ve heard the term “kill your babies,” this is one of those times when you have to edit yourself to improve the story, even if you lose parts you really wanted to include. When crafting a panel, what often gets lost is the intended direction for the audience. Trying to focus someone in a panel setting, where you have 50 minutes to make an impression, can be overwhelming. To be most effective, it’s crucial to have clear goals for yourself, your panelists, and the information you present. This will help your panel stand out among the many wonderful offerings at a convention.

JPG’s company, InterMyth, offers a range of services, including brand management, live event management, and pop culture content creation services. They work with clients who have passion projects they want to launch, as well as established content creators looking to make a greater impact.

Where to find JPG at San Diego Comic-Con

At San Diego Comic-Con, JPG will be speaking on or facilitating nine different panels.

He will be speaking on the following panels:

Thursday, July 25th

Why Films Go Under the Radar 4PM – Neil Morgan Auditorium, San Diego Central Library
Improving Speechcraft, Hosting, and Moderation in Pop Culture 7PM – Room: 23ABC, SD Convention Center
The GCATs – Geek Culture Aptitude Test! 8PM – Room: 23ABC, SD Convention Center

Friday, July 26th T

The Lineup Showdown! 12PM – Grand 12 & 13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

Saturday, July 27th

Story Quest DnD Audience One-Shot! 12PM – Omni San Diego Hotel, Omni Grand Ballroom ABC, 4th Floor
How Comics Support Critical Thinking Improvement 7:30PM – Room: 10, SD Convention Center

He will be facilitating the following:

How Parody and Remakes Enhance the Film Industry – Friday, 7/26/24, 12:00PM – 1:00PM, Room: Neil Morgan Auditorium, San Diego Central Library
The Intersection of Art & Play for Game Developers – Friday, 7/26/24, 7:00PM – 8:00PM, Room: 32AB, San Diego Convention Center
Adaptation to Advantage for Women in Fandom – Friday, 7/26/24, 8:00PM – 9:00PM, Room: 32AB, San Diego Convention Center