One recent media event I went to, was the End of year 2008 Cosplay at Singapore Expo.

A cosplay is s a type of performance art whose participants outfit themselves, with often-elaborate costumes and accessories, as a specific character. Characters are usually sourced in various Japanese and East Asian media, including manga, anime, comic books, graphic novels, video games, and fantasy movies.

The event is jointly organised by members from the Singapore's largest Cosplay Community known as SGCosplayers that frequent forums like sgcafe.com. The Cosplay Competition and booths are situated inside a pay-to-enter area. Other cosplayers/people that don't want to pay can stay outside the area, and have as much fun as those that paid. Over 3000 people attended that 1 day event. From Cosplayers to photographers, the area is packed the whole day.

The target audience are anime/cartoon/manga/comic fans that appreciate the effort people put in to bring their fantasy to life. The age group can be from as old at 40 to as young as 8.

Since the event is not advertised on any mainstream media in Singapore, people know about this event through the participation in the sgcafe online forum or through friends/peers. The Cosplay isn't widely reported. It is due to the fact that it is an annual event and it only appeals to a niche group with a large amount of people. After the novelty has worn off, the Singapore's mainstream media ceased to cover the event.

To get the media to cover the event, the managers need to publicise on the more circulated media channels in Singapore. They would also need to include a unique activity/competition for this event and preferably link it to a high profile company/brand to achieve newsworthiness.

If I was the manager of this event, I would consider the event a great success. This is simply due to the HUGE turnout. People were spilling out from the whole second floor, where the event is held, all the way to the ground floor, or even outside the expo. The participants in the competition put in lots of effort in their costumes as well.

As for improvement to achieve a greater success, I would do the things I said above to attract more coverage from the media. If possible, I would find sponsors and extend the event to more than just 1 day because everyone was yearning for more after that and the turnout for the next day would be just as good or even better. If possible, I would also make it a profitable event, allowing me to make a bigger and better event the next year.