City threatens to cut ties with Gaslamp Quarter Association over unpermitted Comic-Con ad

The City of San Diego has warned the Gaslamp Quarter Association it could end the group’s contract over an unpermitted Marvel advertisement that went up on the Gaslamp Quarter marquee during Comic-Con.

In a Sept. 24 letter to association executive director Michael Trimble, the city’s chief housing and community development officer, Casey Smith, laid out three alleged contract breaches. The “Avengers: Doomsday” wrap went up July 23 and stayed for six days despite city warnings. The city fined Marvel Studios’ ad agency, Elevue Inc., $160,000 in July.

The letter points to a $10,000 payment to the association from Big Outdoor dated June 30, and to board minutes directing Trimble to finalize a contract with Big Outdoor for a Comic-Con activation. The city alleges a possible conflict of interest and says Trimble misrepresented his authority to approve the installation.

Trimble denies the allegations. He says the $10,000 was a routine payment for a separate advertising program, that the association received nothing for the Comic-Con installation, and that Big Outdoor was responsible for getting permits. The association, a business improvement district nonprofit that received $181,000 in public funds last fiscal year, has until Oct. 9 to respond.