An ICv2 Release.  The ICv2 Conference on Anime and Manga, which will be held in conjunction with New York Anime Festival (NYAF) on December 6th at the Javits Center in Manhattan, will bring together the most important players in the anime and manga space.  New panelists and sponsors have just been added to this key event.  At the Conference, panelists and attendees will discuss the state and future of the industry, the role of female consumers in building it, and the impact of digital delivery on both anime and manga sales in the future. 

NYAF will bring together more than 120 exhibitors, and will feature the latest in anime, manga, Japanese cinema, music, and games, as well as the best of anime-influenced comics, animation, and film from around the world. NYAF will be held on December 7-9, 2007 at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City.   

ICv2 President Milton Griepp described his satisfaction with how the event is coming together.  'With these new panelists and sponsors for our event, I'm confident that the ICv2 Conference on Anime and Manga will be a seminal event in this massive cultural phenomenon in North America,' he said.  'Publishers, home video producers, licensing professionals, toy companies, librarians, retailers, and creators will be able to meet, mingle, and learn from some of the smartest people in the business about the present and future of this large and growing category.'  

Panelists recently added to the Conference panel on 'Marketing to the Otaku Generation,' which will discuss how new anime and manga properties enter the U.S., reach the fan community, and sometimes hit mass status:

Cliff Annicelli, Editor, Playthings Magazine

Liza Coppola, Sr. Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Viz Media

Rich Johnson, Co-Publishing Director, Yen Press

Joining the panel on 'Girls -- The Other Half of the Otaku Generation,' which will discuss how female consumers are changing the landscape for both comics and animation in the U.S.:

Elizabeth Kawasaki, Editorial Director, Viz Media

And added to the panel on 'Technology and the Otaku -- the New Media Frontier,' which will discuss the impact of digital delivery on the market for anime and manga:

Peter Heumiller--VP of Content Development, Comcast

John Nee, Sr. Vice President of Business Development, DC Comics

These new participants round out an all-star panelist list of top executives previously announced on October 22nd. including:  

Lillian Diaz-Przybyl, Senior Editor for Original Global Manga Development, Tokyopop Larissa Faw, editor of Youth Markets Alert

Gen Fukunaga, President and CEO of Funimation Entertainent

Kurt Hassler­ -- Co-Publisher, Yen Press, former buyer Borders Group

Al Kahn--Chairman and CEO, 4Kids Entertainment

James Killen, Graphic Novel Buyer at Barnes & Noble

Christopher MacDonald -- Editor in Chief, Anime News Network

Daniel Marks­­ -- Sr. VP of Strategy and Business Development, Viz Media

Kevin McFeeley­­ -- VP Affiliate Sales and New Media, Anime Network

Dallas Middaugh -- Associate Publisher, Del Rey Manga

Lawrence Neves--Editorial Director, Pokemon USA

Jeremy Ross -- Director of New Product Development, Tokyopop

Jill Snider, Senior Brand Manager, Funimation Entertainment. 

Two new sponsors have also joined ICv2 in support of this event:  Publishers Weekly, the leading publication serving all segments involved in the creation, production, marketing and sale of the written word in book, audio, video and electronic formats; and Playthings, which has covered the toy industry for the last 105 years.  Viz Media, one of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of manga (graphic novel) publishing, animation and entertainment licensing of Japanese content, is also a sponsor. 

Tickets for the ICv2 Conference on Anime and Manga are now on sale on the NYAF Website.

Click here for the New York Anime Festival Website:

http://www.NYAnimeFestival.com

Click here to be taken directly to the registration page:

http://www.nyanimefestival.com/en-us/447.cfm

ICv2 is the expert source on the businesses of manga and anime in North America.  ICv2 covers pop culture in the anime, comics, games, toys, and movie and TV merchandise categories daily on its Website, ICv2.com, and in its magazine, the ICv2 Guide.  ICv2 also provides consulting services to companies involved in the business of pop culture. 

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), is one of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of manga (graphic novel) publishing, animation and entertainment licensing of Japanese content. Owned by three of Japan's largest creators and licensors of manga and animation, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan Production Co., Ltd. (ShoPro Japan), VIZ Media is a leader in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiences in North America and a global licensor of Japanese manga and animation. The company offers an integrated product line including, magazines such as Shonen Jump and Shojo Beat, graphic novels, videos, DVDs and audio soundtracks and develops and markets animated entertainment from initial production, television placement and distribution, to merchandise licensing and promotions for audiences and consumers of all ages.

Founded in 1903, Playthings Magazine will celebrate 105 years of covering the children's toy industry in 2008.  We have a rich and vivid tradition of editorial coverage.  Playthings.com and our e-newsletter, Playthings EXTRA offer an additional reach.  Through our Website and e-newsletter we cover breaking news, announcements and events relating to the toy industry.

Publishers Weekly is the leading publication serving all segments involved in the creation, production, marketing and sale of the written word in book, audio, video and electronic formats.  It is the prime source of comprehensive news and provides unique industry data including an annotated bestseller list, hot deals and retail news.  A 134-year old magazine -- with over 100,000 dedicated readers -- PW is recognized as the leading publication for international and U.S. book publishing needs. PW's Website, PublishersWeekly.com is packed with great information from the hottest industry news to book reviews to the popular e-newsletters and much more.

New York Anime Festival and New York Comic Con are managed by Reed Exhibitions (RX), the world's largest organizer of business-to-business events, a division of Reed Elsevier plc.  Each year Reed events assemble over 90,000 suppliers and over 5 million buyers from around the world.  BookExpo America is one of many Reed Elsevier properties within the Reed Global Book Publishing Network, whose trade events include the Asia International Book Fair, London International Book Fair, Salon du Livre:  Paris Book Fair, Tokyo International Book Fair and BookExpo Canada, and whose Reed Business Information (RBI) properties include Publishers Weekly, Variety Magazine, Playthings, Video Business, Library Journal, and School Library Journal. 

For more information on the ICv2 Conference on Anime and Manga, go to:

http://www.ICv2.com/articles/news/11472.html

For a full list and more information on the panelists at the ICv2 Conference on Anime and Manga, go to:

http://www.ICv2.com/articles/news/11471.html

ICv2 Conference on Anime and Manga Contact:

Milton Griepp

608-284-9400

Mgriepp@ICv2.com