THE CONFERENCE

December 6, 2007-- Javits Center, New York City

Anime and manga are a multi-billion dollar business in the U.S., with television programming on over a dozen networks; one of the fastest-growing parts of the book business; best-selling DVDs, top-selling tabletop and video games, toys, apparel and other licensed products all driven by the otaku (fans) that lead pop culture and technology adoption curves.

 

Understanding the 'otaku generation,' the powerful group of young consumers that are driving this phenomenon across multiple categories, can help anyone that wants to reach this audience and ride the wave of Japanese and Japanese-influenced content that's sweeping the globe.

 

TIME AND PLACE

The ICv2 Conference on Anime and Manga will be held at the Javits Center on the eve of the New York Anime Festival--Thursday, December 6th from 1-5 p.m.

 

Who should attend?

* Publishers

* Home media producers

* Toy and game companies

* Consumer product marketers

* Licensing professionals

* Programmers and studios

* Writers, artists, and other creators

* Retailers and distributors

* Librarians and educators

 

THE PANELISTS

Confirmed panelists include top executives from anime and manga companies; from intellectual property houses; digital content experts; and trade buyers.More panelists are being added regularly--check back for new info.  For more information on the panelists, see 'Conference Panelists'.

 

Cliff Annicelli -- Editor, Playthings Magazine

Liza Coppola --Sr. Vice President, VIZ Media

Lillian Diaz-Przybyl--Senior Editor for Original Global Manga Development, Tokyopop

Larissa Faw--Editor, Youth Markets Alert 

Gen Fukunaga--President and CEO, FUNimation

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

Peter Heumiller--VP of Content Development, Comcast

Rich Johnson--Co-Publishing Director, Yen Press

Al Kahn--Chairman and CEO, 4Kids Entertainment

Elizabeth Kawasaki -- Editorial Director, VIZ Media

Christopher Macdonald--Editor in Chief, Anime News Network Editor; Publisher, Protoculture Addicts

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

Dallas Middaugh--Associate Publisher, Del Rey Manga

John Nee-- Sr. VP of Business Development, DC Comics

Lawrence Neves--Editorial Director, Pokemon USA

Jeremy Ross--Director of New Product Development, Tokyopop

Jill Snider--Senior Brand Manager, FUNimation

Nola Thacker--Librarian, Westhampton Free Library

 

CONFERENCE SESSIONS

ICv2 White Paper -- Anime and Manga 

ICv2 will take you inside the latest North American trends in anime and manga, with a look ahead to 2008.  

 

Marketing to the Otaku Generation

The otaku generation makes its entertainment and purchasing decisions in ways that traditional marketing often miss.  Panelists discuss the key roles of the Internet, the ways that brands are built in specialty retailers, and how break-out hits reach across distribution channels and product categories to become true mass brands.   

 

Girls--The Other Half of the Otaku Generation

Japanese pop culture is one of the fastest-growing categories of entertainment for teen and tween girls.  High profile panelists discuss the ways that anime and manga properties are building loyal female consumers for books, programming and home video, and licensed products.  

 

Technology and the Otaku -- The New Media Frontier

The delivery of anime and manga to the tech-savvy otaku generation is in the early stages of a massive shift to digital delivery via on-demand programming, computers, and cell phones.  How will the markets for consumer products and digital delivery interact in that future environment?  Panelists from companies on the cutting edge discuss.

 

REGISTER TODAY!

For only $199, you can participate in this exciting event on the future of the graphic novel industry with the companies and people making it grow.

 

Click here for the New York Anime Festival Website.

 

Click here to be taken directly to the registration page.

 

SPONSORS

VIZ Media, LLC, Playthings Magazine, and Publishers Weekly are sponsors of the ICv2 Conference on Anime and Manga.

 

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VIZ Media, LLC

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.

 

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Playthings Magazine

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.

 

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Publishers Weekly

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.