Anime Expo® 2007 Announces Conference Key Note Speakers And Conference Panels

Anaheim, California (June 15, 2007) - Individuals from both Japan and the U.S. will take the stage as part of key note speeches and conference panels at Anime Expo®’s Industry/Press only conferences during the highly anticipated 2007 convention June 29-July 2 at the Long Beach Convention Center. More information can be found on the website www.anime-expo.org.

Scheduled key note speakers are:

• Keizo Tsuchiya, JETRO (Los Angeles Office)-Chief Executive Director

› FRIDAY LP4 (LBCC 203C) 11:00 am- 11:30 am

• Trulee Karahashi, Society for the Promotion of Japanese Anime-Chief Financial Officer

› SATURDAY LP4 (LBCC 203C) 9:00 am- 9:30 am

• Debra J. Kennedy, FUNimation-Senior Vice President of Marketing and New Media

› SUNDAY LP4 (LBCC 203C) 9:00 am- 9:30 am

• Jeremy Ross, TokyoPop Inc-Director of New Product Development

› MONDAY LP4 (LBCC 203C) 9:00 am- 9:30 am

Key note speeches will cover the environment of the anime/manga industry as a whole in Japan and the U.S., how the environment in Japan could possibly affect the U.S. and vice versa and how each companies are looking to adapt to the changing environment.

Topics for Anime Expo®'s Conference panels include:

ANIME in the U.S.

Date, Time: June 29, 2007; Day 1,11:30 am-1:00 pm
Location: LP4 (Live Programming, Room 4) LBCC 203A

Anime has defined itself as one of the fastest growing industries in the U.S. With an increasing fan base that spans many age groups, companies must not only meet the challenges of keeping pace with anime's expanding popularity but also surmount the issues and barriers that continue to haunt the industry. Professionals from six different companies will discuss a variety of topics, such as: What strategies are companies utilizing to manage the industry’s popularity and growth (i.e. Anime theatrical releases)? How is the industry coping with piracy (i.e. "Hong Kong" region-free bootlegs and fansubs)? With fan base demographics dipping into the pre-teens, does this impact purchasing power and sales? Given the large number of titles currently being released, has the market become over-saturated? In what ways does development of new Intellectual Properties assist with growth and profit? What are the trends for the future of anime? Where is the industry headed?

MANGA Mania

Date, Time: June 30, 2007; Day 2, 9:30 am-11:00 am
Location: LP4 (Live Programming, Room 4) LBCC 203A

The popularity of manga continues to grow, and companies are now dealing with new Intellectual Properties, including brands based in the U.S. Professionals from a variety of companies will cover topics such as: What are the future trends for manga? Where is the industry headed? With so many titles currently being released, is the market over-saturated? Does having a fan base that includes pre-teens impact purchasing power and sales? What can publishing companies do to ensure their U.S. fan base continues spending their money on US releases rather than downloading fan-translated manga from the web? Does the capacity for consumers to read manga in large-chain bookstores impact sales? What is the industry perspective on collectible manga merchandise, with respect to supplemental revenue, branding, art books and other items?

THE FUTURE OF ANIME IN MOVIES, TELEVISION, ONLINE AND CABLE

Date, Time: July 1, 2007; Day 3, 9:30 am-11:00 am
Location: LP4 (Live Programming, Room 4) LBCC 203A

Anime and manga have infiltrated mainstream entertainment with major movie releases, TV programming and even dedicated channels. As the success of each entertainment silo begins to depend increasingly on the gains of others, knowing how our potential partners think can only translate into better business opportunities for all. Executives from the film, television, cable and internet industries will discuss their interests and objectives with respect to anime and manga. What are they looking for from their alliance with the industry? How do anime and manga enhance their own brands? Where are the untapped opportunities for collaboration? Are their efforts to develop original and unique Intellectual Properties through early collaboration? In what ways are their relationships with the anime and manga industries enhancing their profits?

TECHNOLOGY, ENTERTAINMENT AND LICENSING

Date, Time: July 2, 2007; Day 4, 9:30 am-11:00 am
Location: LP4 (Live Programming, Room 4) LBCC 203A

The stage is being set for massive change in technology, electronic entertainment and licensing. New technologies, such as BluRay, have been disrupting current business models and are creating entirely new ones in their place. Mobile operators have aggressively pursued services and channels, including games and programs, to boost data spending. Cross-licensing, synchronized releases of products, combined with marketing plans designed to leverage shared audiences, are rewriting the way companies market properties, drive revenues and, most importantly, work in partnerships with others. Mobile entertainment, product development, and electronic entertainment executives discuss how their interests and objectives dovetail with those of the anime and manga industries. What are they looking for from their alliance with the growing industry? How do anime and manga enhance their own brands? Where are the untapped opportunities for collaboration? Are there efforts to develop original and unique Intellectual Properties through early collaboration? How are these other industries enhancing their profits by maximizing their relationship with the anime and manga industries? As the success of each entertainment silo begins to depend increasingly gains of others, knowing how our potential partners think can only translate into better business opportunities for all.

Panelists will consist of industry company representatives (i.e. CEO's, presidents, vice presidents, etc.), industry experts (i.e. writers, editors, journalists, etc.) and outside company representatives (i.e. Cable networks, electronics, etc.). Panelists and moderators are:

• Zac Bertschy, Anime News Network-Executive Editor

• Derek Chiasson, Toki Doki Journal-Co-founder, Senior Editor

• Gary Steinman, Newtype USA-Editor in Chief/Associate Publisher

• Yamila Abraham, Yaoi Press-Publisher

• Eric Calderon, GDH International-Vice President of Creative Affairs

• Jim Chadwick, CMX (DC Comics)-Editor

• Michael H. Chang, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd.(Panasonic)-Senior Group Manager, Business & Legal Affairs

• Leo Chu, SpikeTV/MTV Networks-Head of Animation

• Jay Chung, Infinity Studios, LLC-CEO/President

• Matt Greenfield, ADV FILMS-Sr. V.P. ADV Films

• Lance Heiskell, FUNimation-Marketing Director

• Peter Heumiller, Comcast Select on Demand-V.P. of Content Development

• Terry Ho, Geneon Entertainment USA-Digital Media Producer

• Terry Kalagian, ADV-Consultant

• Trulee Karahashi, Society for the Promotion of Japanese Anime-Chief Financial Officer

• Debra J. Kennedy, FUNimation-Senior Vice President of Marketing and New Media er

• Chad Kime, Geneon Entertainment USA-Manager, Marketing & Corporate Planning

• Shawne P. Kleckner, The Right Stuf International-President/CEO

• Tatsunori Konno, Bandai Visual-CEO

• Audrey Marco-Electric Farm Entertainment-Marketing & Business Development

• Chris Oarr, ADV-Sales & Marketing

• Hikaru Sasahara, Digital Manga Inc.-President/CEO

• Eric P. Sherman, Bang Zoom! Entertainment-President

• Asako Suzuki, CMX (DC Comics)

• Jason Thompson, Author-Manga: The Complete Guide

• David Wise, Go! Comi-CEO

About Anime Expo®

Located in Long Beach, California - Anime Expo®, the nation’s largest anime/manga convention, serves to foster trade, commerce and the interests of the general public and animation/ comics industry. This event serves as a key meeting place for the general public to express their interest and explore various aspects of anime/manga, as well as for members of the industry to conduct business. AX 2007 will be held June 29 - July 2, 2007 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Southern California. SPONSORS: ADV Films, Bandai Entertainment, Copic Markers, Digital Manga, Gaia Online, Go! Media, Infinity Studios, ImaginAsian TV (IaTV) and the Los Angeles Times. More information can be found at its website (www.anime-expo.org).

About Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation

The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is a non-profit organization with a mission to popularize and educate the American public about anime and manga, as well as provide a forum to facilitate communication between professionals and fans. This organization is more popularly known by its entertainment property - Anime Expo®. More information can be found at its website (www.spja.org).