With the events industry upended by COVID-19, some believe that events will never return to what it looked like prior to March 2020, while others are optimistic that it will, given enough time. While no one can predict the future, it is widely accepted that in the short-term, events must adjust and adapt in order to safely and responsibly take place.

Andreas Degen, the co-founder of Germany’s largest anime convention, DoKomi, joined Project Anime: Global 2020 to talk about his experience planning an event in September 2020.

Degen provided context for the decision to hold an event, citing a desire to support the community and secure long-term survivability. Other key factors included the infection rate along with feedback from the venue and government officials. In order to successfully hold an event, DoKomi worked with their venue to develop an infection protection concept that included event layout changes, mask requirements, active line management, and contact tracing. 

Even with careful planning and a dedication to safety, Degen commented on the emotional toll of receiving harsh criticisms from skeptics. He observed that COVID19 is a particularly divisive and emotional topic, intertwined with politics and media. All this contributed to the stresses of planning and required much endurance from the team.

In the end, the extra attention and additional costs associated with taking all the necessary precautions made DoKomi worth the effort for the sake of the community. 

Watch the full DoKomi case study on VOD to learn more. All Project Anime: Global 2020 content is available online to registered attendees until December 11.

Making Virtual Events Viable with Japan Weekend, Otakuthon, and HomeCon

The sudden and unprecedented closure of all physical events worldwide turned the events industry upside-down. With fans still seeking content and community, event organizers have leapt into the realm of virtual events in hopes of developing a digital proxy for the traditional convention, or at least something that will tide fans over for the time being. 

Moderator Christopher Macdonald (CEO / Publisher, Anime New Network) joined three experienced event organizers who have tried their hand at virtual events: Amanda Arrizza (President, Otakuthon), Justin Rojas (Co-Founder / Executive Producer, HomeCon), and Samuel J. González (Content Manager, Japan Weekend). Each event representative cited similar goals and purposes, recognized a longing for interaction and community, and sought to present an engaging experience digitally. “Our goal was to create an online version of the event that embodied as many aspects of the regular event as possible,” said Arrizza.

The panelists revealed similar experiences when approaching the financial viability of their first virtual event. Both Arrizza and González mentioned a focus on quality over quantity of viewers. With new production and platform expenses to consider, there was no way to accurately anticipate viewership and registration until the event had taken place.

In spite of the newness of it all, all three events were received positively by fans, and each representative also affirmed the viability of eventually combining the physical and virtual formats into a hybrid event. Although the future of the events industry may look uncertain, event organizers never stop innovating solutions and searching for opportunities to bring fans and industry members together. In closing, Macdonald remarked, “I really hope that the community of convention organizers and new virtual convention organizers come together, talk to each other, and help people come up with new answers.” 

Hear more details from the virtual events of Otakuthon, Japan Weekend, and HomeCon in their panel, now available on VOD to registered attendees until December 11.

All sessions from Project Anime: Global 2020 will be available on-demand through December 11. Register before November 27 for VOD-only access to all panels.

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“Print books are very much alive,” proclaimed McLean (Executive Director/Industry Analyst at The NPD Group) during her panel at Project Anime: Global 2020. Drawing from NPD Bookscan, Pubtrack Digital, and Bookscan License Reporting datasets, McLean shared U.S. manga market data prepared exclusively for Project Anime: Global 2020. While 2020 is not over yet, it is projected to be the best year ever for the book industry.

Joined by Ben Applegate (Director of Publishing Services at Penguin Random House) and Dallas Middaugh (Co-Founder/Executive Editor at Mangamo), they delved into a data-rich discussion on why the comics and graphic novels category significantly outperformed the general book market in 2020 and how manga is a key component of that growth.

According to McLean, manga has the second largest footprint in comics and graphic novels and is 3x the size of the superhero genre. The growth in the manga market is especially exciting since it largely represents new readers. Looking at the top ten titles of 2020 shows a clear correlation with popular anime titles, which Applegate confirmed with anecdotes from Penguin Random House and Kodansha on how they developed publishing and box set strategies to appeal to anime fans. 

All three agreed that there is an opportunity for growth among casual fans to expand their consumption. “The growth…over the past three years is nothing short of phenomenal,” states Middaugh, “We haven’t seen increases like this for well over a decade.” Applegate also cited progress in the manga market among other genres. “It’s not just the big titles that are growing,” he said, “Everyone is enjoying the fruits of the market growth.” 

Watch the full session on VOD to learn more. Plus, check out the NPD Books Manga Recap Report, created exclusively for Project Anime, for the full data insights. All Project Anime: Global 2020 content will be available online to registered attendees until December 11. Register now for exclusive VOD-only access, available through November 27.

Transforming Fan Engagement into Campaign Content

Through the power of social media, brands now have virtually unlimited potential to connect with their followers and fanbases. Not only does this allow them to keep a pulse on their communities, it also encourages active participation and engagement that brands have begun utilizing to shape their own content. 

“Especially in times like now when it’s unfortunately difficult to interact directly with your market segment at events and trade shows, brands must depend on digital content more than ever,” said moderator Joanna Metoki (Founder, Tasty Design Studio). “Like they say, content is king.”

Marshall Wright (Sr. Director of Audience Development at Funimation), Mary Franklin (Head of Events at Crunchyroll), and Jessica Merriman (Co-Founder, MomoCon) sat down with moderator Metoki at Project Anime: Global 2020 to chat about the ways they’ve been engaging their audience.

All three brand representatives cited that authenticity and care for the community are absolutely necessary, and fans respond best when they feel like they’re being acknowledged and given ownership. 

“Something I love about the anime fandom is that they really want to share in community,” said Franklin.

The panelists also cited the helpfulness of utilizing some sort of social media management software in order to track social media performance and trends to identify campaign opportunities preemptively. “You want to find something that is not only going to track conversation around your specific branded search terms but also allows you to get a competitive look,” recommended Wright.

Measurements of a campaign’s success may include quantitative metrics like clicks, reactions, page views, and shares, but it can also include quantitative factors like sentiment and conversation. Each panelist shared about campaigns they felt performed successfully, such as the very first virtual Crunchyroll Expo, Funimation’s “A Decade of Anime,” and MomoCon’s “Cosplayers on Ice” events. 

“A lot of our successful campaigns during COVID have really come from people who are sentimental about not being able to go to events,” shared Merriman. 

Hear Marshall Wright, Mary Franklin, and Jess Merriman’s full insights on fan engagement and content creation in their panel, now available on VOD to registered attendees until December 11. Register now for exclusive VOD-only access, available through November 27.

All sessions from Project Anime: Global 2020 will be available on-demand through December 11. Register before November 27 for VOD-only access to all panels.

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Extending Your Reach with Influencer Marketing

Influencer marketing has skyrocketed in popularity in recent years, a marketing tactic comprised of both the persuasiveness of celebrity endorsement with the organic feel of social media. But what exactly goes into an influencer partnership, and how can it be optimized to extend into new audiences? Joanna Metoki (Tasty Design Studio) and Crisalys (artist/influencer) will share about identifying effective influencers, setting partnership expectations, and executing appealing campaigns.

About Crisalys

Crisalys is an illustrator born and raised in Chile who started the conception of her work as an escape mechanism to the monotonous daily rural life, taking multicultural popular elements from our current globalized era, which collide in her work, highlighting from this the multiple references to the sneakerhead world, the arcades she used to visit in her childhood and the small details she encountered in the work of Mangakas and animators. Crisalys devotes most of her time to personal projects, some of her past clients include Nike, Adidas, Cartoon Network, Bandai Namco and Shueisha.

About Joanna Metoki

Joanna Metoki is a second-generation (Nisei) Japanese-American and a proud Los Angeles native with deep roots in the Little Tokyo community in downtown L.A. Being a bilingual English and Japanese speaker, she was determined from a very young age to utilize her linguistic skills to help build a bridge between the U.S. and Japan. After living in Japan as an English teacher, she decided to take her experiences to contribute to the growth and development of the Japanese community in the U.S. She combined her skills as an educator with her passion for Japanese pop-culture to begin her work as a marketer in the anime industry. As a member of this flourishing industry, she not only lent her skills as a dedicated marketer but also worked with the community members to manage and host engaging events that succeeded in connecting the fans to the members of the industry. In 2017, she founded her event marketing agency Tasty Design Studio where she designs and manages custom experiences that bring the fans and the brands they love closer together. In 2020, Tasty Design Studio established the GLOW UPS ONLY initiative to inspire and empower womxn of the pop culture entertainment industry by helping them align their professional goals to their life’s purpose.

Project Anime: Global 2020 will take place virtually on November 17-18 and can be attended from anywhere in the world. With a theme of “Evolving with the Events Industry,” the conference will feature two uniquely-curated programming tracks, one geared towards event organizers and another aimed at industry professionals. As the landscape of the industry changes rapidly in response to current events, events and businesses have been compelled to adapt accordingly. This has given rise to new uncharted ventures and opportunities, including virtual/hybrid events and unique digital engagement. Learn more about speakers & panel information by visiting the Project Anime: Global 2020 page.

The post An Intro to Influencer Marketing with Tasty Design Studio appeared first on Project Anime.

From Stage to Screen – Capturing the Cosplay Contest Experience

As organizers begin to explore the realm of virtual events, they’ve also been challenged to find a way to virtually preserve the cosplay masquerade contest experience. Charlene Ingram from Crunchyroll Hime’s Cosplay Cup, Stephanie Guzzardo, Influencer Marketing Manager at Twitch, and cosplayer and coordinator Kirilee will share the effective formats and management for a virtual masquerade and the logistics needed to make it a success.

About Stephanie Guzzardo

Stephanie has been a veteran of the gaming industry for over 12 years, having started her career as a freelance journalist in 2008 before jumping headlong into working for game companies as a community manager and customer support specialist starting in 2010. She started at Twitch in 2017 as a Community Programs manager where she first dipped her toes in helping out with the TwitchCon cosplay contest before taking it over as the Executive Producer in 2018. Since then, Stephanie has moved into Influencer Marketing and working with Twitch Partners on paid programs. However, Stephanie maintains her role as Executive Producer and consultant for TwitchCon North America and (pending future in person events) TwitchCon Europe cosplay contests as it is her passion project and loves working with and elevating the Cosplay Community on Twitch.

Project Anime: Global 2020 will take place virtually on November 17-18 and can be attended from anywhere in the world. With a theme of “Evolving with the Events Industry,” the conference will feature two uniquely-curated programming tracks, one geared towards event organizers and another aimed at industry professionals. As the landscape of the industry changes rapidly in response to current events, events and businesses have been compelled to adapt accordingly. This has given rise to new uncharted ventures and opportunities, including virtual/hybrid events and unique digital engagement. Learn more about speakers & panel information by visiting the Project Anime: Global 2020 page.

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Making the Most of a Virtual Panel

Panels are an integral part of the convention experience that allow creators to connect with fans. But how can you effectively structure and execute a panel that is entertaining and engaging in a virtual format? Hear from Adam Sheehan (Director of Events, Crunchyroll), David Alonzo (Marketing Manager, Idea Factory) and Elizabeth Ellis (Trade Shows & Events Senior Manager, VIZ) as they discuss panel structure and content, audience expectations, and the evolution to online experiences.

About Elizabeth Ellis

Liz Ellis has been working in the manga and anime industry for 8+ years. As the Trade Shows & Events Senior Manager for VIZ Media, the world’s largest publisher of English-language manga, Liz oversees the company’s presence at prominent events and conventions such as Anime Expo and Comic-Con International: San Diego, including 2020’s virtual equivalents. When not cozying up with a Sci-Fi comic, she can be found cloning an army of house plants in her tiny San Francisco jungle and recreating favorite meals of travels past.

Project Anime: Global 2020 will take place virtually on November 17-18 and can be attended from anywhere in the world. With a theme of “Evolving with the Events Industry,” the conference will feature two uniquely-curated programming tracks, one geared towards event organizers and another aimed at industry professionals. As the landscape of the industry changes rapidly in response to current events, events and businesses have been compelled to adapt accordingly. This has given rise to new uncharted ventures and opportunities, including virtual/hybrid events and unique digital engagement. Learn more about speakers & panel information by visiting the Project Anime: Global 2020 page.

The post Elizabeth Ellis (Trade Shows & Events Senior Manager, VIZ) Joins Project Anime: Global 2020 appeared first on Project Anime.

Making Virtual Events Viable

In an insightful discussion moderated by Christopher Macdonald (CEO & Publisher, Anime News Network), join Justin Rojas (HomeCon), Samuel González (Japan Weekend), and Amanda Arrizza (Otakuthon) share their various experiences with virtual events, discuss the pros and cons, and explore what the future of virtual events may look like.

Extending Your Reach with Influencer Marketing

Influencer marketing has skyrocketed in popularity in recent years, a marketing tactic comprised of both the persuasiveness of celebrity endorsement with the organic feel of social media. But what exactly goes into an influencer partnership, and how can it be optimized to extend into new audiences? Hear about identifying effective influencers, setting partnership expectations, and executing appealing campaigns. [Speakers TBA]

Collaborating with the Japanese Music Industry

Transcending cultural borders, a shared love of Japanese music unites fans all around the world, and Japanese concerts can easily become a highlight of any convention. But where do you begin when it comes to working with the Japanese music industry? Get a thorough overview of the coordination process, from starting the conversation to expectations to concert logistics, as well as resources for event organizers and insights on virtual concerts. [Speakers TBA]

Project Anime: Global 2020 will take place virtually on November 17-18 and can be attended from anywhere in the world. With a theme of “Evolving with the Events Industry,” the conference will feature two uniquely-curated programming tracks, one geared towards event organizers and another aimed at industry professionals. As the landscape of the industry changes rapidly in response to current events, events and businesses have been compelled to adapt accordingly. This has given rise to new uncharted ventures and opportunities, including virtual/hybrid events and unique digital engagement. Learn more about speakers & panel information by visiting the Project Anime: Global 2020 page.

The post Additional Panels at Project Anime: Global 2020 appeared first on Project Anime.

Anime, Manga, and Streaming Video-on-Demand – Unpacking the Power of the Fan Machine

As U.S.-based anime/manga fanbases growing rapidly thanks to video streaming, many entertainment, publishing, and toy companies are looking to leap into the industry. NPD Entertainment’s Industry Analyst Kristen McLean and Nonlinear World’s Anime/Manga expert Dallas Middaugh will be giving a first look at some cutting edge data on how anime and manga are driving fan engagement in the U.S., followed by an open discussion about the growing opportunities for content creators and IP holders in the U.S. market.

About Ben Applegate

Ben Applegate has been working in English-language manga since 2007 as a translator, editor, and publishing professional. In his capacity as director of publishing services at Penguin Random House Publisher Services, he has managed publishing, editorial, and production work for the Kodansha Comics print program since 2015. Prior to that, he was senior editor on the Kodansha Comics team. He lives in Peter Parker’s hometown of Forest Hills, New York, with his wife Winnie and two superb cats.

Project Anime: Global 2020 will take place virtually on November 17-18 and can be attended from anywhere in the world. With a theme of “Evolving with the Events Industry,” the conference will feature two uniquely-curated programming tracks, one geared towards event organizers and another aimed at industry professionals. As the landscape of the industry changes rapidly in response to current events, events and businesses have been compelled to adapt accordingly. This has given rise to new uncharted ventures and opportunities, including virtual/hybrid events and unique digital engagement. Learn more about speakers & panel information by visiting the Project Anime: Global 2020 page.

The post Ben Applegate (Director of Publisher Services, Penguin Random House) Joins Project Anime: Global 2020 appeared first on Project Anime.

From Stage to Screen – Capturing the Cosplay Contest Experience

As organizers begin to explore the realm of virtual events, they’ve also been challenged to find a way to virtually preserve the cosplay masquerade contest experience. Charlene Ingram from Crunchyroll Hime’s Cosplay Cup, Stephanie Guzzardo from Twitch Con, and cosplayer and coordinator Kirilee will share the effective formats and management for a virtual masquerade and the logistics needed to make it a success.

Charlene Ingram

Having spent over ten years as a member of the of the North American Anime industry, Charlene Ingram has made her mark as the glittering force behind the marketing of many of the medium’s most iconic titles. Making the leap from cosplayer to industry influencer, she started her career at Funimation where she managed treasured brands such as Summer Wars, Dragon Ball Z and One Piece. Making the move to the West Coast, she spent several years at VIZ Media where she led the animation marketing team, spearheading the launch of iconic titles such as ONE-PUNCH MAN, Boruto and, what she is best known for, Sailor Moon. Her philosophy is to be a ray of sparkling-dazzling positivity, to work hard, lead by example, go big, and never ever stop dreaming. In 2020, she brought her grit and passion to the team at Crunchyroll Expo, creating and leading the team behind the inaugural Crunchyroll Hime’s Copslay Cup. Currently she works in brand marketing at one of the world’s largest video game studios, but she has never forgotten her roots in cosplay and is always thrilled to help elevate the craft. You can find her on Twitter- @tristencitrine

Kirilee Cosplay

Kirilee Cosplay is an Australian Cosplayer and YouTuber based in Perth, Western Australia. She represented Australia in the World Cosplay Summit in 2018 and has won numerous cosplay awards, including 1st place in the master division of the “Arda-Con Cosplay Competition”. Through cosplay, Kirilee has made friends all over the world. She encourages creativity and knowledge to be shared between cosplayers, which led to her and fellow cosplayer/ YouTuber Alana Owlet to issue the #ScrapEpicChallenge; an online competition for cosplayers to create a costume using what they had in their material “stash”. In 2020, there was 96 entries from around the world. Kirilee is excited to see how cosplay competitions will continue to grow online, and possibly be reshaped.

Project Anime: Global 2020 will take place virtually on November 17-18 and can be attended from anywhere in the world. With a theme of “Evolving with the Events Industry,” the conference will feature two uniquely-curated programming tracks, one geared towards event organizers and another aimed at industry professionals. As the landscape of the industry changes rapidly in response to current events, events and businesses have been compelled to adapt accordingly. This has given rise to new uncharted ventures and opportunities, including virtual/hybrid events and unique digital engagement. Learn more about speakers & panel information by visiting the Project Anime: Global 2020 page.

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GG! Buff Your Brand Through Esports

What grabs a gamer’s attention? Esports is one of the fastest growing segments and communities in digital entertainment, and businesses want to know how to extend their brand into this market. Learn how to capture this audience, leverage content, and collaborate with esports brands directly from esports and gaming industry professionals Justin Rojas (VP of Events, Envy Gaming), Justin Varghese (Business Development Manager, Shotcall), and John Davidson (CEO and Founder of Davidson Learning Company), moderated by Nabil Pervez (Head of Events, AoE Creative).

About Nabil Pervez

Nabil began working in esports in front of the camera as a shoutcaster and host. He began working for grassroots organizations to eventually Blizzard, Redbull, and Amazon. Gradually Nabil began a shift to working behind the camera and utilizing his marketing skills. Nabil went on to work for gaming organizations like PVP Live, Infinite Esports, Optic Gaming, and the Houston Outlaws. He lead the local marketing efforts on the award winning #BandTogether campaign for the Houston Outlaws.

Throughout his career, Nabil has enjoyed providing marketing consultancy for indie developers and connecting people to opportunities. After doing this for years it eventually lead Nabil onto the Dallas IGDA Board where he supports marketing, events, and ideation. Nabil is a co-founder and Head PM at AoE Creative – a creative design and marketing agency focused on gaming, esports, and nerd culture.

Project Anime: Global 2020 will take place virtually on November 17-18 and can be attended from anywhere in the world. With a theme of “Evolving with the Events Industry,” the conference will feature two uniquely-curated programming tracks, one geared towards event organizers and another aimed at industry professionals. As the landscape of the industry changes rapidly in response to current events, events and businesses have been compelled to adapt accordingly. This has given rise to new uncharted ventures and opportunities, including virtual/hybrid events and unique digital engagement. Learn more about speakers & panel information by visiting the Project Anime: Global 2020 page.

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Helping Your Event Survive and Thrive

The key to a long lifespan for any event is the ability to navigate and accommodate unexpected situations. Keeping present-day circumstances in mind, our panelists determine the sustainability of alternative event formats and revenue generation streams that will keep an event healthy and happy during unconventional times. Hear from Paul Birtel (Executive Director, MAGFest), Emily Hickman (Director of Business Operations, MAGFest), Lauren DeMaio (Vice President of Events, LeftField Media) and Peter Tatara (Founder/Event Director, Anime NYC) on what methods worked for them and what may work for you.

About Lauren DeMaio

Lauren DeMaio is the Vice President of Events at LeftField Media, the parent company for both Anime NYC and Anime Frontier. Lauren oversees the central teams that serve as a support system across all of the shows inclusive of Operations, Travel, Housing, and Crew. Prior to LeftField Media, Lauren was employed at Reed Exhibitions where she worked in Operations across a number of B2B and B2C events inclusive of the PAX portfolio and New York Comic Con, eventually moving into the role of Event Manager of the PAX portfolio. She got her start working at the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority serving as an Event Manager for both the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center and the Hynes Convention Center.

Project Anime: Global 2020 will take place virtually on November 17-18 and can be attended from anywhere in the world. With a theme of “Evolving with the Events Industry,” the conference will feature two uniquely-curated programming tracks, one geared towards event organizers and another aimed at industry professionals. As the landscape of the industry changes rapidly in response to current events, events and businesses have been compelled to adapt accordingly. This has given rise to new uncharted ventures and opportunities, including virtual/hybrid events and unique digital engagement. Learn more about speakers & panel information by visiting the Project Anime: Global 2020 page.

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