2019
Highlights
In 2019, Project Anime focused on the partnerships between Japanese content professionals and the Hollywood film industry. At the Tokyo conferences, Legendary Entertainment and SUNRISE announced its plans for a live-action Gundam film. In addition, Project Anime also released its first White Paper on the state of the manga market, authored by Dallas Middaugh of Nonlinear World.
![2019_Project_Anime_Los Angeles_Speakers 2019_Project_Anime_Los Angeles_Speakers](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/2019_Project_Anime_Los-Angeles_Speakers-600x400.jpg)
Attendance
Tokyo
March 22, 2019 at The Landmark Square
Keynote: “Hollywood Meets Anime” moderated by Matt Schley (The Japan Times, Otaku USA Magazine)
Matt Schley hosts a conversation with Ken Iyadomi of SUNRISE and Robert Napton of Legendary Pictures about the two companies’ collaboration on the upcoming Gundam movie.
Keynote session covered on Anime News Network!
Topics:
- Guest Acquisition and Handling
- How to Market Japanese IP at U.S. Conventions
- 360 Anime: How U.S. Companies are Handling a Lot More Than Just Streaming Rights
Speakers
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Dallas-Middaugh-Tokyo.jpg)
Founder & CEO, Nonlinear World
Dallas Middaugh
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Matt-Schley.jpg)
The Japan Times, Otaku USA Magazine
Matt Schley
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Rita-Wang-1.jpg)
President and Head of Acquisitions, Crunchyroll K.K.
Rita Wang
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Kiyoko-Kato.jpg)
Chief of Department, Dream Planet
Kiyoko Kato
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Ken-Iyadomi.jpg)
SUNRISE
Ken Iyadomi
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Robert-Napton.jpg)
SVP Publishing, Legendary
Robert Napton
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Jon-Baumgardner-v2.jpg)
Owner, JBranding
Jon Baumgardner
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Tara-McKinney.jpg)
Sr. Mgr, Conventions, Funimation
Tara McKinney
Los Angeles
July 2 – 3, 2019 at The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites
KEYNOTE: Spotlight on… Elie Dekel, Executive Vice President Brand Development & Consumer Products at Legendary Entertainment
Elie Dekel has been involved with some of the most influential and well known Japanese properties in the world, including Godzilla and Power Rangers. Dallas Middaugh talks with him about his many interesting experiences and behind-the-scenes stories.
Keynote session covered on Below The Line News!
Topics:
- Where Hollywood Meets Anime
- How to Pitch to Japan
- Adapting Japanese Properties for a Western Audience
- The Role of the Independent Producer
- Creative Differences: When East Meets West
- Anime Movies in Japan
- The Growth of Anime Events
- Sponsorships and Advertisements for Events
- Working with Japan: Assets and Guest Relations
- Fashion Programming for Japanese Culture Events
- Esports and the the Importance of Telling A Good Story
- Anime Cons in the #MeToo Era
- Crisis Center: Preparing for the Unexpected
- Acquiring and Funding Concerts
- Bootlegs and How to Deal with Them
- Social Media Management & Community Management
Speakers
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/A.-Jinnie-McMannus.jpg)
Communications Director, Anime Milwaukee/Colorado Anime Fest
A. Jinnie McManus
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Amber-Rutland.jpg)
Fashion Expert
Amber Rutland
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Jessica-Merriman.jpg)
Co-Chair, MomoCon
Jessica Merriman
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Dave-Jesteadt-1.jpg)
President, GKIDS
Dave Jesteadt
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Chuck-Williams-1.jpg)
Chief Creative Officer, Marza Animation Planet
Chuck Williams
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Deborah-Gilels-1.jpg)
Publicist
Deborah Gilels
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Eric-Calderon-v2.jpg)
Head of Studio, Octopie
Eric Calderon
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Garth-Hill-1.jpg)
Sr. Account Manager, Aloompa
Garth Hill
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Geneva-Wasserman.jpg)
Producer, Project Z
Geneva Wasserman
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Jon-Baumgardner-v2.jpg)
Owner, JBranding
Jon Baumgardner
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Jeremy-Wan-1.jpg)
Esports Expert
Jeremy Wan
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Justin-Rojas.jpg)
VP of Events & Social Media, Team Envy / Dallas Fuel
Justin Rojas
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Kaz-Sasajima-1.jpg)
Sr. Director, Media Unit, Sumitomo Corporation of Americas
Kaz Sasajima
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Marlene-Sharp.jpg)
Director/Producer, Level-5 Abby
Marlene Sharp
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Kim-Meltzer-1.jpg)
CEO, Destination Esports & KidKesty Productions
Kim Meltzer
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Marlon-Stodghill-v3.jpg)
Chairman, Anime Weekend Atlanta
Marlon Stodghill
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Ko-Mori-v2.jpg)
CEO, Eleven Arts
Ko Mori
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Maya-Kambe-1.jpg)
Creative Executive, Paramount Pictures
Maya Kambe
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Michael-Masukawa-1.jpg)
Strategy & Bus. Dev. Mgr, Secret Location
Michael Masukawa
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Paul-Benne-v2.jpg)
President, Sentinel Security Consulting
Paul Benne
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Michael-Grossman-v2.jpg)
Sr. Security Advisor, Sentinel Security Consulting
Michael Grossman
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Miles-Thomas.jpg)
Director, Social Media & Editorial Programming, Crunchyroll
Miles Thomas
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Tara-McKinney.jpg)
Sr. Mgr, Conventions, Funimation
Tara McKinney
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Tony-Ishizuka-v3.jpg)
VP International Productions, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Tony Ishizuka
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Vincent-Imaoka-1.jpg)
Head of Toy Acquisitions, Hasbro
Vincent Imaoka
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Brian-Deully.jpg)
Sr. Director of Programming, Fathom Events
Brian Deulley
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/David-Uslan-v3.jpg)
Partner, Uslan Entertainment
David Uslan
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Jordan-Bentley-1.jpg)
Founder, Hypland Worldwide
Jordan Bentley
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Elie-Dekel-1.jpg)
Executive VP of Brand Development & Consumer Products, Legendary Entertainment
Elie Dekel
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Grey_Speaker_Placeholder.jpg)
Director, Publishing Services, Penguin Random House
Ben Applegate
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Lilac_Speaker_Placeholder.jpg)
Publisher, Kodansha Comics
Kiichiro Sugawara
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Navy_Speaker_Placeholder.jpg)
Director of Relations, Kumoricon
Sam Taylor
Moderators
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Lilac_Speaker_Placeholder.jpg)
IP Lawyer and Former Associate General Counsel, Viz Media
Giselle Fahimian
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Mario-Bueno-1.jpg)
Event Coordinator, American Cosplay Paradise
Mario Bueno
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Jenn-Piro.jpg)
Consultant
Jen Piro
![](https://project-anime.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Miranda-Sanchez-1.jpg)