News
Former SPJA CEO Marc Perez Joins Anime Matsuri
posted on by Jennifer Sherman
Houston's Anime Matsuri convention announced on May 31 that it has hired former Anime Expo CEO Marc Perez as the con's chief operating officer, reporting to con chair Deneice Leigh.
Anime Matsuri will hold its next convention on April 7-9, 2017 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. The con held its inaugural event in 2007 and, according to the con's website, it is the eighth largest anime convention in North America. The con was held this year on February 27-29 and drew 30,215 unique visitors.
Perez announced in April that he left his job as the CEO of Anime Expo's parent company Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA). He explained at the time, "it's time to move on," and added, "I wish all of the employees and volunteers the very best and look forward to seeing you in the future." Ray Chiang is now the SPJA's acting CEO.
Perez worked with the SPJA for 12 years. He took over as CEO after former CEO Michael Lattanzio stepped down in 2010.
The SPJA revealed in January that it is "expanding, refocusing and rebranding." Perez told ANN that Anime Expo's focus will remain the same, but SPJA will broaden its focus to include other types of entertainment media. SPJA plans to open an additional office in Tokyo sometime this year in hopes of being able to "develop a closer working relationship with the industry we support." The SPJA will reveal its new brand name and logo in the coming months.
Anime Expo is celebrating its 25th anniversary at its convention this year from July 1-4. The convention announced last month that it is implementing a new Youth Protection Program for this year's convention, but changed the policy later that month to state that the criminal background check requirement it introduced as part of the program is now only mandatory for its own employees and volunteers. Background checks are optional but strongly encouraged for Artist Alley participants, exhibitors, press, Guests of Honor, performers and vendors.
Thanks to Kitty for the news tip.
