Tokyopop Expands to Germany
TOKYOPOP EXPANDS ITS GLOBAL REACH WITH NEW OPERATIONS IN GERMANY
German Division to Be Helmed by Former Carlsen Comics Manga Leader,
Joachim Kaps
Los Angeles, CA (March 22, 2004)--On the heels of its arrival in the
U.K. market, TOKYOPOP has announced its further expansion into Europe
with new operations in Germany. The largest publisher of manga outside of
Japan will launch an operating company in Hamburg on April 1, and plans
to aggressively develop the market for German-language manga. Joachim
Kaps--former Carlsen Comics Manga Publishing Director--will lead the
charge, using his extensive management, publishing and distribution
background in the German market. Kaps was previously responsible for
elevating Carlsen's Manga imprint to a market-leading position over the past
five years.
TOKYOPOP chose Germany after witnessing the country's phenomenal
appetite for manga, with several years of doubling sales and an anticipated
continued high-growth pattern. Initial plans include the release of 10
German-language manga titles beginning this October. Thereafter, the
company hopes to introduce approximately 10 titles per month, eventually
increasing this figure to 20 by 2006. TOKYOPOP will also develop manga
written by German creators.
"It is our goal to become the German market leader by year-end 2007,"
said John Parker, TOKYOPOP's President & COO. "With Joachim Kaps onboard
as Managing Director, we'll be able to draw on his more than 20 years
of hands-on comics industry experience in this space. We are happy to
have him join our team and are very excited at the prospects."
This news marks TOKYOPOP's fourth global office, a natural progression
for the company following a year of unprecedented success and growth.
In November of 2003, the company tapped former Chrysalis Children's
Books vet Dennis McQuirk to establish TOKYOPOP U.K., Ltd. This division is
set to begin its U.K. sales program this May. TOKYOPOP has also added
industry leaders to its staff in Japan and America, and has further
expansion plans in the pipeline.
ABOUT TokyoPop Inc.
TokyoPop Inc. is the leading North American publisher of manga, the
fastest growing segment within the publishing industry. With exclusive
rights to hundreds of licensed and original book, video and music
properties, the company has rapidly become a media convergence leader. TOKYOPOP
has millions of books in print and publishes many hit manga series,
including Love Hina, Chobits, Rave Master, Initial D, GTO, Battle Royale
and Cowboy Bebop. The company pioneered Cine-Manga(TM), releasing such
titles as Finding Nemo, SpongeBob SquarePants, Lizzie McGuire, Astro Boy
and Transformers: Armada. TOKYOPOP television properties include Rave
Master, GTO and Reign: The Conqueror. The company has also expanded its
presence as a licensor, representing merchandising rights for Rave
Master, Initial D, Stray Sheep and others. Visit www.TOKYOPOP.com for
additional information. TOKYOPOP(R) is a registered trademark of TOKYOPOP
Inc.
German Division to Be Helmed by Former Carlsen Comics Manga Leader,
Joachim Kaps
Los Angeles, CA (March 22, 2004)--On the heels of its arrival in the
U.K. market, TOKYOPOP has announced its further expansion into Europe
with new operations in Germany. The largest publisher of manga outside of
Japan will launch an operating company in Hamburg on April 1, and plans
to aggressively develop the market for German-language manga. Joachim
Kaps--former Carlsen Comics Manga Publishing Director--will lead the
charge, using his extensive management, publishing and distribution
background in the German market. Kaps was previously responsible for
elevating Carlsen's Manga imprint to a market-leading position over the past
five years.
TOKYOPOP chose Germany after witnessing the country's phenomenal
appetite for manga, with several years of doubling sales and an anticipated
continued high-growth pattern. Initial plans include the release of 10
German-language manga titles beginning this October. Thereafter, the
company hopes to introduce approximately 10 titles per month, eventually
increasing this figure to 20 by 2006. TOKYOPOP will also develop manga
written by German creators.
"It is our goal to become the German market leader by year-end 2007,"
said John Parker, TOKYOPOP's President & COO. "With Joachim Kaps onboard
as Managing Director, we'll be able to draw on his more than 20 years
of hands-on comics industry experience in this space. We are happy to
have him join our team and are very excited at the prospects."
This news marks TOKYOPOP's fourth global office, a natural progression
for the company following a year of unprecedented success and growth.
In November of 2003, the company tapped former Chrysalis Children's
Books vet Dennis McQuirk to establish TOKYOPOP U.K., Ltd. This division is
set to begin its U.K. sales program this May. TOKYOPOP has also added
industry leaders to its staff in Japan and America, and has further
expansion plans in the pipeline.
ABOUT TokyoPop Inc.
TokyoPop Inc. is the leading North American publisher of manga, the
fastest growing segment within the publishing industry. With exclusive
rights to hundreds of licensed and original book, video and music
properties, the company has rapidly become a media convergence leader. TOKYOPOP
has millions of books in print and publishes many hit manga series,
including Love Hina, Chobits, Rave Master, Initial D, GTO, Battle Royale
and Cowboy Bebop. The company pioneered Cine-Manga(TM), releasing such
titles as Finding Nemo, SpongeBob SquarePants, Lizzie McGuire, Astro Boy
and Transformers: Armada. TOKYOPOP television properties include Rave
Master, GTO and Reign: The Conqueror. The company has also expanded its
presence as a licensor, representing merchandising rights for Rave
Master, Initial D, Stray Sheep and others. Visit www.TOKYOPOP.com for
additional information. TOKYOPOP(R) is a registered trademark of TOKYOPOP
Inc.
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