Tokyopop Snaps up Industry Execs
TOKYOPOP INC. TAPS FORMER FOX AND UNIVERSAL PROS FOR TWO KEY EXECUTIVE POSITIONS
Bill Josey Becomes Company's General Counsel & VP, Business Affairs and Masashi 'Sho' Matsuhashi Joins as Tokyo Office General Manager
Los Angeles, CA (November 19, 2003)--In an effort to support its continued exponential growth, TokyoPop Inc. has hired Bill Josey and Masashi 'Sho' Matsuhashi for the positions of General Counsel & VP, Business Affairs and Tokyo Office General Manager, respectively. This move marks the first of several new additions planned for the leading U.S. manga publisher after another year of doubled revenue.
Bill Josey contributes more than 25 years of business and legal experience in the entertainment industry. Prior to joining TOKYOPOP, he served as Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs at FOX Television Studios, where his principal responsibilities included negotiation of rights, talent, licensing and co-production agreements. His experience also includes senior executive business affairs posts at Saban Entertainment/Fox Family Worldwide, MGM/UA and other major Hollywood entities. In his newly-created position at TOKYOPOP, Josey will participate in the company's expansion into TV and film, as well as assume a variety of business and legal functions previously outsourced.
Masashi 'Sho' Matsuhashi also comes to TOKYOPOP with a wealth of entertainment industry experience. Most recently, he was General Manager, Business Operations Division for Virgin Cinemas Japan, with responsibility for all company sales--20 billion yen annually--and the entire nationwide theater chain of more than 500 personnel. Matsuhashi's previous roles include high-level general management positions with Universal Studios Japan, Disney Interactive Japan and GAGA Communications, Inc. As Tokyo Office General Manager, Matsuhashi will create, nurture and maximize opportunities through current and future relationships, with a focus on acquisitions, property development, co-productions, sales expansion and investor relations.
"This is a tremendous time of growth for our company, and we could not find two better candidates to help further and expand this success," said John Parker, President & COO. "Bill Josey and Sho Matsuhashi will be integral in taking TOKYOPOP to the next level as a truly convergent entertainment conglomerate."
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 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.
Bill Josey Becomes Company's General Counsel & VP, Business Affairs and Masashi 'Sho' Matsuhashi Joins as Tokyo Office General Manager
Los Angeles, CA (November 19, 2003)--In an effort to support its continued exponential growth, TokyoPop Inc. has hired Bill Josey and Masashi 'Sho' Matsuhashi for the positions of General Counsel & VP, Business Affairs and Tokyo Office General Manager, respectively. This move marks the first of several new additions planned for the leading U.S. manga publisher after another year of doubled revenue.
Bill Josey contributes more than 25 years of business and legal experience in the entertainment industry. Prior to joining TOKYOPOP, he served as Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs at FOX Television Studios, where his principal responsibilities included negotiation of rights, talent, licensing and co-production agreements. His experience also includes senior executive business affairs posts at Saban Entertainment/Fox Family Worldwide, MGM/UA and other major Hollywood entities. In his newly-created position at TOKYOPOP, Josey will participate in the company's expansion into TV and film, as well as assume a variety of business and legal functions previously outsourced.
Masashi 'Sho' Matsuhashi also comes to TOKYOPOP with a wealth of entertainment industry experience. Most recently, he was General Manager, Business Operations Division for Virgin Cinemas Japan, with responsibility for all company sales--20 billion yen annually--and the entire nationwide theater chain of more than 500 personnel. Matsuhashi's previous roles include high-level general management positions with Universal Studios Japan, Disney Interactive Japan and GAGA Communications, Inc. As Tokyo Office General Manager, Matsuhashi will create, nurture and maximize opportunities through current and future relationships, with a focus on acquisitions, property development, co-productions, sales expansion and investor relations.
"This is a tremendous time of growth for our company, and we could not find two better candidates to help further and expand this success," said John Parker, President & COO. "Bill Josey and Sho Matsuhashi will be integral in taking TOKYOPOP to the next level as a truly convergent entertainment conglomerate."
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 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.
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