Anime Festival Asia 2009 incorporating Animation Asia Conference 2009

 SINGAPORE: It's time for South East Asia's event celebrating all things related to Japanese animation and popular culture. The organizers of Anime Festival Asia 2009 (AFA09) are excited to announce the region's most impressive festival targeting fans of Japanese animation and popular culture. Taking place at Suntec International Convention and Exhibition Centre (Halls 403 and 404) from 21st to 22nd November, AFA09 will incorporate a one-day business conference, Animation Asia Conference 2009 (AAC09) held on 20th November at the same venue.

    ANIMATION ASIA CONFERENCE 2009
    The one day business conference aims to help develop and nurture a regional IP ecosystem by tapping on renowned speakers and talents from Japan and the region, with an IP 360° Content Conference focused on three themes: Create, Manage and Engage.

    Speakers will provide in-depth knowledge and expertise on how brands and marketers can work with content from Japan to connect with the digital generation of youths who seek to be entertained and engaged.

    "The new Animation Asia Conference will provide an opportunity for international businesses and animation-related companies and organizations to network and learn from the best in the business. We are confident that Animation Asia Conference 2009 will grow to become a "must-attend" conference for directors, producers, creators as well as brand marketers, agencies and students. Our ultimate long term goal is to build and nurture a sustainable IP ecosystem for Singapore and the region," said Anthony Kang, President, Dentsu Singapore and Co-Chairman of AFA09.

    Animation Asia Conference (AAC) organizers announced the speakers line-up and programme details for the inaugural business conference taking place in Singapore on 20th November 2009. Held in conjunction with Anime Festival Asia 2009 (AFA09), the one-day business conference aims to nurture a regional IP ecosystem by tapping on the expertise of the renowned speakers and talents from Japan and the region.

    Titled 'Globalization of Asia's Soft Power', this year's conference is focused on three themes: Create, Manage and Engage. Speakers will share their expertise on how they have created content that have mass universal appeal and will share their experience on how their content have successfully engaged the 21st Century's digitally connected youths. The conference will target marketers and advertisers seeking new ways to work with popular culture content to launch successful branding or marketing campaigns.

    AAC09's lineup of speakers includes:
    Tsuguhiko Kadokawa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Kadokawa Group Holdings

    Mamoru Hosada, Director of anime blockbuster hits 'Summer Wars' and 'The Girl Who Leapt Through Time'

    Edmund Shern, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Storm Lion and Senior Vice President at Radical Publishing

    Shiro Sasaki, Chief Executive Officer, Flying Dog Inc. and Producer for many Anime Music Blockbusters

    Kotaro Sugiyama, Senior Vice President and Head of Solution (Strategy) / Creative Department for Dentsu Inc.

    Danny Choo, Chief Executive Officer of Mirai Inc. and Japan's top English blogger on Japanese popular culture

    Animation Asia Conference 2009 is ready to set the stage as a key regional event that can provide the depth and breadth of content that is relevant to anyone who is trying to figure out how to connect with the digital generation of youths who seek to be entertained and engaged.

    "We hope that this conference will draw not just the television broadcasters looking for new anime content, but also marketers and advertisers looking for unique ways to work with branded entertainment." said Anna Teo, Conference Director for Animation Asia Conference 2009."By hosting this regional conference, we hope that creators and advertisers can have an opportunity to network and explore collaboration opportunities to launch the next successful brand franchise from Asia," added Teo.

    Through speaker presentations and panel discussions, delegates will have an opportunity to gain valuable insight on the perspectives, plans and strategies of participating companies, which include some of the top animation studios from Japan, in addition to those from South East Asia as well.