Forum - View topicNEWS: Multiple Anime Expo Staffers Resign in Board Dispute
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sykoeent
Posts: 160 |
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Yes, they will have the most financial backing to bring in more guests and as far as attention split? I think Split is better than alienation. Sometimes, the choices aren't something that most people want, or it attracts only certain people. How about the others not into said anime or whatever? More money means more backing means more variety means more satisfied attendees. More problems? Of course. But who better than Comic-Con to straighten things out? No one. They had problems one year at WonderCon with overcrowded dealer hall... next year? FIXED. San Diego's Convention center is too small for the rising attendance numbers... what do they do, get the city to approve a large scale expansion, JUST FOR THEM. Can't get tix to Comic-Con this year? That's cos everyone wants to go to it. Same can happen to AX. Oh... and as far as "No soul"? Tell that to the staffers at Comic-Con. Most of those guys have been there forever and enjoy it and even express it to the other attendees while soaking in a jacuzzi at one of the hotels. Sure it's corporate. But their stuff is one of the things that brings you their to the con, is it not? |
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applebread
Posts: 3 |
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I'd say most of the volunteers and the few low-paid employees do care quite a bit! But I agree that it can be hard to get a feel for the "soul" of a con when it's as huge as AX is now... especially if the people acting as its public face come off as self-important corporate goofballs. |
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SyncLok
Posts: 6 |
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But why would you want to make a duplicate of something that already exists in the same geographic area, at almost the same time? It makes a lot more sense to me to have AX stay concentrated on anime and manga (with possibly *minor* wanderings into related areas like they have with Robot Chicken, etc>), and leave the take no prisoners media circus to the insanity that is Comic-Con. (BTW, I like the insanity. But not for every single con I go to...) One other thing. Things get *INCREDIBLY* sticky when a for-profit con wants to take over the property of a non-profit. |
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sykoeent
Posts: 160 |
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I don't think it'd get insane under Comic-Con rule. I just think they'd make it grow better. They might even move the date to a better one, maybe. LACC has been trying to get Comic-Con for a while, and maybe this is the right answer for the moment. Also, Comic-Con International is still a non-Profit organization (http://www.comic-con.org/), just like AX. NY Comic-Con is a for-profit organization. "MISSION STATEMENT: Comic-Con International is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to creating awareness of, and appreciation for, comics and related popular art forms, primarily through the presentation of conventions and events that celebrate the historic and ongoing contribution of comics to art and culture. " |
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applebread
Posts: 3 |
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What exactly do you want AX to be? What is "better" for you? Is it a glitzier, more industry-heavy con? Most anime/manga companies have little money to spare for conventions these days--outside of Comic Con, maybe, where they can find a larger and more diverse audience, and way more industry exposure, than they could at a smaller convention like AX. And there's little reason for Comic Con to take over and run an industry convention with such a small focus when they already have a con that covers it all. |
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sykoeent
Posts: 160 |
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Better organization, better draws, smooth and clean. Better stuff at the dealer hall, etc. I don't thing a complete industry heavy con is what AX needs right now, I would just like to see some represented because it seems really empty with out them... kinda like last year. Without any industry draws, it's basically a small convention on steroids. Now, with less draw in attendees, this will also mean the fall of your dealer room and hey, people might get their wish of it moving back to Anaheim. |
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Yuukichan's Papa
Posts: 93 |
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This was my thought exactly. There were signs the market was slowing for a while before the economic downturn was really apparent and it's possible the industry was heading toward an unsustainable saturation point anyway. AX2009 definitely had a very muted feeling for me, in terms of both the attendee population and the industry presence. I understand that having plans and goals for the growth of an organization, including the financial details, is important, but this is what happens when you take the obsessive goal of increasing profits every period like a traditional company and apply it to other forms of measurement. And this is even disregarding all of the secondhand details of potential shady goings on and antagonistic attitudes. |
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LordRobin
Posts: 354 Location: Akron, OH |
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Yeah, that's what's always confused me. How can you expect growth at an anime convention as large as AX, when the anime industry is in such a state of disarray? In the con's glory days, you had ADV and Pioneer and Viz bringing guests every year. Now what's left of the industry is in no shape to drop major coin on a summer con.
Sure, they could call it Anime America. OMG, I just realized that some of the younger fans today weren't even born during that conflict. Anime convention drama as ancient history. My mind reels. ------RM |
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_V_
Posts: 619 |
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"oh my god...Anime Expo has disbanded! Ah, Ah, Aaaaaaahhhhhhh!" [jumps out a window]
"No, no! Anime Expo has not disbanded" [the man reverses his path through the window and sits down] "We do have an emergency plan in case of a prolonged strike right here" [opens a briefcase] "Let's see...'Replace staffers with super-intelligent cyborgs'..." So does this mean the big west coast convention will move back home to gravitating around UC Berkeley? The fools! It was only a matter of time. So what do you think? Con Wars all over again? |
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Vinnems
Posts: 32 |
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So where do I apply for all these open vacancies?
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SyncLok
Posts: 6 |
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http://www.spja.org/workforce.php |
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configspace
Posts: 3717 |
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I was thinking the exactly the same thing. (the only exception would be Warren Buffet). Funny thing is, even if it's a stereotype, you could see it coming a mile away, given his background as an exec at NBC-Universal. It's not right the mindset for this kind of organization but I bet it's what the board is attracted to.
Ironically, the SPJA is a non-profit organization, and yet is attempting to be run like Wallstreet. It does not mean they shouldn't profit but that the way the org is run and goals are different than those stated. All NFPs should be profitable in fact, but for the purposes of other than making themselves rich, where AXConcom members seem to have this more in mind. |
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Veers
Posts: 1197 Location: Texas |
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Not to excuse staff giving a cold shoulder to attendees (which, in my two trips to AX, I didn't much notice), but with an organization of that size, I can't imagine it could exist without some corporate feel. I don't follow convention politics, but I'm sure there's a lot on the line when organizing these kinds of events.
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mbanu
Posts: 159 |
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So... what is the relationship between BAM!'s contract being terminated and the walk-out of the eight key staffers? Did Chase Wang call some favors to make this happen, or are they just being mentioned in the same story?
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SyncLok
Posts: 6 |
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Doing a quick google search (Michael Lattanzio and Universal) I see that: "Lattanzio was executive director of operations for the NBC Universal Park and Resorts CityWalk entertainment complex in Universal City, where he led the management team responsible for entertainment and special events, operations, physical plant, retail, marketing, property and tenant management, security, parking and valet and vendor outsourcing/supervision. Previously, Lattanzio served as part of the international senior management team that planned, launched, and operated Universal Studios Japan theme park and CityWalk, where he oversaw Universal's first overseas development into a world- class resort and entertainment destination." I could see how having a CEO with prior business experience in Japan, along with experience in operating a large amusement park, could have an attraction to the SPJA Board. That said, and events seem to be proving this out, that I would not envy the task the Board would have in trying to get a volunteer organization like AX working smoothly with a hardcore corporate executive. Talk about a culture clash... |
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