Exclusive: Anime streamer Crunchyroll is reshaping its management team, as COO Brady McCollum exits after 15 years.
McCollum will depart the company at the end of the month having joined in 2008, and has been working with Crunchroll President Rahul Purini over the past month to ensure what an insider called “a thoughtful transition path that continues the company’s fan-forward ambitions and growth.”
As part of the changes, Chief Marketing Officer Gita Rebbapragada will replace McCollum as COO, while Barb Bidan becomes Chief People Experience Officer, while new hire Charles Valentine will lead the Information Technology and Security teams as SVP and will report to Bidan.
Crunchyroll’s SVP of Global Commerce, Mitchel Berger, will take on the company’s manga publishing business in Emea, while continuing to lead Theatrical, Content Distribution, Consumer Products and Home Entertainment/Collectibles. Terry Li has been promoted to EVP, Emerging Business and will continue to...
McCollum will depart the company at the end of the month having joined in 2008, and has been working with Crunchroll President Rahul Purini over the past month to ensure what an insider called “a thoughtful transition path that continues the company’s fan-forward ambitions and growth.”
As part of the changes, Chief Marketing Officer Gita Rebbapragada will replace McCollum as COO, while Barb Bidan becomes Chief People Experience Officer, while new hire Charles Valentine will lead the Information Technology and Security teams as SVP and will report to Bidan.
Crunchyroll’s SVP of Global Commerce, Mitchel Berger, will take on the company’s manga publishing business in Emea, while continuing to lead Theatrical, Content Distribution, Consumer Products and Home Entertainment/Collectibles. Terry Li has been promoted to EVP, Emerging Business and will continue to...
- 9/8/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
After three years at Sony, Colin Decker is stepping down as CEO of Crunchyroll, with longtime Funimation exec Rahul Purini poised to run the anime brand as president.
The transition is occurring as Crunchyroll and Funimation continue to integrate their operations. AT&T sold Crunchyroll to Sony last year for 1.175 billion and the two anime operations have been joining forces in recent months.
Purini has been COO of Crunchyroll after holding the same title at Funimation.
Keith Le Goy, chairman of worldwide distribution and networks for Sony Pictures Entertainment, confirmed the move in a memo to employees. (Read it in full below.) Decker “championed and played a key role in our acquisition of Crunchyroll,” Le Goy noted, while Purini has been “instrumental in the company’s global and subscription growth” during his Sony exec stint.
“It is an honor and a privilege for me to take on this new role, and...
The transition is occurring as Crunchyroll and Funimation continue to integrate their operations. AT&T sold Crunchyroll to Sony last year for 1.175 billion and the two anime operations have been joining forces in recent months.
Purini has been COO of Crunchyroll after holding the same title at Funimation.
Keith Le Goy, chairman of worldwide distribution and networks for Sony Pictures Entertainment, confirmed the move in a memo to employees. (Read it in full below.) Decker “championed and played a key role in our acquisition of Crunchyroll,” Le Goy noted, while Purini has been “instrumental in the company’s global and subscription growth” during his Sony exec stint.
“It is an honor and a privilege for me to take on this new role, and...
- 4/19/2022
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Crunchyroll subscribers now have access to library and simulcast content previously exclusive to Funimation:
“When we brought Funimation and Crunchyroll together last year, our top priority was to put fans first,” said Colin Decker, CEO of Crunchyroll.
“Unifying all of our brands and services under the Crunchyroll brand globally enables us to offer more value than ever before as we combine subs, dubs, simulcasts, library, music, movies, manga—all into one subscription.
“The new Crunchyroll is the realization of a dream, and we are grateful to the creators of anime and the millions of fans who have joined us in making the community what it is…”...
“When we brought Funimation and Crunchyroll together last year, our top priority was to put fans first,” said Colin Decker, CEO of Crunchyroll.
“Unifying all of our brands and services under the Crunchyroll brand globally enables us to offer more value than ever before as we combine subs, dubs, simulcasts, library, music, movies, manga—all into one subscription.
“The new Crunchyroll is the realization of a dream, and we are grateful to the creators of anime and the millions of fans who have joined us in making the community what it is…”...
- 3/2/2022
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
After last summer’s official close of the anime mega-merger of Crunchyroll and Funimation, Sony Pictures Entertainment has unified the offerings into a single service.
Crunchyroll subscribers starting today will gain access to streaming fare previously exclusive to Funimation as Sony starts to phase out the Funimation brand. The company paid nearly $1.2 billion to acquire Crunchyroll from AT&T.
Pricing for the Crunchyroll service is holding steady, even with the addition of Funimation titles. Subscriptions remain at three tiers: $8 a month for the Fan plan; $10 for Mega Fan; and $15 for Ultimate Fan.
Crunchyroll reaches more than 200 countries, streaming in 10 languages. Last summer, just after the merger closed, Crunchyroll said it had reached 5 million streaming subscribers and 120 million registered users.
“When we brought Funimation and Crunchyroll together last year, our top priority was to put fans first,” Crunchyroll CEO Colin Decker said. “Unifying all of our brands and services under the...
Crunchyroll subscribers starting today will gain access to streaming fare previously exclusive to Funimation as Sony starts to phase out the Funimation brand. The company paid nearly $1.2 billion to acquire Crunchyroll from AT&T.
Pricing for the Crunchyroll service is holding steady, even with the addition of Funimation titles. Subscriptions remain at three tiers: $8 a month for the Fan plan; $10 for Mega Fan; and $15 for Ultimate Fan.
Crunchyroll reaches more than 200 countries, streaming in 10 languages. Last summer, just after the merger closed, Crunchyroll said it had reached 5 million streaming subscribers and 120 million registered users.
“When we brought Funimation and Crunchyroll together last year, our top priority was to put fans first,” Crunchyroll CEO Colin Decker said. “Unifying all of our brands and services under the...
- 3/1/2022
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Despite AT&T CEO John Stankey’s victory lap today about WarnerMedia’s theatrical and HBO Max release strategy with Godzilla vs. Kong, the studio’s R-rated title, Mortal Kombat, is facing a serious threat at the weekend box office from a traditional theatrical release and rival Asian IP, Funimation/Aniplex of America’s Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train.
All we’ve heard since last weekend from exhibition, big and small, is that Demon Slayer is selling out. Buzz is that the anime feature, based on Koyoharu Gotoge’s manga and the 2019 TV series, is outselling New Line’s Mortal Kombat 4-to-1 at AMC. Anecdotally, one dad I spoke with last night told me it was challenge to get tickets for him and his son this weekend to the pic, which is booked at around 1,500 theaters. Demon Slayer will have previews tonight and count Imax...
All we’ve heard since last weekend from exhibition, big and small, is that Demon Slayer is selling out. Buzz is that the anime feature, based on Koyoharu Gotoge’s manga and the 2019 TV series, is outselling New Line’s Mortal Kombat 4-to-1 at AMC. Anecdotally, one dad I spoke with last night told me it was challenge to get tickets for him and his son this weekend to the pic, which is booked at around 1,500 theaters. Demon Slayer will have previews tonight and count Imax...
- 4/22/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
“Demon Slayer – Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train,” the animated movie that holds the record as the highest-grossing film to ever open in Japan, will now hit theaters in North America.
Last year, “Demon Slayer” took the crown (during a pandemic!) from Hayao Miyazaki’s beloved “Spirited Away” which held the title in Japan for 19 years, grossing $354.9 million in Japan. It became the fastest movie — live-action or animated — to surpass $100 million at the Japanese box office after only 10 days and is the most successful IMAX release ever in Japan.
The anime film will now open in the U.S. and Canada on April 23, including in 4Dx and on IMAX screens, and the film will be available in both an English language dub and as a subtitled version. It will then debut on digital beginning June 22, with pre-orders beginning April 26. Check out the subtitled trailer for “Demon Slayer – The Movie” above.
Last year, “Demon Slayer” took the crown (during a pandemic!) from Hayao Miyazaki’s beloved “Spirited Away” which held the title in Japan for 19 years, grossing $354.9 million in Japan. It became the fastest movie — live-action or animated — to surpass $100 million at the Japanese box office after only 10 days and is the most successful IMAX release ever in Japan.
The anime film will now open in the U.S. and Canada on April 23, including in 4Dx and on IMAX screens, and the film will be available in both an English language dub and as a subtitled version. It will then debut on digital beginning June 22, with pre-orders beginning April 26. Check out the subtitled trailer for “Demon Slayer – The Movie” above.
- 3/16/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Anime Sensation ‘Demon Slayer: Mugen Train’ Sets U.S. Release After Breaking Japan Box Office Record
“Demon Slayer: Mugen Train” (official title “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train”) is prepping for its U.S. release after dominating the box office charts in Japan last year. Aniplex of America and Funimation have announced they are teaming up for the U.S. and Canada release of “Demon Slayer: Mugen Train” starting Friday, April 23, 2021. The release includes 4Dx theaters and IMAX locations. The film will be available in both a subtitled version and an English-language one. Tickets for showtimes will go on sale April 9.
Directed by Haruo Sotozaki from a story by Koyoharu Gotoge, “Demon Slayer: Mugen Train” is set after the events of the wildly popular 2019 anime television series “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.” The show centered around a young man’s search for a cure to save his sister, who turned into a demon after their family was slaughtered by demons. The movie picks up with the characters Tanjiro,...
Directed by Haruo Sotozaki from a story by Koyoharu Gotoge, “Demon Slayer: Mugen Train” is set after the events of the wildly popular 2019 anime television series “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.” The show centered around a young man’s search for a cure to save his sister, who turned into a demon after their family was slaughtered by demons. The movie picks up with the characters Tanjiro,...
- 3/16/2021
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Funimation, a leading provider of anime content, plans to expand its streaming service to Brazil and Mexico this fall, offering select subtitled and dubbed anime series in Spanish and Portuguese.
The company, an independent joint venture between Sony Pictures Entertainment and Japan’s Aniplex, already operates globally, with nine offices in six countries. The Funimation streaming service is currently available in the U.S., Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.
News of the expansion came during FunimationCon 2020, a free, two-day virtual fan festival celebrating anime.
“Anime is special in that it speaks equally to people from different cultures, regions and languages around the world. Audiences in Latin America are among the most passionate in the world and have been clamoring for more,” Funimation Global Group CEO Colin Decker said in a press release. “Expanding Funimation to Mexico and Brazil is the natural next step for us to serve those fans and extend our brands.
The company, an independent joint venture between Sony Pictures Entertainment and Japan’s Aniplex, already operates globally, with nine offices in six countries. The Funimation streaming service is currently available in the U.S., Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.
News of the expansion came during FunimationCon 2020, a free, two-day virtual fan festival celebrating anime.
“Anime is special in that it speaks equally to people from different cultures, regions and languages around the world. Audiences in Latin America are among the most passionate in the world and have been clamoring for more,” Funimation Global Group CEO Colin Decker said in a press release. “Expanding Funimation to Mexico and Brazil is the natural next step for us to serve those fans and extend our brands.
- 7/3/2020
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Sony Pictures Television's Funimation has bolstered its management ranks as the anime content unit names industry veteran Asa Suehira, formerly vp international business development for Sony anime platform Aniplex, as its chief content officer.
And Kaliel Roberts, most recently senior vp product and technology at Discovery Communications, boards Funimation as chief product officer. Both hires will report to Funimation general manager Colin Decker, a former executive at rival Crunchyroll, and will be based at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City.
"Asa and Kaliel bring unparalleled expertise, leadership and depth to our growing business. In his 20+ year career ...
And Kaliel Roberts, most recently senior vp product and technology at Discovery Communications, boards Funimation as chief product officer. Both hires will report to Funimation general manager Colin Decker, a former executive at rival Crunchyroll, and will be based at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City.
"Asa and Kaliel bring unparalleled expertise, leadership and depth to our growing business. In his 20+ year career ...
- 1/16/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Flower Mound, Texas – September 10, 2019. Anime’s favorite pirates are back on the big screen and set to plunder North American audiences later this year with today’s announcement that Funimation® Films, the theatrical division of Sony Pictures Television’s Funimation, has acquired the new feature length film “One Piece: Stampede” from Toei Animation, Inc. From producer Toei Animation, “One Piece: Stampede” is the 14th film from global hit “One Piece” anime series which marks its 20th anniversary this year. “One Piece: Stampede” is already a smash hit since its opening in Japan in early August – grossing more than $28.7 million to date and setting the Japanese record for the biggest opening-day audience for 2019. Funimation Films will distribute the movie in both the U.S. and Canada this fall with theatrical dates to be announced later.
“We are so excited to bring ‘One Piece: Stampede’ to North America as part of our...
“We are so excited to bring ‘One Piece: Stampede’ to North America as part of our...
- 9/14/2019
- by tyriter
- AsianMoviePulse
Sony Corp.'s Sony Pictures Entertainment said Tuesday that Funimation, the anime distribution and network subsidiary of Sony Pictures Television (Spt), will be led by Colin Decker as general manager.
Funimation was founded 25 years ago by Japan-born Gen Fukunaga, who stepped down as CEO earlier this year to take on a chairman role. Fukunaga retains a 5 percent stake in the company, with the rest acquired by Sony at the end of 2017.
Decker and Fukunaga will report to Mike Hopkins, chairman of Spt.
"Adding Colin’s leadership, experience in emerging media and proven track record of ...
Funimation was founded 25 years ago by Japan-born Gen Fukunaga, who stepped down as CEO earlier this year to take on a chairman role. Fukunaga retains a 5 percent stake in the company, with the rest acquired by Sony at the end of 2017.
Decker and Fukunaga will report to Mike Hopkins, chairman of Spt.
"Adding Colin’s leadership, experience in emerging media and proven track record of ...
Discovery Digital Networks has expanded its content offerings through a new network. The digital branch of Discovery Communications launched the Seeker network to tell stories aimed at the adventurous at heart.
As a new member of Discovery Digital, Seeker joins other networks under the same banner, such as TestTube, SourceFed, and Revision3. Sponsored by Michelob Ultra, the new Discovery network is described in a release as focusing on “adventurers, explorers, and storytellers on journeys – both physical and emotional – that celebrate the world around us.”
Seeker arrives with an already-prepared slate of at least 15 original series and content partners. Journalist and writer Laura Ling produces and hosts two series, one called Going Off Grid (about people choosing to live without many modern luxuries) and the other called Rituals, featuring stories of survival and bravery. DNews host Trace Dominguez will introduce viewers to the history of abandoned locations in Abandonment Issues, and...
As a new member of Discovery Digital, Seeker joins other networks under the same banner, such as TestTube, SourceFed, and Revision3. Sponsored by Michelob Ultra, the new Discovery network is described in a release as focusing on “adventurers, explorers, and storytellers on journeys – both physical and emotional – that celebrate the world around us.”
Seeker arrives with an already-prepared slate of at least 15 original series and content partners. Journalist and writer Laura Ling produces and hosts two series, one called Going Off Grid (about people choosing to live without many modern luxuries) and the other called Rituals, featuring stories of survival and bravery. DNews host Trace Dominguez will introduce viewers to the history of abandoned locations in Abandonment Issues, and...
- 3/3/2015
- by Bree Brouwer
- Tubefilter.com
Mortal Kombat: Legacy, Season 1, Episode 4: Kitana and Mileena (Part 1) has premiered. Episode 4 of Kevin Tancharoen‘s Mortal Kombat: Legacy (2011) stars Aleks Paunovic, Samantha Tjhia, Jolene Tran, Kirby Morrow, and Beatrice Ilg. Mortal Kombat: Legacy: Season 1, Episode 4′s plot synopsis: “Beautiful, athletic, and trained as highly skilled assassins, Kitana and Mileena have grown up thinking that they are sisters. Shao Kahn, Emperor of the Outworld, has tricked Shang Tsung into becoming his servant for Mortal Kombat by making him clone Mileena as a Tarkatan clone of Kitana, out of Shao Kahn’s fear that Kitana wouldn’t love him enough if she ever found out the truth about her Mother and Father.” This episode of Mortal Kombat: Legacy also stars Johnson Phan, Karin Inghammar, Fraser Aithcheson, Aaron Hutchinson, Lani Gelera, Colin Decker, Eli Zagoudakis, and Don Lew. I liked the narration in this episode and I definitely liked the combat,...
- 5/3/2011
- by filmbook
- Film-Book
Imagine being willing to be punched, kicked, dropped, flung from speeding cars...and, yes, sometimes even lit on fire for your day job.
It's just another day in the life of your average stuntman (or woman), the unsung heroes who frequently put themselves in harm's way to make Robert Downey Jr. look athletic in Iron Man, Sylvester Stallone look invincible as Rambo...and Tom Cruise look taller in...well, any of his films (relax, it's a joke).
While most of us might dream of publishing a book, being a race car driver, dating a supermodel — or some other equally cliched ambition like that — Colin Decker’s ambition is to set himself on fire and burn for two minutes and 39 seconds.
Why two minutes and 39 seconds, you ask? Why, to break a record, of course.
This Sunday afternoon, he’ll make the attempt, reports The Vancouver Sun.
Decker, a Vancouver stuntman,...
It's just another day in the life of your average stuntman (or woman), the unsung heroes who frequently put themselves in harm's way to make Robert Downey Jr. look athletic in Iron Man, Sylvester Stallone look invincible as Rambo...and Tom Cruise look taller in...well, any of his films (relax, it's a joke).
While most of us might dream of publishing a book, being a race car driver, dating a supermodel — or some other equally cliched ambition like that — Colin Decker’s ambition is to set himself on fire and burn for two minutes and 39 seconds.
Why two minutes and 39 seconds, you ask? Why, to break a record, of course.
This Sunday afternoon, he’ll make the attempt, reports The Vancouver Sun.
Decker, a Vancouver stuntman,...
- 9/4/2009
- CinemaSpy
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