Industry Expert Joins FUNimation to Expand Home Video Sales Distribution
In a move designed to support its expanding business model, FUNimation
Productions, Ltd. has announced the hiring of Tony Vandeveerdonk as Director
of Sales for the company's Home Video Division.
"We are pleased to announce Tony's arrival at FUNimation. Tony is one of the few pioneers in the placement and sales of some of the first and most successful anime videos in the industry," said FUNimation President Gen Fukunaga. "During the Pokémon anime phenomenon, he was responsible for the sales of Pokémon to the mass merchant channel and many other key accounts."
Vandeveerdonk brings 14 years of home video experience to FUNimation. "It has been a great ride being part of the initial growth of the anime market," commented Vandeveerdonk. "I have seen the category grow from a small niche business in the $40-$50 million range, to almost a half-billion-dollar industry in a short five years. I expect this brisk growth to continue."
Regarding his new position as the Director of FUNimation's Home Video Sales Division, Vandeveerdonk was positive about both the opportunity and the challenge. "FUNimation has a strong position and share of the anime and 'kidvid' categories already. We will further expand and dominate these categories with a portfolio of exciting new titles."
Vandeveerdonk, formerly the Senior National Sales Manager for Pioneer Entertainment USA, began his duties at the Fort Worth, TX-based FUNimation on July 7. For a complete listing of in-stock FUNimation DVDs and videos -- including those featuring Dragonball Z, Yu Yu Hakusho, and others, click here.
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"We are pleased to announce Tony's arrival at FUNimation. Tony is one of the few pioneers in the placement and sales of some of the first and most successful anime videos in the industry," said FUNimation President Gen Fukunaga. "During the Pokémon anime phenomenon, he was responsible for the sales of Pokémon to the mass merchant channel and many other key accounts."
Vandeveerdonk brings 14 years of home video experience to FUNimation. "It has been a great ride being part of the initial growth of the anime market," commented Vandeveerdonk. "I have seen the category grow from a small niche business in the $40-$50 million range, to almost a half-billion-dollar industry in a short five years. I expect this brisk growth to continue."
Regarding his new position as the Director of FUNimation's Home Video Sales Division, Vandeveerdonk was positive about both the opportunity and the challenge. "FUNimation has a strong position and share of the anime and 'kidvid' categories already. We will further expand and dominate these categories with a portfolio of exciting new titles."
Vandeveerdonk, formerly the Senior National Sales Manager for Pioneer Entertainment USA, began his duties at the Fort Worth, TX-based FUNimation on July 7. For a complete listing of in-stock FUNimation DVDs and videos -- including those featuring Dragonball Z, Yu Yu Hakusho, and others, click here.
