Geneon Entertainment

Nihongo|Geneon Entertainment, Inc.|ジェネオン エンタテインメント株式会社|Jeneon Entateinmento Kabushiki-gaisha (formerly known as Pioneer Entertainment, or Pioneer LDC - Pioneer LaserDisc Company, a former subsidiary of Pioneer Corporation) is a Japanese anime and home entertainment production and distribution enterprise. Geneon has been involved in the production and distribution of several anime in Japan. Geneon's North American branch specialized in translating and distributing anime and related merchandise, such as soundtracks across the region. Geneon is a portmanteau of the English words, generate and eon.

History

The former organization, Pioneer LDC, was renamed to the current name of Geneon after the successful acquisition by Dentsu in July 2003. [cite web | title = Dentsu acquires Pioneer | accessdate = 2007-09-16 | date = 2003-07-21 | url = http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2003-07-21/dentsu-acquires-pioneer] The parent company of Geneon is Tokyo-based advertising and entertainment corporation Dentsu, which is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Geneon company has produced several anime series in Japan, as well as numerous movie and television productions.

Geneon USA

The parent company Pioneer LDC founded the company's North American anime and film distribution subsidiary, Pioneer Entertainment (USA) Inc., in 1993. Upon Dentsu's acquisition, as with other sectors of the company, the United States entertainment branch's name was also changed to Geneon Entertainment (USA) Inc. In 2006, Geneon was named "Best Anime Company" by the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation. [ [http://www.geneonanimation.com/MainContentPage.aspx?PageUID=eafc01ed-8b58-4d69-8361-f68e33e709bd About ] ]

On August 24, 2007, it was announced that ADV Films would handle the distribution, marketing, and sales of Geneon's properties in the US on October 1 and that Geneon would still be able to acquire, license, and produce anime in North America, but everything else would be handled by ADV. [cite web | title = ADV Takes Over Geneon's Sales, Marketing, Distribution | date = 2007-08-24 | accessdate = 2007-09-16 | url = http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-08-24/adv-takes-over-geneon-sales-marketing-and-distribution] However, on September 20, 2007, it was revealed that the distribution deal between ADV and Geneon had been canceled. [cite web | title = ADV Films, Geneon USA's Distribution Deal Cancelled | date = 2007-09-20 | accessdate = 2007-09-20 | url = http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-09-20/adv-films-geneon-entertainment-distribution-deal-cancelled] Dentsu confirmed that the distribution deal was canceled through a press release on September 21, 2007. No details were given other than Geneon and ADV were "unable to reach a mutual agreement." and that "From October 1, 2007, Geneon USA will focus mainly on management of its works portfolio." [cite web | title = Geneon USA Withdraws Appointment of Anime DVD Distribution Business to A.D. Vision | date = 2007-09-21 | accessdate = 2007-09-21 | url = http://www.dentsu.com/news/2007/pdf/2007064-0921.pdf]

On September 26, 2007, Geneon USA announced that it would shut down completely as of December 31, 2007. The company shipped all titles solicited through November 5, 2007, but they have given no indication thus far as to what will be done for the titles that were in mid-release or those that had been licensed and not yet released. [cite news | title=Geneon Entertainment Exits | date=2007-09-26 | accessdate=2007-12-23 | url=http://animeondvd.com/news/archives.php?datearch=0907] [ [http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-09-26/geneon-usa-to-cancel-dvd-sales-distribution-by-friday Geneon USA to Cancel DVD Sales, Distribution by Friday] ] On October 6, 2007, they announced the closure of their official online American fanclub, Geneon Spot.cite web|url=http://www.animekon.com/news-318-Geneon-Closes-The-G-Spot.html|title=Geneon Closes The G-Spot|publisher=Animekon|language=|accessdate=2007-10-06] According to Navarre Corporation CEO Cary Deacon, the company is in early stage negotiations to acquire some of the titles licensed by Geneon USA through their FUNimation subsidiary. [cite news |url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/home/12043.html |publisher=ICv2 |title=Navarre/FUNimation Interested in Some Geneon Titles |date=2008-02-08 |accessdate=2008-02-08 ] The release schedule of Bandai Visual USA titles previously distributed by Geneon was not affected. A press release stated "While product supply to the retail outlets may see some delays pending alternative distribution arrangements, Bandai Visual USA’s new and existing Honneamise label products will continue to be available for purchase at its online retail site." [cite press release |title=Bandai Visual USA Continues to Release New Titles as Scheduled |date=2007-09-26 |accessdate=2008-05-02 |publisher=Bandai Visual |url=http://www.bandaivisual.us/pdfs/PressRelease070926.pdf]

In February 2008, Geneon donated over US$138,000 in DVD and CD merchandise to the Kids Wish Network. [cite web | title = Kids Wish Network would like to thank Geneon Entertainment, Inc. | date = 2008-02-14 | accessdate = 2008-05-02 | url = http://kidswishblog.org/2008/02/14/kids-wish-network-would-like-to-thank-geneon-entertainment-inc/]

In July 2008, anime distributor and licensor Funimation announced that they had acquired the rights to release certain Geneon properties, such as Higurashi no Naku Koro ni and Black Lagoon [ [http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-07-03/funimation-agrees-to-distribute-select-geneon-titles Anime News Network - FUNimation Agrees to Distribute Select Geneon Titles (2008-07-03)] ] [ [http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2008-07-03/funimation-entertainment-and-geneon-entertainment-sign-exclusive-distribution-agreement-for-north-america Anime News Network - FUNimation Entertainment and Geneon Entertainment Sign Exclusive Distribution Agreement for North America (2008-07-03)] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.geneon-ent.co.jp/ Official Geneon Entertainment website] ja icon
*ann company|id=2151|company=Geneon Entertainment, Inc.
*ann company|id=1782|company=Geneon Entertainment (USA)