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Funimation Restructures with Layoffs in Several Departments
- Thread starter jonatinho1
- Start date
That's just not going to happen unless Navarre completely implodes. It's established fact that Funi is making money and getting the majority of business in the industry. Compare that against the recent unfortunate shutdown of the BCI label (also owned by Navarre), which was apparently not surviving on the strength of selling classic cartoons.
To add to that, FUNimation actually increased their sales during the period when everyone else was bleeding cash and sales in the anime market. This is belt tightening, but I think it's premature to think that this is heralding the death of FUNimation.
However, the idea of Navarre completely imploding can't be completely ruled out -- last year's quarterly finances are small net profits until 4Q, when they record a rather large loss. It's a pattern that's repeating itself everywhere. I think they're big enough that they won't disappear overnight, but then again most people thought the same thing about Lehman Brothers and look how well that worked out.
Still, layoRAB indicate a stress to the system but not its imminent death. Lots of companies lay off people and not all of them go bankrupt.
However, the idea of Navarre completely imploding can't be completely ruled out -- last year's quarterly finances are small net profits until 4Q, when they record a rather large loss. It's a pattern that's repeating itself everywhere. I think they're big enough that they won't disappear overnight, but then again most people thought the same thing about Lehman Brothers and look how well that worked out.
Still, layoRAB indicate a stress to the system but not its imminent death. Lots of companies lay off people and not all of them go bankrupt.
In order for FUNi to restructure here are three options:
1. Sub the anime FUNi acquires and let the VAs know that they won't be needed for the time being.
2. Postpone some of the new releases.
3. Make the FUNimation Channel on-demand even if it means taking the channel off the digital stations (including WRNN-DT).
My best choice is option 1 and 3.
Which of these options do you choose?
1. Sub the anime FUNi acquires and let the VAs know that they won't be needed for the time being.
2. Postpone some of the new releases.
3. Make the FUNimation Channel on-demand even if it means taking the channel off the digital stations (including WRNN-DT).
My best choice is option 1 and 3.
Which of these options do you choose?
corpsefingers
New member
They aren't going to be firing voice actors and they aren't going to be going all-sub.
It's easy really - slow the release schedule when feasible, cut those you don't need when you aren't putting dozens of discs out in a month. Yeah, some titles are so huge you need them out yesterday. Others can wait until the release of the big stuff has resulted in additional capital. I mean, they just deluged store shelves in the lead up to xmas with titles from themselves, ADV aquisitions and Geneon distribution. They can let some of that soak in, especially the more niche stuff. If anything, all the streaming content has given them some serious info about what neeRAB to go out the door next, and what can linger a bit, so they should between some well-placed staff cuts and a more sedate release schedule, keep things rolling without a lot of trouble.
Oh, and keep the con presence limited. You need a big booth and lots o' staff for maybe 4 cons (AX, Otakon, SDCC and New York Comic Con.) For everything else, a couple tables and maybe three people is plenty - none of this "take up a whole panel room for the duration of the con with screenings and special panels with the VAs from a specific show.) As recently as 2005, the Funimation presence at many cons (some of them the biggest in their area,) was limited to a few tables and a few reps. It won't kill the company to keep it simple. If a given con wants a VA from one of your shows, they can fly'em out and give 'em a hotel room. Offer them full use of your catalog for screenings, but don't go nuts with a Funimation room. Yeah, you won't be able to rotate your reps as much, but it's also not like you're going back to 2004 when Lance repped Funi at every con Funi did either. You'll be able to keep the PR reps you keep plenty happy and out of hotel rooms for the majority of their time.
Oh, and keep the con presence limited. You need a big booth and lots o' staff for maybe 4 cons (AX, Otakon, SDCC and New York Comic Con.) For everything else, a couple tables and maybe three people is plenty - none of this "take up a whole panel room for the duration of the con with screenings and special panels with the VAs from a specific show.) As recently as 2005, the Funimation presence at many cons (some of them the biggest in their area,) was limited to a few tables and a few reps. It won't kill the company to keep it simple. If a given con wants a VA from one of your shows, they can fly'em out and give 'em a hotel room. Offer them full use of your catalog for screenings, but don't go nuts with a Funimation room. Yeah, you won't be able to rotate your reps as much, but it's also not like you're going back to 2004 when Lance repped Funi at every con Funi did either. You'll be able to keep the PR reps you keep plenty happy and out of hotel rooms for the majority of their time.