Summary
- Ken Sasaki steps down as VIZ Media CEO after 13 years, now serving as Chairman & Executive Advisor.
- Brad Woods takes over as CEO, bringing over 25 years of industry experience.
- Transition marks VIZ Media’s next phase of global growth in the anime and manga industry.
On March 31st, VIZ Media made some adjustments to its leadership team. Ken Sasaki, who has been CEO for 13 years, is now the Chairman and Executive Advisor. In his place as CEO steps Brad Woods. This transition marks a significant step for VIZ Media in its aim to solidify its status as a dominant player in global Japanese pop culture. Over the past few years, VIZ Media has experienced growth, particularly in the anime and manga market where it has seen increased international presence, such as being the licensor and producer of the unconventional anime adaptation of Tsuyoshi Takaki’s BLACK TORCH manga.
As an onlooker, I observe that the shift in leadership at VIZ is seen as a crucial step in their global expansion journey. The new appointee, Woods, boasts over a quarter-century of industry expertise, which promises intriguing prospects for the company’s future growth.
About Ken Sasaki and Brad Woods
Passing the Torch
Over the past 13 years, Ken Sasaki has significantly contributed to VIZ Media’s growth. As CEO, he changed VIZ from a niche publisher into the dominant player in Western Japanese pop culture. Under his leadership, VIZ established numerous industry collaborations and paved the way for digital strategies that made anime and manga popular and widespread throughout North America, the UK & Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. Now, as Chairman and Executive Advisor, Sasaki is still guiding VIZ’s strategic planning as it embarks on its next stage of global expansion.
According to Sasaki, what we’ve created at VIZ Media is nothing less than remarkable. Manga and anime have exploded onto the global stage, and VIZ is right in the heart of this revolution. With Brad Woods at the helm, VIZ is ready to push its impact even further, potentially reshaping the industry as we know it today.
– VIZ MEdia Chairman & Executive Advisor, Ken Sasaki
Viz Media’s freshly appointed President and CEO, Brad Woods, boasts more than two decades of experience in the entertainment sector, specifically in areas such as marketing, brand strategy, and entertainment production. For a decade, he was part of Viz Media, playing an instrumental role in making manga and anime a popular form of mainstream entertainment.
With a robust history in franchise expansion, digital innovation, and consumer engagement, Woods has overseen successful sales initiatives, strategic collaborations with brands, and expanded Viz’s presence across various domains, including publishing, digital media, and streaming services. Previously, he held key positions at notable corporations like DreamWorks and Warner Bros., where he shared his skills in franchise management, digital transformation, and the growth of global brands.
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2025-04-02 18:04