Kodansha Announces New VP of Brand and Marketing

Beth Kawasaki Joins Kodansha USA as New VP of Brand and Marketing

Kodansha USA Publishing—purveyors of some of the most exciting manga published today, like Witch Hat Atelier, Gachiakuta, Blue Lock and more—has named Beth Kawasaki as the new Vice President of Brand and Marketing.

Kawasaki joins Kodansha after a year of expansive growth in marketing and promotion for the publisher, which saw the the execution of a national Blue Lock-focused competition in Blue Lock: Diamonds in the Rough and the premiere of the first Kodansha House event in Los Angeles in July, followed by the continuation of Kodansha House in New York in October.

“I’m honored to join a team with such a strong legacy and incredible foundation. I’m excited to contribute to Kodansha’s continued growth, expand its brand reach and connect amazing stories with new audiences across platforms,” says Beth Kawasaki, VP of Brand and Marketing, Kodansha USA Publishing.

“Beth brings to Kodansha a multifaceted background from the worlds of storytelling and entertainment, just as the popularity of manga continues to accelerate across global markets and Kodansha expands its operations on multiple fronts in the English-language world,” says Alvin Lu, President and CEO of Kodansha USA Publishing.

Previously Media Do International Inc.’s VP of Content and Marketing, where she oversaw MD-i’s global content strategy, marketing and growth initiatives, Beth Kawasaki has also held executive roles across editorial, brand and product management for renowned publishing and entertainment brands, including VIZ Media, FUNimation (Sony) and Loot Crate.

For up-to-date information about Kodansha’s line of titles and announcements, please visit the Kodansha Reader Portal that allows manga fans to read and buy digital manga with greater ease, sample extended previews of hundreds of Kodansha series, take advantage of exclusive discounts, and much more.