FanCons.ca Press Releases


April 3, 2007

News for Anime Expo 2007:

Anime Expo and Bang Zoom! Entertainment to host AX Idol

Anaheim, California (April 2, 2007) -- Have you ever wished you could sing your favorite Anime song in front of a crowd of thousands? Do you have what it takes to be the next great voice in anime? Anime Expo® and Bang Zoom! Entertainment® (producers of the highly popular online video podcast program AnimeTV) are proud to present AX Idol 2007. Hosting for a 2nd year will be the talented and charismatic Johnny Yong Bosch (Voice Actor in TRIGUN, BLEACH and host of AnimeTV). More information can be found on the website www.anime-expo.org.

AX Idol 2007 will be holding open auditions for all attendees of Anime Expo® 2007 who would like to try his/her hand at being the next "Anime Voice Acting" and "Singing" superstars! Contestants will audition for industry professionals and ten will be selected to perform "live" in front a of a live audience of over 8,000+ at the Long Beach Sports Arena during Anime Expo® 2007 (June 29, 2007-July 2, 2007).

"The Future Voice of Anime" AX Idol Grand Prize Winner will be invited to Bang Zoom!® Studios where they will receive a tour, sit in on a recording session and have the chance to audition for an upcoming anime title!

"AX Singing Idol" AX Idol Grand Prize winner will be invited to the music recording studio where English language versions of anime songs were recorded. The Grand prize winner will then record a demo with esteemed composer and American Idol® music producer Chris Many. The Grand Prize Winner will also be given a chance to audition for future recordings as well as be invited to Bang Zoom!® Studios where they will receive a tour, sit in on a recording session.

Both winners will also receive the American Idol® All Star Challenge DVD game courtesy of Screenlife® Games as well as a host of other amazing prizes.

All registrants who register before the end of April are automatically placed into the drawing. Those who have already pre-registered are also automatically entered into this drawing. Secure pre-registration can be done via online at https://secure.rhq.com/anime/anime2007/attreg/index.cgi.

Attendees interested in booking flights, car rentals and/or other hotels for Anime Expo® 2007 can do so via the AX Travel Store located at www.AXTravelStore.com.

-----------

About Anime Expo®

Located in Long Beach, California - Anime Expo®, the nation's largest anime/manga convention, serves to foster trade, commerce and the interests of the general public and animation/ comics industry. This event serves as a key meeting place for the general public to express their interest and explore various aspects of anime/manga, as well as for members of the industry to conduct business. AX 2007 will be held June 29 ­ July 2, 2007 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Southern California. More information can be found at its website (www.anime-expo.org).

-----------

About Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation

The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is a non-profit organization with a mission to popularize and educate the American public about anime and manga, as well as provide a forum to facilitate communication between professionals and fans. This organization is more popularly known by its entertainment property ­ Anime Expo®. More information can be found at its website (www.spja.org).

-----------

About Bang Zoom! Entertainment, Inc.

Headquartered in Burbank, California, Bang Zoom! Entertainment, Inc. is a leading and award winning full service audio post production studio working in the fields of feature films, television, electronic entertainment, anime and direct to home entertainment projects. Founded in 1993, Bang Zoom! Entertainment, Inc. maintains operations in the U.S. with three buildings, six recording/mixing stages and just under 200 staff of actors, writers, directors and technicians. Bang Zoom! Entertainment, Inc. is also committed to carrying out projects that contribute to the promotion of innovative cultural awareness internationally. More information about Bang Zoom! Entertainment, Inc. and its products can be found on the company's World Wide Web site, which is located at www.bangzoomentertainment.com.

The statements made in this press release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. The Company cautions readers of this press release that a number of important factors could cause Anime Expo®/SPJA's actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, without limitation, product delays, industry competition, rapid changes in technology and industry standards, protection of proprietary rights, maintenance of relationships with key personnel, vendors and third-party developers, international economic and political conditions. The Company may change its intention, belief or expectation, at any time and without notice, based upon any changes in such factors, in the Company's assumptions or otherwise. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.