In my second and final year with the convention, my duties tripled: In addition to serving as Media Relations Director, I also was the event's primary liaison to members of the North American anime industry, handling both on-site "honored guest relations" and arranging for corporate sponsorship and involvement in the actual con.

As a result of my efforts, the following organizations were involved with METROCON 2004, either in-person or via in-kind support: ADV Films, AnimEigo, Antarctic Press, Bandai Entertainment, Broccoli International USA, Central Park Media, ComicsOne Corp., FUNimation Productions Ltd., Manga Entertainment, The Right Stuf International and Urban Vision Entertainment.

Media coverage for the event was also significant, setting the stage for about 2400 attendees. (A 50% increase over 1600 the previous year.)

Print Coverage

Pre-Event
"Con Job"
Adam Arnold
Wizard's Anime Insider - August/September 2004
Preview including mention of "Anime Idol" competition, anime-themed human chess match and formal dance.

Friday, July 9, 2004
"Anime cartoon fans join forces at convention"
Jay Cridlin
St. Petersburg Times (City/State section, full-run Tampa Bay)
Feature article about the convention and the personalities behind it. Includes mention of convention guests (Greg Ayres, Luci Christian and Vic Mignogna), as well as photo images from the ADV Films series "Azumanga Daioh."

"Around the World in 3 Days"
Mike O'Neill
Tampa Tribune FRIDAY EXTRA
(Full-run Tampa/St. Petersburg/Tampa Bay)
Spotlight of weekend event, including mention of live commentary sessions, convention guests (Don Rush), screenings of ADV Films' "Azumanga Daioh" and AN Entertainment's "Miami Guns" and the industry panel for Tampa--based AN Entertainment. Photo image from "Miami Guns" accompanied the story.

Post-Event Coverage
METROCON 2004: A Vacation Well-Spent
Adam Arnold, photos by Matthew Pollack
Anime Fringe (AnimeFringe.com)
In-depth convention report with photos (plus a nice plug for me, professionally).

METROCON 2004: Katie Bair 101
Adam Arnold, photos by Matthew Pollack
Anime Fringe (AnimeFringe.com)
Interview feature with artist Katie Bair.

METROCON 2004 Con Report
Jay Levy
Anime News Network (AnimeNewsNetwork.com)
Full convention report.

METROCON Album
Maboroshi
RisingSun.net
Extensive online photo album from the convention's official photographer.

METROCON Convention Report
CosplayLab.com
Online photo album and convention report.

METROCON Convention Report
Ashley Clark
AnimeBelle.com (Animebelle.com)
Interviews with several convention guests.

Broadcast Coverage

Convention Weekend
Late News
WTVT - FOX 13 (FOX - Tampa)
Brief package on the event's turnout, including on-camera interviews with several costumed participants and convention management.

Late News
WTTA - WB News at Ten (WB - Tampa)
Brief package on the event's turnout, including on-camera interviews with several costumed participants and convention management.

The SciFi Zone Radio Show
540 WFLA-AM / www.scifizoneradio.com
Live broadcast from convention with group interviews that included all of the convention's guest. (First segment: ADV Films voice actors and directors; second segment: Robert and Emily DeJesus and Katie Bair.) Also ran extensive pre-con editorial promotion.

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