Anime NYC X Tracks Licensing Summit Announces First Speakers for North America's First Asian Entertainment Licensing Summit

Leading Executives from Viz Media, Kodansha, SEGA, CyberAgent, TOKYOPOP, Bioworld, BoxLunch, Yen Press, MBS and More Confirmed for Landmark Executive Event

NEW YORK, N.Y. — X Tracks Licensing Summits and Anime NYC today announced the first round of speakers for the Anime NYC X Tracks Licensing Summit, taking place Thursday, August 20, 2026, at the Javits Center in New York City.

Produced in partnership with Anime NYC, the one-day executive conference is the first licensing summit in North America dedicated exclusively to the business of Asian entertainment, bringing together leaders from anime, manga, webtoons, gaming, K-Pop and consumer products to explore one of the fastest-growing sectors in global licensing. As anime, manga, webtoons and K-Pop continue to drive global consumer products growth, the Summit will serve as the premier meeting place for executives looking to build the next generation of licensing partnerships.

The Anime NYC X Tracks Licensing Summit is proudly presented by Octane 5, with Nolan Heimann LLP and FADEL Rights & Royalties serving as Supporting Sponsors. Together, these industry leaders are helping advance education, innovation and collaboration across the global licensing community.

The first confirmed speakers represent many of the industry's most influential licensors, licensees and consumer products companies, including:

• Laura Takaragawa, Viz Media
• Jessica Poce, Kodansha
• Kristen Zimmer, SEGA
• Kurt Hassler, Yen Press
• Jim Killen, Manga Spot
• Simon Shimoie, Mainichi Broadcasting System (MBS)
• Rick Vargas, BoxLunch
• Bernie Cho, DFSB Kollective
• Nicole Galibrois, Bioworld
• Annie Cadenhead, Bioworld
• Mark Horowitz, Pyramid America
• Koh Hasegawa, CyberAgent
• Stu Levy, TOKYOPOP
• Young Park, Park Star Media
• JuYoun Lee, Ize Press
• John Parker, Patencio Development

Additional speakers representing many of the world's leading anime studios, manga publishers, gaming companies, retailers, manufacturers and consumer products companies will be announced in the coming weeks.

"The global appetite for anime, manga, webtoons and K-Pop has never been greater," said Steven Ekstract, Co-Founder of X Tracks Licensing Summits. "For the first time, we're bringing together the executives driving this extraordinary growth for a full day dedicated entirely to the business of Asian entertainment licensing. Whether you're a brand owner, retailer, manufacturer or licensing professional, this summit is designed to provide practical insights, meaningful networking and new business opportunities."

The Anime NYC X Tracks Licensing Summit will explore how Asian entertainment is reshaping the global licensing landscape through executive presentations, panel discussions, fireside chats and networking sessions covering topics including:

• The Growth of Anime and Manga at Retail • Gaming & Anime: Building Franchises Across Platforms • The Korean Wave: How K-Pop, K-Fashion & K-Beauty Are Reshaping Global Licensing • Webtoons: The Next Generation of Entertainment IP • Brand Collaborations Between Global Companies and Asian Entertainment • Experiential Licensing and Fan Engagement • Licensing Strategies for Entering Western Markets • Meet the Market Speed Networking with Industry Leaders

Attendance is intentionally limited to approximately 250 senior executives to ensure a highly curated networking experience, bringing together licensors, licensees, retailers, manufacturers, distributors, agents and brand owners from across the global licensing community. With more than 100 industry executives already registered more than eight weeks before the event, organizers encourage early registration as attendance is expected to reach capacity.

X Tracks Licensing Summits Continue to Expand

Since launching in 2022, X Tracks Licensing Summits, founded by licensing industry veterans Steven Ekstract and Sid Kaufman, have become one of the licensing industry's fastest-growing executive conference platforms. Each summit focuses on emerging trends and new business opportunities Across Entertainment, toys, gaming, fashion, retail and consumer products.

Following Anime NYC X Tracks Licensing Summit, the series continues with the Toy Previews X Tracks Licensing Summit on September 22, 2026, at The Toy Building in El Segundo, California, featuring Jeremy Padawer, President of Jazwares, as the Opening Keynote Speaker.

Event Details

Anime NYC X Tracks Licensing Summit
Thursday, August 20, 2026
Javits Center
New York City

Presented by Octane 5

Supporting Sponsors: Nolan Heimann LLP • FADEL Rights & Royalties

Attendance is limited to approximately 250 senior licensing and consumer products executives, and advance registration is strongly recommended.

For registration and additional information, visit:

https://animenyc.com/licensing/

About X Tracks Licensing Summits

Founded in 2022 by licensing industry veterans Steven Ekstract and Sid Kaufman, X Tracks Licensing Summits produce executive conferences focused on the future of brand licensing. Through thought leadership, education and strategic networking, X Tracks brings together senior executives from Across Entertainment, toys, gaming, fashion, retail and consumer products to explore emerging trends, discover new business opportunities and build the partnerships shaping the future of global licensing.