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Follow-Up: Two Key Staff Members Leave SPJA/AX (Updated)
Following up on a previous post and according to another internal email sent anonymously to me, two key AX staff members in 2008 Convention Chair Liyin Liang and staff member Philip Donnelly have apparently left the SPJA parent organization over issues with the CEO and the Board of Directors first reported here in October.
Issues in the email echo those in the previous post, ranging from the increasing distrust of the CEO and Board of Directors by management staff, the attempted censure of discussion and other internal issues coming to a flashpoint.
Read More for the email in question.
Update: After discussing the PR policy I have in place in an email to AX Director of Marketing Kim Groomes, she has given an official response on behalf of the SPJA and AX, which is found at the end of the article.
Subject: We must take action now!!!
It seems like everything is spiraling out of control, we must take
action now more than ever.
Today, I found out about the situation regarding Liyin Liang and Phillip
Donelly. To me, this shows the continuing ineptitude and the lack of
foresight that our Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors
have.
The Board of Directors since AX 2008 has been a catastrophic failure on
many levels:
They rescinded continued promises of transparency when they fired a much loved CEO, not giving the staff any information on what prompted such action.
The board of directors pushed forward CEO candidates and gave the staff and management little time to know the future heads of the organization. They hired a CEO who knows very little about the anime hobby, nor does
he understand the convention culture and the culture of volunteer staff.
The board continues to back an inept CEO who continually shows us that
he in incapable of grasping a complex organization like Anime Expo and
the industry that it promotes and develops.
Justin and many managers have laid out an extraordinary list of
grievances of our CEO and the Board of Directors. The CEO responded in a slanderous tone, arguing, “The information I learned about the rumors
led me to believe that ex-exployees have been involved in the negative
rumors circulating in small pockets of the SPJA.”
This is absurd, because this groundswell of opposition towards the organization’s direction is from within. There are many managers and division directors who are concerned with the direction of the organization, the email sent by Justin was not due to outside influences. On top of that, he took the same leap of logic that he assumes we do, but without the proof that we provided.
The open letter by the CEO, and the subsequent letter by the BOD shows the ineptness of the people who now lead the organization. They wanted
to silence it by cutting off Justin from his zimbra account.
Then they forbade any discussion or debate about the subject through official channels. After that, they do the height of stupidity by sending an open letter to ALL staff. What they wanted kept private is now open for the world to see, to laugh at, and to sneer at.
They did not even counter any of Justin’s points, which further puts suspicion on their actions. Then I found out about Liyin and Phil, two people who has helped the organization immensely. They separated from the organization with nary a word, two excellent people who has served the organization by putting so much blood, sweat, and tears into it.
In November 21st, there will be an open meeting with the staff and
managers. No doubt a propaganda show that Dr. Joseph Goebbels will be
proud of. We will be inundated with spin, bad PR, and lies from the
people who helped bring the organization to where it is today.
From what I know, and from what I am learning, we are heading on a one way trip to oblivion, and the train is speeding up.
Sorry for the long email, but this is me officially taking a hard-line
stance. The knowledge of recent events kept under wraps pushed me over the edge. We must fire the CEO and the BOD, no questions asked.
Dear Readers,
During my short tenure with the SPJA, I have read many articles maliciously orchestrated to create rumors and libelous statements about this organization and its management. These are bias acts of slander – remember, readers, you are getting only one person’s opinion. It appears these individuals have decided to bring SPJA down rather than build it up. Woodrow Wilson once said, “If you want to make enemies, try to change something.” It would seem their ultimate goal is to project an illusion of instability where it doesn’t exist. This is an organization that they supposedly support or have supported but rather than act constructively, they use gossip as a weapon.
Every organization, small and large, can fall victim to drama; however it appears there are a handful of unknowns who wish to act anonymously and communicate false iterations through the Internet simply for personal gain. The truth is this: SPJA is transitioning into a business-focused and professional entity with proven leadership, while still maintaining its ideals of fandom and volunteerism. Change isn’t always easy, but it’s a necessary prerequisite for a company seeking to grow and survive in an unstable economy.
Furthermore, SPJA is incredibly disappointed to see such irresponsible journalism by AnimeNews.biz. We’d be happy to speak with any of you if you would like to hear, firsthand, the truth. Thank you for the opportunity to respond to this very public attack.
Sincerely,
Kim Groomes
Head of Corporate Communications & Marketing
My Response: Not the first time my “journalism” will be criticized and it won’t be the last either. This part of my primary statement to Ms. Groomes when she left her response as a comment earlier tonight:
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Dear Readers,
During my short tenure with the SPJA, I have read many articles maliciously orchestrated to create rumors and libelous statements about this organization and its management. These are bias acts of slander – remember, readers, you are getting only one person’s opinion. It appears these individuals have decided to bring SPJA down rather than build it up. Woodrow Wilson once said, “If you want to make enemies, try to change something.” It would seem their ultimate goal is to project an illusion of instability where it doesn't exist. This is an organization that they supposedly support or have supported but rather than act constructively, they use gossip as a weapon.
Every organization, small and large, can fall victim to drama; however it appears there are a handful of unknowns who wish to act anonymously and communicate false iterations through the Internet simply for personal gain. The truth is this: SPJA is transitioning into a business-focused and professional entity with proven leadership, while still maintaining its ideals of fandom and volunteerism. Change isn't always easy, but it's a necessary prerequisite for a company seeking to grow and survive in an unstable economy.
Furthermore, SPJA is incredibly disappointed to see such irresponsible journalism by AnimeNews.biz. We'd be happy to speak with any of you if you would like to hear, firsthand, the truth. Thank you for the opportunity to respond to this very public attack.
Sincerely,
Kim Groomes
Head of Corporate Communications & Marketing
Is it not the role of the reporter to make sure his or her stories are factual, verifiable and true?
Why is it that no other 'anime news' organization has picked up on these stories? Maybe their editorial fact-checking has brought up something that gives them pause about publishing these stories.
Then again, maybe you have some incentive to publish these stories, or worse, you are involved with the people who are pushing for these 'internal' emails to be published.
-Makoto Nakashima
Someone wants this to get out and I chose to investigate it. I have no
personal stake or incentive in the final outcome of the situation, I just
want to figure it out with the help of both sides since it seems to be a
continuation of long-running internal strife that was supposed to be over
and done with.
Whether you agree or disagree with my methods is up to you. A lot of people
are affected by this situation and the attendees will suffer the most if the
internal situation isn't resolved anytime soon.
Thanks for reading.
Maybe you should get your facts straight before you attempt to attack a reporter's work.
I am sure many of the points made are true … otherwise, why hasn't the SPJA addressed any of the claims directly?!!?!? Maybe they are afraid that all they can do is confirm its merit and truth?
I have kept up with Humberto's work and he has always been thoughtful, honest and respectful. I think it is very foolish for Ms. Groomes to create an environment of hostility and antagonism especially at a reporter for reporting what he/she believes to be true. Does this mean that she will do the same for other outlets that do not share the views of the SPJA management? I wouldn't be surprised if she possibly e-mailed Humberto and even, possibly, threatened legal action.
Also, maybe the staff that are anonymous are doing so because they are afraid of retaliation from the CEO, Board, or worse, Ms. Groomes since she uses threats of “slander” and “libelious statements” without providing any proof to counter the claims.
Since Ms. Groomes loves to utilize quotes, well here is one from Alice Walker, “No person is your friend who demands your silence, or denies your right to grow.” Silencing staff/volunteers who are openly voicing concerns shows (i.e. Justin's account per the item provided) that there is probably a sense of paranoia and an abuse of authority and power.
This is an internal matter and it saddens me that someone sent this to the press. This is business that the voting membership needs to address with the SPJA board of directors, not business for the general public. This is a serious matter that threatens the core of the “for the fans, by the fans” organization that I love.
It is my hope that this will be resolved soon.
Justin Hudspeth
Liyin left to focus on her MBA studies- her eventual departure was anticipated and known well in advance within the staff. I've never heard of the other guy- was he even anyone important? Staff members leave conventions all the time.
I do agree with the writer- the situation should be resolved soon for the sake of the attendees and the event itself.
p.s. the email referenced in the post invokes Godwin's Law.
Thank you for the update, I'll add it to the article, and yes I noticed.
Liyin did leave to focus on her MBA studies, BUT she was attacked by the management for her vague Facebook posting about her feelings towards inconsiderate people about claiming that they were “threatening and libelous” and they also threaten an “investigation by law enforcement” towards Ms. Liang. Her association was also cut pre-maturely with the disablement of her email account before she could finish all her duties prior to her official departure. You decide in your own opinion.
Remember:
1)Rank does not confer privilege or give power. It imposes responsibility
2)Company cultures are like country cultures. Never try to change one. Try, instead, to work with what you've go.
3)Most discussions of decision making assume that only senior executives make decisions or that only senior executive decisions matter. This is a dangerous mistake.
Someone apparently has never worked for a big company before. All three “reminders” are absolutely bogus and do not work and will never apply to the real world.
1) Rank does indeed confer privilege and power. Otherwise, the person with said rank would not have been bestowed such rank.
2) Company cultures, it depends on the company. Some are so deep set in their ways that yes, you can't change it. Others are fluid and are able to be changed easily (mainly due to the will of the employees and staff). If change is wanted, it will be accepted.
3) Seriously, whoever you are, this is doublespeak. The point of being senior management is to make decisions that affect the role the person was hired for. If decisions can be made further down the command chain, the senior management should be able to facilitate that.
Yes, you would think and agree with the idea that with rank comes privileges like purchasing Business Class airfare for two to Japan from a non-proft….lol What a joke you are!
If the business can financially support the expenditure and sufficient ROI is realized one would think it really wouldn't matter, non-profit or for-profit, right?
It has come to my attention that one of the commenters in “Makoto Nakashima” has tried to pin the anonymous comments left in this article to Mr Wang of BAM Marketing & Promotions. I can confirm that not to be the case and anyone who attempts to state otherwise shall be dealt with in an appropriate manner.