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Crunchyroll adds former Netflix exec

WarnerMedia-owned US streamer Crunchyroll has hired a former Netflix director of content and anime in Japan.

Julian Lai-Hung

Julian Lai-Hung has been named head of content strategy and business development at Crunchyroll, where he will focus on Japan and the Asia-Pacific region.

Lai-Hung’s career in video streaming spans original production, licensing and acquisitions. He helped launch Netflix in Japan and oversaw the streamer’s global anime category as its director of content and anime in the region.

While at Netflix, Lai-Hung was also an executive producer and dealmaker across a number of titles, including Terrace House Aloha State, Million Yen Women, Godzilla: Monster Planet, Kuromukuro and Blazing Transfer Students.

Lai-Hung is also a former VP of international digital distribution and global sales at Warner Bros and the founder an AI/blockchain start-up that built the world’s biggest anime merchandise search engine.

Based in Tokyo, Lai-Hung will focus on building Crunchyroll’s content strategy, driving the originals initiative and identifying new business opportunities with existing and new partners.

The hire comes after Crunchyroll appointed Alden Budill as head of global partnerships and content strategy; Terry Li as head of 360 and general manager of Crunchyroll Games; and John Easum to the newly created role of head of Crunchyroll EMEA following its acquisition of Viz Media Europe.

Earlier this year, Crunchyroll launched Crunchyroll Originals, its first foray into original content. The inaugural slate features eight series, including Tower of God.

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