As many of you may know, our social team has always been small — but we’ve been steadily growing as we try to gain more resources to give you all the best experience possible! As part of this growth, we are happy to introduce the newest addition to our team — our new Community Manager, Jay Hairston! We’ve never really had a “formal” CM up until this point, and we’re excited to see Jay grow this position. Please join us in giving him a very warm welcome! He’ll also be at Anime Expo with us this weekend, so if you’re attending the convention, feel free to say hello!
We’re still getting him settled into his role, but he’s prepared a message for everyone that he’d like to share:
Hi everyone!
I wanted to take the opportunity to introduce myself, I’m Justin, however I recently lost my naming rights in a heated office battle with Senior Manager of Social Strategy and Development at Funimation Justin Rojas, so you can call me “Jay.” I’ve recently joined the Funimation team as Community Manager, which means I’m here to talk to, but more importantly, listen to community fans and supporters. I’ll be active on the Funimation forums and various social media platforms.
A bit of background on myself: I hail from the forgotten land of Cheyenne, Wyoming. Growing up during the Toonami era, I was immediately drawn to anime, video games and comics leading to my education in 2D animation and graphic design at the Art Institute of Las Vegas. Through volunteer work, I also discovered a love for helping people with special needs as well. I relocated to Plano, Texas in 2011 to serve as the Program Manager at My Possibilities, a non-profit providing continued education for adults with cognitive disabilities in North Texas. There, four hundred students a week received life skills training, learning to be more independent and to lead more fulfilling lives.
Some of my most fond memories of anime were dual-screening Akira and Final Fantasy in the basement deep into the night. I enjoy underdog stories where characters are born different, yet still manage to accomplish amazing feats on sheer hard work and dedication. These days, My Hero Academia and Overwatch have me glued to the television or the occasional plunge back into the depths of online gaming in World of Warcraft. I’ve been playing since vanilla and previously served as Guild Master of an active raiding clan during the Burning Crusade expansion with members across the US, Europe and Australia.
I look forward to hearing from you and gathering your must-watch recommendations! Don’t hesitate to leave a comment or question as it will be my mission to enrich your current experience and provide fantastic new ways to enjoy anime in the future!
-Jay
Currently watching: Attack on Titan, My Hero Academia, Dragon Ball Super
Some of my favorite shows: Afro Samurai, One-Punch Man, Sword Art Online
Facebook: /JustinBHairston
Twitter: /JayHairston
Reddit: /JayHairston
Instagram: /JustinHairston
Snapchat: /JayHairston
Tumblr: /JayHairston
PSN: HairstonGaming