Company Profiles v2.0
VONGOLA & ASSOCIATES
Description: The Well Established Company
Specialization: Children's and young adult fiction; literary and news magazines, non-fiction books, textbooks and educational material aimed at the youth market
BUT WHERE IS YOUR MANGA?: V&A USED to publish anything under the sun when it came to manga... they pretty much had a monopoly on the market in Namimori. This changed, however, with the downgrade - the Varia Publishing House took the section devoted to adult manga with it. At present, then, V&A handles the mainstream genres.
Size: Medium and happier like this.
Thrust: "Do unto others what you want others do unto you. Be fair, be good, make a lot of money, only not explicitly at others' expense or else--"
History
There's a reason why Vongola is a household name both in and beyond Namimori: this old and proud agency was among the first companies who landed in Japan in the 15th century, and were instrumental in making reasonably priced and beautifully rendered copies of children's classics and fairy tales available to the general public. They are an Italian company, founded by a man named Giotto, and the position of Company President has been passed down from father to son since they started-
At least, that's how it's supposed to go. The current heir, Sawada Tsuyanoshi, is a break in the familial tradition. Some people weren't too happy about that, but hey, no one from the other side of the counter needs to know these things, right? They're just here to buy books.
Company Profile
In a recent move, Vongola & Associates Publishing, one of the leading multi-language publishers has re-located headquarters to Namimori, Japan. On top of the move, a slight restructuring and downsizing of sorts have been implemented to suit the new management and organisation style. Although its subsidiary still exists in the founder's homeland of Italy, control has been relinquished to the controversial tenth CEO. Housing some of the best contemporary and classic children and young adult fiction authors, including exclusive rights to C.S. Lewis, E.B. White, Roald Dahl, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Louisa May Aclott, Dr. Seuss, A.A. Milne, Beatrix Potter, Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary, J.R.R. Tolkien, Agatha Christie and J.K. Rowling, Vongola & Associates is a still a force to be reckoned with in the publishing scene.
Today, V&A is a broad-based publisher with strengths in literary and commercial fiction, business books, children's books, cookbooks, and mystery, romance, reference, religious, and spiritual books. Even under new management and massive changes, V&A continues the tradition of protecting rights of its authors, meeting consumer demand and generating additional business opportunities. Stemming from the ninth CEO's initiative of building itself into a truly global publishing company rather than simply a company with publishing operations around the world, V&A has taken steps into translating key publications to share with the rest of the world. However, Vongola Decimo has put a hold on all plans to expand publishing and distribution efforts, choosing to solidify and strengthen their niche foothold in Japan.
By all definitions, Vongola & Associates is a traditional company: they're not conservative to the point of ridicule, but they're not exactly the most forward-thinking, edgy and adventurous group around either. They tend to stick to their guns and operate within the realm of what they know rather than branch out to do other things, although they can be pretty sharp when it comes to them feeling out what each new generation of young readers is looking for. It operates like any other Japanese company does, although their more liberal, European streak comes out in small but significant ways. Gender equality, for one, is strictly observed, with the demographic of employees being neatly divided between the sexes (and we're not just talking about the Adam & Eve version of sexuality here). Wine is also the staple drink in all the departments, and is sometimes more readily available than water or coffee. All employees are also required to be fluent in three languages: English, Italian and Japanese. Being an old school company, a lot of the mechanical processes involved in the production - typesetting, artwork and proofing, printing, and specialised companies whom the Vongola have had long-lasting ties with do cutting and binding.
Company Hierarchy & Processes
COMPANY PRESIDENT (CEO)
LEGAL AND FINANCIAL ADVISOR
MANAGING DIRECTOR
CREATIVE DIRECTOR (BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT)
HEAD OF MARKETING AND SALES
HEAD OF ACCOUNTS AND CUSTOMER SERVICE
HEAD OF DISTRIBUTION & PRODUCTION
HEAD OF LOGISTICS AND IT
HEAD OF HUMAN RESOURCES
INTERNAL AFFAIRS OFFICER
Along with the installation of the highly contended CEO position, the latest word from the Ninth has resulted in a change in the structure of the V&A. The position of Company President is no longer a symbolic role and the Board of Directors have been removed in order to jumpstart the company and for better control by team headed by the new tenth generation chief executive officer. Implementing a two way top down approach, all major decisions end at the desk of the CEO and can only be reversed if there is at least 50% disapproval from the heads of departments. But this does not mean the V&A is authoritarian, in fact, it believes in democracy, everyone from the Ninth in Italy to the janitor has a say (whether your opinion is heeded is another thing altogether, set your heart at ease for Vongola Decimo is a fair man) Though the final say belongs to the CEO, department heads have veto rights and can stop the presses.
Think of the V&A as the United Nations with the CEO at the core of the decision making process and the department heads as major powers. All employees belong to this general assembly, the voices of reason and dissent and everyone is involved in anything that happens in V&A (even birthdays!) If anyone has a problem, follow the line and seek audience to department heads first before going to the CEO.
Things an Employee Should Know About
The Vongola treat their employees really well.
Let me repeat that.
The Vongola treat their employees really well.
Even though the basic requirements to work at this company are steeper than the usual, and the kind of quality and service that the Vongola demands is usually along the lines of WTF IS THAT SORT OF PERFECTION ATTAINABLE AT ALL? Once you're hired and once you've been through a couple of hundred trials by fire, you're pretty much made for life. They also make sure to take care of your kids, and your kid's kids, and you're kid's kid's kids, and… well, you get the picture.
Things a Freelancer Should Know About
Given the fact that the Vongola's pretty much established on the market AND they've already got complete faith in their own employees, the need for freelancers isn't very big with them. They are not, however, outright hostile if work needs to be done, and they're quite fair with their contract and their payment once the job is done. Whether the Vongola is actually contracting the only problem you've got in the first place. The recent downgrade, however, may have made the Vongola more receptive to outsiders, as they may be looking for new people to hire the ones they've lost.
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THE VARIA PUBLISHING HOUSE
Description: Struggling Upstarts
Specialization: Erotica, Magazines
BUT WHERE IS YOUR MANGA?: Adult manga (the kind with content far too questionable to be published by bigger firms), with a growing section devoted to hentai, BL and yuri.
Size: Small.
Thrust: “BLOW THOSE VONGOLA BASTARDS OUT OF THE WATER AND GET A WHOLE FATLOAD OF MONEY DOING IT - BUT FIRST! …where the fuck is the boss’ whiskey?”
History:
No one really knows the full story behind it and there are a hell lot of wild rumors on the subject, but the only thing that we can be sure about is this: there was a downgrade over on the Vongola’s side of things, caused by a mass walk out led by Xanxus, the guy who was supposed to take over the company in his father’s stead, but was instead, met with a roadblock (God knows what) and was kicked off the position of ‘heir’.
Together with his closest associates and whoever he managed to scare off the Vongola, he started up his own publishing company in Namimori with one goal in mind: completely routing the Vongola, and making his own name in the publishing business. And thus, the Varia Publishing House is created.
General Company Profile:
Xanxus was born in the publishing industry, and his people are pretty much awesome in whatever they have been doing when they were in the Vongola, so they at least know what the hell they’re doing now. Their problem is finding long-term strategies that will sustain them and ultimately expand the company. For a few years they struggled between paying the bills, the employees, and their taxes, but they have been able to survive till this day.
The strategies they are currently working on are certainly expediting their standings in the publishing world, even if it’s just gradually, but of course, we have to see how long these tactics last. The case of ‘Anything Goes Down the Varia’ applies, although Xanxus is pretty much a little selective over what they are going to publish recently. He (and the rest) knows well enough which is trash and which has the potential not to be, so don’t just go shoving down a pile of garbage on their desks - it’ll come back to you in shredded pieces.
Along the way, they have gotten hold of a few contracted companies that do half of their jobs for them, but they still have to do other things, like the typesetting and the proofreading and more, by themselves. This isn’t the problem, really, because the Varia, despite the small size, is full of talented, albeit crazy, people who get the job done, quickly and punctiliously (once Xanxus opens his mouth, that is; otherwise, there’s no knowing what’s going to happen with just the people alone).
Any semi-decent bloke out on the lookout for a job in this industry is bound to have second thoughts about applying for the Varia, and really, it’s hard to blame them: if the look of their office isn’t enough of a turn off, a potential employee may be extremely intimidated by the very colorful lot that works there. There’s also the fact that the Varia is always associated with porn and the Italian mafia, and unless you’re really desperate for a job, this company might not exactly be the place to go to.
Also, there are guard dogs on each of the entrance (except the backdoor), and if the dogs don’t recognize you, they’ll bite. And there’s even the rumor that they haven’t had their rabies shot yet.
Company Hierarchy + How Are Things Run:
The Varia is more like a family than they are a business: just about everyone knows everybody, and they’re a close-knit bunch in spite of individual differences and idiosyncrasies. They have no Board of Directors, and the CEO-Xanxus-is the be-all, end-all figure of authority. He is followed by his personal assistant (aka his resident Bitch Boy), then his inner circle, then the employees who were part of the original resistance, and then the employees they hired on after the split from the Vongola. Company hierarchy is generally fluid, and the Varia believe that everyone should get to have a hand in decision-making and determining what direction the company ought to go to next.
There are quite a few temporary sponsors for the magazines published by the Varia; however, they are not so much as investors on the publishing house as a whole, but merely sponsors for the magazines. Permanent investors willing to put their stock on the Varia’s company, though, are of an entirely different matter, and Varia is currently planning on moves that will either attract or repel a few potential sponsors willing to work with an upstart such as the Varia.
There are rumors floating, of course, that a few members of the Italian mafia that ran the V&A before followed Xanxus to the Varia, out of loyalty to him or rage at the Ninth’s radical decision about “coming clean” and erasing connections to the mafia. It is said that they will fully commit themselves into following Xanxus and his dream of expanding the Varia into something bigger and better than the Vongola. Nevertheless, rumors are just rumors, of course.
Things an Employee Should Know About:
First and foremost-you do not piss of the boss. In general, anything anyone does pisses him off, but if you do it deliberately or go overboard with your stupidity, then you will have the entire house come running towards you with pitchforks and torches. Abso-fucking-lutely no one wants the boss pissed off and throwing a bitch fit everywhere. No one wants a young, strong, quick liger chasing them around the office building, either.
There’s a strong sense of fraternity down at the Varia, and while there will be times where the closeness will grate on you, an employee can be certain of one thing: people in this company will stick by you through thick and thin, especially if it has something to do with furthering your goals and undermining the Vongola.
If you’ve just signed up with this company, expect to be tested, ridiculed and, on occasion, nearly killed (although they weren’t actually trying to kill you whenever that happens. Really.). If you survive all of that, though, you’re bound to get the group’s Stamp of Approval, and you’ve effectively earned your right to be a part of a company who gives a whole new meaning to protecting one’s own.
…Of course, people down here aren’t exactly, uh, sane, so the first thing one should do is be prepared to deal with all sorts and levels of Strange.
Things a Freelancer Should Know About:
As much as possible, they want to use their men’s capabilities, since the Varia are proud of their own. Certainly, you are best off applying to them if you want to work for their company; however, if you really, really, really insist on your current standing as a freelancer, then remember this: they do not contact you-you contact them.
With that said, all phone calls, emails, letters, etc. are directed to the Personal Assistant’s office, and he’s not exactly the type that sits down and chats amiably as you go down to business (for the record, none of them are). He will tell you to do this and that, and if you ever complain, then that’s the end of it.
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MILLEFIORE & COMPANY
Description: The Intimidating & Impossibly Efficient New Guys
Specialization: Although they originally specialized in novels, Millefiore & Company has successfully branched out in every other direction. They are known for always being the first in the market to release award-winning and best-selling titles to the general public. They are well on their way to monopolizing the cyber-market with their eBooks and subscription sites.
BUT WHERE IS YOUR MANGA?: Currently competing for dominance in the mainstream genres with V&A. They're dabbling in adult, but they've generally left that to the Varia.
Size: Very large.
Thrust: "Peerless precision and perfectionism. No mistakes. No defects. Nothing we won't do."
History
People who aren't familiar with the industry will probably be surprised to discover that Millefiore & Company is quite new. In fact, the Millefiore were not originally one, but two companies: Gesso & Sons, under Byakuran Gesso, and Giglionero Inc., under Uni Giglionero. For reasons undisclosed, Byakuran's smaller and newer company merged with Uni's after the death of Uni's mother, the previous president of Giglionero Inc., and the new company was called Millefiore & Company in order to "start on a new page", to quote some of the leading figures in the group.
The company has managed to retain virtually all of the old contacts of Giglionero Inc. and Gesso & Sons combined, though it is now a privately-held company divided almost equally between Byakuran Gesso and Uni Giglionero. As such, it has the advantage of Giglionero's being on very friendly footing with many bureaucrats, "the old boys" of finance and banking, and prominent members of the press, and the ties of Gesso with cutting-edge technology research labs -- a fusion of the old and the new.
Company Profile
Millefiore's stellar performance in the publishing industry is matched only by its reputation of being the one company people in the industry should never cross. Many companies have learned that it is best to stay out of the Millefiore's way lest they be steamrollered by the Millefiore juggernaut as it makes its way towards yet another one of its inscrutable CEOs' goals.
Rumors abound regarding the legality of some methods the Millefiore has been said to employ, but as there is never any evidence of these methods beyond the most circumstantial, and since Millefiore's legal counsel is composed of some of the brightest (and most vicious) lawyers in the area, nothing has ever been proven. Millefiore's record with the government and regulatory boards is, in a word, spotless. Whether sharp-eyed people in the industry similarly ascribe benevolence to Millefiore, however, is another thing entirely.
Millefiore & Company is also known for the efficiency and speed with which it pursues its objectives; the question of whether Millefiore employees are or are not, in fact, robots is a long-running joke among industry insiders. While the Millefiore have not gone that far -- yet -- it is worth noting that innovation is not merely an advantage in this company: it is a requirement. All members of the company are perpetually pushed to exceed past successes, and its management does not believe in limits.
Company Hierarchy & Processes
No Board of Directors or any advisory board -- the company is run by co-CEOs Byakuran Gesso and Uni Giglionero. A rather foolhardy move for such a new company, but considering the Millefiore's track record, it seems to be doing very well.
The inner workings of Millefiore, should one ever have a chance to observe them, would put one in mind of a huge, robotic machine: nothing wasted, no room for mistakes. While management does not spare any expense in acquiring the latest technology, both in terms of production and security, the extra cost is more than offset by the dizzying speed at which innovation occurs. As for employee training in the new machines or procedures, the Millefiore's philosophy is simple: keep up, or get out.
There is nothing Millefiore will not do in the name of perfection and success. "Ethics" is a mere byword in company policy, one to be tossed aside when inconvenient. Merciless? Yes. Ruthless? Definitely. Evil? Well, that depends on your definition of evil. What is best for the company is paramount, and that is all there is to it.
Unlike the other publishing houses in Namimori, Millefiore & Company operates its own presses, and as such has total control over all aspects of production. It also maintain its own servers, though not necessarily in its main building, and has redundant backups built into its internal network. It avoids sub-contracting, preferring to assimilate any companies that seem to show some promise into its own production processes. If ever any acquisition should prove disappointing, of course, it is very quickly stripped of any of its remaining assets and either dissolved or sold.
In short: they are independent of the whims of others in the industry, or in fact any other industry as well. They can do whatever they want. And they do it very well.
Things an Employee Should Know About
Millefiore does not cut any corners when it comes to employee benefits: the salary paid to its employees is the highest in the industry, and the employee benefits and privileges are top-notch. It is exceedingly rare for any Millefiore employee to not have all the resources he needs to do his job.
Of course, this means that expectations are killer: when one works in Millefiore, one is all too often worked to the bone and then some. Make one mistake, and you're out the door. Millefiore does not accept excuses. Got into an accident the day of an important meeting? Sorry, there are others lining up to take your job even as you're being carted to the emergency room. (And don't be surprised if one of them cut your brakes. Competition is fierce.)
Things a Freelancer Should Know About
Millefiore & Company is known for requirements that are very, very stringent; its deadlines are famous for making experienced editors weep like frightened babies. However, all that work is unquestionably worth the trouble: the Millefiore's rates for freelancers are incredibly generous, to say the least, and that incentive, along with the chance to attain Byakuran Gesso's good graces, is usually enough to make freelancers look past all the headaches and sleepless nights. As long as one manages to turn in excellent work on time, of course. Millefiore & Company is not very forgiving when it comes to failure.
Given that their legal team is said to be composed of "cutthroats in expensive suits", it would be wise for any freelancer to read all the fine print before even thinking of signing one of their contracts. And perhaps have another lawyer read it, as well.
CAVALLONE INC
Description: Well-established Company
Specialization: Haute couture - high end fashion and lifestyle magazines. Highly specialized, highly exclusive. Think Anna Wintour, on a larger scale. Think the Devil Wears Prada. Currently branching out into the youth market with the hottest street fashions, especially with Dino Cavallone taking over.
BUT WHERE IS YOUR MANGA? No manga - it doesn't suit their image.
Size: Medium-sized - they have a monopoly on the fashion industry; they don't intend on drifting out of their specialization
Thrust: "We create fashion, we carve out trends. We pride ourselves on our passion, our ethics, and our world renowned excellence in the industry."
History
The Cavallone Family boasts a history almost as old as the Vongola's, and a fine, exceedingly prestigious reputation within the multi-billion dollar worldwide fashion industry. It is widely considered that you've only ever made your mark in the fashion world when you've been featured in one of its magazines.
A longtime ally of V&A, they are known for producing the finest, most exquisite and exotic fashion magazines that is widely hailed as the creator of the world's ever-changing fashion trends. Prominent names Karl Lagerfeld, Jean Paul Gaultier, Marc Jacobs, Versace, Prada, are but a few of the longtime staples of this company.
They are the fashion world's movers and shakers, with a monopoly and an undeniable superiority on the industry. The Cavallone family had enjoyed massive successes for generations. With the retiring of the ninth Cavallone CEO six years ago, Dino Cavallone, the only son of the highly-regarded family, took the reins of the company and led it onward ever since.
There is a marked difference, however - he is known to be a warmer, more devoted boss to his associates, priding teamwork and 'family', and is currently looking to break into the youth fashion market.
Company Profile
Home to some of the world's most recognized magazines, Cavallone Inc is headquarted in Namimori, with satellite offices in Manhattan, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Singapore, Korea, Milan, London, Sicily, Paris, and Shanghai. With that, local editions of their magazines are published to suit their tastes. Region managers hold fort in each of the major cities, with Dino Cavallone heading the entire company from Namimori.
In total, Cavallone Inc is in charge of 18 different publications, many of them the largest in their markets. All in all, it had an average total circulation of over 15 million issues a month, and an estimated actual readership four times larger. As such, the company possesses one of the most recognizable magazine portfolios in the industry.
Unlike most of its fellow publishing companies, the transition of power from the ninth Cavallone to the tenth Cavallone boss had been smooth, despite Dino Cavallone's earlier statements to the press indicating that he had no intention of inheriting the family business.
Cavallone Inc, for all intents and purposes, is a company that had undergone massive restructuring to keep up with vastly changing trends, but had still retained its old, prestigious air. Elegance and sophistication is what the company embodies and portrays, even as the company continues setting more precedences and examples within the publishing world. Its technology is state of the art, and its standard of excellence in journalistic integrity and influential reporting is renowned all over the world. The company takes pride in its commitment to superior design, world-renowned editors, writers, photographers, and a strong staff dedicated to constantly improving and taking publications to a new level.
Editorial excellence and advertising talent is the hallmark of Cavallone Inc, with highly efficient corporate departments that work to support the company's mission to create, promote, market, and to sell the brands. They make significant contributions to the success of each magazine, and are renowned for setting new standards in quality in the industry.
Cavallone Inc's employees are expected to be passionate in their work; and well-rounded, promising individuals who have a strong sense of ethics and foresight. A strong sense of family and cameraderie is encouraged, and teamwork stressed upon. Gender equality is strictly upheld, lycra expressly forbidden, and nonfat hors' d'oeuvres present in every pantry, coupled with the finest Blue Mountain coffee. (Perrier and Evian, of course, for the ladies.) The company exacts a certain set of sartorial requirements, which would explain why one will see nothing less than Calvin Klein skirts, Paul Smith shirts, Hugo Boss suits, and Armani pants even on the lowest ranked staff.
After all, fashion is their forte. Who better to hold up the standard than the gatekeepers of fashion themselves?
Company Hierarchy & Processes
COMPANY PRESIDENT (CEO)
LEGAL AND FINANCIAL ADVISOR
MANAGING DIRECTOR
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
PUBLICATIONS DIRECTOR
HEAD OF MARKETING AND SALES
HEAD OF ACCOUNTS AND CUSTOMER SERVICE
HEAD OF DISTRIBUTION & PRODUCTION
HEAD OF LOGISTICS AND IT
HEAD OF HUMAN RESOURCES
HEAD OF CONSUMER MARKETING
HEAD OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
HEAD OF MARKET RESEARCH AND STRATEGIC SOURCING
Things an Employee Should Know About
The pay is generous, the perks are great - gourmet chefs in the company's cafes, free passes to the world's most prestigious walkway events - Fashion Week in Paris, anyone? The myriad of designer items on the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth - yes, four entire floors of accessories, dresses, tops, pants, handbags, suits, skirts - yes, they can be distributed like they're nothing more than paper. Fancy a pair of Salvatore Ferragamo shoes for a date tonight? No problem. Want that newest Marc Jacobs bag, or Franck Muller's newest timepiece? Sure. They're all handed out to the staff like paper, anyway. If you're an intern, a freelancer? No worries. Prada, Chanel, Ann Klein, and Nina Ricci are still your friends.
Nothing can be taken from the twelfth, thirteenth, and fourteenth floors; they belong to the magazine photoshoots, but don't worry, they'll filter down to the lower floors. Company perks, really. But the thing is, for all the shiny Jimmy Choos and Chanels and Pradas that you can stuff yourself with, the one fact remains.
Once you work at Cavallone Inc, the only way to be the best, to rise to the top, is to sacrifice your social life entirely. It's rigorous, fast-paced, with insane hours. Your lifeblood goes into your profession, your entire life is devoted to your passion, to the countless fashion show coverages, to the glitz and glamour of the industry. You will have the dream job, Karl Lagerfeld's number on speed dial, Anna Wintour on the line, and look, Donatella Versace is calling on you.
You will have the lion's share of an industry that millions of people would kill to be a part of. You will rub shoulders with stars, with supermodels and fellow editors alike, and the price you pay is your free time, your hobbies and every friendship you once held dear.
In Cavallone Inc, baby, there's no other way to go but up, up, up.
Because, as they say, "When your social life goes up in smoke? It's time for a promotion."
Things a Freelancer Should Know About
Cavallone Inc pays very well - only when it comes to quality work. If you are sub-par, a slacker? Don't bother applying, you'll never get your foot through the door. There is a chance that you may be offered a permanent position if you perform well consistently, and yes, of course, the pantry is always open to you.
Lesser perks for the freelancers compared to the staff, though. A more limited pick of the items available, and more paperwork - after all, Cavallone Inc needs to keep track of these things.
Description: The Well Established Company
Specialization: Children's and young adult fiction; literary and news magazines, non-fiction books, textbooks and educational material aimed at the youth market
BUT WHERE IS YOUR MANGA?: V&A USED to publish anything under the sun when it came to manga... they pretty much had a monopoly on the market in Namimori. This changed, however, with the downgrade - the Varia Publishing House took the section devoted to adult manga with it. At present, then, V&A handles the mainstream genres.
Size: Medium and happier like this.
Thrust: "Do unto others what you want others do unto you. Be fair, be good, make a lot of money, only not explicitly at others' expense or else--"
History
There's a reason why Vongola is a household name both in and beyond Namimori: this old and proud agency was among the first companies who landed in Japan in the 15th century, and were instrumental in making reasonably priced and beautifully rendered copies of children's classics and fairy tales available to the general public. They are an Italian company, founded by a man named Giotto, and the position of Company President has been passed down from father to son since they started-
At least, that's how it's supposed to go. The current heir, Sawada Tsuyanoshi, is a break in the familial tradition. Some people weren't too happy about that, but hey, no one from the other side of the counter needs to know these things, right? They're just here to buy books.
Company Profile
In a recent move, Vongola & Associates Publishing, one of the leading multi-language publishers has re-located headquarters to Namimori, Japan. On top of the move, a slight restructuring and downsizing of sorts have been implemented to suit the new management and organisation style. Although its subsidiary still exists in the founder's homeland of Italy, control has been relinquished to the controversial tenth CEO. Housing some of the best contemporary and classic children and young adult fiction authors, including exclusive rights to C.S. Lewis, E.B. White, Roald Dahl, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Louisa May Aclott, Dr. Seuss, A.A. Milne, Beatrix Potter, Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary, J.R.R. Tolkien, Agatha Christie and J.K. Rowling, Vongola & Associates is a still a force to be reckoned with in the publishing scene.
Today, V&A is a broad-based publisher with strengths in literary and commercial fiction, business books, children's books, cookbooks, and mystery, romance, reference, religious, and spiritual books. Even under new management and massive changes, V&A continues the tradition of protecting rights of its authors, meeting consumer demand and generating additional business opportunities. Stemming from the ninth CEO's initiative of building itself into a truly global publishing company rather than simply a company with publishing operations around the world, V&A has taken steps into translating key publications to share with the rest of the world. However, Vongola Decimo has put a hold on all plans to expand publishing and distribution efforts, choosing to solidify and strengthen their niche foothold in Japan.
By all definitions, Vongola & Associates is a traditional company: they're not conservative to the point of ridicule, but they're not exactly the most forward-thinking, edgy and adventurous group around either. They tend to stick to their guns and operate within the realm of what they know rather than branch out to do other things, although they can be pretty sharp when it comes to them feeling out what each new generation of young readers is looking for. It operates like any other Japanese company does, although their more liberal, European streak comes out in small but significant ways. Gender equality, for one, is strictly observed, with the demographic of employees being neatly divided between the sexes (and we're not just talking about the Adam & Eve version of sexuality here). Wine is also the staple drink in all the departments, and is sometimes more readily available than water or coffee. All employees are also required to be fluent in three languages: English, Italian and Japanese. Being an old school company, a lot of the mechanical processes involved in the production - typesetting, artwork and proofing, printing, and specialised companies whom the Vongola have had long-lasting ties with do cutting and binding.
Company Hierarchy & Processes
COMPANY PRESIDENT (CEO)
LEGAL AND FINANCIAL ADVISOR
MANAGING DIRECTOR
CREATIVE DIRECTOR (BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT)
HEAD OF MARKETING AND SALES
HEAD OF ACCOUNTS AND CUSTOMER SERVICE
HEAD OF DISTRIBUTION & PRODUCTION
HEAD OF LOGISTICS AND IT
HEAD OF HUMAN RESOURCES
INTERNAL AFFAIRS OFFICER
Along with the installation of the highly contended CEO position, the latest word from the Ninth has resulted in a change in the structure of the V&A. The position of Company President is no longer a symbolic role and the Board of Directors have been removed in order to jumpstart the company and for better control by team headed by the new tenth generation chief executive officer. Implementing a two way top down approach, all major decisions end at the desk of the CEO and can only be reversed if there is at least 50% disapproval from the heads of departments. But this does not mean the V&A is authoritarian, in fact, it believes in democracy, everyone from the Ninth in Italy to the janitor has a say (whether your opinion is heeded is another thing altogether, set your heart at ease for Vongola Decimo is a fair man) Though the final say belongs to the CEO, department heads have veto rights and can stop the presses.
Think of the V&A as the United Nations with the CEO at the core of the decision making process and the department heads as major powers. All employees belong to this general assembly, the voices of reason and dissent and everyone is involved in anything that happens in V&A (even birthdays!) If anyone has a problem, follow the line and seek audience to department heads first before going to the CEO.
Things an Employee Should Know About
The Vongola treat their employees really well.
Let me repeat that.
The Vongola treat their employees really well.
Even though the basic requirements to work at this company are steeper than the usual, and the kind of quality and service that the Vongola demands is usually along the lines of WTF IS THAT SORT OF PERFECTION ATTAINABLE AT ALL? Once you're hired and once you've been through a couple of hundred trials by fire, you're pretty much made for life. They also make sure to take care of your kids, and your kid's kids, and you're kid's kid's kids, and… well, you get the picture.
Things a Freelancer Should Know About
Given the fact that the Vongola's pretty much established on the market AND they've already got complete faith in their own employees, the need for freelancers isn't very big with them. They are not, however, outright hostile if work needs to be done, and they're quite fair with their contract and their payment once the job is done. Whether the Vongola is actually contracting the only problem you've got in the first place. The recent downgrade, however, may have made the Vongola more receptive to outsiders, as they may be looking for new people to hire the ones they've lost.
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THE VARIA PUBLISHING HOUSE
Description: Struggling Upstarts
Specialization: Erotica, Magazines
BUT WHERE IS YOUR MANGA?: Adult manga (the kind with content far too questionable to be published by bigger firms), with a growing section devoted to hentai, BL and yuri.
Size: Small.
Thrust: “BLOW THOSE VONGOLA BASTARDS OUT OF THE WATER AND GET A WHOLE FATLOAD OF MONEY DOING IT - BUT FIRST! …where the fuck is the boss’ whiskey?”
History:
No one really knows the full story behind it and there are a hell lot of wild rumors on the subject, but the only thing that we can be sure about is this: there was a downgrade over on the Vongola’s side of things, caused by a mass walk out led by Xanxus, the guy who was supposed to take over the company in his father’s stead, but was instead, met with a roadblock (God knows what) and was kicked off the position of ‘heir’.
Together with his closest associates and whoever he managed to scare off the Vongola, he started up his own publishing company in Namimori with one goal in mind: completely routing the Vongola, and making his own name in the publishing business. And thus, the Varia Publishing House is created.
General Company Profile:
Xanxus was born in the publishing industry, and his people are pretty much awesome in whatever they have been doing when they were in the Vongola, so they at least know what the hell they’re doing now. Their problem is finding long-term strategies that will sustain them and ultimately expand the company. For a few years they struggled between paying the bills, the employees, and their taxes, but they have been able to survive till this day.
The strategies they are currently working on are certainly expediting their standings in the publishing world, even if it’s just gradually, but of course, we have to see how long these tactics last. The case of ‘Anything Goes Down the Varia’ applies, although Xanxus is pretty much a little selective over what they are going to publish recently. He (and the rest) knows well enough which is trash and which has the potential not to be, so don’t just go shoving down a pile of garbage on their desks - it’ll come back to you in shredded pieces.
Along the way, they have gotten hold of a few contracted companies that do half of their jobs for them, but they still have to do other things, like the typesetting and the proofreading and more, by themselves. This isn’t the problem, really, because the Varia, despite the small size, is full of talented, albeit crazy, people who get the job done, quickly and punctiliously (once Xanxus opens his mouth, that is; otherwise, there’s no knowing what’s going to happen with just the people alone).
Any semi-decent bloke out on the lookout for a job in this industry is bound to have second thoughts about applying for the Varia, and really, it’s hard to blame them: if the look of their office isn’t enough of a turn off, a potential employee may be extremely intimidated by the very colorful lot that works there. There’s also the fact that the Varia is always associated with porn and the Italian mafia, and unless you’re really desperate for a job, this company might not exactly be the place to go to.
Also, there are guard dogs on each of the entrance (except the backdoor), and if the dogs don’t recognize you, they’ll bite. And there’s even the rumor that they haven’t had their rabies shot yet.
Company Hierarchy + How Are Things Run:
The Varia is more like a family than they are a business: just about everyone knows everybody, and they’re a close-knit bunch in spite of individual differences and idiosyncrasies. They have no Board of Directors, and the CEO-Xanxus-is the be-all, end-all figure of authority. He is followed by his personal assistant (aka his resident Bitch Boy), then his inner circle, then the employees who were part of the original resistance, and then the employees they hired on after the split from the Vongola. Company hierarchy is generally fluid, and the Varia believe that everyone should get to have a hand in decision-making and determining what direction the company ought to go to next.
There are quite a few temporary sponsors for the magazines published by the Varia; however, they are not so much as investors on the publishing house as a whole, but merely sponsors for the magazines. Permanent investors willing to put their stock on the Varia’s company, though, are of an entirely different matter, and Varia is currently planning on moves that will either attract or repel a few potential sponsors willing to work with an upstart such as the Varia.
There are rumors floating, of course, that a few members of the Italian mafia that ran the V&A before followed Xanxus to the Varia, out of loyalty to him or rage at the Ninth’s radical decision about “coming clean” and erasing connections to the mafia. It is said that they will fully commit themselves into following Xanxus and his dream of expanding the Varia into something bigger and better than the Vongola. Nevertheless, rumors are just rumors, of course.
Things an Employee Should Know About:
First and foremost-you do not piss of the boss. In general, anything anyone does pisses him off, but if you do it deliberately or go overboard with your stupidity, then you will have the entire house come running towards you with pitchforks and torches. Abso-fucking-lutely no one wants the boss pissed off and throwing a bitch fit everywhere. No one wants a young, strong, quick liger chasing them around the office building, either.
There’s a strong sense of fraternity down at the Varia, and while there will be times where the closeness will grate on you, an employee can be certain of one thing: people in this company will stick by you through thick and thin, especially if it has something to do with furthering your goals and undermining the Vongola.
If you’ve just signed up with this company, expect to be tested, ridiculed and, on occasion, nearly killed (although they weren’t actually trying to kill you whenever that happens. Really.). If you survive all of that, though, you’re bound to get the group’s Stamp of Approval, and you’ve effectively earned your right to be a part of a company who gives a whole new meaning to protecting one’s own.
…Of course, people down here aren’t exactly, uh, sane, so the first thing one should do is be prepared to deal with all sorts and levels of Strange.
Things a Freelancer Should Know About:
As much as possible, they want to use their men’s capabilities, since the Varia are proud of their own. Certainly, you are best off applying to them if you want to work for their company; however, if you really, really, really insist on your current standing as a freelancer, then remember this: they do not contact you-you contact them.
With that said, all phone calls, emails, letters, etc. are directed to the Personal Assistant’s office, and he’s not exactly the type that sits down and chats amiably as you go down to business (for the record, none of them are). He will tell you to do this and that, and if you ever complain, then that’s the end of it.
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MILLEFIORE & COMPANY
Description: The Intimidating & Impossibly Efficient New Guys
Specialization: Although they originally specialized in novels, Millefiore & Company has successfully branched out in every other direction. They are known for always being the first in the market to release award-winning and best-selling titles to the general public. They are well on their way to monopolizing the cyber-market with their eBooks and subscription sites.
BUT WHERE IS YOUR MANGA?: Currently competing for dominance in the mainstream genres with V&A. They're dabbling in adult, but they've generally left that to the Varia.
Size: Very large.
Thrust: "Peerless precision and perfectionism. No mistakes. No defects. Nothing we won't do."
History
People who aren't familiar with the industry will probably be surprised to discover that Millefiore & Company is quite new. In fact, the Millefiore were not originally one, but two companies: Gesso & Sons, under Byakuran Gesso, and Giglionero Inc., under Uni Giglionero. For reasons undisclosed, Byakuran's smaller and newer company merged with Uni's after the death of Uni's mother, the previous president of Giglionero Inc., and the new company was called Millefiore & Company in order to "start on a new page", to quote some of the leading figures in the group.
The company has managed to retain virtually all of the old contacts of Giglionero Inc. and Gesso & Sons combined, though it is now a privately-held company divided almost equally between Byakuran Gesso and Uni Giglionero. As such, it has the advantage of Giglionero's being on very friendly footing with many bureaucrats, "the old boys" of finance and banking, and prominent members of the press, and the ties of Gesso with cutting-edge technology research labs -- a fusion of the old and the new.
Company Profile
Millefiore's stellar performance in the publishing industry is matched only by its reputation of being the one company people in the industry should never cross. Many companies have learned that it is best to stay out of the Millefiore's way lest they be steamrollered by the Millefiore juggernaut as it makes its way towards yet another one of its inscrutable CEOs' goals.
Rumors abound regarding the legality of some methods the Millefiore has been said to employ, but as there is never any evidence of these methods beyond the most circumstantial, and since Millefiore's legal counsel is composed of some of the brightest (and most vicious) lawyers in the area, nothing has ever been proven. Millefiore's record with the government and regulatory boards is, in a word, spotless. Whether sharp-eyed people in the industry similarly ascribe benevolence to Millefiore, however, is another thing entirely.
Millefiore & Company is also known for the efficiency and speed with which it pursues its objectives; the question of whether Millefiore employees are or are not, in fact, robots is a long-running joke among industry insiders. While the Millefiore have not gone that far -- yet -- it is worth noting that innovation is not merely an advantage in this company: it is a requirement. All members of the company are perpetually pushed to exceed past successes, and its management does not believe in limits.
Company Hierarchy & Processes
No Board of Directors or any advisory board -- the company is run by co-CEOs Byakuran Gesso and Uni Giglionero. A rather foolhardy move for such a new company, but considering the Millefiore's track record, it seems to be doing very well.
The inner workings of Millefiore, should one ever have a chance to observe them, would put one in mind of a huge, robotic machine: nothing wasted, no room for mistakes. While management does not spare any expense in acquiring the latest technology, both in terms of production and security, the extra cost is more than offset by the dizzying speed at which innovation occurs. As for employee training in the new machines or procedures, the Millefiore's philosophy is simple: keep up, or get out.
There is nothing Millefiore will not do in the name of perfection and success. "Ethics" is a mere byword in company policy, one to be tossed aside when inconvenient. Merciless? Yes. Ruthless? Definitely. Evil? Well, that depends on your definition of evil. What is best for the company is paramount, and that is all there is to it.
Unlike the other publishing houses in Namimori, Millefiore & Company operates its own presses, and as such has total control over all aspects of production. It also maintain its own servers, though not necessarily in its main building, and has redundant backups built into its internal network. It avoids sub-contracting, preferring to assimilate any companies that seem to show some promise into its own production processes. If ever any acquisition should prove disappointing, of course, it is very quickly stripped of any of its remaining assets and either dissolved or sold.
In short: they are independent of the whims of others in the industry, or in fact any other industry as well. They can do whatever they want. And they do it very well.
Things an Employee Should Know About
Millefiore does not cut any corners when it comes to employee benefits: the salary paid to its employees is the highest in the industry, and the employee benefits and privileges are top-notch. It is exceedingly rare for any Millefiore employee to not have all the resources he needs to do his job.
Of course, this means that expectations are killer: when one works in Millefiore, one is all too often worked to the bone and then some. Make one mistake, and you're out the door. Millefiore does not accept excuses. Got into an accident the day of an important meeting? Sorry, there are others lining up to take your job even as you're being carted to the emergency room. (And don't be surprised if one of them cut your brakes. Competition is fierce.)
Things a Freelancer Should Know About
Millefiore & Company is known for requirements that are very, very stringent; its deadlines are famous for making experienced editors weep like frightened babies. However, all that work is unquestionably worth the trouble: the Millefiore's rates for freelancers are incredibly generous, to say the least, and that incentive, along with the chance to attain Byakuran Gesso's good graces, is usually enough to make freelancers look past all the headaches and sleepless nights. As long as one manages to turn in excellent work on time, of course. Millefiore & Company is not very forgiving when it comes to failure.
Given that their legal team is said to be composed of "cutthroats in expensive suits", it would be wise for any freelancer to read all the fine print before even thinking of signing one of their contracts. And perhaps have another lawyer read it, as well.
CAVALLONE INC
Description: Well-established Company
Specialization: Haute couture - high end fashion and lifestyle magazines. Highly specialized, highly exclusive. Think Anna Wintour, on a larger scale. Think the Devil Wears Prada. Currently branching out into the youth market with the hottest street fashions, especially with Dino Cavallone taking over.
BUT WHERE IS YOUR MANGA? No manga - it doesn't suit their image.
Size: Medium-sized - they have a monopoly on the fashion industry; they don't intend on drifting out of their specialization
Thrust: "We create fashion, we carve out trends. We pride ourselves on our passion, our ethics, and our world renowned excellence in the industry."
History
The Cavallone Family boasts a history almost as old as the Vongola's, and a fine, exceedingly prestigious reputation within the multi-billion dollar worldwide fashion industry. It is widely considered that you've only ever made your mark in the fashion world when you've been featured in one of its magazines.
A longtime ally of V&A, they are known for producing the finest, most exquisite and exotic fashion magazines that is widely hailed as the creator of the world's ever-changing fashion trends. Prominent names Karl Lagerfeld, Jean Paul Gaultier, Marc Jacobs, Versace, Prada, are but a few of the longtime staples of this company.
They are the fashion world's movers and shakers, with a monopoly and an undeniable superiority on the industry. The Cavallone family had enjoyed massive successes for generations. With the retiring of the ninth Cavallone CEO six years ago, Dino Cavallone, the only son of the highly-regarded family, took the reins of the company and led it onward ever since.
There is a marked difference, however - he is known to be a warmer, more devoted boss to his associates, priding teamwork and 'family', and is currently looking to break into the youth fashion market.
Company Profile
Home to some of the world's most recognized magazines, Cavallone Inc is headquarted in Namimori, with satellite offices in Manhattan, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Singapore, Korea, Milan, London, Sicily, Paris, and Shanghai. With that, local editions of their magazines are published to suit their tastes. Region managers hold fort in each of the major cities, with Dino Cavallone heading the entire company from Namimori.
In total, Cavallone Inc is in charge of 18 different publications, many of them the largest in their markets. All in all, it had an average total circulation of over 15 million issues a month, and an estimated actual readership four times larger. As such, the company possesses one of the most recognizable magazine portfolios in the industry.
Unlike most of its fellow publishing companies, the transition of power from the ninth Cavallone to the tenth Cavallone boss had been smooth, despite Dino Cavallone's earlier statements to the press indicating that he had no intention of inheriting the family business.
Cavallone Inc, for all intents and purposes, is a company that had undergone massive restructuring to keep up with vastly changing trends, but had still retained its old, prestigious air. Elegance and sophistication is what the company embodies and portrays, even as the company continues setting more precedences and examples within the publishing world. Its technology is state of the art, and its standard of excellence in journalistic integrity and influential reporting is renowned all over the world. The company takes pride in its commitment to superior design, world-renowned editors, writers, photographers, and a strong staff dedicated to constantly improving and taking publications to a new level.
Editorial excellence and advertising talent is the hallmark of Cavallone Inc, with highly efficient corporate departments that work to support the company's mission to create, promote, market, and to sell the brands. They make significant contributions to the success of each magazine, and are renowned for setting new standards in quality in the industry.
Cavallone Inc's employees are expected to be passionate in their work; and well-rounded, promising individuals who have a strong sense of ethics and foresight. A strong sense of family and cameraderie is encouraged, and teamwork stressed upon. Gender equality is strictly upheld, lycra expressly forbidden, and nonfat hors' d'oeuvres present in every pantry, coupled with the finest Blue Mountain coffee. (Perrier and Evian, of course, for the ladies.) The company exacts a certain set of sartorial requirements, which would explain why one will see nothing less than Calvin Klein skirts, Paul Smith shirts, Hugo Boss suits, and Armani pants even on the lowest ranked staff.
After all, fashion is their forte. Who better to hold up the standard than the gatekeepers of fashion themselves?
Company Hierarchy & Processes
COMPANY PRESIDENT (CEO)
LEGAL AND FINANCIAL ADVISOR
MANAGING DIRECTOR
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
PUBLICATIONS DIRECTOR
HEAD OF MARKETING AND SALES
HEAD OF ACCOUNTS AND CUSTOMER SERVICE
HEAD OF DISTRIBUTION & PRODUCTION
HEAD OF LOGISTICS AND IT
HEAD OF HUMAN RESOURCES
HEAD OF CONSUMER MARKETING
HEAD OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
HEAD OF MARKET RESEARCH AND STRATEGIC SOURCING
Things an Employee Should Know About
The pay is generous, the perks are great - gourmet chefs in the company's cafes, free passes to the world's most prestigious walkway events - Fashion Week in Paris, anyone? The myriad of designer items on the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth - yes, four entire floors of accessories, dresses, tops, pants, handbags, suits, skirts - yes, they can be distributed like they're nothing more than paper. Fancy a pair of Salvatore Ferragamo shoes for a date tonight? No problem. Want that newest Marc Jacobs bag, or Franck Muller's newest timepiece? Sure. They're all handed out to the staff like paper, anyway. If you're an intern, a freelancer? No worries. Prada, Chanel, Ann Klein, and Nina Ricci are still your friends.
Nothing can be taken from the twelfth, thirteenth, and fourteenth floors; they belong to the magazine photoshoots, but don't worry, they'll filter down to the lower floors. Company perks, really. But the thing is, for all the shiny Jimmy Choos and Chanels and Pradas that you can stuff yourself with, the one fact remains.
Once you work at Cavallone Inc, the only way to be the best, to rise to the top, is to sacrifice your social life entirely. It's rigorous, fast-paced, with insane hours. Your lifeblood goes into your profession, your entire life is devoted to your passion, to the countless fashion show coverages, to the glitz and glamour of the industry. You will have the dream job, Karl Lagerfeld's number on speed dial, Anna Wintour on the line, and look, Donatella Versace is calling on you.
You will have the lion's share of an industry that millions of people would kill to be a part of. You will rub shoulders with stars, with supermodels and fellow editors alike, and the price you pay is your free time, your hobbies and every friendship you once held dear.
In Cavallone Inc, baby, there's no other way to go but up, up, up.
Because, as they say, "When your social life goes up in smoke? It's time for a promotion."
Things a Freelancer Should Know About
Cavallone Inc pays very well - only when it comes to quality work. If you are sub-par, a slacker? Don't bother applying, you'll never get your foot through the door. There is a chance that you may be offered a permanent position if you perform well consistently, and yes, of course, the pantry is always open to you.
Lesser perks for the freelancers compared to the staff, though. A more limited pick of the items available, and more paperwork - after all, Cavallone Inc needs to keep track of these things.