Kartoon Studios, Inc. (TOON) - In the News

December 12th 2014 at 10:36AM

The new title, Don’t Fart When You snuggle: Lessons On How To Make Humans Smile will hit shelves in autumn of next year and will be followed by a wall calendar, released in 2016.

Genius Brands International has partnered with Chronicle Books to publish a new From Frank book.

The new title, Don’t Fart When You snuggle: Lessons On How To Make Humans Smile will hit shelves in autumn of next year and will be followed by a wall calendar, released in 2016.

From Frank began life as a line of witty greeting cards and has now grown to become a lifestyle brand with a range of new products to be introduced in 2015, including sticky notes, boxed cards and notepads, emoticons and a photo bomb app.

The portfolio will also feature jigsaws, magnets and air fresheners, while GBI is currently in talks to develop apparel, plush, novelty and others.

“From Frank’s infectious humour translates so naturally on to a broad range of products, and what better way to introduce the world to Frank and tell his story than with a book that brings Frank and his beloved friends alive for fans,” said Stone Newman, president of global consumer products, GBI.

“We are delighted that Chronicle Books has joined us and our other From Frank partners to deliver Frank’s wisecracking humour across multiple product categories.”

Genius Teams for From Frank Book

Mon, 15 Dec 2014 00:00:00 -0500

Dec 15, 2014

Genius Brands International and its subsidiary A Squared Entertainment have finalized an agreement with Chronicle Books for the design brand From Frank.

Chronicle will publish a new From Frank book, Don’t Fart When You Snuggle: Lessons on How to Make Humans Smile, as well as a 2016 wall calendar.

From Frank began as a line of greeting cards and has since grown to become a humor lifestyle brand with a range of new products to be introduced in 2015 including lottery tickets (GTech), sticky notes, boxed cards and notepads (Galison/Mudpuppy), emoticons and a photo bomb app (Bare Tree Media), a 2015 wall calendar and 1000-piece jigsaw puzzles (Calendar Club) and pins, stickers, air fresheners and magnets (Hot Properties).

Marc Ecko Celebrates Archie Comics Anniversary With Special Collection

Tue, 16 Dec 2014 00:00:00 -0500

December 16, 2014

As the appointed licensing agency for leading publisher and property owner Archie Comics, Genius Brands International, Inc. (GBI), and its wholly owned subsidiary A Squared Entertainment, are currently building a broad consumer products program for Archie, the number-one best-selling kids' magazines at retail today, to coincide with the brand's 75th anniversary.

Marc Ecko, the designer and purveyor of pop culture, has signed on to design an exclusive capsule of Archie themed apparel for men, under the Marc Ecko Cut & Sew brand. First becoming a recognized name in street culture in the early 1990s, Marc Ecko's clothing lines have generated billions of dollars globally since that time. After a 5 year departure, fall 2014 marked the return of Marc Ecko as the Operator and Lead Designer of his eponymous label, Marc Ecko Cut & Sew.

GBI will represent additional pop culture characters from Archie Comics, including Jughead, Betty & Veronica, Josie & The Pussycats, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Afterlife With Archie, The Fox, The New Crusaders, The Shield, Li'l Jinx and many more.

"We are supremely excited to partner with Marc Ecko to create this new line of apparel," said Jon Goldwater, Archie Comics publisher/CEO. "This is just the beginning of a daring and wide-ranging licensing campaign that will help widen our brand's reach in time for the celebration of our momentous 75th anniversary."

"Archie Comics is the longest running multigenerational brand in history, having sold 2 billion comics worldwide published in a number of languages, plus Archie characters have been featured prominently in animation, television, film and music," noted Stone Newman, president, global consumer products, GBI. "With Archie Comics celebrating their 75th Anniversary in fourth quarter 2015, it is optimal timing to partner with leading designer Marc Ecko to reimagine an Archie Comics capsule of men's apparel influenced by street culture. With Marc Ecko on board and leading the way, we anticipate a whole roster of new partners to join us to celebrate this incredible milestone with development of a whole range of products to reach fans of all ages."

"I love the playfulness of the characters ...and the aesthetic of its universe. It's an amazing palette to play with--and the folks at the company want to do entrepreneurial things. That combo of nostalgia and being daring with their IP and inviting creators on to the platform makes their future very bright," added Ecko.

Archie is an iconic Americana brand with widespread appeal experiencing a resurgence of readership and fan interest. The constantly evolving high-school situational comedy has a broad range of appeal. Archie Comics is currently in development on both animated and live-action television shows for Archie, and over 12 million apps have been downloaded to date. Afterlife with Archie became the fastest-selling Archie Comic in Archie history and broadened the demand of the brand to entirely new fans while continuing to engage existing fans.

Betty and Veronica comics debuted in 1960 and are still relevant today with the ever-stylish duo featured in fall 2013 on products for M.A.C. Cosmetics and British shoe brand Charlotte Olympia, with both offerings quickly selling out.

Sabrina Spellman became a sensation with her own comic series in 1971, and hit TV sitcom running from 1996 to 2003 starring Melissa Joan Hart, which quickly gave rise to Sabrina: The Animated Series. An all-new comic book series will launch in Fall 2014, and a new live-action feature is in development for 2016.

Who Wants to Be a Secret Millionaire?

Tue, 23 Dec 2014 00:00:00 -0500

Licensing Hotline: December 23

By Karen Raugust |

Dec 23, 2014

Downtown Bookworks has secured the rights to Secret Millionaires Club, a financial literacy-themed online and TV series starring an animated Warren Buffett, from Genius Brands International. The first book, How to Grow Your Very First Business, will be published in summer 2015, with distribution through Simon & Schuster

“Financial literacy for kids is an important and under-published area,” says Julie Merberg, president of Downtown Bookworks, which is taking a similar approach with this property that it has done with its existing licenses, PBS Kids and DC Comics. “We feel very strongly that there should be an educational component to everything we do, but in a fun way and not heavy-handed.”

GBI’s approach to creating entertainment is similar. “We have a mission to create what we term ‘content with a purpose,’ ” says president Amy Moynihan Heyward. She notes that Secret Millionaires Club “is not about money or about getting rich. It’s about forming healthy habits from a young age.” The forthcoming book, she explains, is based on the 26 lessons Buffett provided as the basis for the franchise, which includes webisodes, half-hour TV episodes airing on Discovery Family, and a business challenge contest in 100,000 schools and after-school programs. “It all goes back to that original content Warren developed for us. It’s down to earth, practical guidance.”

“We’re including the same lessons, but it’s greatly expanded,” Merberg adds. The book will have a value-added component and is interactive, with write-in sections to guide readers as they generate ideas for their own business, assess their strengths, and learn about profit and loss and responsibility. “We’re holding their hands as they learn how to operate a business, which is fun for them and useful later in life.”

The Secret Millionaire's Club online storefront.

GBI is in talks with a retailer about launching Secret Millionaire merchandise in a boutique featuring the book, as well as DVDs from Cinedigm and activity kits from Oriental Trading, at the start of summer 2015. “How to Create Your Very First Business will be the heart of it,” Heyward says. “This is the foundation of a big program that’s building.”

The new book will target a different consumer from Wiley’s Secret Millionaires Club: Warren Buffett’s 26 Secrets to Success in the Business of Life, which is shelved with the business books and is directed at parents and families.

Genius Brands International Signs Three New Licensees for Psycho Bunny, Expanding the Product Range for the Luxury Apparel Brand

Thu, 08 Jan 2015 00:00:00 -0500

Upscale Licensees Leg Resource, S3 and JRM Accessories to Preview New Lines at PROJECT New York and PROJECT Vegas

January 08, 2015: 10:13 AM ET

Genius Brands International "GBI" (OTCQB: GNUS) and its wholly owned subsidiary, A Squared Entertainment, have signed three top-tier licensees for the luxury fashion apparel and lifestyle brand, Psycho Bunny, that will extend its distinctive line of men's apparel into a broad range of new product lines. Hosiery from Leg Resource Inc., footwear from S3 and headwear from JRM Accessories will all be previewed at the upcoming PROJECT Vegas show (February 17-19) and will be available at retail in fall 2015.

"With the growing popularity of Psycho Bunny, it's only natural to expand into new product lines, new retail, new territories and new brand experiences, bringing incremental revenue and growth opportunities," said Stone Newman, President, Global Consumer Products, GBI. "Each of these companies are style leaders in their field and collectively will expand the range of high-quality products that customers and fans of the stylish Psycho Bunny brand are demanding."

"We have spent the last 10 years establishing a loyal following for the brand, creating a society and a club for the customer who loves quality and style but not necessarily labels," said Psycho Bunny Co-Founder, Robert Godley. "Together with Genius Brands International, we are excited and well-poised to extend Psycho Bunny into these categories, expressing the brand in new ways that we think our fans and customers will love."

Psycho Bunny socks for men will be available from Legwear Resource, the name-brand division of Leg Resource, Inc. and leading manufacturer and brand marketer in all legwear categories. The company has attracted an impressive roster of brands to complement their notable private-label business, holding exclusive licenses for globally renowned companies such as Anne Klein and Betsey Johnson, amongst others. Leg Resource will take over the existing Psycho Bunny men's hosiery business that was previously manufactured by Psycho Bunny, along with expanding the line with new product introductions.

"In choosing to transition the category from one where we manufactured internally to licensing out, we sought out a leader in the prestige market who could offer our customer the great fit, fashion and design that they have come to love in Psycho Bunny socks," said Psycho Bunny Co-Founder Robert Goldman. "We know that we have found in Leg Resource an experienced and focused partner who will also enable us to offer an expanded and broader assortment, thus creating a more impactful hosiery presentation at retail."

The Psycho Bunny fall collection from S3 will focus on the active lifestyle category of sneakers and driving mocs, using the finest leathers and materials that are synonymous with the Psycho Bunny brand.

"S3 is very excited to partner with Psycho Bunny for the initial footwear launch this fall," stated Jeff Staub, SVP, Sales, S3. "Their commitment to deliver quality product, workmanship, and customer service is second to none. Psycho Bunny has built a fabulous business, and our S3 team is honored and humbled to be their footwear licensee."

JRM Accessories, which specializes in building better merchandise for high-end specialty retail, will be creating a headwear line for Psycho Bunny to launch in spring 2015, which will bring fashion focus with style, reflecting current market trends. Categories will include flat brimmed with floral print designs to faux leather buckets, as well as traditional curved caps.

GBI is actively seeking partners to expand the brand into additional product lines, including outerwear, denim, bags and luggage, women's, children's, active wear, accessories, fragrance, electronics and more. The company will also be responsible for managing the launch of Psycho Bunny outside of the US and are in discussions with potential partners in Asia, Europe, South America and around the world.

Inspired by the 17th-century maritime marauders and secret societies such as the infamous Skull & Bones, Psycho Bunny creates timeless wardrobe essentials that couple refined English tailoring with bold American design. The brand has been built on timeless classics, wardrobe essentials, only the finest materials, meticulous design, and superior craftsmanship. Psycho Bunny redefines the classics with inimitable wit and peerless quality, giving tradition an updated edge and passionate style.

Since its creation 10 years ago, Psycho Bunny has grown from a line of upscale, irreverent ties to an expanding, international lifestyle brand, including ties, polo shirts, sport shirts, sweaters and hoodies, scarves and accessories.

About Genius Brands International: Headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, Genius Brands International "GBI" (OTCQB: GNUS) is a publicly traded global brand management company that creates and licenses multimedia content for toddlers to tweens. Led by award-winning creators and producers CEO Andy Heyward and President Amy Moynihan Heyward, GBI creates "content with a purpose," meaning content that is as entertaining as it is enriching. GBI's growing library of content includes the award-winning Baby Genius, Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club, Thomas Edison's Secret Lab and Stan Lee's Mighty 7, the first project from Stan Lee Comics, a joint venture with legendary Stan Lee's POW! Entertainment.

A Squared Entertainment, a wholly owned subsidiary of Genius Brands International, is a brand management and licensing company that represents 3rd party properties across a broad range of categories in territories around the world. The company currently represents Psycho Bunny, a luxury apparel line; From Frank, a humor greeting card and product line; Celessence Technologies, the world's leading microencapsulation company; and Archie Comics, celebrating its 75th Anniversary as one of the most successful and beloved comic book brands of all time.

Genius Brands signs three new licensees for Psycho Bunny

Fri, 09 Jan 2015 00:00:00 -0500

Upscale licensees Leg Resource, S3 and JRM Accessories to preview new lines at PROJECT New York and PROJECT Vegas

Genius Brands International have signed three top-tier licensees for the luxury fashion apparel and lifestyle brand, Psycho Bunny, that will extend its distinctive line of men’s apparel into a broad range of new product lines. Hosiery from Leg Resource Inc., footwear from S3 and headwear from JRM Accessories will all be previewed at the upcoming PROJECT Vegas show (February 17–19) and will be available at retail in fall 2015.

“With the growing popularity of Psycho Bunny, it’s only natural to expand into new product lines, new retail, new territories and new brand experiences, bringing incremental revenue and growth opportunities,“ said Stone Newman, President, Global Consumer Products, GBI. “Each of these companies are style leaders in their field and collectively will expand the range of high-quality products that customers and fans of the stylish Psycho Bunny brand are demanding.”

“We have spent the last 10 years establishing a loyal following for the brand, creating a society and a club for the customer who loves quality and style but not necessarily labels,” said Psycho Bunny Co-Founder, Robert Godley. “Together with Genius Brands International, we are excited and well-poised to extend Psycho Bunny into these categories, expressing the brand in new ways that we think our fans and customers will love.”

Psycho Bunny socks for men will be available from Legwear Resource, the name-brand division of Leg Resource, Inc. and leading manufacturer and brand marketer in all legwear categories. The company has attracted an impressive roster of brands to complement their notable private-label business, holding exclusive licenses for globally renowned companies such as Anne Klein and Betsey Johnson, amongst others. Leg Resource will take over the existing the Psycho Bunny men’s hosiery business that was previously manufactured by Psycho Bunny, along with expanding the line with new product introductions.

“In choosing to transition the category from one where we manufactured internally to licensing out, we sought out a leader in the prestige market who could offer our customer the great fit, fashion and design that they have come to love in Psycho Bunny socks,” said Psycho Bunny Co-Founder Robert Goldman. “We know that we have found in Leg Resource an experienced and focused partner who will also enable us to offer an expanded and broader assortment, thus creating a more impactful hosiery presentation at retail.”

The Psycho Bunny fall collection from S3 will focus on the active lifestyle category of sneakers and driving mocs, using the finest leathers and materials that are synonymous with the Psycho Bunny brand.

“S3 is very excited to partner with Psycho Bunny for the initial footwear launch this fall,” stated Jeff Staub, SVP, Sales, S3. “Their commitment to deliver quality product, workmanship, and customer service is second to none. Psycho Bunny has built a fabulous business, and our S3 team is honored and humbled to be their footwear licensee.”

JRM Accessories, which specializes in building better merchandise for high-end specialty retail, will be creating a headwear line for Psycho Bunny to launch in spring 2015, which will bring fashion focus with style, reflecting current market trends. Categories will include flat brimmed with floral print designs to faux leather buckets, as well as traditional curved caps.

GBI is actively seeking partners to expand the brand into additional product lines, including outerwear, denim, bags and luggage, women’s, children’s, active wear, accessories, fragrance, electronics and more. The company will also be responsible for managing the launch of Psycho Bunny outside of the US and are in discussions with potential partners in Asia, Europe, South America and around the world.

Inspired by the 17th-century maritime marauders and secret societies such as the infamous Skull & Bones, Psycho Bunny creates timeless wardrobe essentials that couple refined English tailoring with bold American design. The brand has been built on timeless classics, wardrobe essentials, only the finest materials, meticulous design, and superior craftsmanship. Psycho Bunny redefines the classics with inimitable wit and peerless quality, giving tradition an updated edge and passionate style.

Since its creation 10 years ago, Psycho Bunny has grown from a line of upscale, irreverent ties to an expanding, international lifestyle brand, including ties, polo shirts, sport shirts, sweaters and hoodies, scarves and accessories.

GBI re-launches Baby Genius with Zak Designs and Manhattan Toy

Wed, 14 Jan 2015 00:00:00 -0500

January 14th 2015 at 10:15AM

Aimed at all kids, the Baby Genius brand will introduce its new roster of products to retail later this year.

Genius Brands International is re-launching its popular property Baby Genius with product expansion from new licensees, Zak Designs and Manhattan Toy.

Aimed at all kids, from toddlers to teens, the Baby Genius brand will introduce its new roster of products to retail later this year.

Zak Designs will be developing a line of mealtime products, offering parents and toddlers a range of themed sippy cups, plates, bowls and flatware.

“We are very excited about this line and this partnership,” said Irv Zakheim, chairman and CEO of Zak Designs.

“Baby Genius’ ability to make learning fun, and Zak Designs’ ability to make mealtime fun makes this a great partnership that kids and parents can really benefit from.”

Meanwhile, Manhattan Toy will be creating a new line of Baby Genius soft toys for boys and girls of all ages. The award-winning toy manufacturer will also introduce a range of Baby Genius developmental toys, designed to stimulate a baby’s imagination and development.

Toys will range in age from naught to 36 months and will feature activity toys, wooden puzzles, puppets, play-sets and more. The toy line will be available from this autumn.

“Manhattan Toy is pleased to be partnering with Genius Brands International in the re-launch of Baby Genius,” added Mike Klein, president and CEO of Manhattan Toy.

“The Baby Genius philosophy of products with a purpose is a great fit with our mission of creating toys that encourage creativity and development during those key early stages of life, and we look forward to bringing some exciting new toys to the market we think parents will love.”

The two new licensees have been welcomed by Genius Brands, as the firm gears up for further expansion to coincide with the brand’s re-launch this year.

Amy Moynihan Heyward, president of GBI, said: “Baby Genius has always been a brand dedicated to engaging and enriching young children, and we believe there’s an even greater opportunity now to provide content and products with a purpose, which help to encourage and enrich all of the learning opportunities throughout a child’s day, from feeding to bath time and bedtime.”

Manhattan Toy, Zak Designs on board for Baby Genius reboot

Thu, 15 Jan 2015 00:00:00 -0500

By Patrick Callan

Manhattan Toy and Zak Designs are getting in on the licensing action ahead of Genius Brands’ re-launch of its Baby Genius property with fresh new designs and toddler-targeted products.

Manhattan Toy is designing soft toys for children of all ages, as well as a line of developmental toys (puppets, wooden puzzles, play sets and other activity toys) targeting children aged 0 to 36 months. Also for toddlers, Zak will create a line of BPA-free mealtime products (sippy cups, plates, bowls and flatware). Products from both companies are expected to hit US retail shelves later this year.

Other recently announced licensees include LeapFrog Enterprises, which launched the LeapPad line of learning tablets (LeapPad3, LeapPad Ultra XDi) for kids. And home entertainment distribution partner PBS Distribution is delivering multi-platform content (DVD, CD, digital) to major US retailers this year.

GBI secures Enesco as master gift partner for From Frank

Tue, 20 Jan 2015 00:00:00 -0500

Gift item will include mugs, coasters, notebooks, desk plaques, tote bags, clocks, wall art pet bowls, pet canisters and more, with product available in time for Christmas 2015.

Genius Brands International has signed Enesco as the master gift partner for its populr property, From Frank.

According to the firm, the agreement will 'significantly broaden the retail presence of the From Frank brand' and will see the firm develop range of traditional gift products featuring the anthropomorphic witticisms of its canine and feline themed images.

Gift item will include mugs, coasters, notebooks, desk plaques, tote bags, clocks, wall art pet bowls, pet canisters and more, with product available in time for Christmas 2015.

"You don't have to be a dog or cat lover to appreciate the infectious humour and good-natured advice that From Frank conveys," said GBI's president of global consumer products, Stone Newman.

"Enesco instantly recognised that the humour of From Frank, a leading greeting card card line, would easily and organically translate to a broad range of gift products. We look forward to collaborating with Enesco to further the reach of the From Frank brand through a broader array of products based on the same great humour that has been a proven market leader since debuting as a greeting card line in 2013."

Kathi Lentzsch, Enesco's chief merchandising officer, added: "The fun and humor synonymous with the From Frank brand align nicely with Enesco’s creative vision for introducing contemporary products that speak to today’s consumer, reminding them to take life a little less seriously and, ultimately, making them smile.

"From Frank complements a number of Enesco’s popular brand product lines and augments the humour and fun of our current gift offerings.”

A 2015 Wall Calendar and 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzles (Calendar Club); and pins, stickers, air fresheners, and magnets (Hot Properties) are under development. GBI is also currently in discussions with partners to develop pet products, stationery, party supplies, apparel, accessories, plush, novelty and more.

“We could not be more excited than to have a best in class partner like Enesco to help facilitate Frank’s goal of making humans smile,” said brand owner and founder Kate Smith.

“These categories were a high priority for Frank because he knows that mugs, notebooks, and other gift items are seen and used by human’s daily so this opportunity to bring a smile to humans everywhere made this the perfect partnership for us as we grow the brand.”

Enesco Named Master Gift Licensee for From Frank

Wed, 21 Jan 2015 00:00:00 -0500

January 21, 2015

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - Genius Brands International Inc. (GBI) has named Enesco as the Master Gift licensee for From Frank, the humorous brand featuring cute canine and feline images.

The agreement will significantly broaden the retail presence of the From Frank brand with a range of traditional gift products featuring the From Frank images and witticisms on gift items like mugs, coasters, notebooks, desk plaques, tote bags, clocks, wall art pet bowls, pet canisters and more.

The products will be available for Holiday 2015 through gift stores, mid-tier department stores and Internet retailers.

“You don’t have to be a dog or cat lover to appreciate the infectious humor and good-natured advice that From Frank conveys,” said Stone Newman, president of global consumer products, GBI, in a statement. “Enesco instantly recognized that the humor making From Frank a leading greeting card line would easily and organically translate to a broad range of gift products. We look forward to collaborating with Enesco to further the reach of the From Frank brand through a broader array of products based on the same great humor that has been a proven market leader since debuting as a greeting card line in 2013 at Target Stores nationally through Recycled Paper Greetings.”

Kate Smith, founder of From Frank added, “We could not be more excited than to have a best in class partner like Enesco to help facilitate Frank’s goal of making humans smile. These categories were a high priority for Frank because he knows that mugs, notebooks, and other gift items are seen and used by human’s daily so this opportunity to bring a smile to humans everywhere made this the perfect partnership for us as we grow the brand.”

Psycho Bunny Hops Into New Categories

Mon, 26 Jan 2015 00:00:00 -0500

By Andrew Asch

The Psycho Bunny label might have a crazy name, but it intends to chase some serious business.

It recently announced licensing deals to extend the brand’s offerings. Get ready for socks, hats and footwear with the Psycho Bunny logo, which is a riff off of the pirate’s flag; except it’s a rabbit’s skull placed over crossbones.

Psycho Bunny has been placed at Nordstrom and Scoop NYC, and it is multiplying into men’s socks, shoes and headwear. Psycho Bunny is partnering with Leg Resource Inc., for socks, S3 Footwear for shoes and JRM Accessories for headwear, said Stone Newman, president, global consumer products for Genius Brands International, which is headquartered in Beverly Hills.

“With the growing popularity of Psycho Bunny, it’s only natural to expand into new product lines, new retail, new territories and new brand experiences, bringing incremental revenue and growth opportunities,“ Newman said.

Psycho Bunny got its start a decade ago, when Robert Godley made ties with the Psycho Bunny logo. The ties mixed an irreverence with a Saville Row panache. Godley designed ties for venerable British designers Turnbull & Asser and Drakes of London, also on his resume, a stint as creative director for Polo Ralph Lauren.

Psycho Bunny is scheduled to show its new looks at Project in Las Vegas.

Genius Appoints VP of Digital

Fri, 30 Jan 2015 00:00:00 -0500

Jan 30, 2015

Genius Brands International has appointed Jason Brumbaugh to the newly created position of vice president of digital.

With over 15 years of experience in the digital space, Brumbaugh, who previously served as a producer at Disney Interactive Media Group, will be responsible for leading all of GBI's various digital initiatives. These include creating and maintaining web communities, developing and implementing online marketing strategies to build awareness and traffic, creating social media engagement and creating promotional content to bolster global awareness of the company's brands which include Baby Genius, Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club, Stan Lee's Mighty 7 and Psycho Bunny.

Prior to Disney, Brumbaugh also served as senior producer at the Hub Network and has also held producer positions at the children's media companies DIC Entertainment and Knowledge Kids Network.

"As GBI's portfolio of brands continues to grow and we start to introduce these new original properties into the commercial marketplace, the digital presence of these brands is a critical element of our business," says Amy Moynihan Heyward, president, GBI, to whom Brumbaugh will report. "Jason is not only an accomplished digital executive with extensive experience in the kids' space, but is also a knowledgeable strategic thinker who will lead our digital efforts with purpose, to build meaningful digital footprints for our brands."

Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab gets the app treatment

Tue, 03 Feb 2015 00:00:00 -0500

by Daniela Fisher

Genius Brands International has joined forces with interactive media publisher FatRedCouch to produce apps for its animated series Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab.

Coinciding with the show’s debut on US public television stations later this year, the pair will release a master app that takes kids deeper into the Secret Lab, a digital world featuring activities, games and animation from the show.

The app will be available initially on iOS and Android platforms, through Apple, Google, Amazon and Barnes & Noble (for Nook).

Going forward, GBI and FatRedCouch plan to roll out additional apps based on the comedy-adventure series, giving kids a way to interact with the show on a variety of devices.

The female-led series follows 12-year-old prodigy Angie and her young science club as they accidentally discover a dream lab tricked out with gadgets. These include two of Edison’s last inventions—a hologram that brings Edison himself “to life” and a virtual reality machine that lets them go anywhere.

Produced in association with Georgia Public Broadcasting, each of the 26 half-hour eps show the fun of exploring science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects.

American Public Television (APT) distributes the series to US public television stations.

GBI welcomes former Disney exec as vice president of digital

Wed, 04 Feb 2015 00:00:00 -0500

Jason Brumbaugh joins the firm in the newly created role, as GBI continues its steady growth this year.

Genius Brands International is continuing its steady growth with the appointment of Jason Brumbaugh as vice president of digital.

The industry veteran, boasting over 15 years experience in the digital space, takes up the newly created position and will now be responsible for leading all of GBI’s digital initiatives.

These initiatives will include creating and maintaining web communities; developing and implementing online marketing strategies to build awareness and traffic; creating social media engagement and create promotional content to bolster global awareness of brands such as Baby Genius, Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaires Club and more.

In his new role, the former producer at Disney Interactive Media Group will report to president o GBI, Amy Moynihan.

“As GBI’s portfolio of brands continues to grow, and we start to introduce these new original properties in to the commercial marketplace, the digital presence of these brands is a critical element to our business,” said Moynihan.

“Jason is not only an accomplished digital executive with extensive experience in the kids’ space, but is also a knowledgeable strategic thinker who will lead our digital efforts with purpose, to build meaningful digital footprints for our brands.”

Genius Signs 'Thomas Edison' App Partner

Wed, 04 Feb 2015 00:00:00 -0500

Feb 04, 2015

Genius Brands International has appointed FatRedCouch to develop a series of apps for its new animated children's series, "Thomas Edison's Secret Lab."

GBI and FatRedCouch will launch a master app for the brand in conjunction with the premiere of the series on U.S. public television stations later this year.

The master app will feature a self-contained play environment offering multiple activities and games using footage from the series. The app will be available on iOS and Android platforms initially. Additional apps will launch at a later date.

Genius Brands International Partners With Faircraft, Inc., Husband and Wife Team Stefanie and Ron Fair, to Oversee Children's Music Creation

Mon, 16 Feb 2015 00:00:00 -0500

Music Industry Veterans to Create Songs and Music Concepts Across Genius Brand International's Original Content Slate

BEVERLY HILLS, CA--(Marketwired - Feb 17, 2015) - Continuing its objective to align with best in class creative talent, Genius Brands International, Inc. "GBI" (OTCQB: GNUS), a global content and brand management company dedicated to providing entertaining and enriching 'content with a purpose' for toddlers to tweens, has partnered with Faircraft, Inc.'s husband and wife creative team, Stefanie and Ron Fair, to develop songs and music concepts that will complement GBI's growing slate of children's entertainment properties. The announcement was made today by Andy Heyward, CEO, GBI.

Renowned music man Ron Fair, along with spouse Stefanie, the accomplished singer, songwriter, producer and actress, will operate as GBI's music content development unit with Ron Fair serving as Executive Music Director. The Fair's will provide creative direction and consultation on all aspects of music for GBI's new slate of original content currently in development, as well as its library of existing programming, which includes the classic, award-winning and newly refreshed Baby Genius content; and Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, GBI's high anticipated new animated series set to debut this year on PBS.

"I've known Ron since my earliest days at DIC Entertainment and have watched him build his impeccable reputation and impressive business acumen in the music world, substantiated by the success of the A-list artists he has discovered, nurtured and developed," said Heyward. "Stefanie, as both an artist and a mother, understands how to appeal to kids and engage them with fresh, fun music. Ron and Stefanie together will provide GBI with the highest caliber of talent and creativity imaginable, opening the door to incredible opportunities for developing musical content in support of the GBI mission of entertaining and enriching the lives of kids."

"Stefanie and I are thrilled to be a part of what Andy and Amy are building at Genius Brands," added Fair. "With four of our own children under eight years old, we live and thrive in this space, and with Andy guiding the ship, we look forward to an incredible run and a lot of fun."

Ron and Stefanie Fair have written and produced for numerous multi-award winning artists, including The Pussycat Dolls, the Black-Eyed Peas, Mary J. Blige, Fergie, Christina Aguilera, Lady Gaga and others.

Ron Fair, who has forged a long list of accomplishments during his more than three decades in the music industry, is recognized as an astute business executive with consummate A&R skills, in addition to being a first rate producer, arranger, recording engineer and musical director. Among his leadership roles in the music business, Ron has served as Chief Creative Officer and Executive Vice President of Virgin Records; Chairman of Geffen Records; President of A&M Records; Consultant to Irving Azoff of Front Line Management and held various A&R positions with RCA Records, EMI Records, Island Records, and Chrysalis Records. He has shaped the careers of Christina Aguilera, Mary J. Blige, Stacy "Fergie" Ferguson in her incarnations as Wild Orchid and the Black Eyed Peas, the Pussycat Dolls, Snow Patrol, Keyshia Cole and Vanessa Carlton. As a producer, arranger, musician and engineer, Ron has worked with Queen Latifah, Zedd, Lady Gaga, U2, Counting Crows, Common, Snoop, Slayer, Macy Gray and many others. He has also served as musical director and performed on many television shows, including The Grammy Awards, The Latin Grammys, The BET Awards, Saturday Night Live, American Idol; the Tonight Show, David Letterman; Home for the Holidays and Christmas in Washington. Additionally, Ron has been a producer/mentor on both Fox's American Idol and NBC's The Voice.

Stefanie Fair (formerly Ridel has appeared on television as both an actress and a singer, including serving as co-host of the TV Show Great Pretenders. Her acting career began with commercials, serving as a spokes model for Bongo and Guess!, and Stefanie soon landed guest star roles on such popular TV shows as The Facts Of Life, The Golden Girls, Punky Brewster, Married... with Children and Blossom. In 1991, she formed the girl group Wild Orchid with Stacy Ferguson (aka Fergie) and Renee Sands of Kids Incorporated. Stefanie's songs have been recorded by Fergie, Mylie Cyrus, The Pussycat Dolls, Girlicious, Orianthi, Prima J and others.

About Genius Brands International:
Headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, Genius Brands International "GBI" (OTCQB: GNUS) is a publicly traded global brand management company that creates and licenses multimedia content for toddlers to tweens. Led by award-winning creators and producers CEO Andy Heyward and President Amy Moynihan Heyward, GBI creates "content with a purpose," meaning content that is as entertaining as it is enriching. GBI's growing library of content includes the award-winning Baby Genius, Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club, Thomas Edison's Secret Lab and Stan Lee's Mighty 7, the first project from Stan Lee Comics, a joint venture with legendary Stan Lee's POW! Entertainment.

A Squared Entertainment, a wholly owned subsidiary of Genius Brands International, is a brand management and licensing company that represents 3^rd party properties across a broad range of categories in territories around the world. The company currently represents Psycho Bunny, a luxury apparel line; From Frank, a humor greeting card and product line; Celessence Technologies, the world's leading microencapsulation company; and Archie Comics, celebrating its 75th Anniversary as one of the most successful and beloved comic book brands of all time.

Ron Fair Named Executive Music Director of Genius Brands

Tue, 17 Feb 2015 00:00:00 -0500

From Left: Andy Heyward, Amy Moynihan Heyward (president of GBI), Stefanie Fair and Ron Fair.

by Andy Gensler

Veteran music executive Ron Fair has been tapped to be the executive music director of Genius Brands International, Inc. (GBI), a global content and brand management company focused on the children's market, GBI CEO Andy Heyward announced today (Feb. 17).

Fair will provide creative direction on all aspects of music for GBI's new slate of original content programming that includes the award-winning Baby Genius and Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, GBI's new animated series set to debut this year on PBS.

"Given now that I'm married to a great songwriter and we have four children under the age of eight, we live and breathe and thrive in this kids space," Fair tells Billboard. "At our house, we have everything from 'Yankee Doodle- played on a fife and xylophone, to my six-year-old daughter who knows every Taylor Swift song."

Joining Fair at GBI is his wife Stefanie Fair, a songwriter and actress and former member of girl group Wild Orchid. The duo's Faircraft, Inc. will officially partner with GBI.

"Ron and Stefanie together will provide GBI with the highest caliber of talent and creativity imaginable," said Heyward in a statement, "opening the door to incredible opportunities for developing musical content in support of the GBI mission of entertaining and enriching the lives of kids."

Over the years, Ron Fair has held a variety of executive positions, including most recently as chief creative officer and evp of Virgin Records. Previously, he served as chairman of Geffen Records and president of A&M Records during which he helped guide the careers of Christina Aguilera, Mary J. Blige, Keyshia Cole, the Black Eyed Peas, Snow Patrol and Bastille among many others.

Heyward is a multi-Emmy Award-winning producer of children's entertainment and former chairman and CEO of DIC Entertainment and co-president and CEO of A Squared Entertainment. He has produced over 5,000 episodes of award-winning children's programs, including Inspector Gadget, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Sonic the Hedgehog among many others. He is also the largest producer of FCC mandated educational informational programming for children.

Fair has set a rather ambitious goal for the caliber of songwriting and production he wants to attain in his new capacity. "My goal is to be the Sherman Borthers," he says referencing the great music film songwriters Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman. "I want to I do our modern take on them and create songs that shoot for the moon and create music that is as big as "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" or "Chim Chim Cher-ee."

Fair also believes the music they are working on has the potential to crossover to a mainstream audience from the children's market. "There is a model for this," he notes. "The Archies." Archie Comics is also represented by A Squared Entertainment, GBI's subsidiary. In 1969, the Archies cartoon, which was based on the comic book series, had a No. 1 hit song in 1969 with "Sugar Sugar."

As an additional source of revenue, Fair notes, he will be involved with merchandising which include everything "from digital music toys to cereal." GBI creates and licenses multimedia content for toddlers to tweens and its library of content includes Baby Genius, Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club and Stan Lee's Mighty 7, the first project from Stan Lee Comics, a joint venture with Lee's POW! Entertainment.

Fair will continue to work on his own independent projects, including as the executive producer of TLC's new Kickstarter-funded album. His also says he will continues to be on the lookout for new talent. He mentions his recent discovery of Kimberly Henderson, a YouTube star who he was interested in working with before "the major labels found her."

When asked what are his most memorable moments in his decade-spanning music business career, Fair says it "depends on what day you ask." On this day he recounts three: his first gold record he got working with his mentor Bill Conti on "Gonna Fly Now" from the Rocky soundtrack; his extensive work with Christina Aguilera whose talent he recognized early-on when she was only 16; and working with the Black Eyed Peas and putting Fergie back in the group.

Despite all the changes in the music business, Fair remains sanguine. "There are certain things that never change," he says "What doesn't change in the music business is the inspiration and the perspiration."

Genius Brands, Penguin take Llama Llama into licensing

Fri, 20 Feb 2015 00:00:00 -0500

Genius Brands International and Penguin Young Readers are partnering on a global consumer products program for Anna Dewdney’s popular children’s book series Llama Llama.

A range of merchandise for the New York Times bestselling series will include toys, games, apparel, accessories, bedding and healthy foods. Products are expected to launch in the US in 2016.

In addition, an animated multi-platform series (TV, digital) is being developed this year for the property, which has previously been adapted for the stage, musicals and dance performances.

The series is renowned for its soothing writing style and signature characters who address everyday issues young children face and help kids overcome childhood anxiety. More than 9.4 million Llama Llama books have been printed and translated into eight languages.

Genius Plans Llama Llama Products, Content

Fri, 20 Feb 2015 00:00:00 -0500

Genius Brands International Partners With Penguin Young Readers and Award-Winning Author Anna Dewdney to Create Original Multimedia Animated Content Based on New York Times Bestselling Children's Book Series, Llama Llama

Genius Brands International to Also Expand the Llama Llama's Global Consumer Products' Program

BEVERLY HILLS, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/19/15 -- Continuing its strategic development and business expansion, Genius Brands International, Inc. GBI (OTCQB: GNUS), a global brand management company dedicated to providing entertaining and enriching 'content with a purpose' for toddlers to tweens, has partnered with Penguin Young Readers and author and illustrator Anna Dewdney to lead the worldwide expansion of Dewdney's New York Timesbestselling and multiple award-winning children's book franchise, Llama Llama. The announcement was made today by Amy Moynihan Heyward, President of Genius Brands International, Ken Wright, Vice President and Publisher of Viking Children's Books and Dewdney.

GBI will be creating, for the first time, animated content based on the Llama Llama books for multiplatform distribution. The book series has previously been adapted for the stage, dance performances and musicals. Additionally, GBI is developing a global licensing and merchandising program for Llama Llama across a multitude of categories, including toys, games, apparel, accessories, bedding, and healthy snacks and meals which reflect the core values of the brand. The products are anticipated to launch at retail in the U.S. in 2016.

"The Llama Llama books are not only warm-hearted and entertaining but are also wonderful tools that can be used to promote social and emotional learning and development, and the brand fits perfectly with our 'content with a purpose' mission," said Heyward. "We couldn't be more excited to be given the tremendous opportunity to bring the Llama Llama world to life with the creation of new animated content and a wide range of products that reflect the values of the brand, providing young fans with even more ways to love their favorite friend."

"Llama Llama is a special children's book property for so many young readers and their caretakers," says Ken Wright, Viking Children's Books. "We, along with Anna Dewdney, look forward to working together with Genius Brands as they understand how to translate this unique world that Dewdney has created into a meaningful entertainment and merchandise program."

"I'm excited to build a new partnership with Genius Brands and Penguin Young Readers! Though this collaboration, young fans will have the opportunity to interact with the world of Llama Llama in a multitude of new and exciting ways," said Ms. Dewdney. "My main goal is to encourage more children to learn to read, and by providing them with a larger and more diverse Llama Llama universe, I believe we will accomplish that goal."

With 9.4 million units in print, Dewdney's Llama Llama books have all been New York Timesbestsellers with several titles claiming the #1 spot. Her work has been translated into eight languages. Praised as a "geographer extraordinaire of the emotional terrain of preschoolers and their mothers" (Chicago Tribune), Dewdney's soothing tales are synonymous with calming early childhood anxiety. Llama Llama Red Pajama was chosen as Jumpstart's Read for the Record book in 2011, setting the world's record for the most readings of a particular book on one day. Dewdney is an outspoken advocate for literacy and many states and non-profits use her books for literacy campaigns and programs, including the Library of Congress.

The award-winning Llama Llama series, known for its emotive content, signature characters, family relationships, and addressing the everyday issues of young children, includes Llama Llama Red Pajama, Llama Lama and the Bully Goat, Llama Lama Time to Share, Llama Llama Misses Mama, Llama Llama Holiday Drama, and Llama Llama Mad at Mama.

About Genius Brands International
Headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, Genius Brands International "GBI" (OTCQB: GNUS) is a publicly traded global brand management company that creates and licenses multimedia content for toddlers to tweens. Led by award-winning creators and producers CEO Andy Heyward and President Amy Moynihan Heyward, GBI creates "content with a purpose," meaning content that is as entertaining as it is enriching. GBI's growing library of content includes the award-winning Baby Genius, Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club, Thomas Edison's Secret Lab and Stan Lee's Mighty 7, the first project from Stan Lee Comics, a joint venture with legendary Stan Lee's POW! Entertainment.

A Squared Entertainment, a wholly owned subsidiary of Genius Brands International, is a brand management and licensing company that represents 3rd party properties across a broad range of categories in territories around the world. The company currently represents Psycho Bunny, a luxury apparel line; From Frank, a humor greeting card and product line; Elecktro Kids and MIP both from Wowee Toys; and Celessence Technologies, the world's leading microencapsulation company;

For more information, please visit www.gnusbrands.com.

About Penguin Young Readers
Penguin Young Readers is a division of Penguin Random House, (http://global.penguinrandomhouse.com/) the world's most global trade book publisher. It was formed on July 1, 2013, upon the completion of an agreement between Bertelsmann and Pearson to merge their respective trade publishing companies, Random House and Penguin, with the parent companies owning 53% and 47%, respectively. Penguin Random House comprises the adult and children's fiction and nonfiction print and digital trade book publishing businesses of Penguin and Random House in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, New Zealand,

India and South Africa, and Penguin's trade publishing activity in Asia and Brazil; DK worldwide; and Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial's Spanish-language companies in Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, and Chile. Penguin Random House employs more than 10,000 people globally across almost 250 editorially and creatively independent imprints and publishing houses that collectively publish more than 15,000 new titles annually. Its publishing lists include more than 70 Nobel Prize laureates and hundreds of the world's most widely read authors.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Michelle Orsi/Carol Holdsworth
Three.Sixty Marketing + Communications
310.418.6430/805.252.1848
Email Contact

Jessica Shoffel
Associate Director of Publicity
Penguin Young Readers
212-414-3464
Email Contact

GBI INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT:
Michael Porter
PLR Investor Relations
212.564.7000
Email Contact

Source: Genius Brands International, Inc.

Released February 19, 2015

Genius Brands International Expands Its Global Distribution With New International Broadcast, Home Entertainment and Digital Licensing Partners

Wed, 04 Mar 2015 00:00:00 -0500

Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, Stan Lee's Mighty 7 and Baby Genius(R) Newly Available in New Territories

BEVERLY HILLS, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 03/03/15 -- Genius Brands International, Inc. "GBI" (OTCQB: GNUS), a global content and brand management company dedicated to providing entertaining and enriching 'content with a purpose' for toddlers to tweens, announced several new distribution partners for its growing portfolio of original content including Stan Lee's Mighty 7, Thomas Edison's Secret Lab and the library of Baby Genius® videos and music. The announcement was made today by GBI's Senior Vice President of Distribution Andrew Berman.

GBI has finalized several new distribution partners for Stan Lee's Mighty 7, the animated super hero movie from legendary comic book creator Stan Lee. France's TF1 has acquired all European, French-speaking VOD, SVOD, and EST rights to the movie. Leading Canadian broadcaster Teletoon has acquired the rights for Canadian broadcast. The UK's CSC Media has secured rights for its free-to-air POP channel, and The Movie Partnership will represent all digital rights in the UK. Beirut, Lebanon based Telepictures Promoters has acquired free-to-air television rights for all Arabic speaking countries in the Middle East and North Africa.

GBI has also licensed free-to-air broadcast television rights in all Arabic-speaking countries in the Middle East and North Africa to Telepictures Promoters for its newest animated series Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, which brings the genius inventor to life and makes science fun for kids. E-Vision has acquired the exclusive Pay TV rights for the series in the United Arab Emirates. Thomas Edison's Secret Lab will debut in April 2015 on US public television stations.

Additionally, GBI has partnered with Taiwan based Lai's Intelligence Network, Inc. for a Baby Genius audio picture book.

"With more content in the marketplace than ever before, Genius Brands' mission to provide entertaining yet enriching programming with global appeal is proving to strike a chord with broadcasters around the world as well as parents and teachers," comments Berman. "Our growing portfolio of programs for toddlers to tweens offers a wide variety of stimulating topics for kids."

About Stan Lee's Mighty 7
In the 90-minute animated action adventure movie, Stan Lee's Mighty 7, Stan Lee stars as animated version of himself. As a legendary superhero creator, Lee teaches a crew of alien prisoners and their jailers, who have crash-landed on Earth, how to work together and use their powers to become superheroes. The movie features an all-star cast, including Sean Astin (The Lord of the Rings trilogy), Jim Belushi (The Defenders), Mayim Bialik (The Big Bang Theory), Darren Criss (Glee), Flea (of the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers), Armie Hammer (The Lone Ranger), Teri Hatcher (Desperate Housewives), Michael Ironside (Transformers Prime Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising) and Christian Slater (Breaking In). Stan Lee's Mighty 7 premiered in the US in 2014 on Discovery Family Channel.

About Thomas Edison's Secret Lab
Demonstrating how much fun science can be, the animated Thomas Edison's Secret Lab series follows a 12-year-old prodigy Angie and her young science club friends who discover the ultimate dream lab equipped with everything imaginable, including two of Edison's very last inventions: a hologram that brings Mr. Edison himself "to life" and Von Bolt, a whacky robot they bring to life. In each of the series' 52 11-minute episodes, Edison, in hologram form, encourages and inspires kids through a variety of scientific and technological explorations and lots of other fun, whacky, wild and engaging topics.

About Baby Genius
For more than ten years, Baby Genius has earned worldwide recognition for creating award-winning products for toddlers. Its catalogue of 500 songs, 125 music videos, and music-based toys features classic nursery rhymes, learning songs, classical music, holiday favorites and more. Expanding the timeless appeal of Baby Genius offerings, Genius Brands International is re-launching Baby Genius in 2015 with fresh new designs, new entertainment and an array of new toddler products.

About Genius Brands International
Headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, Genius Brands International (OTCQB: GNUS) is a publicly traded global brand management company that creates and licenses multimedia content for toddlers to tweens. Led by award-winning creators and producers CEO Andy Heyward and President Amy Moynihan Heyward, GBI creates "content with a purpose," meaning content that is as entertaining as it is enriching. GBI's growing library of content includes the award-winning Baby Genius, Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club, Thomas Edison's Secret Lab and Stan Lee's Mighty 7, the first project from Stan Lee Comics, a joint venture with legendary Stan Lee's POW! Entertainment.

A Squared Entertainment, a wholly owned subsidiary of Genius Brands International, is a brand management and licensing company that represents third party properties across a broad range of categories in territories around the world. The company currently represents Psycho Bunny, a luxury apparel line; From Frank, a humor greeting card and product line; Celessence Technologies, the world's leading microencapsulation company; and Archie Comics, celebrating its 75th Anniversary as one of the most successful and beloved comic book brands of all time.

For additional information, please visit www.gnusbrands.com

Stan Lee’s Mighty 7 locks down international broadcast deals

Wed, 04 Mar 2015 00:00:00 -0500

by Patrick Callan

Action-adventure movie Stan Lee’s Mighty 7, starring an animated version of the legendary superhero creator himself, headlines an array of new international broadcasting partnerships for properties managed by Genius Brands International (GBI).

France’s TF1 has picked up pan-European, French-speaking VOD, SVOD and EST rights, Teletoon has acquired broadcasting rights in Canada, the UK’s CSC Media has secured rights for its free-to-air POP channel and The Movie Partnership will rep all digital rights for the film in the UK. In addition, Lebanon-based Telepictures Promoter has nabbed free-to-air TV rights for all Arabic-speaking countries in the Middle East and North Africa.

In the 90-minute flick, which debuted in US theaters and on Discover Family Channel in 2014, Stan Lee teaches a crew of alien prisoners and their jailers who crashed landed on earth how to work together and use their powers to become superheroes.

The superstar cast includes Sean Astin (The Lord of the Rings), Jim Belushi (The Defenders), Mayim Bialik (The Big Bang Theory), Darren Criss (Glee), Flea (of the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers), Armie Hammer (The Lone Ranger), Teri Hatcher (Desperate Housewives), Michael Ironside (Transformers Prime Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising) and Christian Slater (Breaking In).

GBI has also licensed free-to-air broadcast TV rights in all Arabic-speaking countries in the Middle East and North Africa to Telepictures Promoters for the new animated series Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab (pictured), which premiers on US public TV stations this April.

E-Vision has acquired exclusive Pay TV rights in the United Arab Emirates for the series that aims to make science fun for kids, by bringing the renowned inventor’s ideas to life.

In addition, GBI has teamed up with Taiwan’s Lai Intelligence Network for a Baby Genius audio picture book. GBI previously announced the Baby Genius brand is being re-launched this year and several licensees have already snapped up the opportunity to be a part of it.

Genius taps Canadian, Western Europe sales agents

Wed, 18 Mar 2015 00:00:00 -0400

March 18, 2015 by Daniela Fisher

To help manage its growing portfolio of original animated shows, including Baby Genius, Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab and Stan Lee’s Mighty 7, Genius Brands International has appointed two new distribution agents for Canada and Western Europe.

On tap for Canada is Randy Zalken’s Toronto-based Kaleidoscope Entertainment, which will pursue multiplatform distribution of GBI’s video content.

In Europe, Nathalie Delin’s Paris-based NDLR will handle select Western European markets (France, Germany, Benelux, Spain and Italy) for GBI content sales across multiple platforms, as well as licensing and merchandising.

As Genius Brands’ continues to grow its content portfolio, which also includes Llama Llama and Secret Millionaires Club, the brand-management company is expanding distribution operations globally. Last year, it appointed sales agents for Asia and Latin America.

GBI continues global growth with new sales agents

Wed, 18 Mar 2015 00:00:00 -0400

March 18th 2015 at 9:54AM

Kaleidoscope and NDRL hve been appointed to oversee expansion in Canada and Europe.

Genius Brands International is continuing its plans for global expansion with the appointment of two international sales agents.

Kaleidoscope Entertainment and NDRL have been tapped to handle GBI’s growing portfolio of brands, including Baby Genius, Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab and Secret Millionaires Club.

Kaleidoscope will handle the multiplatform content distribution across Canada, while NDRL will oversee the licensing and merchandising programme for brands across France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Benelux.

“NDRL is an industry expert with intimate knowledge of the marketplace in France and will be the perfect stewards for our brands in its market,” said Andrew Berman, GBI’ s senior vice president of distribution sales.

“We have a long-standing relationship with Randy, who is the go-to expert for content distribution in Canada, and we are fortunate to have him join us to introduce our growing portfolio brands to the Canadian market.”

T

Margaret Loesch Joins Genius Brands Board of Director

Thu, 26 Mar 2015 00:00:00 -0400

by Paul Bond

3/26/2015 3:47pm PDT

Margaret Loesch, a longtime TV executive and recipient of several Emmy Awards, has joined the board of directors at Genius Brands International, whose brands include Baby Genius, Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club and Thomas Edison's Secret Lab.

Loesch replaces Jeff Weiss, the president and COO of American Greetings Corp., who will remain an adviser to Genius Brands but relinquish his board seat due to other obligations.

Loesch was the first president and CEO of Crown Media U.S., where she launched the Hallmark Channel. She also was president of television worldwide for the Jim Henson Co., founding president and CEO of Fox Kids Network Worldwide, president and CEO of Marvel Prods. and executive vp of Hanna-Barbera Prods.

Lynne Segall, publisher and senior vp of The Hollywood Reporter also is a board member at Genius Brands, as is former California Gov. Gray Davis and Genius Brands CEO Andy Heyward, among others.

Loesch joins board of Heyward’s Genius

Fri, 27 Mar 2015 00:00:00 -0400

by Stewart Clarke

March 27, 2015

Margaret Loesch has joined Andy Heyward’s kids producer and distributor Genius Brands International.

Loesch was the founding president and chief creative officer of Discovery Communications-Hasbro joint venture channel Hub TV (which is now run by Discovery as Discovery Family Channel). She also oversaw the creation of Hallmark Channel when president and CEO of its parent group Crown Media.

Loesch’s long list of production credits include Smurfs, My Little Pony and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.

She replaces Jeff Weiss, president and COO of American Greetings Corporation. Genius said he will remain an advisor, but leave the board due to other obligations.

Loesch will sit alongside other Genius directors including the former Governor of California, Gray Davis and Lynne Segall, publisher of The Hollywood Reporter.

Former DiC Entertainment chief Heyward said: “From her earliest days at Hanna-Barbera Productions and The Jim Henson Company, to her roles with Fox Kids Network Worldwide, Hallmark Channel US and the Hub TV Network, Margaret has earned a stellar reputation and unparalleled success in all phases of children’s and family entertainment.”

Genius Brands International Partners With Comcast to Launch New Kid Genius Channel on Xfinity On Demand

Tue, 31 Mar 2015 00:00:00 -0400

Building on the success of its Baby Genius™ series on Xfinity On Demand, Genius Brands International, Inc., "GBI" (OTCQB: GNUS) a global content and brand management company dedicated to providing entertaining and enriching 'content with a purpose' for toddlers to tweens, announced it will partner with Comcast to launch Kid Genius, a new channel on Xfinity On Demand, delivering "Smart TV for Kids" in fall 2015.

Baby Genius has been a top performer on the Baby Boost Channel on Xfinity On Demand and Kid Genius will offer a variety of programming for young viewers (toddlers to age 12) that is aligned with GBI's mission to provide "content with a purpose." The channel will feature GBI original programming, such as Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club and Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, as well as other shows from program creators around the world.

GBI's Senior Vice President of Global Distribution Sales Andy Berman, who joined the company last year to oversee the expansion of the international distribution business, will head the Kid Genius operation. Berman brings 30 years of experience in the children's content business having previously formed and spearheaded the worldwide sales efforts for FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment.

"Kids today have numerous entertainment choices, but what will differentiate Kid Genius is the combination of entertainment and enrichment value in every show we program. Plus, there is a limited commercial load of only three minutes per half-hour," said Andy Heyward, CEO of GBI. "With children spending more and more time in front of a screen, our mission is to make that time both fun and intellectually stimulating within a safe environment."

"We have been in the business of creating kids' content for well over 25 years," said Berman. "In addition to our own unique original programming, the new Kid Genius channel will be a tremendous opportunity to showcase new independently produced programs and terrific acquired programming for kids."

Kid Genius will incorporate program code developed with renowned children's media expert, Don Roberts, former Chair of the Communications School at Stanford, that will address sensitive to issues of violence; negative stereotypes; the environment; and inappropriate language for kids to ensure that parents will feel safe that their kids are never being exposed to inappropriate subject matter.

Genius Brands to launch Xfinity On Demand kids channel

Tue, 31 Mar 2015 00:00:00 -0400

by Jeremy Dickson

L.A.-based global content and brand management company Genius Brands International (GBI) has partnered with cable service provider Comcast to launch Kid Genius, a new channel for toddlers to tweens that will launch on Xfinity On Demand this fall.

The channel promises to deliver “Smart TV for Kids” and feature original Genius Brands programming including Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaires Club and Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab (pictured), as well as internationally acquired content.

Andrew Berman, who joined GBI from FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment last year to spearhead the company’s international distribution ops as SVP of global distribution and sales, will lead operations for Kid Genius.

To ensure a safe environment for kids, the channel is developing a program code with renowned children’s media expert and former chair of Stanford’s Communications School Don Roberts that will address issues around violence, negative stereotypes and inappropriate language.

The channel launch aims to strengthen Genius Brands’ ongoing foray into the on-demand content space, and extends its existing relationship with Comcast, which has seen GBI’s Baby Genius series become a top-performing kids property on Xfinity On Demand’s Baby Boost Channel.

Luxury Fashion Apparel and Lifestyle Brand Psycho Bunny Enters Licensing Agreement With ITOCHU in Japan to Develop Upscale Accessories Program

Tue, 14 Apr 2015 00:00:00 -0400

Brand Global Licensing Agent, Genius Brands International, Announces New Line of Accessories to Debut at Retail in Spring 2015

Genius Brands International "GBI" (OTCQB: GNUS), the global licensing agent for Psycho Bunny, announces a multi-year deal signed between Psycho Bunny and top-tier accessories licensee ITOCHU Corporation, one of Japan's largest trading houses and an industry leader in brand business.

Under the deal, ITOCHU will develop an upscale accessories program for the brand, featuring the Psycho Bunny brand imagery, including belts, bags, small leather goods, umbrellas, scarves, hats, gloves, headwear, underwear, socks, shoes, loungewear, pajamas, jewelry, watches, towels, handkerchiefs, sunglasses, golf bags and golf accessories. Available to consumers through upscale department stores in Japan, the new accessories will continue the brand's commitment to the highest quality components and construction of luxury products. The first collections debuted in fall 2014, and an expanded assortment is anticipated to launch at retail in spring 2015.

"ITOCHU shares the Psycho Bunny commitment to fulfilling the desires of discriminating consumers with the creation of stylish accessories made of luxurious materials and the highest quality of craftsmanship," explained Stone Newman, President, Global Consumer Products, GBI. "ITOCHU's Psycho Bunny accessories program will serve as an organic product extension that perceptively meets the lifestyle demands and desires of a growing customer base that appreciates luxury and embraces a unique and very personal brand experience."

"Psycho Bunny, which is celebrating its 10^th anniversary in 2015, has had a strong presence in Japan since the brand's debut. Enhancing our current business with Fairfax in Japan, our licensee since 2005, with a best in class partner like ITOCHU will allow our brand ambassadors to complement their style through accessorizing from top to bottom and for any occasion," said Psycho Bunny Co-Founder Robert Godley.

Psycho Bunny, working in collaboration with GBI, has attracted an impressive roster of leading manufacturers to round out its core sportswear collections through licensing. The partnership with ITOCHU follows GBI's recent announcement of three new licensees for Psycho Bunny, including Leg Resource Inc. (hosiery), S3 (footwear) and JRM Accessories (headwear), all of which will be introducing products to consumers in fall 2015. Additionally, The Apparel Partnership Group, Psycho Bunny's partner for loungewear and men's basics, is entering its third season following a successful debut in spring 2014.

GBI is actively seeking partners to expand Psycho Bunny into additional product lines, including outerwear, woven shirts, bottoms, denim, bags and luggage, women's, children's, active wear, fragrance, electronics and more. The Company is also further developing the brand internationally and is in discussions with potential partners in Asia, Europe, South America and around the world.

About Psycho Bunny
Inspired by the 17th-century maritime marauders and secret societies such as the infamous Skull & Bones, Psycho Bunny creates timeless wardrobe essentials that couple refined English tailoring with bold American design. The brand has been built on timeless classics, wardrobe essentials, only the finest materials, meticulous design, and superior craftsmanship. Psycho Bunny redefines the classics with inimitable wit and peerless quality, giving tradition an updated edge and passionate style.

Since its creation 10 years ago, Psycho Bunny has grown from a line of upscale, irreverent ties to an expanding, international lifestyle brand, including ties, polo shirts, sport shirts, sweaters and hoodies, scarves and accessories.

About Genius Brands International:
Headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, Genius Brands International "GBI" (OTCQB: GNUS) is a publicly traded global brand management company that creates and licenses multimedia content for toddlers to tweens. Led by award-winning creators and producers CEO Andy Heyward and President Amy Moynihan Heyward, GBI creates "content with a purpose," meaning content that is as entertaining as it is enriching. GBI's growing library of content includes the award-winning Baby Genius, Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club, Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, Llama Llama, from the NY Times bestselling children's book franchise, and Stan Lee's Mighty 7, the first project from Stan Lee Comics, a joint venture with legend Stan Lee's POW! Entertainment.

A Squared Entertainment, a wholly owned subsidiary of Genius Brands International, is a brand management and licensing company that represents third-party properties across a broad range of categories in territories around the world. The company currently represents Psycho Bunny, a luxury apparel line; From Frank, a humor greeting card and product line; and Celessence Technologies, the world's leading microencapsulation company.

For additional information please visit www.gnusbrands.com.

About ITOCHU Corporation:
The history of Japan- based ITOCHU Corporation dates back to 1858 when the Company's founder Chubei Itoh commenced linen trading operations. Since then, ITOCHU has evolved and grown over 150 years. With approximately 130 bases in 65 countries, ITOCHU, one of the leading sogo shosha, is engaging in domestic trading, import/export, and overseas trading of various products such as textile, machinery, metals, minerals, energy, chemicals, food, information and communications technology, realty, general products, insurance, logistics services, construction, and finance, as well as business investment in Japan and overseas. Having long led the industry as a pioneer in the brand business, ITOCHU has rolled out an array of European and North American brands into Japan and overseas markets centered on Asia. ITOCHU has maintained its position as the industry leader in this business area to the present day by building multilayered business models including import/distribution, licensing, manufacturing and equity participation.

Itochu to launch expanded Psycho Bunny accessories range in Japan

Wed, 15 Apr 2015 00:00:00 -0400

By Billy Langsworthy

April 15th 2015 at 10:42AM

Range to include branded belts, bags, small leather goods, umbrellas, scarves, hats, gloves and headwear.

Itochu Corporation has signed a multi-year deal with Psycho Bunny for an expanded line of accessories.

Under the deal, Itochu will develop an upscale accessories programme for the brand, featuring the Psycho Bunny brand imagery, including belts, bags, small leather goods, umbrellas, scarves, hats, gloves, headwear, underwear, socks, shoes, loungewear, pajamas, jewelry, watches, towels, handkerchiefs, sunglasses, golf bags and golf accessories.

Available to consumers through upscale department stores in Japan, the first collections debuted in Q4 2014, and an expanded assortment is anticipated to launch at retail in spring 2015.

“Itochu shares the Psycho Bunny commitment to fulfilling the desires of discriminating consumers with the creation of stylish accessories made of luxurious materials and the highest quality of craftsmanship,” said Stone Newman, president, global consumer products, GBI.

“Itochu's Psycho Bunny accessories programme will serve as an organic product extension that perceptively meets the lifestyle demands and desires of a growing customer base that appreciates luxury and embraces a unique and very personal brand experience.”

Psycho Bunny co-founder Robert Godley added: "Psycho Bunny, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2015, has had a strong presence in Japan since the brand’s debut."

"Enhancing our current business with Fairfax in Japan, our licensee since 2005, with a best in class partner like Itochu will allow our brand ambassadors to complement their style through accessorising from top to bottom and for any occasion.”

Genius Brands SVP, Global Distribution Sales, Andrew Bermans Talks About NEW Kid Genius Cartoon Channel

Wed, 22 Apr 2015 00:00:00 -0400

DIGITAL UPDATE: CYNPOSIS KIDS

We recently reported that Genius Brands International will launch the Kid Genius channel on Comcast Xfinity On Demand in September. Andy Berman, GBI’s SVP, global distribution sales, gives us some details:

Content
"The core Kid Genius content initially will be ours–Secret Millionaires Club, Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab and of course Baby Genius. But we also have a major push to acquire third-party content from around the globe. We’re looking at almost everything as long as it fits that content with a purpose label. Anything from contemporary stuff to retro classics."

In-house production
"We have a lot in the pipeline–more animated series, and specials–and whenever we produce anything in the future they will be on Kid Genius. We expect to have new content out in 2016, 2017."

Distribution plans
"Initially this will put us in 20 million homes but we plan to expand to 50 million-60 million homes… If anything, we would transition to an SVOD model at some point, but we want to first establish ourselves as an advertiser-supported video on demand service."

NCircle Nabs Rights to New Genius Brands Animated Series

Mon, 27 Apr 2015 00:00:00 -0400

By: Erik Gruenwedel

Thomas Edison's Secret Lab

NCircle Entertainment April 27 announced it secured North American home entertainment rights, including DVD and specific digital rights, for animated science adventure series “Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab,” from Genius Brands International.

“Secret Lab” uses comedy, exploration and adventure to demonstrate to kids how fun science can be, encouraging them to explore the limits of their imaginations.

NCircle will distribute the series digitally (VOD, SVOD, EST, DTO) and on DVD at retail nationwide and online starting in December. The series will also debut on Netflix in July and on PBS stations and the Kid Genius Cartoon Channel on Comcast in September.

NCircle, which is a subsidiary of Alliance Entertainment, claims to be the largest independent studio for children’s non-theatrical DVDs.

“We’re always on the lookout for entertaining content that also enriches and inspires the young minds of our customers’ children, and this unique new series definitely checks all the boxes on parents’ wish list,” Mary Flynn, VP of sales, content and acquisitions at NCircle, said in a statement.

NCircle Nabs ‘Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab’ for NoAm

Tue, 28 Apr 2015 00:00:00 -0400

Mercedes Milligan Apr 28th, 2015

Genius Brands International has licensed North American home entertainment rights — including DVD and specific digital rights — for its animated science-inspired series Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab to NCircle Entertainment.

NCircle will distribute the show digitally (VOD, SVOD, EST, DTO) and on DVD at major retail outlets nationwide and online starting December 2015. The series will also debut on Netflix in July, and on PBS stations and the Kid Genius Cartoon Channel on Comcast in September.

Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab

Luxury Apparel and Lifestyle Brand Psycho Bunny to Launch in Latin America

Wed, 29 Apr 2015 00:00:00 -0400

As a result of the growing popularity of luxury apparel and lifestyle brand Psycho Bunny, the brand is expanding into Latin America with the appointment of a new distributor and the launch of an aggressive licensing program. Neroli Group S.A. has been appointed core sportswear distributor for Psycho Bunny in Latin America, and Genius Brands International "GBI" (OTCQB: GNUS), the global licensing agent for the brand, is creating a comprehensive licensing program throughout the region with new partners across key categories. The announcements were made today by Psycho Bunny Co-Founder Robert Goldman and GBI's Global Consumer Products President Stone Newman.

The distribution agreement between Psycho Bunny and Neroli Group S.A. signals the first dedicated expansion of the brand in Latin American, bringing the upscale, irreverent Psycho Bunny stylings to consumers in Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Curacao, Aruba, Trinidad, San Andres, Turks & Caicos and San Martin.

"We are thrilled to have been chosen as Psycho Bunny's distribution partner throughout Latin America," said SÃmon Tarazi, Managing Director of Neroli. "Psycho Bunny's quality, dedication to detail, and the contemporary nature of its collections correspond beautifully with the demands of our market. We look forward to emulating the North American distribution efforts that have contributed to the success of the brand and are eager to establish Psycho Bunny as the leading aspirational fashion brand that luxury retailers must offer their most prestigious customers."

"Psycho Bunny's growth as a global brand is contingent upon securing the right partners -- distribution partners, retail partners, licensing partners," said Goldman. "Robert Godley and I are confident that Neroli is the right distribution partner for us in Latin America and believe Neroli will be as successful in Latin America as Fairfax and Itochu have been in expanding the Pyscho Bunny brand throughout Asia."

On the heels of the Neroli distribution announcement, GBI is launching an aggressive licensing campaign for Psycho Bunny in Latin America, focusing on forging licensing partnerships in key categories, including basics, hosiery, sleepwear, outwear, bottoms, wovens, and accessories.

"With the momentum created by Psycho Bunny's strong partnership with Neroli, ensuring the distribution of its core sportswear collection throughout Central and Sound America, we are confident that the brand will resonate with top-tier licensees, spurring an immediate expansion of the brand into other key categories and markets in Latin America," added GBI's Newman.

Psycho Bunny, working in collaboration with GBI, has attracted an impressive roster of leading manufacturers to round out its core sportswear collections through licensing. GBI recently announced a licensing partnership with top-tier accessories licensee ITOCHU Corporation, one of Japan's largest trading house as well as new Psycho Bunny licensees Leg Resource Inc. (hosiery), S3 (footwear) and JRM Accessories (headwear), all of which will be introducing products to consumers in fall 2015. Additionally, The Apparel Partnership Group, Psycho Bunny's partner for loungewear and men's basics, is entering its third season following a successful debut in spring 2014.

GBI is actively seeking partners to expand Psycho Bunny into additional product lines, including outerwear, woven shirts, bottoms, denim, bags and luggage, women's, children's, active wear, fragrance, electronics and more. The Company is also further developing the brand internationally and is in discussions with potential partners in Asia, Europe, South America and around the world.

Psycho Bunny Sets Sights on LatAm

Wed, 29 Apr 2015 00:00:00 -0400

Apparel and lifestyle brand Psycho Bunny is expanding into Latin America with the appointment of a new distributor and the launch of a robust licensing program.

Neroli Group has been appointed as the core sportswear distributor for Psycho Bunny in Latin America, and Genius Brands International, the global licensing agent for the brand, is creating a comprehensive licensing program throughout the region with new partners across key categories.

The distribution agreement between Psycho Bunny and Neroli Group will bring the irreverent brand to consumers in Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Curacao, Aruba, Trinidad, San Andres, Turks & Caicos and San Martin.

"Psycho Bunny's quality, dedication to detail, and the contemporary nature of its collections correspond beautifully with the demands of our market," says Símon Tarazi, managing director, Neroli. "We look forward to emulating the North American distribution efforts that have contributed to the success of the brand and are eager to establish Psycho Bunny as the leading aspirational fashion brand that luxury retailers must offer their most prestigious customers."

On the heels of the Neroli distribution deal, GBI is also launching an aggressive licensing campaign for Psycho Bunny in Latin America focusing on forging new licensing partnerships in key categories including basics, hosiery, sleepwear, outwear, bottoms, wovens and accessories.

Psycho Bunny, working in collaboration with GBI, has attracted a full roster of licensing partners to round out its core sportswear collections. GBI recently announced a licensing partnership with accessories licensee Itochu as well as new Psycho Bunny licensees Leg Resource (hosiery), S3 (footwear) and JRM Accessories (headwear), all of which will be introducing products to consumers this fall. Additionally, The Apparel Partnership Group, Psycho Bunny's partner for loungewear and men's basics, is entering its third season following a successful debut in spring 2014.

GBI is actively seeking partners to expand Psycho Bunny into additional product lines including outerwear, woven shirts, bottoms, denim, bags and luggage, women's, children's, activewear, fragrance, electronics and more. The company is also further developing the brand internationally and is in discussions with potential partners in Asia, Europe and South America.

"Psycho Bunny's growth as a global brand is contingent upon securing the right partners–distribution partners, retail partners, licensing partners," says Robert Goldman, co-founder, Psycho Bunny. "Robert Godley and I are confident that Neroli is the right distribution partner for us in Latin America and believe Neroli will be as successful in Latin America as Fairfax and Itochu have been in expanding the Pyscho Bunny brand throughout Asia."

Genius Brands International Promotes "Warren Buffett vs Floyd Money Mayweather" Match

Sat, 02 May 2015 00:00:00 -0400

OMAHA, NE, May 02, 2015 (Marketwired via COMTEX) -- The biggest boxing match in history may not be going on in Las Vegas tonight, but rather in Omaha, Nebraska this morning at the annual Berkshire Hathaway meeting. Genius Brands International (otcqb:GNUS), who produces a film each year for the Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting, produced this epic and unexpected matchup, with iconic film Director, John Landis. The film captures the Welterweight Championship match between the "Berkshire Bomber" himself, Warren Buffett, and the current undefeated world champion, Floyd "Money" Mayweather. With guest appearances ranging from Charlie Rose to Steve Wynn and the Geico Gecko, the film was shown exclusively at the annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholders meeting in Omaha. The fun spirited film is not the first time Mr. Buffett and Genius Brands International have collaborated. In addition to the annual shareholders meeting, the two collaborate on the Secret Millionaires Club, an animated series for kids starring Mr. Buffett himself and a group of kids who he mentors and teaches about business. In addition to the series, there are books, videos, electronics and other fun ways the kids can learn from the "Oracle of Omaha" himself.

Edison toon lights up new deal

Tue, 05 May 2015 00:00:00 -0400

By Nico Franks

An educational broadcaster operating in Russia, CEE, Turkey and Africa has acquired Genius Brands International’s (GBI) animated series about light bulb inventor Thomas Edison.

Da Vinci Learning has picked up Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab, which follows a 12-year-old prodigy and her young science club after they discover Thomas Edison’s secret lab, equipped with a holographic version of the famous inventor.

GBI’s board of directors includes the company’s CEO Andy Heyward, president Amy Moynihan Heyward and Margaret Loesch, the former president and CEO of US kids’ network The Hub.

“Arousing the curiosity of our viewers is our mission at Da Vinci Learning and GBI’s programming is an ideal solution and perfect fit for the channel,” said Ferdinand Habsburg, MD of Berlin-based Da Vinci Media GmbH.

Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab Lands New Slots

Tue, 05 May 2015 00:00:00 -0400

By Joel Marino

BEVERLY HILLS: Berlin-based Da Vinci Media has licensed Genius Brands International’s Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab for its premiere broadcast channel in multiple territories.

The animated series will air in Russia, Central and Eastern Europe, Turkey and Africa on the Da Vinci Learning channel. The multimedia property, which stars American singer/songwriter Livingston Taylor as the voice of the titular scientist, encourages kids to engage and explore science.

“Licensing our properties globally to like-minded partners like Da Vinci Media is a key factor in executing our business model,” said Andy Berman, Genius Brands International’s senior VP of global distribution sales. “Da Vinci Media shares our commitment to offer entertaining and enriching content that stimulates children’s imaginations, and GBI is excited to partner with them to bring Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab to the millions of children and families around the globe.”

“Arousing the curiosity of our viewers is our mission at Da Vinci Learning and GBI’s programming is an ideal solution and perfect fit for the channel,” commented Ferdinand Habsburg, the managing director of Da Vinci Media. “By offering programming like GBI’s Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab, programming that makes astounding scientific ideas understandable, that entertains and educates, and engages young minds and imaginations, we spark family conversations and motivate our young viewers to continue asking questions, learning and uncovering the mysteries of the universe.”

Two Omaha sixth-graders selected to pitch their invention to Warren Buffett

Thu, 07 May 2015 00:00:00 -0400

Two Dundee Elementary sixth-graders are preparing for an important business meeting: They are pitching their invention to Warren Buffett.

Bryn Hansen, 11, and Emily Harkins, 12, are finalists in Buffett’s “Secret Millionaires Club” Grow Your Own Business Challenge. More than 4,000 children entered the contest, 13 were named finalists. The girls’ invention – the Keep Track Sticky Back – is one of three in the Team Finalists division.

“We really admire Mr. Buffett,” Emily said. “We can’t wait to meet him and discuss our business plan with him.”

The Keep Track Sticky Back consists of plastic pouches that are attached to a varying color of fabric or plastic backing. The back is sticky, so it can stick to nearly anything. Each plastic pouch has its very own magnetic snap button to connect the flap above the pouch to the main pouch. This keeps the internal contents of the pouch from falling out. There are multiple pouches in various sizes for different needs. For example, a tall, skinny pouch could be used for pencils, while a smaller, wider pouch could be used for crayons.

The girls came up with the idea while working on a project and a pencil broke. Emily said the girls spent several minutes trying to find a new one.

“We thought ‘What if there was a better way to keep track of things,’” said Bryn. “We went from there.”

The “Grow Your Own Business Challenge” is a national online competition that ran from Oct. 20, 2014 to Jan. 31. GYOB is a part of the “Secret Millionaires Club Learn and Earn” financial literacy promotion, which reaches more than 100,000 classrooms with tools and lessons for teaching good financial habits to youth.

The finalists will fly to Omaha this month to present their ideas to Buffett and a panel of judges. The group and individual winners will each win $5,000. The runners up will each receive $500.

The finalists were also asked to nominate a teacher or mentor who was most inspirational in the process to join them in Omaha and win up to $1,000. The girls nominated two teachers who helped them with the project: Sixth grade teacher Erin Bunton and Talented and Gifted Specialist Kristin Johnson.

The winners will be determined by a combination of judges’ scores and online votes. Through May 11, voters can help the girls by clicking here and voting once a day.

“We are the first competitors from Nebraska to be accepted this far into the contest,” Emily said. “We want to win not just for us and our school, but for Nebraska as well.”

Finalists Named in 'Secret Millionaires' Contest

Fri, 08 May 2015 00:00:00 -0400

Genius Brands International and the Fairholme Foundation have announced the finalists of the Warren Buffett "Secret Millionaires Club" fourth annual Grow Your Own Business Challenge.

More than 4,000 U.S. kids ages 7 to 14 submitted their business ideas for a chance to win $5,000 and an opportunity to share their ideas with Buffett himself on May 18.

From now through May 11, fans can help choose the winners by voting at SMCKids.com/vote.

Wicked Cool Toys inks master toy deal for Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab

Fri, 15 May 2015 00:00:00 -0400

by Patrick Callan

Genius Brands International has tapped Wicked Cool Toys as global master toy licensee for its original animated-adventure series Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab.

The comprehensive STEM-based toy line will include compounds, activity kits, science kits, food sets, figures, play sets, novelties and role-play items designed to encourage kids to explore and have fun with science.

Wicked Cool Toys joins a growing roster of licensees for the property, including broadcasters Discovery Kids (Asia) and Da Vinci Learning (Russia, Turkey, Africa, Central/Eastern Europe), as well as NCircle Entertainment (North American home entertainment rights). GBI and FatRedCouch are also launching an app timed with the show’s debut.

Incorporating humor, and inspired by Thomas Edison’s inventive spirit, the 52 x 11-minuteseries premieres this fall on individual PBS stations through a partnership with American Public Television, the Kid Genius Channel on Comcast and additional online services.

The show follows 12-year-old science prodigy Angie who accidentally discovers Thomas Edison’s secret lab with her science club, which is filled with state-of-the-art gizmos and gadgets, including two of his last inventions—a hologram that brings him to life and a virtual reality machine, which enables him to travel anywhere.

Wicked Cool Toys enters the lab

Fri, 15 May 2015 00:00:00 -0400

Wicked Cool appointed Master Toy for GBI's animated series Thomas Edison's Secret Lab

Genius Brands International has appointed Wicked Cool Toys as Master Toy partner for Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab, a new comedy which shows kids how much fun science can be. Wicked Cool Toys will have exclusive worldwide rights to develop and market a comprehensive line of toys based on the original animated adventure series.

Wicked Cool will develop and bring to market an engaging line of STEM-based toys including compounds, activity kits, science kits, food sets, figures, playsets, novelties and role-play products, which encourage kids to explore and have fun with science, inspired by Thomas Edison’s inventive spirit.

“The talented team at Wicked Cool Toys have a deep passion and inventive spirit, and we are delighted to partner with them to introduce a range of products inspired by one of the most prolific inventors in history that will spark kids’ imaginations,” said Stone Newman, President, Global Licensing, GBI.

Wicked Cool Toys’ Co-Presidents, Michael Rinzler and Jeremy Padawer added: “Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab provides a seemingly endless array of fascinating themes and inventive ideas that translate perfectly to toys. We’re very excited to collaborate with the GBI team to develop creative and imaginative STEM-based toys that makes science a blast for kids.”

Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab is created by GBI, a global content and brand management company dedicated to providing entertaining and enriching "content and products with a purpose" for toddlers to tweens. Each episode encourages young viewers to explore science, imagination and invention and is filled with comedy, exploration and adventure. The series follows Angie, a 12-year-old prodigy, and her young science club who accidentally discover Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab – a ‘tricked out’ dream lab equipped with gizmos and gadgets, including two of Edison’s very last inventions: a hologram that brings Mr. Edison himself “to life,” and a virtual reality machine that lets them go anywhere.

Warren Buffett impressed by children's money-making ideas

Mon, 18 May 2015 00:00:00 -0400

BY JONATHAN STEMPEL

Miroslav Bergen thought he would be "terrified" at meeting Warren Buffett, but he was wrong.

Miro, 14, was one of the winners of "Grow Your Own Business Challenge," a nationwide contest related to the animated "Secret Millionaires Club," which teaches children about finance and where Buffett voices his own character.

"He's a nice, down-to-earth person," said Miro, who lives in Short Hills, New Jersey. "I entered this competition not really as an entrepreneur because I wasn't experienced in business. But I had an idea. Now business people are giving me advice."

The contest, in its fourth year, attracted entries from more than 4,000 boys and girls ages 7 to 14. The top entrants flew to Omaha, Nebraska to be judged and show Buffett their ideas.

"You're looking at the future and it's a pretty good looking future," Buffett, chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Inc and the world's third-richest person according to Forbes magazine, said in an interview.

Bergen won for "Beyond the Books," a website that lets people work together to create online courses and study guides, in a "Wikipedia of education." People would pay to advertise, or pay a monthly fee to have ads removed.

Bryn Hansen, 11, and Emily Harkins, 12, of Omaha, won the team contest for "Keep Track Sticky Back," sealable plastic pouches costing $7.99 to $66.99 that have sticky backs so they can be attached to nearly anything.

"This competition has taught us a lot, not just business skills but also cost-evaluation, problem-solving skills, and business etiquette, and how to interact with other people," said Emily, who was on "cloud nine" after winning.

Winners each got $5,000, and said they plan to invest it toward their businesses. Bryn and Emily may also seek a patent.

Buffett gave each finalist 10 Class B shares of Berkshire -if they vote to reelect him next year as chairman.

Many entries were pure online concepts. That is a change from when Buffett would buy Coca-Cola six-packs at his grandfather's grocery store for 25 cents, and then sell bottles for a nickel each.

"They've had the benefit of the Internet," Buffett said, "and that's reflective of the products they've come up with. They are leagues ahead of where I was at the same age."

Still, Buffett remains a role model. "He has a ton of inspirational quotes to believe in yourself, to save money, and maybe someday grow up to be someone like him," Bryn said.

The Fairholme Foundation sponsors the contest. By Kids for Kids Co oversees it. Genius Brands International Inc created "Secret Millionaires Club."

Kids Preferred appointed toy partner for Llama Llama

Tue, 02 Jun 2015 00:00:00 -0400

The firm will develop plush, puppets and more based on characters from the hit children's book series.

Kids Preferred has been appointed as the toy partner for the best-selling children’s book franchise, Llama Llama.

Under the new agreement with Genius Brands International, the firm will develop a new line of plush toys, puppets and jack-in-the-boxes, inspired by the cast of the hit book series.

The new toy line will debut at retail next year.

The announcement follows a recent deal with Penguin Young Readers to develop an animated series based on the books written by Anna Dewdney.

“Given the global popularity of the Llama Llama characters and success of the books, we are looking forward to working with Genius Brands, Anna Dewdney and Penguin to deliver a programme at retail that expands Llama Llama’s engagement with its fans,” said Louis Premselaar, CEO of Kids Preferred.

“Our plush toys, puppets and other Llama Llama branded products will offer young children and their caregivers additional means for interacting with the lovable characters and fully experiencing the world of Llama Llama.”

Kids Preferred lands Llama Llama toy license

Tue, 02 Jun 2015 00:00:00 -0400

by Patrick Callan

L.A.-based Genius Brands International has tapped Kids Preferred as its toy partner for children’s book franchise Llama Llama from American author/illustrator Anna Dewdney.

The East Windsor, New Jersey-based toyco’s range will include plush, puppets and jack-in-the-boxes based on the lovable Llama Llama characters, who tackle everyday issues facing young kids and help them overcome anxiety.

Toys are expected to hit US retailers in 2016, along with a comprehensive line of Llama Llama licensed merch such as games, apparel, accessories, bedding and healthy foods.

GBI and Penguin Young Readers are also developing animated, multi-platform content (TV, digital) based on the New York Times bestselling series, which has been translated into eight languages and sold more than 9.4 million units worldwide.

Genius Brands International Continues to Broaden the Baby Genius Global Licensing Business With the Introduction of the New Baby Genius Sing Along App

Tue, 09 Jun 2015 00:00:00 -0400

Genius Brands International, Inc., "GBI" (OTCQB: GNUS), a global brand management company dedicated to providing entertaining and enriching 'content and products with a purpose' for toddlers to tweens, continues to expand the re-launch of the Baby Genius licensing business with the introduction of a new Baby Genius Sing Along app, developed and produced by licensing partner HADOKEN LLC, that engages kids with familiar songs and the playful Baby Genius characters. The announcement was made today by Amy Moynihan Heyward, President of GBI.

"Together with HADOKEN, we've created an interactive and fun experience for toddlers featuring classic songs, the beloved Baby Genius characters and opportunities to discover music with a friendly format that entertains and engages kids in music," explained Moynihan Heyward. "The launch of the Baby Genius Sing Along app plays a key role in the fundamental growth of the brand's business and will help drive sales of the many exciting and enriching licensed products coming to market in a broad multi-category retail re-launch this September."

Designed for kids ages five and under, the new Baby Genius Sing Along app is available worldwide as a free download through the iTunes App Store in the Children's Education and Music categories. The app, which is 100% ad free, features two modes. In Sing Along mode, kids will see and hear their favorite songs come alive through an entertaining mix of music, words and fun animated surprises. Encouraged to sing and dance along with songs like "The Alphabet Song," "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and more, youngsters can also follow along with the music notes as each song is played. In Music Maker mode, kids can create their own fun songs (even if they don't read music!) while playing with a selection of instruments including horns, xylophones and even a cat keyboard! Making music has never been more fun! Baby Genius Sing Along offers additional downloadable content such as songs and music as in-app purchases. For more information on the app visit iTunes app store.

"We are thrilled to be working with Genius Brands on a series of children entertainment apps," stated HADOKEN founding partner Houston Brayton. "It is exciting getting to see our technology meet up with wonderful children's brands like Baby Genius. We believe that the mobile space is a great home for these characters, and we're looking forward to sharing these apps with the fans."

Previously announced licensing partners debuting new product at retail this September in many anchor categories, include Manhattan Toy, developing soft toys; PBS Distribution, delivering Baby Genius content across a multitude of platforms (DVD, CD, digital); Zak Designs, creating a line of mealtime products; LeapFrog Enterprises, launching the first Baby Genius content available on the award-winning LeapPad™ line of kids' learning tablets; and Cupcake Digital, also developing new apps under the Baby Genius brand banner.

For more than ten years, Baby Genius has earned worldwide recognition for creating award-winning products for toddlers. Its catalogue of 500 songs, 125 music videos, and music-based toys features classic nursery rhymes, learning songs, classical music, holiday favorites, and more. Expanding the timeless appeal of Baby Genius offerings, GBI re-launched Baby Genius this year with fresh new designs, new entertainment, and an array of new toddler products in addition to the Baby Genius website. Additionally, all new music has been produced by music industry veterans Ron and Stefanie Fair, who have written and produced for numerous multi-award winning artists including The Pussycat Dolls, the Black-Eyed Peas, Mary J. Blige, Fergie, Christina Aguilera, Lady Gaga and others.

Baby Genius continues to be the #1 video on demand property on Comcast's Baby Boost Channel, and due to its success as a top performer, Comcast is launching GBI's new Kid Genius channel in September on Xfinity On Demand, with the goal of delivering "Smart TV for Kids" starting fall 2015. Baby Genius will headline the Kid Genius program line-up, which will also offer a variety of programming for toddlers up to 12-year-olds including GBI originals such as Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club and Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, as well as outside content.

Baby Genius Sing Along Device Requirements:
Compatibility:
Requires iOS 7.0 or later.
Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
This app is optimized for iPhone 5, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus.
Ages 4+, Made for Ages 5 and under, 100% Ad-Free

Baby Genius Sing Along app will also be launching on Android and Amazon platforms this fall.

Pricing and Availability:
Baby Genius Sing Along is available as a free download, available worldwide through the iTunes App Store in the Children's Education and Music categories. Baby Genius Sing Along offers additional downloadable content such as songs and music as in-app purchases.

Genius Brands Expands Baby Genius Consumer Products Program

Mon, 15 Jun 2015 00:00:00 -0400

Genius Brands International Inc. (GBI) will debut its North American retail program for the Baby Genius brand this September.

With a growing roster of licensees, GBI has added two key partners to the Baby Genius family: Winfat Industrial Company Limited, which produces the Winfun brand, who will design and develop early learning toys with a musical focus; and DGL USA, which will produce musical instruments and toys, dance mats, karaoke machines, and plastic bath toys under the Baby Genius banner. Both product lines will be available this fall.

Additional licensees include Manhattan Toy for soft toys; PBS Distributionfor DVDs, CDs, and digital content; Zak Designs for a line of mealtime products; LeapFrog for Baby Genius LeapPad content; and Cupcake Digitaland Black Lantern for apps.

GENIUS BRANDS CONTINUES TO EXPAND THE BABY GENIUS CONSUMER PRODUCTS’ PROGRAM

Tue, 16 Jun 2015 00:00:00 -0400

As it prepares to debut a comprehensive Baby Genius retail program in September with dozens of new products, Genius Brands International, Inc., continues to expand the Baby Genius retail program throughout North America with a growing roster of new licensees

GBI has added two new key partners to the Baby Genius family: Winfat Industrial Company Limited, which produces the Winfun® brand, who will design and develop early learning toys with a musical focus; and DGL USA, which will produce musical instruments and toys, dance mats, karaoke machines, and plastic bath toys under the Baby Genius banner. Both licensees will introduce their product lines in fall 2015. Winfat and DGL join a roster of previously announced partners debuting new product at retail this September in many anchor categories, including Manhattan Toy, developing soft toys; PBS Distribution, delivering Baby Genius content across a multitude of platforms (DVD, CD, digital); Zak Designs, creating a line of mealtime products; LeapFrog Enterprises, launching the first Baby Genius content available on the award-winning LeapPad™ line of kids’ learning tablets; and Cupcake Digital and Black Lantern, both developing new apps under the Baby Genius brand banner.

For more than ten years, Baby Genius has earned worldwide recognition for creating award-winning products for toddlers. Its catalogue of 500 songs, 125 music videos, and music-based toys features classic nursery rhymes, learning songs, classical music, holiday favorites, and more. Expanding the timeless appeal of Baby Genius offerings, GBI re-launched Baby Genius this year with fresh new designs, new entertainment, and an array of new toddler products in addition to the Baby Genius website. Additionally, all new music has been produced by music industry veterans Ron and Stefanie Fair, who have written and produced for numerous multi-award winning artists, including The Pussycat Dolls, the Black-Eyed Peas, Mary J. Blige, Fergie, Christina Aguilera, Lady Gaga and others.

Baby Genius continues to be the #1 video on demand property on Comcast’s Baby Boost Channel, and due to its success as a top performer, Comcast is launching GBI’s new Kid Genius channel in September on Xfinity On Demand, with the goal of delivering “Smart TV for Kids” starting fall 2015. Baby Genius will headline the Kid Genius program line-up and will also offer a variety of programming for toddlers up to 12-year-olds. The channel will also feature GBI originals such as Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaires Club and Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab, as well as outside content.

Warren Buffett is now the world’s richest cartoon character

Tue, 23 Jun 2015 00:00:00 -0400

By Charles Passy

Published: June 23, 2015 3:44 p.m. ET

Cartoon version of Warren Buffett in the "Secret Millionaires Club."

Forget Sesame Street. Welcome to Warren’s World.

As in Warren Buffett, the investment guru who chairs Berkshire Hathaway BRK.A, +0.55% and sits atop a $70 billion fortune. Already known as one of the most famous investors in the world, the Oracle of Omaha has become celebrated of late among the grade-school set for his work with the Secret Millionaires Club, an animated program that teaches kids about finance.

In short, there’s nothing quite so secret about the Secret Millionaires Club these days.

Since its relatively low-key inception in 2009, the series has grown to encompass a full slate of “webisodes” and half-hour TV programs (the show has aired on The HUB cable network, now the Discovery Family Channel; a new network partner is expected to be announced soon). Additionally, it has spawned a book, DVDs and “business in a box” kits that help youngsters start their own small-scale enterprises.

There’s also a Secret Millionares Club-affiliated nationwide talent search for budding young Warren Buffetts. The four-year-old “Grow Your Own Business Challenge” attracts entries from as many as 4,000 schoolchildren, who pitch plans for their would-be companies with the hope of winning up to $5,000 in cash prizes and the opportunity to meet Buffett in person.

Buffett says the contest speaks to the true goal of the Secret Millionaires Club. “You’re looking at the future when you look at these kids,” he said in a recent phone interview. But more to the point, Buffett says, children will not become successful, responsible adults without a core understanding of finance. “This stuff is age-old, but it has to be taught. Some kids are lucky enough to get it at home, but a lot aren’t,” Buffett said.

Famed investor Warren Buffett is celebrated among the grade-school set for an animated series that teaches children about finance. WSJ's Tanya Rivero talks to Charles Passy.

Ironically, if there’s anyone who stands to gain — at least financially — from the Secret Millionaire Club’s growth, it’s not Buffett. The show was launched by Andy Heyward, a veteran producer of children’s programming who helped create the “Inspector Gadget” franchise. The connection to the Oracle? Heyward has known Buffett since the early ‘90s and helps produce the popular film that airs before the annual Berkshire Hathaway meeting. So Heyward pitched the idea of the “club” to Buffett, sensing it filled a void in the landscape of children’s programming.

“There are so many shows that promote science and reading. There’s never been anything with financial literacy,” said Heyward.

Heyward initially backed Secret Millionaires Club through his own company, A Squared Entertainment. (The company has since merged with Genius Brands GNUS, -2.38% , another producer of children’s programing, with Heyward becoming chief executive of the combined outfit.) Heyward won’t reveal his exact investment in Secret Millionaires Club, but hints that production costs have easily topped $5 million since the project’s inception. But he adds that the show has been profitable, even if Heyward’s focus remains as much on the educational mission as on making money.

“This isn’t Spider-Man,” Heyward said.

As for Buffett, he has no investment in the project. Nor does he collect a dime for his considerable contributions to the series, which include time spent voicing his own character and volunteering ideas for scripts. So, it’s a labor of love, but one that has special resonance for the low-key mogul, who’s always made education part of his life’s work (he frequently invites college students to his office in Omaha). Buffett even notes that he encouraged Heyward to use “secret” in the show’s title, since it’s an attention-grabber with kids.

“Say the word ‘secret’ and their faces light up,” Buffett said.

But if you’re thinking this “secret” club teaches kids about, say, credit default swaps or asset allocation strategies, think again. Even as it aims to educate about finance, the show keeps things within the general reach of its audience. In each episode, Buffett — well, a cartoon Buffett — meets with a group of children and helps them solve a basic money-related problem of one sort or another, be it where to locate a lemonade stand (“Remember, if the people won’t come to your business, bring your business to the people,” Buffett advises) or how to manage spending (“Credit cards can seem like an easy way to buy things, but it’s not a good idea to make a habit of using them”).

Heyward says Buffett’s folksy approach and delivery — the same “voice,” if you will, that resonates in Buffett’s much-anticipated annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders — is key to the equation.

Buffett “has this homespun wisdom. It’s a very special quality,” Heyward said.

The show has won high marks from education advocates and media critics alike. To quote a review from Common Sense Media, a San Francisco-based nonprofit organization thats surveys children’s entertainment: “All of the show’s themes can be applied to life as well as to business, so even if your kid isn’t building his own portfolio, he’ll still walk away with some positive and reliable advice about success in general.”

The Secret Millionaires Club doesn’t exist in a vacuum, however. In recent years, financial organizations and educators alike have been pushing the need to incorporate financial literacy into the K-12 curriculum, saying that at time when Americans have to make more decisions than ever before about how to manage their money, many schools no longer offer even the most rudimentary lessons in the subject matter (or what used to be referred to as “home economics”). In its 2013 survey of how states are addressing the issue, the Center for Financial Literacy at Vermont’s Champlain College gave just 20 states “A” or “B” marks for their efforts. (Conversely, it gave 22 states “D” and “F” marks.)

On top of that, the children’s media landscape is changing in ways that allow for producers to address topics in a more focused way: With a growing number of ways to distribute shows — The Secret Millionaire’s Club will soon also be carried on a Comcast video-on-demand service, for example — there’s less of a concern about reaching a mass audience. So, niche children’s programming is becoming more the rule than the exception.

And sure enough, the niches can go well beyond science and reading. Consider: Anthony Weintraub, a veteran feature film writer and director, recently completed a successful Kickstarter campaign to fund a pilot for “Yummiloo,” a show about healthy eating. Weintraub said today’s children’s programming is all “about trying to address gaps” not covered by other shows.

Still, not everyone is convinced that a children’s show about money will ever be that successful — or will truly assist in aiding the cause of improving financial literacy. For starters, many education advocates argue that financial lessons are often best taught at home — a point that Buffett himself doesn’t dispute. But on top of that, advocates argue that the classroom offers a more structured setting for such lessons. After all, a TV or a computer can be turned on or off at will.

“I think we need to be doing more on a school level,” said Paul Golden, a spokesman for the National Endowment for Financial Education.

But Heyward counters that schools are increasingly focusing on the common-core basics, so lessons in finance are sometimes viewed as an afterthought. He also notes that through its “Grow Your Own Business Challenge” contest, which is promoted through schools, the Secret Millionaires Club is making an effort to become part of the classroom experience as well.

Given that prospect and the show’s continued growth, could that make Warren Buffett as familiar a face as other cartoon characters? Buffett won’t say if he’s vying to become the next Bugs Bunny, but he jokes that he considers his animated representation a bit easier on the eye than his 84-year-old true self.

“Any cartoon of me is going to look better than the real one,” he said with a laugh.

Buffett can also take satisfaction in the fact that he’s wealthier than any other cartoon character — at least according to Forbes magazine, which publishes its Forbes Fictional 15 list of the wealthiest fictional figures. Among the animated set, only Scrooge McDuck comes close, with a net worth of $65.4 billion. And The Simpsons’ Montgomery Burns? He’s got a mere $9.2 billion to his name, or about one-seventh of Buffett’s fortune.

License 2 Play, GBI Enter Agreement for From Frank Plush

Mon, 29 Jun 2015 00:00:00 -0400

Genius Brands International Inc. (GBI) and its wholly owned subsidiary, A Squared Entertainment, have finalized a licensing agreement with License 2 Playfor the development of plush toys for From Frank. The announcement was made today by Stone Newman, GBI’s President of Global Consumer Products.

License 2 Play will develop a broad range of plush consumer products based on From Frank images and witticisms. The products will be available for the holiday season through various national stores and online retailers.

Genius Brands International Acquires Award-Winning Programming for New Kid Genius Channel Launching on Comcast's Xfinity on Demand Service in September, 2015

Tue, 30 Jun 2015 00:00:00 -0400

Genius Brands International, Inc., "GBI" (otcqb:GNUS) a global content and brand management company dedicated to providing entertaining and enriching 'content with a purpose' for toddlers to tweens, has acquired two new animated series to offer on its new Kid Genius channel, debuting on Comcast's Xfinity On Demand service in September 2015.

Joining the line-up are the Daytime Emmy Award-winning and multiple Daytime Emmy Award-nominated series, Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego?, and Dennis the Menace, based on the classic comic strip created by Hank Ketcham.

"Both of these properties are perfectly suited to join the line-up of our new Kid Genius channel, where we will offer a safe viewing experience for children and their families that also provides positive value," explained GBI's Senior Vice President of Global Distribution Sales, Andy Berman. "In addition to both properties being well-respected global brands, Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego? gives kids the opportunity to learn about geography and culture, and Dennis the Menace delivers wholesome storytelling for everyone."

The new Kid Genius channel is set to offer a variety of programming for young viewers (toddlers to 12-years-old) that align with the company's mission to provide "content with a purpose." The channel will also feature GBI original programming, including Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, Llama Llama and Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club, as well as other shows from program creators around the world. GBI will announce the full schedule for Kid Genius prior to the September 1, 2015 launch.

To help define guidelines for content acquisitions, Kid Genius has enlisted renowned children's media expert, Don Roberts, former Chair of the Communications School at Stanford, to incorporate a program code that will address sensitive issues such as violence, negative stereotypes, the environment, and inappropriate language to ensure that parents will feel comfortable that their kids are never being exposed to inappropriate subject matter.

Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego? features the world famous super-thief Carmen Sandiego who travels all over the globe in search of famous artifacts to steal. Teenage ACME detectives Zack and Ivy are on a quest to capture Carmen as she tempts them with encrypted clues about her whereabouts and the object of her interest. Zack and Ivy must use their knowledge of geography and world cultures to keep up with Carmen and her henchmen.

In Dennis the Menace, Dennis' curiosity, escapades and well-meaning ways usually lead to trouble; and usually on the receiving end is neighbor and retired postal worker George, who just wants to be left alone. Dennis is accompanied by friends Margaret, Tommy and Joey and faithful canine companion Ruff, who often find themselves involved in all kinds of wild adventures, including international espionage and trips into history.

License 2 Play to Develop From Frank Plush

Tue, 30 Jun 2015 00:00:00 -0400

LAFAYETTE, IN -Squared Entertainment, a subsidiary of Genius Brands International, has partnered with License 2 Play to create a line of plush toys based on the humorous From Frank greeting card line.

Under the agreement, License 2 Play will develop a collection plush products based on From Frank images and witticisms. The products will be available for the holiday season at national stores and online retailers.

In addition to License 2 Play, several other licensees have been added to expand the From Frank brand,
including Calendar Club for calendars and a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzles; and Hot Properties, who have produced pins, stickers, air fresheners and magnets at trend retailers, gift stores and card stores around the U.S.

"We are thrilled with the continued expansion of From Frank under the guidance of Genius Brands," said Kate Smith, owner and founder, From Frank, "and have no doubt that License 2 Play will create an amazing assortment of plush toys that embody the core mission of our brand, 'to make humans smile."

GBI adds toons to budding Genius

Wed, 01 Jul 2015 00:00:00 -0400

By Andrew Dickens

US children’s content firm Genius Brands International (GBI) has picked up two animated series for its forthcoming Kid Genius channel.

The new channel will launch on Comcast’s Xfinity On Demand service this September and will now include Daytime Emmy-winning Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego? and Dennis the Menace.

The Kid Genius channel will feature GBI’s original programming alongside acquired content from around the world. GBI will announce the full schedule for Kid Genius prior to the September 1 launch.

The company will work with children’s media expert Don Roberts, former chair of the communications school at Stanford, to address sensitive issues such as violence, negative stereotypes and inappropriate language.

Genius Brands International Continues to Expand the From Frank Brand With a Collection of Gifts From Enesco

Tue, 07 Jul 2015 00:00:00 -0400

Genius Brands International, Inc. "GBI" (OTCQB: GNUS), and Enesco, a leader in the gift industry and licensing partner for From Frank, will present a new collection of over 40 new products featuring the witty humor of Frank, a French bull dog whose mission is to make humans smile. Frank, along with his canine and feline friends, team up to create "paw-crafted" and amusing gift products that connect with people in a way that only a dog can.

"We are thrilled with the collection that Enesco has developed with high quality products that completely capture the essence of our From Frank brand, and we look forward to making them available to Frank's fans this holiday season," said From Frank brand owner and founder Kate Smith.

"Making humans smile fits perfectly in Enesco's portfolio," said Kathi Lentzsch, President of Enesco Gift. "Our customers are smart and will love the unexpected wit that comes with From Frank."

"Enesco has done a tremendous job of conveying the fun and humor of the From Frank brand in a new, wide-ranging line of relatable gift products," stated GBI's President of Global Consumer Products, Stone Newman. "We look forward to collaborating with retail partners to make From Frank the must-have gift for humans of all ages this holiday season."

Enesco's From Frank collection includes mugs, coasters, notebooks, desk plaques, tote bags, clocks, wall art, pet bowls, pet canisters, pencil cases, and more. The products will be showcased to retailers at the Summer Market gift shows and will be available in store for Holiday 2015.

From Frank began as a line of witty greeting cards just a few years ago and has grown to become a humor character brand with a tremendous range of new products to be introduced in 2015, including previously announced book and wall calendar (Chronicle Books); journals, desk notes and note cards (Quarto Publishing); lottery tickets (GTECH); sticky notes (Galison/Mudpuppy); digital stickers (Bare Tree Media); a 2015 Wall Calendar and 1000-piece jigsaw puzzles (Calendar Club); and pins, stickers, air fresheners, and magnets (Hot Properties). GBI is also currently in discussions with partners to develop pet products, party supplies, apparel, accessories, plush, novelty and more.

About From Frank The idea for From Frank, the brainchild of Kate Smith and her French bulldog, Frank the Tank, was born in 2008 when Smith combined images capturing Frank's humorous, human-like personality with the quirky, yet happy, comments she imagined Frank saying. Frank's main goal in life is to make humans smile. And since he's not allowed to venture more than a block from his house, his cards and other gift products help him do that. Frank knows how to live life - he appreciates the little things and quickly forgets the bad ones.

GBI expands From Frank portfolio with Enesco

Thu, 09 Jul 2015 00:00:00 -0400

The gift specialist has develop a new collection of mugs, coasters, notebooks and more inspired by the witty French bulldog.

Genius Brand International has appointed the leading gift specialist, Enesco to develop a new product portfolio for its hit property, From Frank.

The collection of over 40 new products will feature the humour synonymous with the French bulldog Frank and its cast of canine and feline characters.

The collection will include a range of mugs, coasters, notebooks, desk plaques, tote bags, clocks, wall art, pet bowls, pet canisters, pencil cases and more. The roster of new products will be showcased to retailers at the Summer Market gift show, and will be available to retailers in time for Christmas this year.

“We are thrilled with the collection that Enesco has developed with high quality products that completely capture the essence of our From Frank brand,” said From Frank brand owner and founder, Kate Smith.

We look forward to making them available to Frank’s fans this holiday season.”

The From Frank brand first rose to global fame when it launched as a line of witty greetings cards. In just a few years, the property has grown to become a renowned character brand with a now burgeoning roster of product partners.

Enesco is the latest to join the portfolio, that includes the likes of Chronicle Books, Quarto Publishing, GTech, Bare Tree Media, Hot Properties and more.

“Enesco has done a tremendous job of conveying the fun and humour from the From Frank brand in a new, wide-ranging line of relatable gift products,” said GBI’s president of global consumer products, Stone Newman.

“We look forward to collaborating with retail partners to make From Frank the must-have gift for humans of all ages this holiday season.”

GBI is now in talks with partners to develop a selection of pet products, party supplies, apparel, accessories, plush, novelty and more.

GENIUS BRANDS INTERNATIONAL EXPANDS LUXURY FASHION APPAREL AND LIFESTYLE BRAND PSYCHO BUNNY THROUGHOUT NORTH AMERICA

Wed, 29 Jul 2015 00:00:00 -0400

By: Cristina AngelucciCategories

New High-End Product Lines Include Men’s Apparel from Idea House and Timepieces from Zeon America.

Genius Brands International and its wholly owned subsidiary, A Squared Entertainment, have signed two additional top-tier licensees for the luxury fashion apparel and lifestyle brand Psycho Bunny, continuing to expand the brand into new product categories beyond its core apparel. Timepiece distributor Zeon America and Idea House, which designs, develops, sells and markets products across a portfolio of owned and licensed brands including CURATED Idea Merchants Unlimited, join the growing roster of licensees developing a coordinated spectrum of product lines under the Psycho Bunny brand.

Idea House will be manufacturing a line of chino styled pants and shorts in a variety of colors, as well as jeans using denim from Italy in classic and slim styles. The new Psycho Bunny line is anticipated to debut in department and specialty stores starting in spring 2016.

Part of the prestigious Herald Group of Companies, Zeon Worldwide is one of the world’s largest importers and distributors of timepieces, operating in over 60 countries. Zeon America is the Herald Group’s focal point, marketing its own brand, as well as licensed brand quality timepieces for today’s discriminating consumer. Zeon America will create Psycho Bunnybranded timepieces with the same precision, craftsmanship and fashion instinct as it has used for many other world-famous fashion and private label timepieces it has created throughout the years. Infused with custom cases, genuine calfskin straps, eye-catching solid stainless steel bracelets, and cutting-edge quartz movements, the first collection is anticipated to launch at retail in spring 2016.

GBI continues to actively seek partners around the world to expand the Psycho Bunny brand into additional product lines, including outerwear, woven shirts, active wear and athleisure, bags and luggage, women’s and children’s active wear, accessories, fragrance, electronics and more.

In North America, GBI and Psycho Bunny have attracted an impressive roster of leading manufacturers to round out its core sportswear collections through new licensing agreements, including Leg Resource Inc. (hosiery), S3 (footwear) and JRM Accessories (headwear), all of which will be introducing products to consumers in fall 2015.

GBI is also further developing the brand internationally and seeking partners, particularly in Asia and Latin America, to complement the successful Psycho Bunny programs currently in these territories. The Company recently signed an agreement with Itochu for luxury accessories in Japan and with Neroli Group SA as the brand’s core Latin America sportswear distributor.

Inspired by the 17th-century maritime marauders and secret societies such as the infamous Skull & Bones, Psycho Bunnycreates timeless wardrobe essentials that couple refined English tailoring with bold American design. The brand is built on timeless classics, wardrobe essentials, the finest materials, meticulous design, and superior craftsmanship. Psycho Bunnyredefines the classics with inimitable wit and peerless quality, giving tradition an updated edge and passionate style.

GBI signs Zeon America and Idea House for Psycho Bunny collections

Wed, 29 Jul 2015 00:00:00 -0400

By Billy Langsworthy

Genius Brands International and A Squared Entertainment have signed two new partners for the apparel and lifestyle brand Psycho Bunny in Zeon America and Idea House.

Idea House will be manufacturing a line of chino styled pants and shorts in a variety of colours, as well as jeans using denim from Italy in classic and slim styles.

The firm's new Psycho Bunny line is anticipated to debut in department and specialty stores starting in spring 2016.

“We are very excited to be appointed the licensee for bottoms for this dynamic brand, and we look forward to working closely with Robert Godley and Robert Goldman along with their talented Psycho Bunny team to bring the product to market,” said Glenn Mance, partner and creative director, Idea House.

“They have fastidiously built a solid company with great product and a fantastic logo, and we believe this will be a tremendous opportunity for us all to capitalise on and to take the brand to the next level.”

Zeon Worldwide is one of the world’s largest importers and distributors of timepieces, operating in over 60 countries. The firm will create Psycho Bunny branded timepieces infused with custom cases, calfskin straps and solid stainless steel bracelets. The first collection will launch at retail in spring 2016.

“Zeon America and Psycho Bunny are acutely aligned in terms of brand appeal and quality,” said Matthew Hebard, CEO of Zeon America.

“Our stylish, fashion-forward time pieces have a distinct cachet that we believe provide added appeal for Psycho Bunny fans of all ages.”

Stone Newman, president, global consumer products, GBI, added: “Psycho Bunny has long earned distinction in the marketplace for its ability to redefine the classics with inimitable wit and peerless quality, giving tradition an updated edge and passionate style.

"Through these new partnerships with Idea House and Zeon we are now allowing our consumer to augment their wardrobe with bottoms and watches. These partners represent everything we look for in a licensee: high quality product, prestigious distribution and reputation as leaders in their category.”

NCircle named home video partner for Llama Llama

Fri, 31 Jul 2015 00:00:00 -0400

By Jeremy Dickson

Dallas, Texas-based NCircle Entertainment has been appointed as the exclusive US home entertainment partner for Genius Brands International’s new animated series, Llama Llama.

The deal will see NCircle distribute Llama Llama content digitally across VOD, SVOD, EST and DTO platforms, as well as on DVD.

Currently in development at L.A.-based GBI, in partnership with Penguin Young Readers, the 52 x 11-minute 2D-animated series is based on author/illustrator Anna Dewdney’s bestselling and award-winning children’s book franchise.

The series is expected to debut in 2016, along with a full line of Llama Llama licensed products for the US from GBI and Penguin, including toys, games, apparel, accessories, bedding and healthy snacks/meals.

GBI also recently appointed toy partner Kids Preferred, which plans to launch plush toys, puppets and jack-in-the-boxes at US retail next year as well.

To date, Dewdney’s book franchise has been translated into eight languages, and more than 9.4 million copies have sold through worldwide.

Genius Brands International Appoints NCircle Entertainment as the U.S. Home Entertainment Partner for New Animated Series, Llama Llama

Fri, 31 Jul 2015 00:00:00 -0400

Circle to Distribute All-New Animated Content for "Llama Llama" Across Multiple Platforms

Following the appointment of Genius Brands International, Inc. "GBI" (otcqb:GNUS) as the exclusive entertainment and consumer products partner for the bestselling Llama Llama book series, NCircle Entertainment has been named by GBI as the exclusive home video partner for the new animated series. The announcement was made today by GBIl's SVP of Global Content Sales, Andrew Berman.

"GBI is excited to bring the beloved Llama Llama family to life in animation for the very first time, and we couldn't think of a better home entertainment partner to work with than NCircle to make it readily available to kids in all formats," said Berman in making the announcement.

"Being very much aware of the adorable Llama Llama books and characters, we're thrilled to partner with Genius Brands in bringing their new animation series to retail," added NCircle's Vice President, Sales, Content and Acquisitions, Mary Flynn. "Author Anna Dewdney and Penguin Young Readers publishing have done a stellar job in developing the readership for the Llama Llama brand, and we're honored to collaborate with Genius Brands on expanding the fan base to home entertainment consumers throughout the U.S."

NCircle will distribute Llama Llama animated content, currently in development at GBI, digitally (VOD, SVOD, EST, DTO) and on DVD. The animated series is slated for debut in 2016.

GBI, who has partnered with Llama Llama author Anna Dewdney and publisher Penguin Young Readers to develop animated content based on the bestselling books, is also developing a comprehensive line of Llama Llama licensed products, including toys, games, apparel, accessories, bedding, and healthy snacks and meals are planned to be available beginning in 2016.

As recently announced, GBI signed Kids Preferred, LLC as the toy licensing partner for Llama Llama, who announced the development for a line of Llama Llama plush toys, puppets, and jack-in-the-boxes launching at retail in 2016.

With 9.4 million units in print, Anna Dewdney's Llama Llama books have all been New York Times bestsellers, with several titles claiming the #1 spot. Her work has been translated into eight languages. Praised as a "geographer extraordinaire of the emotional terrain of preschoolers and their mothers" (Chicago Tribune), Dewdney's soothing tales are synonymous with calming early childhood anxiety. Llama Llama Red Pajama was chosen as Jumpstart's Read for the Record book in 2011, setting the world record for the most reads of a particular book on one day. Dewdney is an outspoken advocate for literacy and many states and non-profits use her books for literacy campaigns and programs, including the Library of Congress.

Recognized for its emotive content, the award-winning Llama Llama series signature characters, family relationships, and content attuned to the issues of young children includes Llama Llama Red Pajama, Llama Lama and the Bully Goat, Llama Lama Time to Share, Llama Llama Misses Mama, Llama Llama Holiday Drama, Llama Llama Mad at Mama, as well as the upcoming Llama Llama Gram and Grandpa.

All-New Book From the Popular From Frank Character Brand Debuts at Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, and Specialty Retailers Nationwide

Tue, 11 Aug 2015 00:00:00 -0400

Don't Fart When You Snuggle: Lessons on How to Make a Human Smile

The all-new From Frank book, Don't Fart When You Snuggle: Lessons on How to Make A Human Smile, is now …

Genius Brands International, Inc. "GBI" (GNUS), and Chronicle Books announce today the retail debut of the all-new book from the whimsical From Frank™ character brand, Don't Fart When You Snuggle: Lessons On How To Make a Human Smile, by Frank the Dog.

From the creator of the popular greeting card line From Frank, Don't Fart When You Snuggle is a guide to living the good life…of a dog. This playful book offers advice for dogs, by dogs, that's sure to brighten any human's day. Frank the Dog's mission is to make humans smile. And that's exactly what he and his wisecracking pals do in this fun book, which includes photographs accompanied by unfiltered insights into the weird and wonderful relationship that pets share with their humans. Don't Fart When You Snuggle (SRP: $12.95) is now available at Barnes & Noble stores nationwide and Barnesandnoble.com, as well as Amazon.com and your local independent bookstores and gift boutiques. Check out Frank's book release trailer.

"We are so excited to share the musings of our beloved Frank with fans everywhere in this new book and hope his advice does what it is intended to do…'make humans smile,'" said From Frank brand owner and founder Kate Smith.

"Frank and his friends inspire all of us, and his goal of making every human smile is a worthwhile endeavor that we should all consider. We are thrilled that our partners at Chronicle Books agreed to take Frank's wisdom from the greeting card aisle to the book aisle so we can spread his mission. Frank gives all of us words to live by in Don't Fart When You Snuggle," said Stone Newman, President, Global Consumer Products, GBI.

From Frank began as a line of witty greeting cards just a few years ago and has grown to become a humor character brand with a tremendous range of new products, including wall calendars (Chronicle Books); journals, desk notes, and note cards (Quarto Publishing); lottery tickets (GTECH); over 40 items including stationery, mugs, dog bowls, wall plaques and other room décor (Enesco); sticky notes (Galison/Mudpuppy); plush (License 2 Play) digital stickers (Bare Tree Media); and a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzles (Calendar Club).

The idea for From Frank, the brainchild of Kate Smith and her French bulldog Frank the Tank, was born in 2008 when Smith combined images capturing Frank's humorous, human-like personality with the quirky, yet happy, comments she imagined Frank saying. Frank's main goal in life is to make humans smile. And since he's not allowed to venture more than a block from his house, his cards and other gift products help him do that. Frank knows how to live life -- he appreciates the little things and quickly forgets the bad ones.

The From Frank brand shares these values with consumers, helping them to take life a little less seriously and ultimately to make them smile.

About Genius Brands International

A Squared Entertainment, a wholly owned subsidiary of Genius Brands International, is a brand management and licensing company that represents third-party properties across a broad range of categories in territories around the world. The company currently represents Psycho Bunny, a luxury apparel line, From Frank, a humor greeting card and gift line, and Celessence Technologies, the world's leading microencapsulation company.

For additional information please visit www.gnusbrands.com.

About Chronicle Books

One of the most admired and respected publishing companies in the U.S., Chronicle Books was founded in 1967 and over the years has developed a reputation for award-winning, innovative books. Recognized as one of the 50 best small companies to work for in the U.S. (and the only independent publisher to receive this award), the company continues to challenge conventional publishing wisdom, setting trends in both subject and format, maintaining a list that includes much admired illustrated books and gift products in design, art, architecture, photography, food, lifestyle, pop culture, and acclaimed children's titles. Chronicle Books' objective is to create and distribute exceptional publishing that's instantly recognizable for its spirit, creativity, and value. For more information about Chronicle Books, visit www.chroniclebooks.com.

GBI and Chronicle Books launch From Frank book, Don't Fart When You Snuggle

Tue, 11 Aug 2015 00:00:00 -0400

The title is now available in Barnes & Noble stores across the US as well as on Amazon.com.

Genius Brands International has partnered with Chronicle Books to launch a new book title based on the popular From frank property.

Don’t Fart When You Snuggle: Lessons On How To Make a Human Smile, by Frank the dog is billed as a guide to living the good life, offering humorous advice for dogs.

The title is now available at Barnes & Noble across the US as well as Amazon.com and features photographs and unfiltered insights into the relationship between pets and humans.

Inspired by the line of witty greeting cards, gifts and accessories, the new title carries a $12.95 price tag.

“We are so excited to share the musings of our beloved Frank with fans everywhere in this new book and hope his advice does what it is intended to do, make humans smile,” said Kate Smith, From Frank brand owner and founder.

Stone Newman, president, global consumer products, GBI, added: “Frank and his friends inspire all of us, and his goal of making every human smile is a worthwhile endeavor that we should all consider.

“We are thrilled that our partners at Chronicle Books agreed to take Frank’s wisdom from the greeting card aisle to the book aisle so we can spread his mission.

“Frank gives all of us words to live by in Don’t Fart When You Snuggle.”

Genius Brands International Adds Thread Collective to the Growing Roster of Partners for the Luxury Fashion Apparel and Lifestyle Brand Psycho Bunny

Thu, 20 Aug 2015 00:00:00 -0400

Thread Collective to Create a High End Line of Men's Outerwear to Launch at Retail in 2016

Genius Brands International "GBI" (OTCQB: GNUS) and its wholly owned subsidiary A Squared Entertainment, have partnered with premium apparel manufacturer Thread Collective to create a line of high-end Psycho Bunny branded outerwear for the global retail market. They join the growing roster of best-in-class licensees developing a coordinated spectrum of product lines under the Psycho Bunny brand.

Thread Collective will create a fashion-forward collection of essential outerwear crafted from distinctive, yet high-performing, durable cloth primed for cold weather. Features include sleek silhouettes, creative use of materials such as technical stretch shells, impervious heat-sealed seams, impermeable zippers, and other functional embellishments. The new apparel line is anticipated to debut at high-end department and specialty retail stores in fall 2016. Licensing Agent Sheldon Nutkevitch, President of Brand Appeal Inc., brokered the deal on behalf of Thread Collective.

"Outerwear is a key category in our strategy for expanding the Psycho Bunny apparel program, and Thread Collective has a stellar reputation for its ability to identify market trends and to merchandise the right product at the right price," notes Stone Newman, President, Global Consumer Products, GBI. "We will offer fans of the brand a new collection featuring season must-haves while maintaining the authenticity of the Psycho Bunny brand."

"Psycho Bunny has truly captured and captivated men looking for classic product with a contemporary edge, and we are excited to have formed this partnership with Genius Brands and the Psycho Bunny team to build the outerwear category globally," said Alen Brandman, Chief Executive Officer of Thread Collective. "And we look forward to launching the collection utilizing design details drawn from our extensive experience of making premium outerwear."

GBI continues to actively seek partners around the world to expand the Psycho Bunnybrand into additional product lines, including active and athleisure wear, bags and luggage, women's and children's active wear, accessories, fragrance, electronics and more.

"The addition of outerwear through our partnership with Thread Collective fulfills a demand we know exists in the marketplace with both our retail partners and fans," said Robert Goldman Psycho Bunny Co-Founder. "This is an important and strategic category extension for us, and we look forward to the collection's debut at the end of this year and its availability at retail in fall 2016."

Since 2015, consumers have enjoyed the expansion of the brand into key licensed categories with the debut of the Apparel Partnership Group's collection. This has been enhanced by introductions from the rest of the licensees that are being rolled out throughout 2015 and into 2016.

In North America, GBI and Psycho Bunny have attracted an impressive roster of leading manufacturers to round out its core sportswear collections through licensing agreements, including Apparel Partnership Group (men's basics, loungewear), Zeon America (watches), Idea House (bottoms), Leg Resource Inc. (hosiery), S3 (footwear) and JRM Accessories (headwear).

GBI is further developing the brand internationally and seeking partners, particularly in Asia and Latin America, to complement the successful Psycho Bunny programs currently existing in these territories. The Company recently signed an agreement with Itochu for luxury accessories in Japan and with Neroli Group SA as the brand's core Latin America sportswear distributor.

Inspired by 17th-century maritime marauders and secret societies such as the infamous Skull & Bones, Psycho Bunny creates timeless wardrobe essentials that couple refined English tailoring with bold American design. The brand is built on timeless classics, wardrobe essentials, the finest materials, meticulous design, and superior craftsmanship. Psycho Bunny redefines the classics with inimitable wit and peerless quality, giving tradition an updated edge and passionate style.

Genius Ramps Up Psycho Bunny Range

Fri, 21 Aug 2015 00:00:00 -0400

Thread Collective to create men’s outerwear under the brand.

Genius Brands International and its subsidiary A Squared Entertainment are partnering with licensee Thread Collective to expand the Psycho Bunny apparel brand into new categories.

Thread Collective will create a line of men’s outerwear under the brand for the global market. Licensing agent Sheldon Nutkevitch, president, Brand Appeal, brokered the deal on behalf of Thread Collective.

“Outerwear is a key category in our strategy for expanding the Psycho Bunny apparel program, and Thread Collective has a stellar reputation for its ability to identify market trends and to merchandise the right product at the right price,” says Stone Newman, president, global consumer products, GBI. “We will offer fans of the brand a new collection featuring season must-haves while maintaining the authenticity of the Psycho Bunny brand.”

Psycho Bunny outwear will debut at high-end department and specialty retailers in fall 2016.

"Psycho Bunny has truly captured and captivated men looking for classic product with a contemporary edge, and we are excited to have formed this partnership with Genius Brands and the Psycho Bunny team to build the outerwear category globally,” says Alen Brandman, chief executive officer, Thread Collective. “And we look forward to launching the collection utilizing design details drawn from our extensive experience of making premium outerwear.”

GBI will look to add additional partners and expand the brand further into categories such as active and athleisure, bags and luggage, women’s and children’s activewear, accessories, fragrance, electronics and more worldwide. The brand's licensing program is already well established in North America, with licensees such as Apparel Partnership Group, Zeon America, Idea House, Leg Resource, S3 and JRM all on board for a robust range of products.

Genius Brands takes Mighty 7 to Cartoon Network Latin America

Thu, 10 Sep 2015 00:00:00 -0400

By Juan Fernandez Gonzalez

| 10 September 2015

Global brand management company Genius Brands International has secured a multiple territory broadcast licensing agreement for Stan Lee's Mighty 7 (Slam 7) with the pan-regional Cartoon Network Latin America.

The deal, concluded by GBI's Latin American sales agent Zasha Robles, will bring the animated superhero movie across the Spanish-speaking region.

"Zasha's deal with Cartoon Network Latin America rounds out the global reach of Mighty 7, with GBI having already secured distribution throughout Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Australia, Canada and the United States earlier this year", said Andrew Berman, senior VP of global sales, Genius Brands.

The animated movie, the first of a trilogy, stars Stan Lee and features an all-star cast including Sean Astin (The Lord of the Rings), Jim Belushi (The Defenders), Mayim Bialik (The Big Bang Theory), Darren Criss (Glee), Armie Hammer (The Lone Ranger) and Teri Hatcher (Desperate Housewives).

"I am so excited to be able to expand this project throughout Latin America," said Stan Lee. "For this film, I was able to create a unique group of superheroes that I'm thrilled to be able to share throughout 42 new territories. Thanks to our partnership, we can now provide an innovative and action packed story to all in an entirely new region."

CN Latin America enlists Stan Lee’s Mighty 7

Fri, 11 Sep 2015 00:00:00 -0400

September 11, 2015 by Wendy Goldman Getzler

The reach of Stan Lee’s Mighty 7 (SLAM7) animated movie has been upped to 42 new territories thanks to a pan-regional deal inked between Genius Brands International and Cartoon Network Latin America.

The movie, produced by GBI joint-venture Stan Lee Comics, Stan Lee’s POW! Entertainment and Archie Comics, is the first installment of the trilogy that originally debuted in the US on The Hub Network in February 2014.

The 90-minute movie stars Lee as an animated superhero version of himself who teaches a crew of Earth-dwelling alien prisoners and their jailors how to work together to become their own unique superheroes.

Lending their voice talents to the film are Sean Astin (The Lord of the Rings trilogy), Jim Belushi (The Defenders), Mayim Bialik (The Big Bang Theory), Darren Criss (Glee), Armie Hammer (The Lone Ranger) and Michael Ironside (Transformers Prime Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising).

Distribution for the movie has already been secured by GBI throughout Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Australia, Canada and the US earlier this year. And to date, the Stan Lee’s Mighty 7 brand has been licensed to Factory Entertainment (worldwide toy licensee) and Black Lantern (worldwide video game licensee), as well as to a number of US apparel and consumer products partners.

The deal was brokered by GBI’s Latin American sales agent Zasha Robles, who as director of Miami-based Spiral International, became GBI’s exclusive Latin American sales agent last September. As part of that deal, Spiral International distributes Genius Brands’ animated content across the region, including its Baby Genius, Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab and Secret Millionaire’s Club properties.

Genius Brands International Launches All New Baby Genius(R) "Learn and Grow" Products Today Exclusively on Amazon.com

Mon, 21 Sep 2015 00:00:00 -0400

Over 40 New "Products with a Purpose" Available from Manhattan Toy, Zak Designs, DGL USA, Winfun and Public Media Distribution, LLC and HADOKEN, LLC's Baby Genius Sing Along App Releases on the Amazon Appstore for Free Download on Kindle Fire

September 21, 2015: 08:30 AM ET

Celebrating the re-launch of the all new Baby Genius® brand at retail, Genius Brands International, Inc. ("GBI") (OTCQB: GNUS), a global brand management company dedicated to providing entertaining and enriching 'content with a purpose' for toddlers to tweens, is debuting today an all-new line of Baby Genius "products with a purpose," including a robust array of over 40 toys, new entertainment and app for Kindle Fire, exclusively through Amazon.com.

GBI's re-launch of Baby Genius is part of a robust expansion of the timeless brand, based on an entirely new Baby Genius "Learn & Grow" program that has been created to align with a child's natural development. The new Baby Genius"Learn & Grow" "products with a purpose" was developed with Stanford University Professor Emeritus Donald F. Roberts, who provided guidance to the line of new products and original entertainment that have been developed and categorized by five different developmental stages that mark a child's natural growth. These include:

"We are creating products designed for the specific social and cognitive capabilities of developing infants and toddlers. Our goal is to respond to the dramatic changes that occur during the first three years of life, and to fashion products applicable to each stage. What engages and promotes development in an 18-month-old differs from what engages and promotes development in a 3-year-old. Our content is designed to respond to those differences," states Dr. Roberts. "Baby Genius is committed to meeting the cognitive needs and capabilities of children as they navigate the critically important first 36 months with products designed to delight, engage, and stimulate each developmental moment."

"When Genius Brands first came to us with their unique approach to enhance early child development through Baby Genius 'Products with a Purpose,' we immediately saw the opportunity for us and the benefit to our customers," said Nicki Shekalus, Divisional Merchandise Manager, Amazon.com. "The team at Genius Brands and their licensing partners have done a fantastic job cultivating a great program, and Amazon is excited to be the exclusive retailer bringing it to market."

As part of the overall brand re-launch, the beloved Baby Genius characters have been newly designed by renowned pop artist Todd Goldman, founder of apparel and accessories company David & Goliath.

Music has long been the hallmark of the Baby Genius brand. Now for the first time in 10 years, new original songs have been created, written and produced by music industry legend Ron Fair and his singer-songwriter-Momtrepreneur-wife Stefanie Fair. Ron Fair's long track record as a top producer and record executive includes multiple Grammy Award-winning number one records by Christina Aguilera, Mary J. Blige, the Black-Eyed Peas, Fergie, Lady Gaga, The Pussycat Dolls, Counting Crows, Snow Patrol, Bastille and others.

New Baby Genius DVDs will be available from Public Media Distribution, LLC on Amazon. Baby Genius content will also be available through GBI's new Kid Genius channel on Comcast's Xfinity on Demand service, which will be launching later this month. Additionally, GBI has launched an all-new website, www.babygenius.com, a destination to learn more about the brand and products.

"As children transition from new born to infant to toddler, every waking moment is a time for discovery and development, and Baby Genius all-new 'products with a purpose' engage kids at these important stages in relevant ways to guide and encourage their development," explained GBI's President of Global Consumer Products Stone Newman. "We're making it easier for parents to identify age-appropriate products for their children, and more importantly, products that are designed to nurture, soothe, encourage, teach and engage children according to their natural development process. And we're committed to offering these products at an affordable price point, something that Amazon.com is recognized for the world over."

Baby Genius Re-Launches on Amazon

Tue, 22 Sep 2015 00:00:00 -0400

Sep 22, 2015

By License! Global

More than 40 new Baby Genius items now available online.

Genius Brands International has debuted an all-new line of Baby Genius products exclusively on Amazon, marking the re-launch of the Baby Genius brand at retail.

The new product line includes more than 40 toys, new entertainment offerings and an app for Kindle Fire.

GBI's re-launch of Baby Genius is part of an expansion of the brand based on the new Baby Genius "Learn & Grow" program, which has been developed to align with a child's natural development.

The new Baby Genius "Learn & Grow" products are segmented into five age-based groups–Safe Haven (infant to 6 months), Discoverer (6-12 months, to encourage self-discovery), Proud Explorer (6-12 months, to begin teaching words, shapes and colors), Curious Learner (18-24 months, to encourage experiential learning) and Independent Doer (24-36 months, to encourage decision-making and problem solving).

The products have been developing by a slate of licensees including Manhattan Toy, DGL USA, Winfun, Zak Designs, Public Media Distribution and Hadoken.

“We are creating products designed for the specific social and cognitive capabilities of developing infants and toddlers," says Donald F. Roberts, Stamford University Emeritus and contributor to the development of Baby Genius. "Our goal is to respond to the dramatic changes that occur during the first three years of life, and to fashion products applicable to each stage. What engages and promotes development in an 18-month-old differs from what engages and promotes development in a 3-year-old. Our content is designed to respond to those differences.”

As part of the overall brand re-launch, Baby Genius characters have also been newly re-designed by pop artist Todd Goldman, founder of the apparel and accessories company David & Goliath.

Additionally, for the first time in 10 years, new original songs have been created for the brand.

New Baby Genius DVDs will be available from Public Media Distribution on Amazon, and additional Baby Genius content will also be available through GBI's new Kid Genius channel on Comcast's Xfinity on-demand service, which will launch later this month. Finally, GBI has launched an all-new website for the brand, BabyGenius.com.

“As children transition from newborn to infant to toddler, every waking moment is a time for discovery and development, and Baby Genius' all-new 'products with a purpose' engage kids at these important stages in relevant ways to guide and encourage their development,” says Stone Newman, president of global consumer product, GBI. “We're making it easier for parents to identify age-appropriate products for their children, and more importantly, products that are designed to nurture, soothe, encourage, teach and engage children according to their natural development process."

Genius Brands International's New Kid Genius Channel Launches on Comcast's Xfinity On Demand

Thu, 08 Oct 2015 00:00:00 -0400

Children's Content With a Purpose Entertainment Programming Now Available in Over 21 Million U.S. Households via Video On Demand

October 8, 2015 9:00 AM

View photo

Thomas Edison's Secret Lab headlines the programming line-up on KID GENIUS free on-demand service, which …

BEVERLY HILLS CA--(Marketwired - October 08, 2015) - Genius Brands International "GBI" (GNUS), the global content and brand management company dedicated to providing entertaining and enriching 'content with a purpose' for toddlers to tweens, announced today that KID GENIUS, its new children's entertainment video on demand channel, is now available to approximately 21 million households across the U.S. through Comcast's (CMCSA)(CMCSK) Xfinity On Demand platform.

The free on-demand service rolls out with GBI's innovative, original animation series, including Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, Stan Lee's Mighty 7 and Secret Millionaires Club alongside award-winning Baby Genius content and classic children's series such as Where on Earth is Carmen Santiago and Dennis the Menace. For more information visit www.kidgeniustv.com.

"KID GENIUS is a tremendous free resource for parents in the 21 million homes it reaches initially through Xfinity On Demand as it is an easily accessible, definitive source for quality children's content any time of day or night," explained GBI's SVP, Global Distribution Sales Andrew Berman. "We have sought out content that is complementary to GBI's content with a purpose mission to ensure that we are engaging as well as entertaining our young viewers and imparting valuable lessons delivered in fun, adventurous situations by endearing characters. We believe kids will want to watch these programs and parents can feel good about allowing their kids to enjoy them."

The advertising-supported KID GENIUS on demand content includes original GBI series Secret Millionaires Club and Thomas Edison's Secret Lab.

Secret Millionaires Club, created in partnership with and starring an animated Warren Buffett, features a group of kids who have adventures in business and empowers kids by helping them understand the world they live in and how their decisions impact their own lives while teaching them to have the confidence to be the best they can be. The series makes it fun for kids to learn to think like entrepreneurs.

Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, an imaginative, animated series follows Angie, a 12-year-old prodigy, and her young science club who discover the scientist's ultimate dream lab equipped with everything they could ever imagine, including two of Edison's very last inventions: a hologram that brings Mr. Edison himself "to life," and a whacky robot called Von Bolt. In each of the series' 52 11-minute episodes, Edison, in hologram form, encourages and inspires kids through an immense variety of scientific and technological explorations, including physical science, live science, earth science, space science and lots of other fun, whacky, wild and engaging topics.

Other content available free on demand through KID GENIUS includes:

ABC Monsters, the magical adventure preschool series, features 26 cuddly ABC Monsters who live within the walls of Capital Castle. Each monster represents a letter of the alphabet, but should any of the monsters go missing for longer than a day, all the letters will be wiped clean from every book in Capital Town, so it's very important to make sure that all the ABC Monsters are safely back in Alphabet Gardens before the sun goes down. However, this isn't as easy as it sounds as ABC Monsters are curious and happy creatures that tend to wander off from Alphabet Gardens and get lost. In each adventure, Alice and her good friends Brian and Cherry Berry must search high and low for one of the missing ABC Monsters. This spellbinding series of magical adventures aims to engage preschoolers' imaginations while making learning exciting and entertaining.

Dennis the Menace, based on the classic comic strip created by Hank Ketcham, captivates young viewers with stories of how Dennis' curiosity, escapades and well-meaning ways usually lead to trouble; and usually on the receiving end is neighbor and retired postal worker George, who just wants to be left alone. Dennis is accompanied by friends Margaret, Tommy and Joey and faithful canine companion Ruff, who often find themselves involved in all kinds of wild adventures, including international espionage and trips into history.

Gumby, the timeless, innovative, stop-claymation series created by Art Clokey, which aired from the 1950s through 2001, has been fully remastered and will delight young viewers with its unusual characters, from the humanlike but green Gumby and his horse friend and sidekick Pokey, to Goo, the blue mermaid; Prickle, the yellow dinosaur; Nopey the dog; the Blockheads, who sometimes chased after Gumby and his pals, and Gumby's parents, Gumbo and Gumba.

Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego?, the Daytime Emmy Award-winning and multiple Daytime Emmy Award-nominated series, features the world famous super-thief Carmen Sandiego who travels all over the globe in search of famous artifacts to steal. Teenage ACME detectives Zack and Ivy are on a quest to capture Carmen as she tempts them with encrypted clues about her whereabouts and the object of her interest. Zack and Ivy must use their knowledge of geography and world cultures to keep up with Carmen and her henchmen.

Check out the Kid Genius Channel trailer on YouTube.

Xfinity On Demand shows off its smarts

Fri, 09 Oct 2015 00:00:00 -0400

BY DARAH HANSEN

OCTOBER 9, 2015

Kid Genius, the new children’s entertainment VOD channel from Genius Brands International (GBI), is now available in the U.S. on Comcast’s Xfinity On Demand.

The ad-supported, on-demand service rolled out with a slate of animated programming, including Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab, Stan Lee’s Mighty 7 and Secret Millionaires Club. Baby Genius content and classic children’s series such as Where on Earth is Carmen Santiago and Dennis the Menace can also be streamed through the service.

Andrew Berman, GBI’s SVP of global distribution sales, said the selected series all adhere to GBI’s “content with a purpose” mission — that is, content that is not just entertaining to young viewers, but also imparts valuable lessons. L.A.-based Genius Brands worked with renowned children’s media expert and former chair of Stanford’s Communications School Don Roberts to develop a program code that addresses issues around violence, negative stereotypes and inappropriate language.

“We believe kids will want to watch these programs and parents can feel good about allowing their kids to enjoy them,” Berman said in a statement.

GBI’s partnership with Comcast was first announced in March at the same time that plans for Kid Genius were unveiled. The channel aims to strengthen Genius Brands’ ongoing foray into the on-demand content space, and extends its existing relationship with Comcast, which has seen GBI’s Baby Genius series become a top-performing kids’ property on Xfinity On Demand’s Baby Boost Channel.

Amazon predicts the hottest toys of holiday season

Thu, 15 Oct 2015 00:00:00 -0400

*Baby Genius Musical Train listed

OCTOBER 15, 2015 | BY GINA ACOSTA

Amazon.com has joined the cadre of retailers weighing in on the hottest toys of the holiday season by curating a list of more than 1,000 toys for kids.

The retailer’s Hot Toy List includes products for kids of all ages and interests. In addition to highlighting Mom Picks and Kid Picks, Amazon’s holiday toy list also features new trend-focused categories: STEM, Movie Favorites, Retro, and Toys That Go.

“We are super excited about the products featured on our Holiday Toy List this year, from popular STEM toys that educate and inspire the young scientist to our favorite movie characters that ignite the imagination in your aspiring actor or author,” said Eva Lorenz, category leader of toys and games for Amazon.com. “The Holiday Toy List, which now features Amazon Wish List functionality and even more editorial content, makes shopping easier for parents and gift-givers so they can spend more time with their loved ones during the busy holiday season.”

Amazon says it will offer daily deals on Holiday Toy List products this year, including items from brands such as Disney, Fisher-Price, Green Toys, Hasbro, LeapFrog, Mattel, Nickelodeon, and Star Wars. This year, customers can also create Amazon Wish Lists for sharing with family and friends, add products to existing Wish Lists, or add products directly to their cart – all while shopping the Amazon Holiday Toy List. In addition, customers can shop the full Holiday Toy List using search filters like brand, age, price range, and discount, to find exactly what they are looking for.

Some of the anticipated best-selling toys and games for this holiday season include:

• Playskool Sesame Street Play All Day Elmo
• Crayola Easy Animation Studio
• Paw Patrol - Paw Patroller
• Girl Scouts Cookie Oven
• Syma X5C Explorers 2.4G 4CH 6-Axis Gyro RC Quadcopter With HD Camera
• WowWee MiP Robot Miposaur
• Star Wars The Force Awakens Kylo Ren Deluxe Electronic Lightsaber
• Fisher-Price Bright Beats Dance & Move BeatBo
• Fisher-Price Nickelodeon Blaze and the Monster Machines Super Stunts Blaze
• Barbie Pop-Up Camper Vehicle
• Frozen Sing-A-Long Elsa Doll
• Magic: The Gathering Arena of the Planeswalkers Game
• Hot Wheels Ultimate Garage Playset
• Anki OVERDRIVE Starter Kit, available through the new Amazon Launchpad program for startups
• View-Master Virtual Reality Starter Pack
• Miles From Tomorrowland Stellosphere
• Playmation Marvel Avengers Starter Pack Repulsor

Customers can also discover toys available exclusively from Amazon on the Holiday Toy List, including:

• Disney Frozen Anna Doll, Sven and Sleigh Gift Set
• Disney Frozen Karaoke
• Monster High Draculaura Collector Doll
• Learning Resources New Sprouts Complete Play Food Set
• Learning Resources Pretend and Play Cash Register, Pink
• Fisher-Price Little People Disney Princess Musical Dancing Palace Gift Set
• Fisher-Price Thomas the Train Wooden Railway Christmas Crossings
• Zoomer Kitty, Midnight
• FurReal Friends Flurry, My Baby Snow Leopard Pet
• Lincoln Logs Lake Union Lodge Toy
• Tinker Toys Little Constructor’s Building Set
• K’NEX 100 Model Imagine Building Set
• McFarlane Toys Halo 5: Guardians 10" Spartan Locke Figure (Un-Helmeted Version)
• Baby Genius Musical Train

Last month Toys”R”Us and Walmart both released hot toy lists last month that also focused on Star Wars, STEM, dinosaur and retro toys.

Celessence Signs Scent Deals with Build-A-Bear, Kittrich

Wed, 21 Oct 2015 00:00:00 -0400

Genius Brands International, Inc., and its wholly owned subsidiary A Squared Entertainment, the licensing agent for micro-encapsulation company Celessence Technologies, have finalized a global licensing deal with Build-A-Bear Workshopand a North American agreement with Kittrich Corporation.

Celessence Technologies microencapsulation technology uses touch, friction, or motion to release and deliver scent. Microcapsules are bound to a surface with a proprietary binder that ensures controlled release that is long lasting, affordable, and even wash durable.

Utilizing Celessence Technologies system, Build-A-Bear Workshop will introduce a line of scented plush bears—red bear (strawberry), brown bear (chocolate), and pink-and-blue frosted bear (cupcake)—as well as scented bear apparel and accessories. The new line will be available in time for Valentine’s Day 2016 in approximately 400 of Build-A-Bear Workshop’s stores worldwide.

Kittrich Corporation has also been signed to apply Celessence’s scent-delivery system to a range of scent-infused stationery, housewares, closet, and laundry products. The products are anticipated to debut at retail back-to-school 2016 for stationery items and in Q2 2016 for housewares.

Build-A-Bear Plans Scented Offerings

Wed, 28 Oct 2015 00:00:00 -0400

Genius Brands International and its subsidiary A Squared Entertainment have finalized two deals for micro-encapsulation company Celessence Technologies with Build-A-Bear Workshop and Kittrich.

Utilizing Celessence Technologies, Build–A-Bear Workshop will introduce a line of scented plush bears as well as scented bear apparel and accessories. The new line will be available in time for Valentine’s Day 2016 in approximately 400 of Build-A-Bear Workshop’s stores worldwide including company-owned stores in U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, the U.K. and Ireland, as well as franchise stores in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, the Middle East and Mexico.

Kittrich has also signed to apply Celessence’s unique scent delivery system to an extensive range of scent infused stationery, housewares, closet and laundry products that will debut at retail for back-to-school 2016 for stationery items and in Q2 2016 for housewares.

Genius Brands International Announces $4.3 Million Private Placement

Thu, 29 Oct 2015 00:00:00 -0400

BEVERLY HILLS, CA , Oct 29, 2015 (Marketwired via COMTEX) -- Genius Brands International, Inc. (otcqb:GNUS) (GBI), a global brand and content management company providing entertaining and enriching "content and products with a purpose" for toddlers to tweens, has entered into an agreement to sell approximately $4.3 million of its common stock and warrants in a private placement with institutional investors and company management.

"The investor interest in this financing supports opportunities to enhance the numerous brands we currently have in the market, as well as to acquire opportunistic children's IP, that we regularly encounter, and capitalize on the growing industry demand for kid's content that is both entertaining and enriching," said GBI chairman and CEO, Andy Heyward.

The sale of the common stock and warrants is expected to close on or about November 3, 2015 subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. Pursuant to the agreement with the investors, the company will issue to the investors approximately 4.3 million shares of common stock at a per share price of $1.00 and warrants to purchase approximately 4.3 million shares of common stock, with a term of five years from the closing date at an exercise price of $1.10 per share.

The company is required to file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") to register the resale of the common stock and shares underlying the warrants by the investors within 45 days. The company intends to use the net proceeds for general working capital purposes, including marketing its numerous brands currently entering the marketplace, acquisition and development of additional properties, expansion of its international licensing infrastructure and acquisition of content and marketing for the new Kid Genius channel on Comcast's CMCSA, -0.35% CMCSK, -0.32% Xfinity On Demand service.

Chardan Capital Markets LLC acted as sole placement agent for the offering.

The common stock and warrants were offered and sold in a private placement pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Regulation D promulgated thereunder. The common stock and warrants and the common stock issuable upon the exercise of the warrants have not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration with the SEC or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements.

About Genius Brands International

Headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, Genius Brands International, Inc. "GBI" (otcqb:GNUS) is a publicly traded global brand management company that creates and licenses multimedia content for toddlers to tweens. Led by award-winning creators and producers, GBI creates "content and products with a purpose," providing enrichment as well as entertainment. The Company distributes its content worldwide in all formats, as well as a broad range of consumer products based on its characters. GBI's portfolio includes award-winning Baby Genius, recently re-launched with new entertainment and over 40 new products; adventure comedy Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, available on Netflix, public broadcast stations and GBI's Kid Genius channel on Comcast's Xfinity on Demand reaching 21 million households; animated movie Stan Lee's Mighty 7, the first project from Stan Lee Comics, a joint venture with Stan Lee's POW! Entertainment and featuring an all-star voice cast led by legendary Stan Lee; and Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club, created with and starring iconic investor Warren Buffett. The Company is also producing a new animated preschool series based on Llama Llama, the NY Times bestselling children's book franchise; and a tween adventure series Space Pop, featuring original music from renowned industry veteran Ron Fair and his singer-songwriter wife Stefanie.

Important Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "continue," "predict," "forecast," "project," "plan," "intend" or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. While the Company believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward- looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), not limited to Risk Factors relating to its business contained therein. Thus, actual results could be materially different. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Stride Rite Teams With Celessence On Odor-Fighting Shoes for Kids

Wed, 04 Nov 2015 00:00:00 -0500

By Erin E. Clack / November 4, 2015

Stride Rite wants to put an end to stinky feet.

The veteran kids’ brand, a division of Wolverine Worldwide Inc., has partnered with Celessence Technologies to use the U.K. firm’s breakthrough fragrance technology to provide an odor-fighting solution in its shoes.

The new line of “anti-stink” styles will debut in the spring as part of Stride Rite’s Made 2 Play washable-sandal collection.

“We’re always looking for innovative ways to blend style and substance. Celessence allows us to offer yet another solution for moms. By adding tiny Celessence micro-capsules, sandals will stay fresh-smelling through an entire summer of play,” said Gillian Meek, VP of product and brand for Stride Rite.

Utilized in the textile and print industries, Celessence’s micro-capsules adhere to a surface with a proprietary binder that ensures controlled release that is long-lasting, affordable and wash-durable. In many cases, the fragrance release can last the life of the product.

Shibani Mohindra, managing director of Celessence, said the partnership with Stride Rite is a natural fit.

“Our technology is activated through touch, friction or motion. So when Stride Rite approached us about partnering to eliminate odor in kids’ shoes, we knew Celessence would deliver fantastic results,” Mohindra said. “As kids run and play, the pressure of each step provides a burst of freshness that eliminates odors and prevents smells.”

Ovation Brands® Restaurants Introduce Science-Filled Family Nights With Thomas Edison's Secret Lab

Mon, 09 Nov 2015 00:00:00 -0500

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Calling all budding geniuses! The Ovation Brands' portfolio of restaurants has teamed up with the new hit children's TV series Thomas Edison's Secret Lab (TESL) to explore the fascinating world of science during their weekly Family Nights with free, interactive, science-themed activities. The family-friendly promotion happens every Thursday night, November 12th through December 31st at all participating Ryan's®, HomeTown® Buffet, Old Country Buffet® and Country Buffet® locations.

"We all know the enormous benefits of learning science at a young age," said Mike Griffith, Director of Marketing for Food Management Partners, Ovation Brands parent company. "These themed nights help foster children's love for science in an entertaining, family-friendly environment."

ACTIVITIES EACH WEEK

Each week will feature a different activity, like learning the science behind cotton candy, why things float, a "Genius Kid" costume dress up event and even a pajama party where kids learn why they dream!

The activities by week are as follows:

November 12 "Why Do Things Float"
November 19 "Sweet Dreams/ PJ Party"
November 26 "Thanksgiving DVD Sweepstakes" (Each restaurant will give away a DVD)
December 3 "Cotton Candy Experiment"
December 10 "Genius Dress Up"
December 17 "What's Your Bright Idea?"
December 24/31 Thomas Edison Secret Lab Activity sheet

"Thomas Edison's Secret Lab was created to show kids how much fun science can be," said Genius Brands International's President, Amy Moynihan Heyward. "Just as Thomas Edison reveled in the thrill of invention, we hope to inspire the next generation to explore and experiment and have fun with science. What better place to do that then at Ovation Brands' Family Nights?"

In addition to the weekly events, themed Thomas Edison Secret Lab "play sheets" will also be distributed. Furthermore, more than 100 locations with video monitors will premier the show each week. For those feeling lucky, a sweepstakes, featuring a trip for a family of four to sunny Florida will be awarded. For details on the sweepstakes visit www.secretlabsweepstakes.com .

For more information about Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, related family-night activities, or to learn more about Ryan's®, HomeTown Buffet®, Country Buffet® Old Country Buffet®, visit www.Edisonsecretlab.com, www.Ryans.com, www.HomeTownBuffet.com, and www.OldCountryBuffet.com.

About Thomas Edison's Secret Lab

Thomas Edison's Secret Lab is filled with fun, comedy, exploration and adventure that encourages kids to explore the limits of their imaginations. The series follows Angie, a 12-year-old prodigy and her young science club who accidentally discover Thomas Edison's Secret Lab – a 'tricked out' dream lab equipped with gizmos and gadgets, including two of Edison's very last inventions: a hologram that brings Mr. Edison himself "to life," and a virtual reality machine that lets them go anywhere. It even has a wacky (and slightly nervous) robot called Von Bolt, who becomes part of every adventure. In each of the episodes, Edison encourages and inspires the kids through a variety of scientific and technological explorations and lots of other fun, whacky, wild and engaging topics, School House Rock style music videos and more.

About Ovation Brands®

Ovation Brands® currently operates 321 restaurants in 35 states, comprised of 311 buffet restaurants and 10 Tahoe Joe's Famous Steakhouse restaurants. The restaurants are principally operated under the Old Country Buffet®, HomeTown® Buffet and Ryan's® brands and serve approximately 80 million customers annually. For more information, visit www.OvationBrands.com.

About Genius Brands International

Headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, Genius Brands International, Inc. "GBI" (OTCQB: GNUS) is a publicly traded global brand management company that creates and licenses multimedia content for toddlers to tweens. Led by award-winning creators and producers CEO Andy Heyward and President Amy Moynihan Heyward, GBI creates "content with a purpose," meaning content that is as entertaining as it is enriching. GBI's growing library of content includes the award-winning Baby Genius, Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club, Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, NY Times bestselling children's book franchise Llama Llama, and Stan Lee's Mighty 7, the first project from Stan Lee Comics, a joint venture with legend Stan Lee's POW! Entertainment.

A Squared Entertainment, a wholly owned subsidiary of GBI, is a brand management and licensing company that represents third-party properties across a broad range of categories in territories around the world. The company currently represents Psycho Bunny, a luxury apparel line, From Frank, a humor greeting card and product line, and Celessence Technologies, the world's leading microencapsulation company.

For additional information please visit www.gnusbrands.com.

Stride Rite develops odor-eliminating footwear

Mon, 09 Nov 2015 00:00:00 -0500

Nov 9, 2015 / United States

The US based company has signed a licensing agreement with Genius Brands International, the licensing agent for the micro-encapsulation company Celessence Technologies

The two companies will partner on a new line of Celessence fresh-scent infused Stride Rite children’s footwear presented as “anti-stink” technology and todebut as part of the company’s spring 2016 Made 2 Play sandal collection, available in retail and specialty stores nationwide.

“Stride Rite products are ‘Built for Childhood.’ We’re always looking for innovative ways to blend style and substance. Celessence will allow us to offer yet another solution for mom. By adding tiny Celessence micro-capsules to our linings, sandals will stay fresh smelling through an entire summer of play”, commented Gillian Meek, Vice President of product and brand.

“Our technology is activated through touch, friction or motion. So when Stride Rite approached us about partnering to eliminate odor in kids shoes, we knew that Celessence would deliver fantastic results. As kids run and play, the pressure of each step provides a burst of freshness that eliminates odors and prevents smells”, explained Shibani Mohindra, Managing Director, Celessence Technologies. With this new solution, Stride Rite claims to be offering parents an affordable and long-lasting solution for hard playing kids.

Celessence Technologies microencapsulation technology uses touch, friction or motion to release and deliver the benefits of scent, freshness or skincare actives. Microcapsules are bound to a surface with a proprietary binder that ensures controlled release that is long lasting, affordable and even wash durable. In many cases, the benefit release can last the life of the product. Celessence technology can be used in a wide range of merchandise ranging from clothing, home goods and lingerie to more durable materials such as car mats and pet products.

Why Warren Buffett Wants Children To Be Entrepreneurs

Tue, 17 Nov 2015 00:00:00 -0500

One of my core beliefs, based on all of my research and experience, is that people are going to be focusing on their careers earlier in life in order to compete later in life. We interviewed high school students last year and found that they are already volunteering, getting internships and building their professional identity. With the incredible wealth of knowledge, people and resources online, there’s no doubt that you will see more young entrepreneurs surfacing in the future.

One of the best role models for children is Warren Buffett, who is the most successful investor of the 20th century and the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. Forbes cites his net worth at $66.7 billion and he has given most of it away to charities such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Nuclear Threat Initiative and the Glide Foundation. In order to continue to give back and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs, he wrote the foreward for a new book called “How To Start Your Very First Business“, as part of his Secret Millionaires Club. The book was authored by Sarah Parvis and Julie Merberg of Downtown Bookworks, a children’s publishing company targeted at kids up to 12 years old. The book will provide children with the tools and strategies required to be successful in business even at a young age.

In the following interview, Mr. Buffett talks about how and why children should become entrepreneurs, why you should learn by doing, how starting a business can help you long term, and then shares his best advice. After speaking with Buffett, I talked to Sarah Parvis and Julie Merberg about why he’s the perfect role model for children and his approach to connecting with the youth.

Credit: Downtown Bookworks

Dan Schawbel: Why did you decide to be part of an entrepreneurship book for kids? Why should kids try and learn the habits required to start businesses before they even get to college?

Warren Buffett: I helped create the Secret Millionaires Club with Genius Brands because I think it is important for kids to have an understanding about how business works. They don’t need to know how to read a balance sheet or a stock report, but if they can learn the basics of business and pick up some good habits early on, it will serve them well into adulthood. This book is one great way to get across the mission and lessons of the Secret Millionaires Club, which encourages kids to learn good financial habits early on—habits that will serve them a lifetime.

Schawbel: What are some of your business ideas for kids who are inspired to start companies after reading this book?

Buffett: This book is meant to inspire kids to come up with their own original business ideas based on their interests and skills—and the needs in their community. The book details many kid-friendly business ideas to inspire kids to come up with their own ideas. We see through our annual competition, the Grow Your Own Business Challenge, how creative and enterprising these young kids can be when given the right tools and guidance.

Schawbel: What mistakes do you anticipate children making because they have no business experience? What can parents do to help them overcome challenges/failure?

Buffett: The Secret Millionaires Club was created to help them develop an understanding of how businesses work. We encourage kids to take chances and not be afraid to make mistakes. Kids learn by doing. We want kids—and all people—to pursue their dreams, even if they don’t get it right the first time. This book includes lots of tips and tools to help kids make smart decisions in business, and in their own lives.

Schawbel: How can starting a business as a child impact the rest of your life, from getting into college, to future businesses to even getting a full-time job?

Buffett: Starting a business teaches you a lot. Being honest, energetic, generous, prompt, hardworking, and passionate about what you do is important in business, as well as in life. If you start early, these behaviors become habit. It is never too early to start to develop good habits.

Schawbel: What are your top three pieces of business advice for Millennials?

As we say in every episode of Secret Millionaires Club and highlight in the book:

1. The best investment you can make is an investment in yourself.

2. The more you learn, the more you’ll earn.

3. Find something you love to do in life, and you’ll never work a day in your life.

Credit: Downtown Bookworks

Schawbel: What do you think about Warren’s background would appeal to children, knowing that it’s usually the investing community that pays attention to his business moves?

Sarah Parvis: Warren Buffett started his first business when he was 6 years. He was just one of those kids who enjoyed selling things and earning a profit at a young age, so he has an understanding of other kids like that. His experience as a child entrepreneur plus his incredible success in business make him the perfect mentor for budding businesspeople. Warren Buffett also has a very approachable manner and a simple, clear way of expressing his business philosophy. That’s why we chose to use quotations from him throughout the book—he uses words that a kid can understand and be inspired by.

Julie Merberg: Parents know that Warren Buffett is a trustworthy expert with a genius for explaining things in a simple way, so for any parent looking to buy a book like this for their children, we felt that his Secret Millionaires Club brand would resonate.

Schawbel: What did you learn about Warren’s business acumen and connection to the youth?

Parvis: Probably the most important thing that I learned about Warren Buffett’s approach to business is that he looks at sound decision making in terms of embracing good habits. Saving money is not a thing to be done one day when you have plenty of cash, but a habit to be formed early in life, like saying thank you or brushing your teeth before bedtime. The lessons that Warren Buffett can share through the Secret Millionaire’s Club and HOW TO START YOUR VERY FIRST BUSINESS aren’t solely about finances. A child who learns early in life to make it a habit to read every day and seek to learn new things, to be honest and have integrity in his or her dealings with others, and to speak up for himself or herself will benefit from these habits in countless ways throughout an entire life.

Schawbel: Do you have any stories of children who have been able to start successful businesses?

Parvis: The book is full of great examples of young people who have taken an idea and turned it into a successful business. At eight years old, Katelyn Lohr invented Freetoes toeless socks when she wanted to wear socks with flip-flops. Her friends loved her invention and wanted them too, and her business was born. Jake and Lachlan Johnson devised a new kind of two-piece, mix-and-match bow tie for the young person today who is used to customizing everything. (And Jake went on to win the grand prize in the Secret Millionaire’s Club annual competition, the Grow Your Own Business Challenge). Gabrielle Jordan turned a love of making jewelry (she started when she was 7!) into the thriving company, Jewelz of Jordan. These are just of the few of the many kids whose great ideas and stories (of both struggle and success) are featured in HOW TO START YOUR VERY FIRST BUSINESS.

Merberg: One of my four sons is always coming up with creative business ideas, so I’ve gotten to see the work of a young entrepreneur up-close and share some of the strategies from the book with him. My 12-year old came up with a great business plan to create websites for little corner grocery stores near his middle school. He would first make sure he couldn’t find an existing website for a particular store, and then he would offer up his services—for $20 if the owner liked his work and $5 if s/he didn’t. I thought it was pretty brilliant that he made it risk-free for the client—but also covered his investment of time with a minor kill fee. (Everybody paid the $20.) My boys have sold apples that they picked from our trees upstate (startup cost: $0) by describing the apples as “heirloom organic” to explain away their not-so-pretty appearance. I see lots of kids in our neighborhood in New York City setting up stoop sales and bake sales. A little ingenuity goes a long way. And for the most part, grownups (customers) like to support that ingenuity.

Schawbel: How can you keep a child from being discouraged when he or she runs into difficulty with a business idea?

Parvis: One of the central tenets of Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaire’s Club is: Don’t be afraid to try—and fail. Anyone who has ever tried to start a business has hit some snags along the way and, in the book, we explore some common issues. Are there not enough customers at your snack stand? Maybe there is a busier location for you. Try setting up at the local pool, outside the grocery store, or near some ball fields where teams are practicing. Do other dog walkers have more business than you? Think carefully about what your competition is doing differently. Also compare your prices to see if you are charging too much money for your service. I love the Warren Buffett quotation: “If you fail, try again. Failure is not falling down; it is staying down.” It reminds us all that everyone runs into difficulty and that we shouldn’t let it derail our dreams.

We also want to encourage kids to seek out mentors who can commiserate and also help a young entrepreneur look at a problem in a new light. Perhaps a mentor can steer a child through a rough patch in the business. Maybe together they can come up with a solution to a particular problem. Either way, it can be incredibly helpful for a kid to know that adult businesspeople run into problems too. You can never know what great advice there is or what valuable connections are out there until you ask for help.

And if the solution to a business problem isn’t coming to you, that’s okay too. Take a break, take a walk, play with a sibling, or think about something else. Be patient. Volunteer for a different company or a nonprofit and maybe you will learn something new that will help you.

Merberg: My kids will often set up impromptu book sales, usually near one of our local playgrounds. Some days business is really swift (one afternoon, my then 10-year-old made $300!), and other times are very quiet and they get discouraged. We always pack a sharpie and poster board so they can change their prices. Sometimes, it just takes a good deal to drum up interest. Other times, we’ll take a look around, pack up the cart, and move to a different location, like closer to the farmer’s market. I think it’s not a bad lesson for kids to learn that people won’t knock down your door to buy things from you—that you have to be endlessly resourceful and figure out what it’s going to take to close a sale.

Schawbel: What three tips can you offer the youth on starting a business?

Parvis:

Choose to make a product or perform a service that you enjoy. Your love of making beaded bracelets or decorating skateboards or growing flowers or hosting an afterschool game show will shine through and be obvious to your customers. And enthusiasm is infectious. It will attract and excite customers.

2. Make sure you can explain the product you make or the service you offer—and what makes it different or special—in a short, simple way.

3. It’s always okay to ask for help. You will most likely be pleasantly surprised by how many people (friends, siblings, neighbors, teachers, friends’ parents, parents’ friends) will be willing to lend a hand or share some pertinent knowledge. Plus, working together with others can be a lot of fun!

Merberg: As a mom with entrepreneurial sons, I would add two more tips for parents who want to support their kids, but not push them too hard or do the work for them:

1. Remember that it’s important for kids to know the difference between revenue and profit. If you buy all of the lemons, sugar, cups, pitchers, etc., make sure that they reimburse you for startup costs after the first lemonade sale so they understand that all of the money they earned is not actually profit. It’s a valuable lesson.

2. Remind your kids that running a business isn’t a one-day event. It requires a lot of patience and dedication. What might seem like a great idea can get exhausting quickly, especially for kids. Having a bake sale can be a lot of fun. But baking muffins all day Saturday and then waking up early every Sunday to set up by the ball field and sell all day might be too much. Help them to set realistic goals.

Dan Schawbel is a millennial expert and workplace futurist, serial entrepreneur, keynote speaker and The New York Times bestselling author of Promote Yourself and Me 2.0.

GBI launches first Thomas Edison's Secret Lab app

Thu, 19 Nov 2015 00:00:00 -0500

With real experiments that can be performed at home, games and an interactive inventor library, the app aims to encourage kids’ excitement for scientific discovery.

Genius Brands International has teamed with Fat Red Couch to launch the first mobile app for Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab.

Featuring a self-contained play environment with real experiments that can be performed at home, games and an interactive inventor library, the app aims to encourage kids’ excitement for scientific discovery.

Available now, the new Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab mobile app can be downloaded for iOS and Android devices.

“As kids are discovering the fun of Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab on Netflix, Comcast Xfinity and public TV stations across the country and in 60 international territories, we also wanted to provide a playful way for kids to experience the series on their handheld devices,” said GBI’s president of global consumer products, Stone Newman.

“Fat Red Couch did a great job of combining all the exciting elements of Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab into an entertaining and playful interactive app that engages kids and involves them in the series as members of the Secret Lab Kids’ Club.”

9 Tips From Warren Buffett to Make Kids Better at Business and Life

Sun, 22 Nov 2015 00:00:00 -0500

How do you take your lemonade stand to the next level?

BY RHETT POWER

Co-founder, Wild Creations

Warren Buffett.

IMAGE: Getty Images

Businessman extraordinaire and investing genius Warren Buffett wants kids to learn about business at a young age--not so they can start buying stocks with their lunch money, but so they can develop smart habits that will help them in business and throughout their future. "When a kid at 8, 9, or 10 years old learns the basics of how finance works and how to behave in a business relationship, he or she can apply those lessons throughout their lives," says Buffett. "Practicing those good habits over a lifetime can have huge beneficial consequences, not just for business, but for a person's happiness and even how their families develop."

To help kids learn to develop good financial (and life) habits, Buffett partnered with Amy and Andy Heyward to create the Secret Millionaires Club, which has a new book out: How to Start Your Very First Business. Authors Sarah Parvis and Julie Merberg use Buffett's business philosophy and his insightful quotations to provide kids 9 and up with guidance for coming up with an idea they love, making it stand out, calculating their costs and profit, and even marketing their business. And the book is full of real-life examples of successful young businesspeople who've found success selling everything from flip-flops and bow ties to snow cones and sports reels.

So what advice does Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club 's new book have to offer young people who want to take their lemonade stand to the next level? Text taken from How to Start Your Very First Business.

1. Don't be afraid to speak up and ask for what you want. If you need something to start your business--equipment, advice, supplies, a place to set up a table--start talking to people. You may find someone who has the equipment you need and no longer wants it. Someone else may know of the perfect venue for your event or sale. Identify people who can help you and then make the strongest case you can about why they should lend a hand. You may not always get what you ask for. In fact, the best businesspeople in the world are used to not getting what they want every time they ask. But speaking up is an absolutely essential skill.

2. Do your best to anticipate your customers' needs. Buffett says, "If your service is outstanding, you'll always stand out." So listen to your customers. If you are running a snow-shoveling business, watch the weather forecast. If snow is on the horizon, you can reach out to your customers and make a plan before they are buried under a foot of snow.

3. Start a starter business. There's no substitute for getting out there and trying things. But if you have a big idea, you may need to start small to raise the money you need for a more costly business. You'll learn a ton from your initial business so you'll be better prepared for the big one. If landscaping is your dream business, you may have to weed a few small gardens first.

4. If you don't know all of the skills you need to succeed in your field, that's OK. You just need to be willing to figure them out. Take a class, read a book, ask lots of questions. Start out slowly and grow your business as you learn more skills. As Warren Buffett says, "The more you learn, the more you earn!"

5. "Failure isn't falling down, it's staying down." Starting a business isn't easy. There are going to be bad days, rejected pitches, and unexpected hiccups along the way. Adapt and come up with creative solutions to the problems you encounter. Try a new location, do a clever promotion, or tweak your product to improve your sales.

6. Be honest and fair. Being a person of integrity is invaluable in business and in life. Be honest about what you can deliver. Be reliable. If you've made a mistake, apologize and do your best to quickly make up for it. When you treat people with kindness and respect, they want to spend more time with you--and that goes for clients, business partners, and friends. Buffett is fond of saying, "You can't make a good deal with a bad person."

7. Give back. Creating a successful business isn't just about making money. It is about contributing to the world around you. Many of the young entrepreneurs featured in How to Start Your Very First Business incorporate philanthropy into their business models. "There are an unlimited number of good things to be done in the world," says Buffett. Be creative, think about what is important to you, to your community, or to the world, and you'll find a way to contribute. And remember, sharing your time can be just as valuable as donating money.

8. Enlist a mentor. A mentor may be able to walk you through a process that's new to you. Or maybe together you can brainstorm a smart solution to a tough problem. Sometimes just knowing that someone else has gone through what you are going through can make all the difference for your outlook.

9. "Do not save what is left after spending, spend what is left after saving." Buffett believes that one of the most beneficial lessons a kid can learn is that saving is a habit. If you make saving a habit early on, it will be ingrained in you for life, which can help you avoid countless unpleasant situations later.

In addition to this book (which comes with a Square reader, so kids can take credit card payments as well as cash), the Secret Millionaires Club also hosts an annual contest: the Grow Your Own Business Challenge, launching soon. Kids compete (for bragging rights and prize money) to create the best original business concept. For more info on the contest, visit smckids.com/learnandearn/contest.

Just a side note

My toy company had a chance to get involved with this project a few years ago and we decided it wouldn't work. I'll put that on the mistakes list now.

Four All New Baby Genius Products Featured on Amazon's Annual Holiday Toy List

Tue, 24 Nov 2015 00:00:00 -0500

Over 40 New "Products With a Purpose" From the Baby Genius(R) "Learn and Grow" Program Available Exclusively on Amazon.com This Holiday Season

Genius Brands International, Inc.November 24, 2015 8:30 AM

View photo

Baby Genius Musical Train, Baby Genius My First Music Set, Baby Genius Let's Learn Shapes Wooden Puzzle …

BEVERLY HILLS, CA--(Marketwired - November 24, 2015) - Following the September 2015 re-launch of the Baby Genius® brand exclusively on Amazon.com, Genius Brands International, Inc. ("GBI") (GNUS), a global brand management company dedicated to providing entertaining and enriching 'content with a purpose' for toddlers to tweens, announces four toys from the all new line of Baby Genius "products with a purpose," are featured on Amazon's annual recommended holiday toy list for infants to 24 months.

The featured products for holiday include:

Baby Genius Musical Train (SRP: $19.99); Ages 12 - 18 months:
The Baby Genius Musical Train encourages hand-eye coordination with its push and pull feature and fun sound effects. Little minds will soar while learning shapes, colors, and the numbers 1- 4. The Baby Genius Characters encourage music discovery with their introduction to 8 instrument sounds. Feel confident in knowing your child's mind will be nourished through fun interactive play with the Baby Genius Musical Train.

Baby Genius My First Music Set (SRP: $39.99); Ages 18 - 34 months:
The Baby Genius My First Music Set is a complete "band in a box" for your child. Includes a child-sized xylophone, hand clacker and tambourine for your child's music-making enjoyment. Together, these easy-to-play musical instruments make an adorable set and a great gift for any new musician in the making.

Baby Genius Let's Learn Shapes Wooden Puzzle (SRP: $16.99); Ages 18 - 24 months:
The Let's Learn Shapes Wooden Puzzle with sound encourages children to learn problem solving and first words. This 12" electronic puzzle features 8 different sounds that call out shapes when placed in the correct space. Easy grasp pegs make it fun to learn shapes, featuring the loveable Baby Genius characters. The Let's Learn Shapes Wooden Puzzle encourages kids to experience how things work and problem-solve.

Baby Genius Let's Learn Sounds Wooden Puzzle (SRP: $16.99); Ages 18 - 24 months:
The Let's Learn Sounds Wooden Puzzle encourages children to problem solve and learn their first words. This 12-inch electronic puzzle features seven different musical instrument sounds. Easy to grasp pegs make it fun to learn shapes, instruments and sounds while featuring the loveable Baby Genius characters. The Baby Genius Let's Learn Sounds Wooden Puzzle encourages kids to experience how things work and problem-solve.

In addition to the products highlighted on the holiday list, there are over 40 new Baby Genius"Learn & Grow" products available exclusively on Amazon.com are toys from Manhattan Toy; musical instruments from DGL USA; early learning toys from WinFun; mealtime products from Zak Designs and entertainment on DVD from Public Media Distribution, LLC. Baby Genius content is also available through GBI's new Kid Genius channel on Comcast's Xfinity on Demand service and on the new Baby Genius Sing Along app, which is available from HADOKEN, LLC. Additionally, GBI launched a new website, www.babygenius.com, a destination to learn more about the brand and products.

GBI's re-launch of Baby Genius is part of a robust expansion of the timeless brand, based on an entirely new Baby Genius "Learn & Grow" program that has been created to align with a child's natural development. The new Baby Genius "Learn & Grow" "products with a purpose" was developed with Stanford University Professor Emeritus Donald F. Roberts, who provided guidance to the line of new products and original entertainment that have been developed and categorized by five different developmental stages that mark a child's natural growth. These include:

Baby Genius Safe Haven products, for infants to 6 months, designed to nurture and soothe
Baby Genius Discoverer products, for ages 6-12 months, to encourage a child's self-discovery
Baby Genius Proud Explorer products, for ages 6-12 months, to begin teaching words, shapes and colors
Baby Genius Curious Learner products, for ages 18-24 months, to engage kids, allowing them to experience for themselves
Baby Genius Independent Doer products, for ages 24-36 months, to encourage decision-making and problem solving

As part of the overall brand re-launch, the beloved Baby Genius characters have been newly designed by renowned pop artist Todd Goldman, founder of apparel and accessories company David & Goliath.

Music has long been the hallmark of the Baby Genius brand. Now for the first time in 10 years, new original songs have been created, written and produced by music industry legend Ron Fair and his singer-songwriter-Momtrepreneur-wife Stefanie Fair. Ron Fair's long track record as a top producer and record executive includes multiple Grammy Award-winning number one records by Christina Aguilera, Mary J. Blige, The Black Eyed Peas, Fergie, Lady Gaga, The Pussycat Dolls, Counting Crows, Snow Patrol, Bastille and others.

About Baby Genius®

For more than ten years, Baby Genius has earned worldwide recognition for creating award-winning products for toddlers. Its catalogue of 500 songs, 125 music videos, and music-based toys features classic nursery rhymes, learning songs, classical music, holiday favorites, and more. Expanding the timeless appeal of Baby Genius offerings, GBI re-launched Baby Genius with fresh new designs, new entertainment, and an array of new toddler products in addition to the new Baby Genius website www.babygenius.com. Visit www.amazon.com/babygenius.

About Genius Brands International

Headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, Genius Brands International, Inc. "GBI" (GNUS) is a publicly traded global brand management company that creates and licenses multimedia content for toddlers to tweens. Led by award-winning creators and producers, GBI creates "content and products with a purpose," providing enrichment as well as entertainment. The Company distributes its content worldwide in all formats, as well as a broad range of consumer products based on its characters. GBI's portfolio includes award-winning Baby Genius, recently re-launched with new entertainment and over 40 new products; adventure comedy Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, available on Netflix, public broadcast stations and GBI's Kid Genius channel on Comcast's Xfinity on Demand reaching 21 million households; animated movie Stan Lee's Mighty 7, the first project from Stan Lee Comics, a joint venture with Stan Lee's POW! Entertainment and featuring an all-star voice cast led by legendary Stan Lee; and Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club, created with and starring iconic investor Warren Buffett. The Company is also producing a new animated preschool series based on Llama Llama, the NY Times bestselling children's book franchise; and a tween adventure series Space Pop, featuring original music from renowned industry veteran Ron Fair and his singer-songwriter wife Stefanie Fair.

GBI's wholly owned subsidiary A Squared Entertainment is a brand management and licensing company that represents third-party properties across a broad range of categories in territories around the world. The company currently represents Psycho Bunny, a luxury apparel line, From Frank, a humor greeting card and product line, and Celessence Technologies, the world's leading microencapsulation company.

For additional information please visit www.gnusbrands.com.

Forward Looking Statements: Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "continue," "predict," "forecast," "project," "plan," "intend" or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. While the Company believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), not limited to Risk Factors relating to its business contained therein. Thus, actual results could be materially different. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Genius Brands International's All-New Animated Series, Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, Clears 161 Public Television Stations Across the U.S., Reaching Approximately 60 Million Households

Thu, 10 Dec 2015 00:00:00 -0500

STEM-Based Comedy Adventure Series Now Airing in Key Markets Nationwide, Including New York, Los Angeles, Washington DC, Atlanta, Houston and More

BEVERLY HILLS, CA--(Marketwired - December 03, 2015) - In keeping with American Public Television's tradition of distributing innovative, educational and entertaining programming,Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, an all-new animated series created by Genius Brands International "GBI" (GNUS) in association with Georgia Public Broadcasting, has cleared to date 161 public television stations across the country.

Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, which began its initial launch in September, is now airing in key markets nationwide, including New York, Los Angeles, Washington DC, Atlanta, Houston, Miami, Cincinnati, Jacksonville, New Orleans and more. The series will continue its rollout through the end of this year and into Q1 2016. Early results have shown strong ratings growth in the key markets of Los Angeles (airing on KCET on Sunday mornings with nearly 200,000 viewers over an initial six week period), and the sponsor stations of Georgia Public Television.

"Thomas Edison's Secret Lab delivers fun, fresh and imaginative adventures that engage a child's natural curiosity, encouraging them to innovate and explore, and discover how much fun science can be," said GBI's SVP, Global Distribution Sales, Andrew Berman. "We're gratified with the positive response this series is receiving and thrilled to have it available to kids in 60 million U.S. households via public television stations."

Thomas Edison's Secret Lab is also available on the new Kid Genius channel on Comcast's Xfinity on Demand platform (CMCSA), reaching 21 million households across the U.S., as well as in more than 60 countries around the world.

About Thomas Edison's Secret Lab

Thomas Edison, the most prolific inventor of our times, is back! This time to inspire a new generation of kids by showing how much fun science and exploration can be in Thomas Edison's Secret Lab. Featuring comedy, adventure and hijinks, the series encourages kids to explore the limits of their own imaginations with the help of Thomas Edison, who returns in holographic form to inspire and encourage them. The series follows 12-year-old prodigy Angie and her science club who accidentally discover Thomas Edison's last invention -- a secret lab with every imaginable gizmo, including a virtual reality machine, Kafloogalator, and a half-finished robot named Tobor who the kids bring to life.

Following a STEM-based curriculum, the kids embark on scientific endeavors -- past, present and future. Each 26 half-hour episode in season one ends with a School House Rock-style music video that features original music by Grammy Award-winning producer Ron Fair (Christina Aguilera, Mary J. Blige, the Black-Eyed Peas, Fergie, Lady Gaga, The Pussycat Dolls) to reinforce the learning and the fun. Thomas Edison's Secret Lab was developed in collaboration with an academic team led by Professor Emeritus Don Roberts of Stanford University and Dorothy Singer of Yale, who have overseen the development, as well as the episodic content to ensure it meets E/I (educational and informational) standards.

Thomas Edison is voiced by American singer, songwriter and Berklee College of Music Professor Livingston Taylor. Emmy-nominated writer Steve Banks (SpongeBob Square Pants), wrote the pilot episode; Grant Moran (Word Girl, New Adventures of the Magic School Bus) and Betsy McGowan (Senior VP Kids' WB!, co-creator Camp Lakebottom) are co-story editors; Emmy Award-winning Michael Maliani (Madeline, Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego) serves as co-producer and director; Kevin O'Donnell is the series co-creator; and Emmy Award-winning Mark Young (All Dogs Go to Heaven 2, Tutenstein) serves as co-producer.

Thomas Edison's Secret Lab is a fully immersive, multimedia property that crosses a variety of platforms to entertain. Fat Red Couch recently launched an app for iPhone and Android and Master Toy partner Wicked Cool Toys will debut a new line of toys in fall 2016. Additionally, GBI also plans to unveil new games, activity kits, apparel, publishing, and an in-school curriculum program in 2016.

About American Public Television
American Public Television (APT) has been a leading syndicator of high-quality, top-rated programming to the nation's public television stations since 1961. For 10 years, APT has annually distributed one-third or more of the top 100 highest-rated public television titles in the U. S. Among its 300 new program titles per year, APT programs include prominent documentaries, news and current affairs programs, dramas, how-to programs, children's series and classic movies. America's Test Kitchen From Cook's Illustrated, Rick Steves' Europe, Front and Center, Doc Martin, Nightly Business Report, Midsomer Murders, Vera, NHK Newsline,Lidia's Kitchen, Globe Trekker, Simply Ming, and P. Allen Smith's Garden Home join numerous documentaries and performance programs popular with public television viewers. APT licenses programs internationally through its APT Worldwide service. Now in its 10th year, Create® TV -- featuring the best of public television's lifestyle programming-is distributed by APT. APT also distributes WORLD™, public television's premier news, science and documentary channel. To find out more about APT's programs and services, visit APTonline.org.

About Genius Brands International
Headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, Genius Brands International, Inc. "GBI" (GNUS) is a publicly traded global brand management company that creates and licenses multimedia content for toddlers to tweens. Led by award-winning creators and producers, GBI creates "content and products with a purpose," providing enrichment as well as entertainment. The Company distributes its content worldwide in all formats, as well as a broad range of consumer products based on its characters. GBI's portfolio includes award-winning Baby Genius, recently re-launched with new entertainment and over 40 new products; adventure comedy Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, available on public broadcast stations and GBI's Kid Genius channel on Comcast's Xfinity on Demand platform reaching 21 million households; animated movie Stan Lee's Mighty 7, the first project from Stan Lee Comics, a joint venture with Stan Lee's POW! Entertainment and featuring an all-star voice cast led by legendary Stan Lee; and Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club, created with and starring iconic investor Warren Buffett. The Company is also producing a new animated preschool series based on Llama Llama, the NY Times bestselling children's book franchise; and a tween adventure series Space Pop, featuring original music from renowned industry veteran Ron Fair and his singer-songwriter wife Stefanie Fair.

GBI's wholly owned subsidiary A Squared Entertainment is a brand management and licensing company that represents third-party properties across a broad range of categories in territories around the world. The company currently represents Psycho Bunny, a luxury apparel line; From Frank, a humor greeting card and product line; and Celessence Technologies, the world's leading microencapsulation company.

For additional information please visit www.gnusbrands.com.

Genius Brands International and Neroli Open First Dedicated Psycho Bunny Retail Store in Panama City

Thu, 10 Dec 2015 00:00:00 -0500

Consumers Clamor for Full Line of Luxury Apparel and Lifestyle Brand Clothing

BEVERLY HILLS, CA--(Marketwired - November 30, 2015) - Genius Brands International "GBI"(GNUS) and its wholly owned subsidiary, A Squared Entertainment, the global licensing agent for luxury apparel and lifestyle brand Psycho Bunny, is collaborating with Neroli Group S.A., Psycho Bunny's core Latin America sportswear distributor in Latin America, on the launch of the brand's flagship retail store in Panama City.

"Genius Brands continues to expand the Psycho Bunny retail program around the world by aligning with partners such as Neroli," said Psycho Bunny Co-Founder Robert Godley. "Opening our flagship retail store in Panama City, a hub for international banking and commerce, we're able to capitalize on the city's vast tourism and its role as the gateway city to Central America, as well as its ranking as a "beta-" world city akin to London, New York or Tokyo."

"Offering a full line of Psycho Bunny sportswear to consumers in a brand-immersive retail environment demonstrates the timeless appeal and value of the Psycho Bunny look and lifestyle," explained Stone Newman, President, Global Consumer Products, GBI. "Neroli has been a committed partner, dedicated to conveying the Psycho Bunny brand to consumers throughout Latin America. By opening the brand's flagship retail store in Neroli's headquarters' city, we know Psycho Bunny will continue to benefit from the personalized attention and strategic development provided by Neroli."

"Neroli Group S.A. was thrilled to execute its distribution agreement with Psycho Bunny,signaling the first move of the brand's dedicated expansion into Latin American, bringing the upscale, irreverent Psycho Bunny stylings to consumers in Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Curacao, Aruba, Trinidad, San Andres, Turks & Caicos and San Martin," said Símon Tarazi, Managing Director of Neroli. "Now, with the opening of the first dedicated Psycho Bunny retail establishment in Panama City, Psycho Bunny strengthens its position as a cutting-edge, trendsetting, and timeless luxury apparel and lifestyle brand and we are excited to play such an integral role in its continued development."

Inspired by the 17th-century maritime marauders and secret societies such as the infamous Skull & Bones, Psycho Bunny creates timeless wardrobe essentials that couple refined English tailoring with bold American design. The brand is built on timeless classics, wardrobe essentials, the finest materials, meticulous design, and superior craftsmanship. Psycho Bunny redefines the classics with inimitable wit and peerless quality, giving tradition an updated edge and passionate style.

Psycho Bunny, working in collaboration with GBI, has attracted an impressive roster of leading manufacturers around the world to round out its core sportswear collections through licensing, including Thread Collective for outerwear apparel, AGP for underwear/loungewear, timepiece distributor Zeon America, contemporary menswear e-boutique Curated, clothing manufacturer Idea House, Leg Resource Inc. for hosiery, JRM Accessories for headwear, and Itochu for luxury accessories.

GBI continues to actively seek partners to expand the brand into additional product lines, including bags and luggage, women's, children's, active wear, accessories, fragrance, electronics and more. The company is also responsible for managing the launch of Psycho Bunny outside of the US and is in discussions with other potential brand partners in Asia, Europe, South America and around the world.

About Psycho Bunny

Inspired by the 17th-century maritime marauders and secret societies such as the infamous Skull & Bones, Psycho Bunny creates timeless wardrobe essentials that couple refined English tailoring with bold American design. The brand has been built on timeless classics, wardrobe essentials, only the finest materials, meticulous design, and superior craftsmanship. Psycho Bunny redefines the classics with inimitable wit and peerless quality, giving tradition an updated edge and passionate style.

About Neroli Group S.A.

Based in Panama City with operations throughout all of Latin America, Neroli Group markets and distributes world known apparel brands through wholesale and retail channels. Founder and CEO Simon Tarazi, with more than 30 years of experience in the business, personally overseesPsycho Bunny's sportswear distribution program in Latin America. For more information, emailinfo@neroligroup.com

About Genius Brands International

For additional information please visit www.gnusbrands.com.

Forward Looking Statements: Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "continue," "predict," "forecast," "project," "plan," "intend" or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. While the Company believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), not limited to Risk Factors relating to its business contained therein. Thus, actual results could be materially different. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Genius Brands International and NCircle Entertainment Debut First Thomas Edison's Secret Lab DVD at Walmart Stores Nationwide

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 00:00:00 -0500

"Secret Lab Meeting" Also Available Digitally for the First Time on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play and Hoopla

BEVERLY HILLS, CA--(Marketwired - December 15, 2015) - Genius Brands International "GBI" (GNUS), a global brand management company dedicated to providing entertaining and enriching 'content with a purpose' for toddlers to tweens, and NCircle Entertainment announce the release of the first DVD from Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, a new original animated series that shows kids how much fun science can be. The DVD debuts December 15, 2015 at Walmart stores nationwide, as well as digitally on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play and Hoopla. The announcement was made today by Andrew Berman, Senior Vice President, Global Distribution Sales, GBI and NCircle's Vice President, Sales, Content and Acquisitions, Mary Flynn.

"This new comedy adventure series, which is currently available on Comcast, public television stations across the U.S., and more than 60 countries around the world, is a wonderful way for kids to discover how much fun science can be," said Berman. "Together with NCircle, we are making the series readily available to kids in all formats."

"NCircle Entertainment is extremely excited to release Thomas Edison's Secret Lab in the U.S.," states Flynn. "This is a perfect title for our library and furthers our goal of providing entertainment that educates to our consumers."

In the "Secret Lab Meeting" DVD (90 minutes), join Angie and friends as they deal with everything from viruses to elements to dinosaur fossils and more! When a virus turns JD into a donut-craving zombie, Angie has to come up with not only a cure, but an inoculation against the virus. Fortunately, Jonas Salk, well-known medical researcher and virologist, can help Angie! Then, during a sailing trip, Von Bolt begins to malfunction, endangering ALVA and Edison, so the Secret Lab Kids investigate elements, compounds, and alloys to diagnose the problem.

Thomas Edison's Secret LabDVD also features the original music created for the series by Grammy Award-winning producer Ron Fair (Christina Aguilera, Mary J. Blige, the Black-Eyed Peas, Fergie, Lady Gaga, The Pussycat Dolls) to help further the science lessons. As added bonus, each DVD features eight original music videos that reinforce the stories. Enjoy these adventures and more in Secret Lab Meeting! (SRP: $9.99; ages 5+)

The news of the DVD launch follows the recent announcement from GBI regarding the U.S. clearance of Thomas Edison's Secret Lab on 161 public television stations across the country. The series, which began its initial launch in September, is now airing in key markets nationwide, including New York, Los Angeles, Washington DC, Atlanta, Houston, Miami, Cincinnati, Jacksonville, New Orleans and more. The series will continue its rollout through the end of this year and into Q1 2016. Early results have shown strong ratings growth in the key markets of Los Angeles (airing on KCET on Sunday mornings with nearly 200,000 viewers over an initial six week period), and the sponsor stations of Georgia Public Television.

Thomas Edison's Secret Lab series is also currently available on the new Kid Genius channel on Comcast's Xfinity on Demand platform (CMCSA), reaching 21 million households across the U.S. and Canada, as well as in more than 60 countries around the world.

GBI and interactive media partner, FatRedCouch, also recently announced the launch of the first mobile app for Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, which is available for iOS and Android. The Thomas Edison's Secret Lab app captures all of the excitement of scientific experimentation and discovery while encouraging kids to use their imaginations and creativity to investigate, explore and unlock scientific wonder

And in November, GBI and Ovation Brands®portfolio of family restaurants partnered to create free, fun, interactive family activities based on Thomas Edison's Secret Lab while dining at participating Ryan's, HomeTown Buffet, Old Country Buffet and Country Buffet restaurants across the country on Thursday evenings. The promotion also included a national Thomas Edison's Secret Lab sweepstakes.

Additionally, the Company is gearing up for a 2016 merchandise launch with master toy partner, Wicked Cools Toys, who will bring to retail an engaging line of STEM-based toys including compounds, activity kits, science kits, food sets, figures, play sets, novelties and role play products, which encourage kids to explore and have fun with science, inspired by Thomas Edison's inventive spirit. GBI also plans to unveil new games, activity kits, apparel, publishing, and an in-school curriculum program in 2016.

About Thomas Edison's Secret Lab

Thomas Edison's Secret Labis a fully immersive, multimedia property that crosses a variety of platforms to entertain.

Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab Hits Walmart

Wed, 16 Dec 2015 00:00:00 -0500

Genius Brands International and NCircle Entertainment have released the first DVD from the new animated series “Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab.”

The DVD of the same name debuted at Walmart stores across the U.S. and is available now digitally on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play and Hoopla.

“This new comedy adventure series, which is currently available on Comcast, public television stations across the U.S., and more than 60 countries around the world, is a wonderful way for kids to discover how much fun science can be,” says Andrew Berman, senior vice president, global distribution sales, GBI. “Together with NCircle, we are making the series readily available to kids in all formats.”

Genius Brands International to Debut Galactic, Music-Driven Tween Girls Brand, SPACEPOP, in Summer 2016

Thu, 14 Jan 2016 00:00:00 -0500

100+ New Animated Shorts -- Featuring Original Music Created by Producer of Multiple Grammy Award Winners/Label Chief/A&R Veteran Ron Fair -- Deliver Tales of Fashion, Friendship and Adventure; Macmillan Children's Publishing Group to Be Worldwide Publisher for SPACEPOP

BEVERLY HILLS, CA, Jan 14, 2016 (Marketwired via COMTEX) -- Genius Brands International, Inc. ("GBI") (otcqb:GNUS), the global brand management company dedicated to providing entertaining and enriching 'content with a purpose' for toddlers to tweens, is producing a new music and fashion-driven brand for tween girls, SPACEPOP, featuring original music produced by Ron Fair; original character and fashion designs created by Han Lee; and stories developed by head writer Steve Banks.

Created and developed by GBI to appeal to tween girls' (ages 7 - 12) passions for fashion, beauty, friendship and adventure, SPACEPOP, currently in production with an award-winning team, features 100+ animated shorts to be digitally distributed to align with tweens' mobile-driven world, a departure from the traditional broadcast based model. GBI Chairman & CEO, Andy Heyward, an Emmy Award-winning children's content producer responsible for over 5,000 episodes of children's entertainment (Inspector Gadget, Strawberry Shortcake, Super Mario Bros, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, to name a few) spearheads production efforts; Emmy Award-nominated Steve Banks, head writer and story editor of Sponge Bob Square Pants, serves as content writer; and producer of multiple Grammy Award winners and music veteran Ron Fair (Fergie, Mary J. Blige, Black Eyed Peas, Pussycat Dolls, Christina Aguilera and more) and singer-songwriter spouse Stefanie Fair, a founding member of RCA's girl group Wild Orchid with Fergie, will deliver original music. Additionally, GBI is creating a comprehensive, fashion-driven line of consumer products inspired by the designs of HLL design, the creator and lead designer for the Bobby Jack fashion brand, which generated $450 million in retail sales.

GBI has appointed SPACEPOP's first licensing partner, Imprint, part of Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, as the global Master Publisher. Imprint is committed to launching the brand's book series. The first title, Not Your Average Princesses, is an original middle grade novel with graphic novel inserts written by author Erin Downing and illustrated by Jen Bartel. The first title will publish in July 2016, with the second novel, Rocking the Resistance, to follow in January 2017.

"Tween girls live in a world of their own, inspired by music and fashion and friendship," said Amy Moynihan Heyward, President, GBI. "SPACEPOP is a whole new galaxy for tweens, created by some of the most accomplished talent in music, fashion and storytelling, delivered in a way that naturally corresponds to how tweens consume media today. Two spirited, music driven segments will be released every week to tell the tales of four galactic space princesses, along with a comprehensive body of new original music that will also be distributed separately.

Erin Stein, Publisher of Imprint, said, "When I first saw SPACEPOP, I knew it was right for Imprint. There is so much storytelling potential and strong, empowered female characters. We are thrilled to be publishing the origin story for the brand, and to be highlighting the musical performances in each book with full-color graphic novel sections. Our SPACEPOP novels are going to rock!"

"When Macmillan Publishing launched its new division, Imprint, with a focus on tweens we knew that they were the perfect partner for us on the launch of SPACEPOP, particularly with talent like Erin Stein who was largely responsible for the success of Monster High. We're thrilled to be collaborating with her and to be working with Imprint on the development of the brand's master publishing strategy," says Stone Newman, President of Global Consumer Products for GBI.

SPACEPOP Synopsis

Original music will be woven through a narrative story, detailing how when the evil Empress Geela takes over the Planets of The Pentangle, five teenage princesses disguise themselves as musicians and form a band called SPACEPOP. Their mission: Spread the message of freedom and joy through music and join the rebel resistance force to vanquish Geela, who has taken over their home planets and enslaved the inhabitants.

Macmillan's Imprint Acquires Digital Tween Property 'SpacePop'

Thu, 21 Jan 2016 00:00:00 -0500

By Karen Raugust |

Jan 21, 2016

Imprint, a new imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, has acquired the global master publishing rights to SpacePop, a series of digitally distributed animated shorts, from Genius Brands International. Imprint will publish original middle-grade novels authored by Erin Downing and illustrated by Jen Bartel.

“When we look at a license, we want to be in on the ground floor of something and be part of the creation of it, and/or have the ability to do something really creative,” says Erin Stein, Imprint’s publisher. “SpacePop is just that very thing I was looking for.” She notes that developing Monster High and Ever After High with Mattel during her time at Little, Brown was similar to the process for this property.

SpacePop, about a group of five teenaged “galactic space princesses” who form a band, consists of three- to four-minute vignettes that are centered around a musical performance and end with a cliffhanger. Distributed on a dedicated YouTube channel, the series will launch in early summer with six to eight episodes, followed by one to two additional editions per week until the entire 104-episode story arc is complete by spring 2017.

Stone Newman, GBI’s president of global consumer products, says the company identified a gap in the market for character-based properties for older tweens. It hopes to appeal to girls ages seven to 12 with a music- and fashion-driven storyline, enlisting noted music producer Ron Fair to oversee the music and write original songs and designer Han Lee to create the characters’ fashion sense. “We felt it was important to give these characters a look that’s aspirational and relatable,” Newman explains. “But this is really all about the music.”

Each book will include two graphic novel inserts to better capture the essence of the musical performances that are so integral to the storylines. “It’s always a challenge to translate something musical into book form,” Stein explains. “Part of the appeal of the property is the amazing songs. This was a way to make it visual and more exciting, instead of just reading about a music performance.”

Stein did not view SpacePop’s digital-only distribution strategy as a disadvantage. “I’m not as concerned about discoverability as I was in the past,” she says. “The media landscape, even for kids, is more fragmented, and kids, like adults, are finding their content in different places. I also think the book stands on its own, and the brand is a bonus.”

“This is how tweens are consuming music and entertainment,” Newman adds. “To do it the old way is a little like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.” That said, “The publishing is as integral to the IP development as the videos are,” he notes. “We can go deeper into the IP than we can with just the music and the vignettes.”

The first book, Not Your Average Princesses, will publish in July 2016, about a month after the debut of the first episodes, followed by Rocking the Resistance in January 2017. Consumer products such as apparel and accessories will debut in fall 2016.

Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab to experiment on stage

Fri, 29 Jan 2016 00:00:00 -0500

Genius Brands International has licensed the rights to its new science-themed animated series Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab to Mills Entertainment, which will create and produce a live show based on the property.

The touring show will feature an array of original music created, written and produced by renowned music industry producer Ron Fair and his wife Stefanie Fair. It will also showcase the series’ characters, STEM-curriculum and demonstrate how much fun science can be.

The Brad Simon Organization is handling all tour booking, and the show is expected to run in major American cities in 2017.

In other news, GBI is launching a toy line from Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab master toy partner Wicked Cool Toys this fall, as well as mobile apps, games, activity kits, apparel, publishing and an in-school curriculum program next year.

GBI also recently sold US$4.3 million in stock to raise cash for working capital purposes such as brand marketing, licensing expansion and the acquisition and development of new properties.

Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab launched in the fall on US public TV and also airs on GBI’s recently launched Kid Genius channel on Comcast’s Xfinity on-demand platform, Discovery Kids (Asia) and Da Vinci Learning (Russia, Turkey, Africa, CEE). NCircle Entertainment, meanwhile, has North American home entertainment rights.

The story follows 12-year-old science prodigy Angie (and her science club) who accidentally finds Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab, including two of his last inventions—a hologram that brings him to life and a VR machine that lets them go anywhere.

GBI created and produced the 26 x half-hour series in association with Georgia Public Broadcasting. It is distributed by American Public Television.

JAYA APPAREL AND H.E.R. ACCESSORIES INK LICENSING DEALS FOR SPACEPOP

Fri, 12 Feb 2016 00:00:00 -0500

Genius Brands International’s SPACEPOP, inspired apparel collection and branded fashion accessories to debut at retail in fall 2016.

Genius Brands International, Inc., the global brand management company dedicated to providing entertaining and enriching ‘content with a purpose’ for toddlers to tweens, has signed two more licensing partners – Jaya Apparel and H.E.R. Accessories — for its new music and fashion-driven brand for tween girls, SPACEPOP, featuring original music produced by Ron Fair; original character designs created by Han Lee; and stories developed by head writer Steve Banks.

“Jaya Apparel has had tremendous success with its collections for D’Signed by Disney, along with numerous other fashion forward aspirational branded lines for tween girls, and we are thrilled to partner with them on a SPACEPOP inspired fashion program that will surely feature fashions that girls must have,” commented Stone Newman, President of Global Consumer Products for GBI. “Similarly, H.E.R. Accessories is the leader in licensed jewelry and hair accessories with every major entertainment brand in their portfolio. H.E.R. recognized SPACEPOP’s potential to become leading tween character fashion brand, and together the collections from Jaya and H.E.R. will deliver to girls the fashions and style they see in the music videos.”

Jaya Apparel’s Vice President of Sales Tanya Zrebiec said: “Jaya is excited to team up with Genius Brands in bringing the Space Pop fashion to life”

“Girls between the ages of 7 and 12 are our sweet spot, and the SPACEPOP brand is a perfect fit with that consumer segment,” said H.E.R. Accessories’ CEO Hymie Anteby. “We’re very excited to be working with Genius Brands International during the initial development phase of this exciting new property for young girls and look forward to sharing in its success.”

Created and developed by GBI to appeal to tween girls’ (ages 7 – 12) passions for fashion, beauty, friendship and adventure, SPACEPOP, currently in production with an award-winning team, features 100+ animated music videos to be digitally distributed to align with tweens mobile-driven world, a departure from the traditional broadcast based model. GBI Chairman & CEO, Andy Heyward, an Emmy Award-winning children’s content producer responsible for over 5,000 episodes of children’s entertainment (Inspector Gadget, Strawberry Shortcake, Super Mario Bros, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, to name a few) spearheads production efforts; Emmy Award-nominated Steve Banks, head writer and story editor of Sponge Bob Square Pants serves as content writer;and producer of multiple Grammy Award winners and music veteran Ron Fair (Fergie, Mary J. Blige, Black Eyed Peas, Pussycat Dolls, Christina Aguilera and more) and singer songwriter spouse Stefanie Fair, a founding member of RCA’s girl group Wild Orchidwith Fergie, will deliver original music.

Tween girls brand Spacepop scores licensing deals

Fri, 12 Feb 2016 00:00:00 -0500

Additional licensing partners have been secured for Genius Brands International’s (GBI) new music- and fashion-oriented tween girl brand Spacepop, which is set to debut in the form of animated digital shorts and a middle grade book series this summer.

Jaya Apparel Group will develop a complete collection of Spacepop-inspired fashion apparel for girls to include tops, bottoms, fashion tees, jackets and leggings.

Meanwhile, H.E.R. Accessories will create a line of branded jewelry, hair accessories, watches and other fashion-forward accouterments for girls.

Both lines are scheduled to debut at retail outlets in fall 2016 through both specialty and mid-tier retail outlets.

Featuring original music produced by Ron Fair (Fergie, Mary J. Blige, Black Eyed Peas) and stories developed by head writer Steve Banks (SpongeBob SquarePants), Spacepop is comprised of more than one hundred animated music videos that will be digitally distributed to align with tweens’ mobile-driven habits. To support the brand’s digital launch, GBI is creating a comprehensive, fashion-driven line of consumer products featuring the designs of Han Lee’s HLL Design fashion studio. HLL Design is the creator and lead designer for the monkey-inspired Bobby Jack fashion brand, which has generated US$450 million at retail.

Sony, Genius Brands Set Home Entertainment Distribution Pact

Mon, 22 Feb 2016 00:00:00 -0500

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and Genius Brands International have set a multiyear deal for SPHE to provide marketing and distribution of content from GBI’s Kid Genius and Baby Genius labels in North America, Variety has learned exclusively.

The agreement covers a quartet of brands — new music- and fashion-driven brand for tween girls SpacePop; a new original “Baby Genius” series to coincide with the brand’s expanded launch in 2016; Warren Buffett’s animated series “Secret Millionaires Club”; and “Stan Lee’s Mighty 7 (SLAM 7).”

Genius Brands is also developing three new properties included in the agreement that will be announced shortly.

The deal also allows SPHE and GBI to co-develop, distribute and globally merchandise future animated or live-action properties derived from their respective programming libraries.

“SPHE will work with the GBI team to deliver enriching learning experiences and inspiring entertainment content to families and children across North America,” said Ben Means of SPHE. “This partnership underscores our long-term commitment to provide consumers with quality product for children and families.”

Andy Heyward, Genius Brands chairman and CEO, said the deal will enable the expansion of his company’s brands. “This transformative, long-term commitment between our companies allows Genius Brands International to focus on what we do best — creating, producing, merchandising and acquiring commercial content for both kids and families — and enables us to expand and accelerate our growth and shareholder value,” he said.

Heyward is responsible for over 5,000 episodes of children’s entertainment including “Inspector Gadget,” “Strawberry Shortcake,” “Real Ghostbusters,” “Captain Planet,” “Madeline,” and “Alvin and the Chipmunks.”

Steve Banks, head writer and story editor of “SpongeBob SquarePants,” will be the content writer for “SpacePop.” Veteran producer Ron Fair and his singer songwriter spouse Stefanie Fair, who was a member of the girl group Wild Orchid with Fergie, will create the original music.

Genius Brands relaunched Baby Genius in September exclusively on Amazon.com with the Baby Genius characters newly designed by Todd Goldman and new original songs written and produced by Ron Fair and Stefanie Fair.

“Secret Millionaire’s Club,” created in partnership with and starring an animated Warren Buffett, features a group of kids who have adventures in business. The series is aimed at helping kids understand the world they live in, teaching them about the impact their decisions have on their own lives and teaching them how ti have the confidence to be the best they can be.

Stan Lee Comics is a joint venture among GBI and Stan Lee’s POW! Entertainment. “Stan Lee’s Mighty 7” stars Lee as an animated version of himself.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment to Distribute Genius Brands International Kids Properties

Mon, 22 Feb 2016 00:00:00 -0500

SPHE's Marketing and Distribution Efforts Will Help Drive Genius Brands including SpacePOP, Baby Genius, Secret Millionaires Club and Stan Lee's Mighty 7, Across Multiple Platforms in North America

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Secret Millionaires Club, created in partnership with and starring an animated Warren Buffett, features …

CULVER CITY, CA and BEVERLY HILLS, CA--(Marketwired - February 22, 2016) - Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) and Genius Brands International, Inc. ("GBI") (GNUS), a global brand management company dedicated to providing "content with a purpose" for toddlers through tweens, have finalized a multi-year agreement in which SPHE will provide marketing and distribution of GBI's Kid Genius and Baby Genius labels, throughout North America. In addition, the deal allows SPHE and GBI to co-develop, distribute, and globally merchandise future animated or live action properties derived from their respective programming libraries.

"SPHE will work with the GBI team to deliver enriching learning experiences and inspiring entertainment content to families and children across North America," said Ben Means, SVP, Third Party Strategic Partnerships, SPHE. "This partnership underscores our long term commitment to provide consumers with quality product for children and families."

"This transformative, long-term commitment between our companies allows Genius Brands International to focus on what we do best -- creating, producing, merchandising and acquiring commercial content for both kids and families -- and enables us to expand and accelerate our growth and shareholder value," said Andy Heyward, GBI Chairman and CEO. "SPHE's substantial, marketing, promotion, and retail and digital distribution resources, will be instrumental in the continued expansion of our brands."

Among the brands SPHE will distribute are the all-new music and fashion-driven brand for tween girls, SpacePOP, debuting in Fall 2016; a new original Baby Genius series to coincide with the brand's expanded launch in 2016; Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club,the animated series accessible on-air, online and at retail; and Stan Lee's Mighty 7(SLAM 7). Additionally, GBI is developing three new properties included in the agreement that will be announced shortly alongside catalog titles.

About GBI Content

SpacePOP is a new music and fashion-driven brand for tween girls. Created and developed by GBI to appeal to tween girls' (ages 7 - 12) passions for music, fashion, beauty, friendship, space, and adventure. SpacePOP, currently in production with an award-winning team, features 100+ animated shorts to be digitally distributed to align with tweens mobile-driven world, a departure from the traditional broadcast based model. GBI Chairman & CEO, Andy Heyward, an Emmy Award-winning children's content producer responsible for over 5,000 episodes of children's entertainment (Inspector Gadget, Strawberry Shortcake, Real Ghostbusters, Captain Planet, Super Mario Bros, Madeline, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, etc.) spearheads production efforts; Emmy Award-nominated Steve Banks, head writer and story editor of Sponge Bob Square Pants serves as content writer; and Grammy Award-winning producer and veteran A&R executive Ron Fair (Fergie, Mary J. Blige, Black Eyes Peas, Pussycat Dolls, Christina Aguilera and more) and his singer songwriter spouse Stefanie Fair, who was a member of the girl group Wild Orchidwith Fergie, will create the original music comprised of remixes and covers of the latest chart-topping hits. GBI is also creating a comprehensive, fashion driven line of consumer products. GBI recently appointed the first licensing partner for SpacePOP, Imprint, a division of Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, as the global Master Publisher.

Baby Genius:Earning numerous awards from parent groups and organizations, including the Mom's Choice Award, The National Parenting Center Seal of Approval, Creative Child Preferred Choice Award, iParenting Media Award, Kids First! Quality Children's Media Endorsement and many others, Baby Genius engages young minds with entertaining characters, music and stories that also serve to develop early learning skills. GBI's September 2015 re-launch of Baby Genius, exclusively on Amazon.com, was part of a robust expansion of the timeless, award-winning brand, based on an entirely new Baby Genius "Learn & Grow" program that was created to align with a child's natural development. The new Baby Genius "Learn & Grow" program was developed with Stanford University Professor Emeritus Donald F. Roberts, who provided guidance to the line of new "products with a purpose" and original entertainment. As part of the overall brand re-launch, the beloved Baby Genius characters were newly designed by renowned pop artist Todd Goldman, and for the first time in 10 years, new original songs were created, written and produced by Ron Fair and Stefanie Fair. Ron Fair's long track record as a top producer and record executive includes multiple Grammy Award-winning number one records by Christina Aguilera, Mary J. Blige, the Black-Eyed Peas, Fergie, Lady Gaga, The Pussycat Dolls and others.

Secret Millionaires Club , created in partnership with and starring an animated Warren Buffett, features a group of kids who have adventures in business. Secret Millionaires Club empowers kids by helping them understand the world they live in, teaching them about the impact their decisions have on their own lives… and teaching them to have the confidence to be the best they can be. The series makes it fun for kids to learn to think like entrepreneurs and features a robust list of guest talent, including Bill Gates, Jay-Z, Shaquille O'Neal, Nick Cannon, Gisele Bündchen and Kelly Rowland. The celebrities play themselves; provide their own voiceovers and lend the lessons of their own life experiences in the context of stories that are relatable and inspirational to kids. The series currently airs in countries all over the world and is available on digital platforms, including the Kid Genius channel on Comcast. The Secret Millionaires Club brand a recently released book, How To Start Your Very First Business, from Downtown Books; the successful annual "Grow Your Own Business Challenge" nationwide contest for kids and an in-school program in over 100,000 schools nationwide. In 2016, GBI will further expand the brand with new broadcast, licensing and retail partners.

Stan Lee Comics is a joint venture among GBI and Stan Lee's POW! Entertainment. The first Stan Lee Comics' franchise, Stan Lee's Mighty 7, stars Lee as an animated version of himself, a legendary superhero creator. Three other Stan Lee Comics' franchises are currently in development with Lee.

About Genius Brands International

Headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, Genius Brands International, Inc. "GBI" (GNUS) is a publicly traded global brand management company that creates and licenses multimedia content for toddlers to tweens. Led by award-winning creators and producers, GBI creates "content and products with a purpose," providing enrichment as well as entertainment. The Company distributes its content worldwide in all formats, as well as a broad range of consumer products based on its characters. GBI's portfolio includes award-winning Baby Genius, recently re-launched with new entertainment and over 40 new products; adventure comedy Thomas Edison's Secret Lab®, available on Netflix, public broadcast stations and GBI's Kid Genius channel on Comcast's Xfinity on Demand reaching 21 million households; animated movie Stan Lee's Mighty 7, the first project from Stan Lee Comics, a joint venture with Stan Lee's POW! Entertainment and featuring an all-star voice cast led by legendary Stan Lee; and Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club, created with and starring iconic investor Warren Buffett. The Company is also producing a new animated preschool series based on Llama Llama, the NY Times bestselling children's book franchise; and a tween adventure series Space Pop, featuring original music from renowned industry veteran Ron Fair and his singer-songwriter wife Stefanie Fair.

For additional information please visit www.gnusbrands.com.

About Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) is a Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) company. Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition and distribution; television production, acquisition and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. For additional information, go to http://www.sonypictures.com.

Q&A: Andrew Berman of Genius Brands International

Wed, 02 Mar 2016 00:00:00 -0500

Last week, Genius Brands International announced an important new partnership with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, covering distribution and opening the doors for future co-development and co-production. Andrew Berman, SVP – Global Distribution Sales for Genius Brands International, took some time to answer our questions about what this means for the company’s future.

What was most important for Genius Brands International in forging a new distribution pipeline?
Andrew Berman: The world is evolving and content consumption habits are at the top of the evolution process. Genius Brands’ new Kid Genius channel on Comcast’s Xfinity On Demand was the critical first step in our expansion strategy, providing consumers with direct access to all of our content through a single, collectively branded platform, which also links our various digital sites through a common home. Our relationship with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment was the crucial next step in that it opened the door to additional content for the Kid Genius channel while also empowering Genius Brands in its negotiations with traditional licensing and retailing partners. Our content attracts buyers, licensees and viewers and by partnering with Sony we have significantly increased our global influence.

Why was Sony Pictures Home Entertainment the right partner for this?
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment was committed to expanding its distribution in the children’s entertainment sector, which makes them the perfect partner for Genius Brands. Working collaboratively, we’re able to complement each other’s content offerings and meet a greater share of the growing global demand for smart programming for kids. Plus, being able to include the support of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment in any market is always a substantial plus.

How does Genius Brands International plan to maximize its Sony distribution partnership?
We see our relationship with Sony on two fronts: First, utilizing Sony’s global name recognition, we’re able to maximize distribution opportunities for Genius Brands’ original content – more potential buyers are paying attention now; and secondly, third party producers trust us to develop and distribute their content knowing that we’re sanctioned by Sony.

As to the rather new Kid Genius channel, what kind of response are you seeing from viewers?
Since launching the Kid Genius channel last October, we have seen a fantastic month-over-month increase in viewership which is very exciting and which I believe will continue to increase as we debut more Genius Brands’ original, Sony and third-party content.

What is the next step in growing the Kid Genius presence?
It’s all about the content. That’s what will ultimately grow the reach and audience for Kid Genius. We’re aggressively seeking out new content that complements our existing line-up — more content with purpose. We’re looking to augment the existing carriage, expanding the reach of the Kid Genius Channel through other cable providers and platforms. And we also are creating a corresponding Kid Genius Channel app to further expand our audience.

What are the plans for growing Genius Brands International’s catalog through acquisitions, original properties and/or co-productions?
As I mentioned previously, we are actively seeking 3rd party acquisitions to complement and enhance our existing library. Specifically, we’re interested in acquiring content that serves the Baby Genius demographic, content which we plan on releasing through Sony under our Baby Genius releasing label. Of course, this content would also be made available on the Kid Genius Channel. Similarly, if a developer or producer has a strong concept or production in development, we want to speak with those people, especially now that we can offer Sony’s distribution strength in addition to our own development, production, licensing and marketing capabilities.

How does Genius Brands International/Kid Genius programming stand out from the larger TV animation landscape?
Genius Brands and Kid Genius stand out because of the distinct, unique and fresh “content with a purpose” that we bring to the marketplace. We have created a solid niche for ourselves by focusing on producing content that is enriching, engaging and, of course, extremely entertaining.

What is Genius Brands International looking for in potential acquisitions?
Four E Content! Enriching, engaging, extremely entertaining content that is harmonious with the Kid Genius line-up and would support our relationship with Sony.

How important are international content markets for the company as it continues to expand?
Our team has open lines of communications around the globe because content development, distribution and licensing is a year-round commitment. There may be seasons when it comes to schedules, but you can’t rest for a second and still maintain a competitive edge. That said, it is important to have one-on-one time with producers, programmers and licensing executives, which is why MIP Junior and Kidscreen markets are always must-attend events for us. But you have to maintain the dialog and relationships year round.

Will we see more Genius Brands International original series in development/production in the near future?
Absolutely. With the success of the Kid Genius channel and the myriad of opportunities made possible through our new partnership with Sony, we have a very robust, active development slate that includes several original series, including SpacePOP and Baby Genius, for both near and long term.

Andrew Berman

Genius Brands VOD channel names Debra Pierson GM

Mon, 28 Mar 2016 00:00:00 -0400

Pierson will look to grow the Kid Genius VOD channel while also developing effective monetization strategies for it.

By Wendy Goldman Getzler

March 28, 2016

California-based Genius Brands International (GBI) is ramping up its content distribution strategy, and the brand management company has tapped former Kabillion exec Debra Pierson to help spearhead the effort as GM of its Kid Genius channel.

The Kid Genius ad-supported channel on Comcast’s Xfinity On Demand currently offers original (Secret Millionaires Club, Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab ) and third-party programming for kids ages zero to 12. Pierson will now look to grow the channel and develop effective monetization strategies for it, and her five-plus years spent at multiplatform VOD channel Kabillion will undoubtedly come in handy in that process.

As VP of sales and marketing for Kabillion from 2007 to 2012, Pierson helped launch the channel—now available in more than 60 million homes through all major cable providers—on Comcast, Time Warner and Charter. While responsible for content acquisition, traffic, viewership and monetization of the broadband and cable Kabillion content offerings, Pierson attracted ad partners like General Mills, Lego, Activision and Hasbro to the platform. Pierson also oversaw the creation and launch of the Kabillion Girls Rule Channel, which created a home for Bratz-branded content.

Most recently Pierson served as CEO of Cosmic Toast Studios, where she worked with artists, directors and producers to create live-action and animated content for toy companies and TV networks.

Pierson will report to GBI’s Andy Berman, SVP of global distribution sales, who also heads the Kid Genius channel. GBI’s partnership with Comcast was first announced last March, at the same time that plans for Kid Genius were unveiled. The channel marks Genius Brands’ ongoing foray into the on-demand content space, and extends its existing relationship with Comcast, which has seen GBI’s Baby Genius series become a top-performing kids’ property on Xfinity On Demand’s Baby Boost Channel.

Genius Brands International Appoints Former Kabillion Executive Debra Pierson as General Manager of Kid Genius Channel

Mon, 28 Mar 2016 00:00:00 -0400

Genius Brands International, Inc. ("GBI") (otcqb:GNUS), a global brand management company dedicated to providing entertaining and enriching 'content with a purpose' for toddlers to tweens, has named former Kabillion executive and respected distribution, production, licensing and merchandising expert Debra Pierson as general manager of its Kid Genius entertainment channel on Xfinity On Demand, delivering "Smart TV for Kids."

Pierson brings over 25 years of kids entertainment experience to her new position to spearhead the continued growth of Kid Genius -- a channel unlike any other entertainment offering for kids by virtue of its emphasis on content for children that is as enriching as it is entertaining -- including almost six years as VP Sales and Marketing for multi-platform kids' entertainment channel, Kabillion.

"I consider Deb Pierson joining us as a tipping point in major value creation at Genius Brands," commented Andy Heyward, Chairman and CEO, Genius Brands International. "Her experience and capability, in my opinion, is no less important for the Kid Genius channel as was Geraldine Laybourne to the creation of Nickelodeon, or Betty Cohen to Cartoon Network, or Margaret Loesch (our board member) to the creation of Fox Kids. As we enter into the next generation of kids content distribution systems, I believe Kid Genius is now positioned to become just as impactful and valuable."

Pierson will report to Genius Brands International's Andy Berman, Senior Vice President, Global Distribution Sales, who also heads the Kid Genius channel.

"Deb has a wealth of talent, knowledge and know-how to draw from in developing effective monetization of the Kid Genius channel and we believe that her vision, innovative creativity and drive will grow the channel to its highest potential," added Berman.

"I am thrilled to be a member of the Genius Brands team," exclaimed Pierson. "Being able to combine my unique skill set and varied interests in the strategic expansion of Kid Genius is truly the perfect role for me. I'm excited to roll up my sleeves and dive in and fully expect Kid Genius to be the number one entertainment destination for kids in short order."

As VP Sales and Marketing for Kabillion (February 2007-December 2012), Pierson helped launch the Kabillion Kids VOD channel -- now available in over 60 million homes through all major cable providers -- on Comcast, Time Warner and Charter. Responsible for content acquisition, traffic, viewership and monetization of the broadband and cable Kabillion content offerings, Pierson collaborated with MSO distribution partners and also attracted top advertising partners such as General Mills, Lego, Activision and Hasbro to the platform. Pierson also oversaw the creation and launch of the Kabillion GIRLS RULE Channel, launching with over one million unique viewers and creating a new home for Bratz branded content.

Prior to Kabillion, Pierson was VP of Specialty Merchandise for Neopets, where she created the independent retailer merchandise and licensing strategy for the brand, bringing Neopets to market for their 25 million registered users and leading the product development, manufacturing, licensing and sales for the Neopets' Specialty Merchandise division. As an experienced marketer, Pierson has also been instrumental in creating successful marketing campaigns with companies such as McDonalds, Toys"R"Us, and the Justice Retail chain.

Most recently Pierson served as CEO of Cosmic Toast Studios, since January 2013, working with an incredible talent pool of artists, directors and producers to create live action and animation content for toy companies, networks and major brands.

Kid Genius offers a variety of programming for young viewers (toddlers to age 12) that is aligned with GBI's mission to provide "content with a purpose." The channel features GBI original programming, such as Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club and Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, as well as shows from other program creators around the world.

About Genius Brands International

Headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, Genius Brands International, Inc. "GBI" (otcqb:GNUS) is a publicly traded global brand management company that creates and licenses multimedia content for toddlers to tweens. Led by award-winning creators and producers, GBI creates "content and products with a purpose," providing enrichment as well as entertainment. The Company distributes its content worldwide in all formats, as well as a broad range of consumer products based on its characters. GBI's portfolio includes award-winning Baby Genius, recently re-launched with new entertainment and over 40 new products; adventure comedy Thomas Edison's Secret Lab®, available on public broadcast stations and GBI's Kid Genius channel on Comcast's Xfinity on Demand reaching 21 million households; animated movie Stan Lee's Mighty 7, the first project from Stan Lee Comics, a joint venture with Stan Lee's POW! Entertainment and featuring an all-star voice cast led by the legendary Stan Lee; and Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club, created with and starring iconic investor Warren Buffett. The Company is also producing a new animated preschool series based on Llama Llama, the New York Times bestselling children's book franchise; and the music-driven tween adventure series SpacePOP.

GBI's wholly owned subsidiary A Squared Entertainment is a brand management and licensing company that represents third-party properties across a broad range of categories in territories around the world. The company currently represents From Frank, a humor greeting card and product line, and Celessence Technologies, the world's leading microencapsulation company.

For additional information please visit www.gnusbrands.com.

Hot Picks: SpacePOP

Wed, 30 Mar 2016 00:00:00 -0400

Children’s content group Genius Brands has eschewed the broadcast- based model for this girl-skewed animated adventure for seven to 12 year-olds, as it delivers its latest offering digitally to the tweens’ mobile-driven world this autumn.

Distributor Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (North America only)
Producer Genius Brands International
Lengths 108 x 3 minutes; 13 x 22 minutes; 2 x 66 minutes
Country US

Currently in production, Spacepop features more than 100 animated music videos, featuring five teenage intergalactic princesses who disguise themselves as musicians and form the band SpacePOP.

Genius Brands chief executive Andy Heyward, a veteran of kids’ TV content including Inspector Gadget, Strawberry Shortcake, Super Mario Bros and Sabrina, The Teenage Witch, is spearheading production efforts.

Other key talent attached includes Steve Banks, head writer and story editor of SpongeBob SquarePants, and Ron Fair, a music producer for The Pussycat Dolls, Christina Aguilera and Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie.

In a deal announced earlier this year, Genius will use Sony Pictures Home Entertainment to market and distribute SpacePOP digitally in North America, along with its other key brands, including Baby Genius, Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaires Club and Stan Lee’s Mighty 7 (SLAM 7).

There are multiple merchandise tie-ins: Jaya Apparel, H.E.R. Accessories and Imprint (part of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group) are all partnering with Genius Brands on the show’s licensing programme.

According to Andrew Berman, senior vice-president, global distribution sales for Genius Brands, SpacePOP has the key elements that will appeal to tween girls around the globe.

“It has friendship, music, fashion and adventure,” says Berman. “We have the best of the best on board creating original music, storylines and character designs that are on trend for this demographic, and the short-form format will be delivered digitally in a way that kids today naturally like to consume media.”

Genius Brands International, Inc. Issues Shareholder Letter

Thu, 31 Mar 2016 00:00:00 -0400

Genius Brands recently released a letter to shareholders from Chairman & CEO Andy Heyward. The complete letter follows:

Wait a minute, these are not Genius Brands characters. These are the characters of Marvel!!! All household names now. Spiderman, Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk, X Men, Captain America, and Thor. Exactly correct.

In 2001, Marvel stock (MVL) opened the year at $1.43/share, and closed at $3.80/share with a $96 million dollar market cap. In 2009, Marvel was bought by the Walt Disney Company for $4.24 billion dollars. Disney paid $30 dollars/share cash plus .745 Disney shares for each Marvel share.

While I am not suggesting we are going to sell Genius Brands for $4 billion dollars, I believe that Genius Brands is on a tear creating some of the most exciting characters coming forth in the kids business, anywhere today, and from any studio. The energy inside our company is palpable, as we are working to bring our broad slate of characters to the global program and merchandise marketplaces.

Today we released our Annual Report on form 10K for our 2015 fiscal year, and I would like to share with you some of those exciting highlights. And while the news is exciting, even more exciting is the direction, and the growth our business is experiencing.

I'm going to speak to 5 markers:

1. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS: UP

Not only is cash up, 21% year over year, but it has continued to go up since the year end closing. Today, we are sitting on nearly $6 million in cash. More cash than the company has had at any time in its history, and our cash position should continue to grow through 2016. (Today, we have close to an additional $6 million dollars in Minimum guarantees and license fees of fully negotiated contracts for production and merchandise licensing which we plan to announce in the coming 30 days)

2. LICENSING AND ROYALTIES: UP

Not only are they up year over year 58%, but they are growing as we move into 2016 with a compounding slate of properties.

3. TELEVISION AND HOME ENTERTAINMENT REVENUE: UP

Television and home entertainment revenue is up 241% to $400,676 in 2015 from $117,670 in 2014. During the first quarter of 2016, we have since delivered the entire series of Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, and that will trigger a new wave of sales and income recognition.

4. NET OTHER INCOME: UP

Net other income increased from a loss of ($252,136) in 2014 primarily as a result of an inventory writedown, to a gain of $53,222 in 2015, in which there were no writedowns. This is indicative of our shift to a more efficient and profitable business model.

5. GROSS PROFITS: UP

Grossprofit is up $409,328 or 96% to $835,116 in 2015 as compared to $425,788 in 2014.

Last quarter, I stated that we expect to be cash flow positive in 2016. That has occurred, and we see no reason why it will not continue throughout the year. Our balance sheet is stronger than ever, and our film catalogue continues to grow, adding critical incremental mass and value. We have zero debt, zero litigation. MOST IMPORTANTLY, the trends and percentages presented, are indicative of the "hockey-stick" like growth we can see in this industry where revenues and profits can grow exponentially in success, as I cited above.

This takes me back to the example of Marvel which experienced such amazing growth and value creation. But that value didn't happen in 2009, when it was sold to Disney for $4.24 billion dollars. It happened every single year from 2001 onward when the stock was trading at $1.43/.share. Let me adjust the old real estate adage, 'Location. Location. Location' to CHARACTERS. CHARACTERS. CHARACTERS.

Today, we are creating some of the most exciting characters in kids IP, anywhere.

1. One from STAN LEE, the iconic and legendary creator of Marvel's biggest characters that drove all that value.

2. The other from Rob Minkoff, the highly acclaimed director of Disney's Lion King.

This is like having both Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig joining our team!

Now, let's talk about some of the other indicia of value creation.

PARTNERS. We have expanded our infrastructure with some of the most important names in media. These are all material relationships as part of launching our businesses.

1. COMCAST

2. SONY

3. NETFLIX

4. PUBLIC TELEVISION

5. YouTube

6. NCircle

We now have dozens of licensees across all major product categories and are growing them every week.

Our recently announced ten year distribution deal with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is one of several which we believe will be transformational in the distribution and delivery of our products to the marketplace. Equally so will become our continuing and important relationship with Comcast on the Kid Genius Channel.

Let's take a moment to talk about the KID GENIUS CHANNEL on Comcast.

Though the "Kid Genius Channel" is just one aspect of Genius Brands' business, it is an important one. Children's programming channels have proven over and over again to be valuable commodities.

Not just Disney Channel, Cartoon Network, and Nickelodeon, of course, which are worth many billions, but less known services have repeatedly shown their value. The Fox Family Channel was sold to Disney in 2001 for $5.2 billion from FOX/Saban, who had bought it from Pat Robertson 4 years earlier for $1.9 billion. Hasbro Toys recently sold only 10% of its interest in the short lived HUB network to Discovery for $64 million. In today's varied media landscape, channels reside everywhere including VOD cable platforms, such as the Kid Genius Channel, OTT platforms, on APPS, and elsewhere.

I have known and worked with most of the executives at all of the above channels. I worked closely with Ted Turner during the formation of Cartoon Network at Turner, and was inside the Walt Disney Company Disney during the creation of the Disney Toon Channel, which used the DIC Entertainment (my former company) catalogue as the backbone of its launch. The dean of kid networks presidents, Margaret Loesch is on our Genius board of directors. Having said the above, our recent hire of Deb Pierson, will, in my view, prove to be an important and catalyzing event. With virtually no resources, nor superior content, she grew Kabillion into a very valuable kids program service, now in 60% of U.S. TV households. This is particularly meaningful for Genius Brands, because we are also a content provider, thus having a widely distributed channel which, can create wealth not only in terms of its enterprise value, and spinoff OTT applications, but no less importantly, as a tool to drive exposure for our brands, and thus promote the licensed merchandise. We believe that with the cards and relationships now in our hand, Deb can create enormous value for Genius Brands, through the Kid Genius Channel. We will be sharing more with you on this in the coming days…

The sum of all the above is that in 2016 we have all of our animated characters and a powerful distribution system, turned on and beginning to pump oil. As I said, we are now cash flow positive, and we expect this trend to grow. We have beefed up our IR activity to more effectively communicate our story.

Some years ago, I sold my last company to the Walt Disney Company (CAP Cities/ABC). I'm familiar with the value of compounding animated characters, and I'm familiar with the value of distribution systems for those characters. By this time next year, though we will not be selling the company for $4.24 billion dollars as Marvel, I suspect we will hardly recognize Genius Brands, by the amount of its growth. That growth has already begun, and I'm proud to share with you the early results of it released today.

Andy Heyward

Chairman & CEO

Genius Brands International, Inc.

Genius Brands International Inc (OTCMKTS:GNUS) Points to Huge Gains with Several Catalysts

Fri, 01 Apr 2016 00:00:00 -0400

Genius Brands International Inc (OTCMKTS:GNUS) locked in gains of over 30% on above average volume due to a shareholder update from the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. The stock is currently trading at $1.30 which is far below its 52-week high of $3.35.

GNUS expects to be cashflow positive for Q1’2016 and also expects this trend to continue. It has seen a significant improvement in its financial performance witnessing high double digit to triple digit growth. Genius Brands is hitting an inflection point and expects to see a hockey stick growth moment. The company continues to invest in several brands and characters like Llama Llama, Baby Genius, Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab, Spacepop, Secret Millionaires Club, and Two. It has a vast network of partners with big names like Comcast, Sony, Netflix, Public Television, YouTube, and NCircle.

The CEO presented a shareholder update letter where he covered several areas. First he opened up with Marvel and how the company started trading at $1.43 / share and eventually was bought out by Disney for $4.24 billion. Mr. Heyward has exciting thoughts about Genius Brands, although he does not expect to reach $4 billion anytime soon.

There are plenty of developments going on at Genius Brands that have the potential to propel the company to the next level and give investors a reason to be excited about the company again. First, the GNUS has $6 million in cash which is equivalent to 40% of its current market cap. It expects to see a significant increase in cash due to license fees and negotiated contracts valued at minimum of $6 million.

Genius Brands International Inc (OTCMKTS:GNUS) royalties have grown over 58% year over year and poised for another year of significant growth as the company has a slew of new properties. In addition, its television and home entertinament segment so revenue growth of over 240% from $0.11 million in 2014 to $0.4 million in 2015. It also announced that during first quarter of 2016 it has delivered an entire series of Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab which is set to trigger even more sales and contracts.

The company announced that it had returned to profitability in 2015 and recorded an increase of $0.3 million in net income year over year from a loss of $0.25 million in 2014 to a profit of $0.05 million in 2015. Gross profit almost doubled from $0.43 million in 2014 to $0.83 million in 2015.

GNUS is currently trading at a $15 million market valuation. The company has performed well over the past year and has seen significant growth. It has over $6 million cash which represents 40% of its market cap value. In addition, the company has reported profitability and will likely continue to grow its bottom line. GNUS expects to be cash flow positive meaning shareholder dilution will likely be minimal.

Genius Brands Teams with Sony Music, Legacy to Launch Kids Label

Mon, 18 Apr 2016 00:00:00 -0400

By Ed Christman

Genius Brands, the company that creates and licenses entertainment for toddlers and tweens, is partnering with Sony Music Entertainment and its Legacy Recordings label to create a new kids music label, Genius Brands Music, which will produce and distribute original music and popular cover tunes.

The partnership will leverage the content of GBI’s multimedia properties such as “Baby Genius,” “Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab” and “SpacePOP,” to create new musical concepts for the Genius Brands Music label, which will have two imprints: Baby Genius for the toddler market and Kid Genius for children-to-tweens market.

The deal provides global distribution for the labels and grows the relationship with Sony, which earlier this year saw Genius Brands International enter into a multi-year marketing and distribution agreement with Sony Picture Home Entertainment.

“Music has more and more, become the universal language of kids,” Genius Brands International chairman and CEO Andy Heyward said in a statement. “It is simply not possible to effectively launch a kids brand today without music playing an integral role…With the access, distribution and promotional expertise of Sony Music, Genius Brands Music launches with a pedigreed partner that will help strategically drive its success.”

The partnership has put together a team consisting of producer Ron Fair and his spouse singer songwriter Stefanie Fair, who created the theme music and original songs with producer and composer John Loeffler for its SpacePOP property.

The music team will work with Genius Brand writers and editors Steve Banks, character designer Hans Lee and Heyward to produce more than 100 serialized, music driven animated videos, with the first six expected to debut this summer on the SpacePOP channel on Youtube and other video platforms, followed by two new videos every week thereafter. The team will also work on the music issued through Genius Brand Music. Moreover, the brand will be supported by GBI’s music-based apps, web series and a potential live tour with a licensing and merchandising program set to launch at retail in the fall of this year.

While Genius Brand already has a catalog comprised of 500 songs, 125 music videos and music-based toys, the entire library of Baby Genius nursery rhymes, learning songs and tunes have been re-recorded and videos have been refreshed, according to the announcement.

“The children’s entertainment sector, especially in music, requires a unique understanding of how to create both compelling content and audience appetite,” Sony Music Entertainment ’s Commercial Music Group president Richard Story said in a statement. “Andy Heyward is a legendary innovator in children’s media and his cutting edge team is developing incredibly fresh and innovative concepts for kids across all platforms, and we are excited to partner with them on bringing the music from these projects to the global audience.”

Genius Brands International Joins With Sony Music/Legacy Recordings to Launch Innovative Kids Music Label, Genius Brands Music

Mon, 18 Apr 2016 00:00:00 -0400

Original Music to Be Created for Kid Genius and Baby Genius Branded Content for Global Distribution, Including All-New Music-Driven Tween Brand SpacePOP, Debuting This Year Online and at Retail

BEVERLY HILLS, CA--(April 18, 2016) - Genius Brands International, Inc. ("GBI") (GNUS), a global brand management company dedicated to providing entertaining and enriching 'content with a purpose' for toddlers to tweens, is teaming with Sony Music Entertainment and its Legacy Recordings label, to create a new, innovative kids music label, Genius Brands Music, to produce and distribute original music and popular cover tunes from hit artists for the global market. The announcement was made today by GBI's Chairman and CEO Andy Heyward, and Sony Music Entertainment, Richard Story.

As part of the multi-year agreement, Sony Music Entertainment will distribute the Genius Brands Music label under two categories: Baby Genius for the toddler market; and Kid Genius for children to tweens. The partnership leverages the children's entertainment content of GBl, including the company's multimedia properties, including the recently announced SpacePOP, award-winning Baby Genius®, Thomas Edison's Secret Lab as well as licensed and acquired properties such as Llama Llama, in addition to innovative new musical concepts developed specifically for the Genius Brands Music label. The deal provides Genius Brands Music with unified global distribution and greater resources to maximize promotion and marketing of GBI's music across physical and digital channels worldwide.

"Music has more and more, become the universal language of kids. It is simply not possible to effectively launch a kids brand today without music playing an integral role. Sony Music has nurtured, advised, guided and invested in the development of independent music labels spanning virtually every music genre imaginable," said GBI's Heyward. "With the access, distribution and promotional expertise of Sony Music, Genius Brands Music launches with a pedigreed partner that will help strategically drive its success.

"The children's entertainment sector, especially in music, requires a unique understanding of how to create both compelling content and audience appetite," explained Richard Story. "Andy Heyward is a legendary innovator in children's media and his cutting edge team is developing incredibly fresh and innovative concepts for kids across all platforms, and we are excited to partner with them on bringing the music from these projects to the global audience."

GBI's current brand roster, which will feature original music, as well as cover songs from popular young artists from Genius Brands Music, include:

SpacePOP targets tween girls, age 8-12, offering a colorful blend of music, fashion, beauty, friendship and intergalactic adventures resulting in an engaging lifestyle brand.

GBI Chairman & CEO, Andy Heyward, an Emmy Award-winning children's content producer responsible for over 5,000 episodes of children's entertainment (Inspector Gadget, Strawberry Shortcake, Super Mario Bros, Sabrina the Teenage Witch) spearheads production efforts; Emmy Award-nominated Steve Banks, head writer and story editor of Sponge Bob Square Pants serves as content writer; and original character designs created by Han Lee (Pink Fizz, Bobby Jack). A best-in class-team has been assembled to deliver original music, including producer of multiple Grammy Award winners and music veteran Ron Fair (Fergie, Mary J. Blige, Black Eyed Peas, Pussycat Dolls, Christina Aguilera and more) his singer songwriter spouse Stefanie Fair, a founding member of RCA's girl group Wild Orchid with Fergie, who created the theme music and several original songs. Additional original new music has been created and produced by veteran music producer and composer John Loeffler (Kidz Bop, Pokemon).

Currently in production on 100+ serialized, music-driven animated videos (3-4 minutes in length), SpacePOP will be digitally distributed via the SpacePOP channel on YouTube and other digital platforms, capitalizing on today's media consumption habits of tweens and teens. The first six videos will debut this summer with two new videos released weekly thereafter. The music will be woven through a narrative story. The debut of the SpacePop videos will coincide with a new book series from MacMillan's Imprint launching with the first title, Not Your Average Princesses, an original middle grade novel with graphic novel inserts written by author Erin Downing and illustrated by Jen Bartel.

The launch of the SpacePOP brand will be supported by GBI's music-based apps, web series, linear TV exposure, potential live tour, and licensing and merchandising program with top tier partners set to launch new SpacePOP branded products at retail nationwide in fall 2016.

For over ten years Baby Genius® has earned worldwide recognition for creating products with purpose for toddlers. Amassing a catalogue comprised of 500 songs, 125 music videos and countless music-based toys that enrich and entertain children, Baby Genius has also earned the trust of parents and caregivers around the globe. Continuing to nurture the unique appeal of Baby Genius offerings, GBl re-launched Baby Genius with fresh, new designs of the Baby Genius signature characters from celebrated artist and self-described professional doodler Todd Goldman. There is also engaging new content and myriad new products that correspond to children's natural growth, stimulating their development while also providing guidance for parents. Plus, the entire library of Baby Genius' evergreen nursery rhymes, classic learning songs, holiday tunes and more have been re-recorded and videos have been refreshed to ensure Baby Genius' content with purpose is delivered in the highest production quality available. Under the new Genius Brands Music label, all new music will continue to be created for Baby Genius.

Thomas Edison's Secret Lab , which recently launched on Public Broadcasting Stations throughout the U.S., and the all-new Kid Genius channel on Comcast's Xfinity on Demand, follows Angie, a 12-year-old prodigy, and her young science club after they accidentally discover Thomas Edison's Secret Lab. The 'tricked out' dream lab is equipped with gizmos and gadgets, including two of Edison's very last inventions: a hologram that brings Mr. Edison himself "to life," and a virtual reality machine that lets them go anywhere. Thomas Edison's Secret Lab delivers fun-filled comedy, exploration and adventure to show kids how much fun science can be, encouraging them to explore the possibilities of their own imaginations. It even has a wacky (and slightly nervous) robot called Von Bolt, who becomes part of every adventure. In each of the episodes, Edison encourages and inspires the kids through a variety of scientific and technological explorations and lots of other fun, whacky, wild and engaging topics. Genius Brands Music will distribute the School House Rock-style music videos, created by Ron and Stefanie Fair. Genius Brands Music will also collaborate with other artists on the creation of an original pop album and music videos supported by an animated series and merchandise and licensing programs.

Llama Llama is the central character in Anna Dewdney's New York Times bestselling book series of the same name with 9.4 million units in print. GBI partnered with Dewdney and publisher Penguin Young Readers to develop animated content for preschoolers based on the bestselling books, as well as a comprehensive line of Llama Llama licensed products, including toys, games, apparel, accessories, bedding, and healthy snacks and meals. New and original music will be created under the Genius Music label.

About Sony Music Entertainment

Sony Music Entertainment is a global recorded music company with a current roster that includes a broad array of both local artists and international superstars. The company boasts a vast catalog that comprises some of the most important recordings in history. It is home to premier record labels representing music from every genre, including Arista Nashville, Bazmark Records, Beach Street Records, Bystorm Entertainment, Columbia Nashville, Columbia Records, Day 1, Descendant Records, Epic Records, Essential Records, Essential Worship, Flying Buddha, Fo Yo Soul Recordings, Freesolo Entertainment, Kemosabe Records, Latium Entertainment, Legacy Recordings, Louder Than Life, Masterworks, Masterworks Broadway, OKeh, Polo Grounds, Portrait, RCA Inspiration, RCA Nashville, RCA Records, Reunion Records, Sony Classical, Sony Music Latin, Star Time International, Syco Music, Vested in Culture and Volcano. Sony Music Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America. For more information, visit http://www.sonymusic.com/.

About Genius Brands International

GBI's wholly owned subsidiary A Squared Entertainment is a brand management and licensing company that represents third-party properties across a broad range of categories in territories around the world. The company currently represents From Frank, a humor greeting card and product line, and Celessence Technologies, the world's leading microencapsulation company.

Genius Brands International Appoints Rebecca Hershinger Chief Financial Officer

Wed, 20 Apr 2016 00:00:00 -0400

BEVERLY HILLS, CA--(April 20, 2016) - Genius Brands International, Inc. "GBI" (GNUS), a global brand management company dedicated to providing entertaining and enriching 'content with a purpose' for toddlers to tweens, and its Board of Directors names veteran financial executive and former VP of Finance for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Rebecca Hershinger, as Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. The announcement was made today by GBI's Chairman and CEO Andy Heyward, to whom Hershinger will report.

Hershinger initially began working with GBI in early 2014 through CFO Advisory Services, Inc., a corporation she founded that provided accounting and business advisory services to private and public companies, and then served as the Company's CFO from October 2014 through June 2015, while living in Salt Lake City, UT. Hershinger's reappointment and imminent relocation to the GBI's Beverly Hills, California headquarters underscores the tremendous growth the Company anticipates in 2016 and beyond, which will be driven by a multi-year distribution agreement with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment; growth of the Kid Genius Channel on Comcast's XFinity On Demand platform; and launch of new brands worldwide, including the music-driven tween girls brand, SpacePOP, preschool brand Llama Llama, based on the NY Times Bestselling book franchise, as well as the expansion of existing brands such as Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club and Stan Lee's Mighty 7. Additionally, GBI continues to develop new brands for multiplatform distribution worldwide.

As Chief Financial Officer, Hershinger will be responsible for all of the Company's corporate finance, accounting and financial reporting functions. She will also play an active role for GBI with its Investor Relations and corporate development initiatives.

"Genius Brands is amidst a period of rapid growth, and requires a strong executive with superb skills in overseeing the finances of a public company. Rebecca has the pedigree and expertise to lead us on this journey of continued expansion," states Heyward. "We are thrilled with all of the initiatives in the works, from the launching of new brands to new partnerships and distribution strategies."

"Andy and the extremely talented team at Genius Brands, utilizing their wealth of experience, have laid the groundwork for the Company to grow into a leading children's media company through the development of many animated characters and properties and the creation of powerful distribution platforms all centered on the 'content with a purpose' mission," comments Hershinger. "I am delighted to be collaborating with the entire Genius Brands' team again, especially our SVP of Finance, Matt Kornberg, and lending my financial expertise to manage the Company's expansive growth in the years to come."

Hershinger held finance and corporate development positions at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc. in which she was responsible for various finance functions related to M&A analysis, cross-collateralized slate film financing vehicles, and motion picture deal analysis. She also served as an Investment Banking Analyst for JP Morgan Chase & Co., covering clients in the entertainment, real estate and hotels & gaming industries.

Hershinger received a Masters of Business Administration in Finance from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Georgetown University.

In response to GBI's rapid growth, the Company has also appointed Southern California based Squar Milner, as its new auditors. Heyward comments, "As our business continues to expand across production, distribution and consumer products, we will benefit from Squar Milner's relevant industry and market-space experience, stellar record with the PCAOB, and global reach through their network of 300 independent accounting and consulting firms globally. We believe that this most recent appointment reflects our commitment to have the most experienced and accomplished professionals serve as our independent registered public accounting firm."

Rebecca Hershinger Appointed CFO of Genius Brands

Wed, 20 Apr 2016 00:00:00 -0400

Genius Brands International and its Board of Directors have named veteran financial executive and former VP of Finance for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Rebecca Hershinger, as Chief Financial Officer — effective immediately. The announcement was made by GBI Chairman and CEO Andy Heyward, to whom Hershinger will report. Hershinger started working with GBI in early 2014 through her company, CFO Advisory Services. She then served as the company’s CFO from October 2014 through June 2015 while living in Salt Lake City.

Hershinger’s reappointment and imminent relocation to GBI’s headquarters in Beverly Hills, California, underscores the growth anticipated by the company through 2016 and beyond, driven by a multi-year distribution agreement with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, the growth of the Kid Genius channel on Xfinity On Demand and the launch of new brands worldwide like SpacePop, Llama Llama — as well as the expansion of existing brands Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab, Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaires Club and Stan Lee’s Mighty 7.

As CFO, Hershinger will be responsible for the company’s corporate finance, accounting and financial reporting functions. She will also play an active role in investor relations and corporate development initiatives. Hershinger previously held finance and corporate development positions at MGM and was an Investment Banking Analyst for JP Morgan Chase & Co. She received an MBA in Finance from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and a BS in Business Administration from Georgetown University.

Stan Lee & Edison toons make way for Asian nets

Tue, 26 Apr 2016 00:00:00 -0400

Genius Brands International has secured deals with three new broadcasting partners in Asia for its popular animated kids properties.

By Jeremy Dickson

April 26, 2016

Singapore’s Mediacorp television network and Indonesia’s Spacetoon have both acquired broadcasting rights to Genius Brands International’s 90-minute superhero feature Stan Lee’s Mighty 7, along with 26 half hours of science-themed comedy adventure series Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab (pictured).

Spacetoon has also snapped up 26 half-hour episodes of Genius Brands’ Secret Millionaires Club, while Hong Kong’s TVB has licensed rights to Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab.

Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab recently launched on Discovery Kids Asia after its fall debut on 160 US public TV stations and on the new Kid Genius on-demand channel. The series explores the virtual reality adventures of a 12-year-old science prodigy named Angie.

As the series’ broadcasting reach expands, the property is also branching out into live shows, toys, apps, apparel and other consumer products categories in the next year.

Stan Lee’s Mighty 7 is the first of three features starring an animated version of the iconic comic book author, produced by Genius Brands and POW! Entertainment joint venture Stan Lee Comics.

These latest sales come on the heels of a recent deal that will see Genius and Sony partner on a new kids music label called Genius Brands Music.

Asian nets add Edison, Stan Lee toons

Tue, 26 Apr 2016 00:00:00 -0400

Broadcasters in Asia have acquired series including Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab and Stan Lee’s Mighty 7 from US children’s content firm Genius Brands International (GBI).

Mediacorp in Singapore has taken broadcast rights to the comedy adventure series inspired by the legendary inventor (26×30′) and the 90-minute animated superhero feature from comic book heavyweight Lee.

Indonesia’s Spacetoon, meanwhile, has licensed Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaires Club (26×30′) as well as the two aforementioned GBI toons.

“The appeal of our content continues to prove itself in virtually every market around the globe, resonating with young viewers and assuring parents feel comfortable about the entertainment choices they are making for their kids,” said GBI’s senior VP of global sales, Andrew Berman.

Nico Franks26-04-2016©C21Media

Genius Brands International's Chairman & CEO Speaks with Yahoo Finance at This Year's Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders Meeting in Omaha

Sat, 30 Apr 2016 00:00:00 -0400

Genius Brands International, Inc. (“GBI”) (OTCQB:GNUS) attended the annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting in Omaha this year to exhibit its Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaires Club brand and product lines to an anticipated 40,000 attending the annual meeting on April 30, 2016 at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Nebraska.

For the first time, Berkshire Hathaway allowed a media outlet, Yahoo Finance, to live stream from the event, and GBI Chairman & CEO Andy Heyward was interviewed to discuss Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaires Club highlighted by clips from the series.

Genius Brands International also produces the animated film, which opens the annual meeting. The satirical shorts feature Berkshire Hathaway companies, managers, and directors, as well as icons from industry and pop culture, including Warren Buffett, Charlie Munger and Bill Gates, as well as numerous iconic personalities such as the Geico Gecko. Past films have featured Warren and Charlie as Batman and Robin, James Bond, Dancing with the Stars, and American Idol, and last year, even starred Warren as a champion prizefighter.

Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting Kicks Off with Short Animated Film Produced by Genius Brands International

Mon, 09 May 2016 00:00:00 -0400

For the past 15 years, Genius Brands International has produced the animated film, which opens the annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholders meeting. The satirical shorts feature Berkshire Hathaway companies, managers, and directors, as well as icons from industry and pop culture, including Warren Buffett, Charlie Munger and Bill Gates, as well as numerous iconic personalities such as the Geico Gecko! Past films have featured Warren and Charlie as Batman and Robin, James Bond, Dancing with the Stars, and American Idol, and last year, even starred Warren as a champion prizefighter. This year “Trading Places” --a spoof of the 1983 blockbuster starring Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd--kicked off the meeting in Omaha to an audience of approximately 40,000.

Genius Brands International Secures Widespread Broadcast and Digital Distribution Across Multiple Platforms for SpacePOP, Thomas Edison's Secret Lab and Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club

Tue, 10 May 2016 00:00:00 -0400

Published: May 10, 2016 9:03 a.m. ET

May 10, 2016 (Marketwired via COMTEX) -- BEVERLY HILLS, CA--(Marketwired - May 10, 2016) - Genius Brands International, Inc. ("GBI") (otcqb:GNUS), a global brand management company dedicated to providing "content with a purpose" for toddlers through tweens, continues to expand its global distribution footprint with multiple content licensing agreements signed for its popular children's animated series, Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club and Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, as well as its new music-based tween series, SpacePOP. The announcement was made today by GBI's SVP Global Content Sales Andrew Berman.

GBI has licensed short form content, including webisodes from Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club and all-new music videos from SpacePOP and Thomas Edison's Secret Lab to batteryPOP, a digital platform showcasing and distributing premium children's content, and has licensed SpacePOP to Toon Googles, a premiere destination for On-Demand Entertainment for kids. Additionally, the Company has licensed U.S. broadcast rights to two animated series, Secret Millionaires Club and Thomas Edison's Secret Lab to STARZ and Qubo, the only 24/7 over the air network for kids.

"With these new agreements, we are in a position to maximize exploitation and exposure in the market for our content across pay and terrestrial television as well as digital, and in turn to drive retail sales of consumer products based on the brands," said Berman. "We look forward to continuing to build our global network of media partners, collaborating to bring our diverse range of entertainment and derivative consumer products to young audiences everywhere."

About GBI's Content:

SpacePOP targets tween girls, age 8-12, offering a colorful blend of music, fashion, beauty, friendship and intergalactic adventures resulting in an engaging lifestyle brand.

Production efforts are spearheaded by GBI Chairman & CEO, Andy Heyward, a Multi-Emmy Award-winning children's content producer responsible for over 5,000 episodes of children's entertainment (Inspector Gadget, Strawberry Shortcake, Super Mario Bros, Sabrina the Teenage Witch) spearheads production efforts; Emmy Award-nominated Steve Banks, head writer and story editor of Sponge Bob Square Pants serves as content writer; and original character designs created by Han Lee (Pink Fizz, Bobby Jack). A best-in class-team has been assembled to deliver original music, including producer of multiple Grammy Award winners and music veteran Ron Fair (Fergie, Mary J. Blige, Black Eyed Peas, Pussycat Dolls, Christina Aguilera and more) and singer songwriter spouse Stefanie Fair, a founding member of RCA's girl group Wild Orchid with Fergie, who created the theme music and original songs by veteran music producer and composer John Loeffler (Kidz Bop, Pokemon).

Currently in production on 100+ serialized, music-driven animated videos (3-4 minutes in length), SpacePOP will be digitally distributed via the SpacePOP channel on YouTube and other digital platforms, capitalizing on today's media consumption habits of tweens and teens. The first six videos will debut this summer with two new videos released weekly thereafter. The music will be woven through a narrative story detailing how when the evil Empress Geela takes over the Planets of The Pentangle ridding the galaxy of Music, Fashion and Beauty, five teenage princesses disguise themselves as musicians and form a band called SpacePOP. Their mission: Spread the message of freedom and joy through music and join the rebel resistance force to vanquish Geela, who has taken over their home planets and enslaved the inhabitants.

Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, which recently launched on Public Broadcasting Stations throughout the U.S., and the all-new Kid Genius channel on Comcast's Xfinity on Demand, follows Angie, a 12-year-old prodigy, and her young science club after they accidentally discover Thomas Edison's Secret Lab. The 'tricked out' dream lab is equipped with gizmos and gadgets, including two of Edison's very last inventions: a hologram that brings Mr. Edison himself "to life," and a virtual reality machine that lets them go anywhere. Thomas Edison's Secret Lab delivers fun-filled comedy, exploration and adventure to show kids how much fun science can be, encouraging them to explore the possibilities of their own imaginations. It even has a wacky (and slightly nervous) robot called Von Bolt, who becomes part of every adventure. In each of the episodes, Edison encourages and inspires the kids through a variety of scientific and technological explorations and lots of other fun, whacky, wild and engaging topics. Genius Brands Music distributes the series' School House Rock-style music videos, created by Ron and Stefanie Fair. Genius Brands Music will also collaborates with other artists on the creation of an original pop album and music videos supported by an animated series and merchandise and licensing programs.

Secret Millionaires Club, the animated series accessible on-air, online and at retail, was created in partnership with and stars an animated Warren Buffett, The series features a group of kids who have adventures in business. Secret Millionaires Club empowers kids by helping them understand the world they live in, teaching them about the impact their decisions have on their own lives…and teaching them to have the confidence to be the best they can be. The series makes it fun for kids to learn to think like entrepreneurs and features a robust list of guest talent, including Bill Gates, Jay-Z, Shaquille O'Neal, Nick Cannon, Gisele Bündchen and Kelly Rowland. The celebrities play themselves; provide their own voiceovers and lend the lessons of their own life experiences in the context of stories that are relatable and inspirational to kids. The series currently airs in countries all over the world and is available on digital platforms, including the Kid Genius channel on Comcast. The Secret Millionaire's Club brand includes a recently released book, How to Start Your Very First Business, from Downtown Bookworks; the successful annual "Grow Your Own Business Challenge" nationwide contest for kids and an in-school program in over 100,000 schools nationwide. In 2016, GBI will further expand the brand with new broadcast, licensing and retail partners.

About Genius Brands International

Headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, Genius Brands International, Inc. "GBI" (otcqb:GNUS) is a publicly traded global brand management company that creates and licenses multimedia content for toddlers to tweens. Led by award-winning creators and producers, GBI creates "content and products with a purpose," providing enrichment as well as entertainment. The Company distributes its content worldwide in all formats, as well as a broad range of consumer products based on its characters. GBI's portfolio includes award-winning Baby Genius, re-launched with new entertainment and over 40 new products; adventure comedy Thomas Edison's Secret Lab®, available on Netflix, public broadcast stations and GBI's Kid Genius channel on Comcast's Xfinity on Demand reaching 21 million households; animated movie Stan Lee's Mighty 7, the first project from Stan Lee Comics, a joint venture with Stan Lee's POW! Entertainment and featuring an all-star voice cast led by legendary Stan Lee; and Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club, created with and starring iconic investor Warren Buffett. The Company is also producing a new animated preschool series based on Llama Llama, the NY Times bestselling children's book franchise; and the music-driven, tween adventure series SpacePOP.

GBI's wholly owned subsidiary A Squared Entertainment is a brand management and licensing company that represents third-party properties across a broad range of categories in territories around the world. The company currently represents From Frank, a humor greeting card and product line, and Celessence Technologies, the world's leading microencapsulation company.

For additional information please visit www.gnusbrands.com.

About batteryPOP

batteryPOP is a leading digital platform for the curation, distribution and monetization of kids' video content. Founded by veterans of Nickelodeon and Saban Brands, batteryPOP hosts a wide variety of premium content from studios, brands, YouTubers, independent producers and students, syndicated across a rapidly expanding network of kid & family facing publishers in mobile/tablet, desktop and connected TV. With cartoons, comedy, music, gaming, unboxing and more, batteryPOP harnesses the power of kids to charge up the digital space!

About Toon Googles

Toon Goggles™ is the premier destination for On-Demand Entertainment for Kids™. The kid-safe and parent-friendly service offers a vast and diverse amount of animated and live-action programs, engaging games, a comprehensive radio section and tween entertainment news. Toon Goggles includes ad-free preschool and educational shows, as well as free content with pre-approved, child-appropriate advertising. Users have the option to upgrade to a premium membership and opt-out of advertisements. The platform is fully COPPA-compliant (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act), boasting a strictly enforced screening process to ensure that all material is clean, safe and age-appropriate. Designed specifically for children to be in charge of their viewing experience, Toon Goggles' easy-to-use interface lets kids watch their own personally selected programming anywhere and at any time.

Toon Goggles is available online at http://www.toongoggles.com and as an app on the iTunes App Store (iOS), Google Play (Android), Windows®8 and on all Sony phones and tablets, and pre-installed on a variety of devices. Toon Goggles can be found on the Sharp Aquos LED TV, Techno Source's Kurio7 Android™ Tablet for Families™, Oregon Scientific's Meep! Tablets, Barnes & Noble's critically acclaimed NOOK® HD and NOOK® HD+, the widely available Roku and on many other smartphones, tablets, smart TVs and set-top boxes.

Forward Looking Statements:Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "continue," "predict," "forecast," "project," "plan," "intend" or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. While the Company believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), not limited to Risk Factors relating to its patent business contained therein. Thus, actual results could be materially different. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

GBI secures VOD and broadcast deals

Tue, 10 May 2016 00:00:00 -0400

Broadcasters and digital networks including Qubo and batteryPOP have picked up multiple series from Genius Brands International.

By Jeremy Dickson

May 10, 2016

California-based Genius Brands International (GBI) has inked multiple content licensing deals for animated series Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaires Club, Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab and SpacePOP.

As a short-form video agreement, New York-based cross-platform network batteryPOP has acquired webisodes from Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaires Club, as well as new music videos from Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab and tween series SpacePOP. The girl-skewing series has also been snapped up by children’s on-demand service Toon Goggles.

For broadcast, STARZ and 24/7 kids channel Qubo have both licensed the US broadcast rights to Secret Millionaires Club and Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab.

The deals arrive as GBI continues to increase its brand presence worldwide. The company recently sold Secret Millionaires Club, Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab and superhero feature Stan Lee’s Mighty 7 to broadcasters in Asia like Spacetoon and Medicorp.

It also secured a raft of new licensing partners for SpacePOP including beauty products from TASTE, digital extensions from Bare Tree Media, and crafting items from Canal Toys.

Genius Brands International Announces Common Stock Acquisition by Company Chairman & CEO Andy Heyward

Wed, 11 May 2016 00:00:00 -0400

Genius Brands International Announces Common Stock Acquisition by Company Chairman & CEO Andy Heyward BEVERLY HILLS, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 05/11/16 -- Genius BrandsInternational, Inc. (OTCQB: GNUS) announces today that Chairman & CEOAndy Heyward has filed a Form 4 Statement of Changes in BeneficialOwnership, to report the issuance of 238,683 share of Genius BrandsInternational Common Stock at the closing price as of May 4, 2016 of$1.72. The acquisition of stock was made in satisfaction of certainshort-term cash advances totaling $410,535, which Mr. Heyward made toA Squared Entertainment LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of GeniusBrands International, prior to its merger with Genius Brands in 2013.Mr. Heyward stated that he elected to take stock in payment of thedebt rather than cash, thus removing the liability from the Company'sbalance sheet. About Genius Brands International Headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, Genius BrandsInternational, Inc. "GBI" (OTCQB: GNUS) is a publicly traded globalbrand management company that creates and licenses multimedia contentfor toddlers to tweens. Led by award-winning creators and producers,GBI creates "content and products with a purpose," providingenrichment as well as entertainment. The Company distributes itscontent worldwide in all formats, as well as a broad range ofconsumer products based on its characters. GBI's portfolio includesaward-winning Baby Genius, re-launched with new entertainment andover 40 new products; adventure comedy Thomas Edison's Secret Lab®,available on Netflix, public broadcast stations and GBI's Kid Geniuschannel on Comcast's Xfinity on Demand reaching 21 millionhouseholds; animated movie Stan Lee's Mighty 7, the first projectfrom Stan Lee Comics, a joint venture with Stan Lee's POW!Entertainment and featuring an all-star voice cast led by legendaryStan Lee; and Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club, created withand starring iconic investor Warren Buffett. The Company is alsoproducing a new animated preschool series based on Llama Llama, theNY Times bestselling children's book franchise; and the music-driven,tween adventure series SpacePOP. GBI's wholly owned subsidiary A Squared Entertainment is a brandmanagement and licensing company that represents third-partyproperties across a broad range of categories in territories aroundthe world. The company currently represents From Frank, a humorgreeting card and product line, and Celessence Technologies, theworld's leading microencapsulation company. For additional information please visit www.gnusbrands.com.

Genius Brands International Expands Stone Newman's Role as President of Global Consumer Products to Include Worldwide Marketing Efforts for Company's Growing IP Catalog

Wed, 18 May 2016 00:00:00 -0400

BEVERLY HILLS, CA--(Marketwired - May 18, 2016) - Genius Brands International, Inc. ("GBI") (GNUS), a global brand management company dedicated to providing entertaining and enriching content with a purpose for toddlers to tweens, continues to build its global infrastructure with the promotion of industry veteran Stone Newman from President of Global Consumer Products to President of Global Consumer Products & Marketing. The announcement was made today by GBI's Chairman & CEO, Andy Heyward.

Since joining GBI in 2014, Newman has been responsible for overseeing the Company's consumer products programs worldwide, working with retailers and licensees to build comprehensive licensing and merchandising programs for brands, including the all-new tween music-based property SpacePOP, which launches this summer; the timeless classic Llama Llama, which will debut its first animated production in summer 2017; Baby Genius®, Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club, Stan Lee's Mighty 7 (SLAM 7), Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, and others. Additionally, Newman has managed licensing programs under GBI's wholly owned subsidiary, A Squared Entertainment, LLC, which manages properties that fall outside of GBI's core mission of developing and delivering 'content with a purpose,' including From Frank and Celessence Technologies.

In addition to overseeing consumer products for GBI and A Squared Entertainment and their team of leading licensing agencies around the world, Newman will now spearhead traditional and digital marketing efforts for all of the Company's brands. Lloyd Mintz, Vice President of Consumer Products and Jason Brumbaugh, Vice President of Digital report into Newman.

"Stone has been instrumental in driving the growth of our brands and as a result, we have become a significant player in the kid's media market, even securing a spot in License Global's Top 150 Licensors list this year," said Heyward. "Stone is a force of nature who understands the business inside and out and is extremely passionate about his work, and he will no doubt be just as innovative and enthusiastic in spearheading our marketing initiatives. It is with pleasure that we announce this well deserved promotion."

"I am extremely proud of what we have all at Genius Brands accomplished in less than two years, and we are just getting started," comments Newman. "This year will be hugely important in the growth of the company with our new Sony Music and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment partnerships driving distribution and our brands, such as SpacePOP, launching into the market with entertainment content and a retail program. Plus we are continuing to develop new brands for worldwide distribution."

Newman joined Genius Brands International in 2014 from Art + Science International, Inc., a boutique licensing agency he founded. Representing numerous technology companies, fine artists, fashion and character brands, including Psycho Bunny, From Frank, Celessence, Puff the Magic Dragon andElectroKidz, Newman provided guidance and facilitation of business planning, equity raising, licensing, marketing and product development, as well as retail initiatives. Among the firm's many achievements was the branded licensing program for Celessence Technologies, which Newman led from obscurity to more than $50MM in retail sales through 20 licensees in just three years. The company also represented The Alex Beard Studio, Callaway Arts & Entertainment, Giftventure Studios, GoAnimate.comand MarVista Entertainment, handling the licensing and retail relationship for its hit Disney film release, 16 Wishes.

Newman, an accomplished entrepreneur, also founded and built Sababa Toys from a start-up into a $30MM toy and game manufacturer with product presence in more than 50,000 retail stores. He also worked in marketing and licensing at Hasbro Toys.

About Genius Brands International
Headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, Genius Brands International, Inc. "GBI" (GNUS) is a publicly traded global brand management company that creates and licenses multimedia content for toddlers to tweens. Led by award-winning creators and producers, GBI creates "content and products with a purpose," providing enrichment as well as entertainment. The Company distributes its content worldwide in all formats, as well as a broad range of consumer products based on its characters. GBI's portfolio includes award-winning Baby Genius, re-launched with new entertainment and over 40 new products; adventure comedy Thomas Edison's Secret Lab®, available on Netflix, public broadcast stations and GBI's Kid Genius channel on Comcast's Xfinity on Demand reaching 21 million households; animated movie Stan Lee's Mighty 7, the first project from Stan Lee Comics, a joint venture with Stan Lee's POW! Entertainment and featuring an all-star voice cast led by legendary Stan Lee; and Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club, created with and starring iconic investor Warren Buffett. The Company is also producing a new animated preschool series based on Llama Llama, the NY Times bestselling children's book franchise; and the music-driven, tween adventure series SpacePOP.

GBI's wholly owned subsidiary A Squared Entertainment is a brand management and licensing company that represents third-party properties across a broad range of categories in territories around the world. The company currently represents From Frank, a humor greeting card and product line, and Celessence Technologies, the world's leading microencapsulation company.

For additional information please visit www.gnusbrands.com.

Genius Brands Set To Turn Into Genius Investment In The Month Of June

Wed, 01 Jun 2016 00:00:00 -0400

Two years ago I wrote about Genius Brands International (OTCQB:GNUS) in an article called Follow the smart money into Genius Brands. The company has made a tremendous amount of progress in those 2 years and seems on the verge of gaining the recognition it deserves in the investment community. On May 16th the company released this shareholder letter along with the Q1 report. While revenues did increase a modest 20% it is the catalysts coming in the next month that could significantly increase the company's market cap.

Short Term Catalysts

So what makes June such a pivotal month? As noted in the shareholder letter the Las Vegas licensing show starts on June 21 st. This annual event is the licensing industries largest yearly event and attended by over 15,000 people and almost 500 exhibitors. What three items make this year's event so important? First, the company reported they already have over 100 meetings scheduled during the three day event. Imagine the possibilities with all the new properties they have had under development over the last two years. Secondly, at the show they will be doing a launch of 2 brand new properties that will go along with 5 of their other key properties (Baby Genius, Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, Secret Millionaires Club, Stan Lee Comics, and SpacePOP). Finally, they have promised prior to the June 21 st show there will be the launch of three brand new contents programs that promise to have excellent merchandising and licensing ties.

While the Licensing Show is going to showcase all the current and new brands the company has it is the June 6th launch of its new series called SpacePOP on June 6 th that could launch the stock price into the stratosphere. SpacePOP is aimed directly at the girl tween market which is a multi-billion dollar industry. SpacePOP is an animated musical series that has been called a combination of Spice Girls meets Star Wars. It has incredible ties to apparel, beauty products, games, music and so much more. The part I am most excited about is that they plan to use tween bloggers to help promote the brands. The valuation of this property alone could be well over $100M in annual revenues within a few years and worth many times the company's current small market cap.

CEO increasing His Ownership in Company

While there will be many near term explosive catalysts coming in June there also has been some recent news that has seemed to be ignored. CEO Andy Heyward recently converted some company debt to shares right around today's current stock price. There is never a more bullish sign for a company then an executive buying shares. In this case he really put his money where his mouth is by converting $410,000 into shares at $1.72/share. This also increased his insider position to over 30% of the company. Not only is it easy to see how much he believes in the company but he has a huge incentive to grow it into a huge player in the industry. Keep in mind with $6M in cash, no debt and being cash flow positive he could have easily been paid in cash and he took shares.

Short Interest

What could be another interesting short term influence is the short position in the company. Over the last few months the short position has grown over 75% and is now 255K shares. While this is not a huge number, given that the float is so small at less than 5 million shares according to Yahoo finance, and share trading average volume at only 27K/day this could cause an explosive rally by itself. If someone really has to cover quickly it will cause the stock price to zoom upward. It will provide the perfect example of why you never short low float/low volume stocks.

The Team

Another long term area that is vital with any small stock is the team being put in place to execute the game plan. CEO is Andy Heyward is pretty much is whose/who in the space. He even has his own wiki page. In recent months there have been 2 key announcements on personnel that have virtually gone unnoticed with respect to the stock price. The first hire announced on March 28th was Debra Pierson. As noted in the press release she was a former VP of sales at Kabillion and accomplished the following:

" As VP Sales and Marketing for Kabillion (February 2007-December 2012), Pierson helped launch the Kabillion Kids VOD channel-- now available in over 60 million homes through all major cable providers -- on Comcast, Time Warner and Charter."

The second recent news was the expansion of Stone Newman's role within the company. He is now responsible for worldwide marketing of the ever growing IP catalog. Looking at what he accomplished in a prior job gives a pretty good indication of what he is capable of.

"Among the firm's many achievements was the branded licensing program for Celessence Technologies, which Newman led from obscurity to more than $50MM in retail sales through 20 licensees in just three years."

The significance of either of these two events cannot be understated. Genius Brands new kids channel is now in all 21 million Comcast households and the company is aiming towards having the Kid Genius Channel in 60 million US TV households by year end. The real important takeaway is these are people who have already accomplished exactly what Genius Brands needs to do. They know what to do without any learning curve and they have all the contacts to succeed now. Not only can they grow these brands quickly, but also create exponential revenue growth on what will be extremely high margin items. I estimate the Kids Genius channel alone could well be worth over $100M which once again is many times the current stocks market cap.

Risks

Every stock has its risks that need to be weighed against the possible stock appreciation reward. Genius Brands is no different. While they do not have any of the typical risks you see with small caps along the lines of needing cash, dilution or having to looking for financing every quarter they are very illiquid in trading. The volume has been low and it makes it hard to purchase or sell shares without impacting the stock price. The shorts can control the share price to a large extent. The company has not found a way to bring shareholders to the table. I would hope the company will figure out how to tell this impressive growth story going forward but right now the stock is very hard to buy or sell in any quantity of shares.

Over the years I have seen many stocks like this that I call boutique stocks. By that I really mean they are unique in products and services and virtually unknown in the space. These stocks cover a wide range of products and services and the one item they have in common is that they had the ingredients for explosive stock moves. One of them, JAKKs Pacific (NASDAQ:JAKK), moved from 5 to 25 in the space of a quarter because it was suddenly discovered by the investment community. In my opinion the same type of movement is possible here. It may not be all the June catalysts that start the next big run but the future years are going to be very bright for the company and for the shareholders.

Disclosure: I am/we are long GNUS. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Stocks: GNUS

Netflix Readies Animated ‘Spy Kids,’ ‘Llama Llama’ Series (EXCLUSIVE)

Thu, 16 Jun 2016 00:00:00 -0400

Brian Steinberg, Senior TV Editor

A new passel of kids’ favorites culled from the world of children’s books and popular movies are set to be served up on Netflix.

The subscription-video-on-demand service unveiled a new slate of kids’ properties set to debut this fall, and in 2017 and 2018, part of an ongoing effort to draw younger viewers to the venue – and, perhaps, their parents. Netflix said it would renew “Kong: King of the Apes” for a second season expected to start in 2017, and launch new series based on the popular “Llama Llama” children’s books; the “Skylanders” videogame franchise; the “Hilda” graphic novels; the “Spy Kids” movie franchise; and the movie “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron.”

“At Netflix, we invest in stories that our members will love and cherish,” said Andy Yeatman, director of global kids content for the company, in a prepared statement. “This passion for discovering great storytelling extends to what we offer our youngest members, and we’re excited today to announce a lineup of original shows that will bring a number of well-known and beloved characters to kids and families around the globe.”

“Skylanders Academy” comes from Activision Blizzard Studios, with 13 episodes slated for the fall of 2016 and a second season expected in late 2017. The series is based on the popular videogame that incorporates action figures and sends users into a fantasy world filled with floating islands and magic. The series features the voices of Justin Long; Ashley Tisdale; Jonathan Banks; and Norm MacDonald. Additional voice talent includes Susan Sarandon, Daniel Wu, Parker Posey, James Hetfield, Catherine O’Hara, Chris Diamantopoulos and Harland Williams, among others.

“Llama Llama” is based on the book series by author and illustrator Anna Dewdney that offers lessons in emotional development for preschoolers. The animated show from Genius Brands is slated to debut in 2017 to Netflix members worldwide, and will focus on tales of a young llama’s life as he interacts with family and friends. The series is led by director Rob Minkoff, director Saul Blinkoff, showrunner Joe Purdy, art director Ruben Aquino and producers Jane Startz and Andy Heyward.

“Spirit Riding Free,” from DreamWorks Animation, is inspired by the 2002 Oscar-nominated film “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron,” and follows the journey of a wild mustang who cannot be tamed. The horse falls into adventures with a courageous girl, Lucky. The series will premiere exclusively on Netflix in 2017 in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, U.K., Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, the Nordics, Benelux and France.

The second season of “Kong: King of the Apes,” from 41 Entertainment & Avi Arad Productions, will resolve a cliffhanger from the first-season finale, and show new adventures in a prehistoric underworld filled with dinosaurs, pterosaurs and giant insects. The second season will launch worldwide in 2017.

“Spy Kids: Mission Critical” comes from producer Bob Weinstein and The Weinstein Company, and is based on the “Spy Kids” film franchise. The show follows brother-and-sister team Juni and Carmen Cortez as they attend Spy Kids Academy, a top-secret spy school for kid agents. They must train and lead a team of fellow Spy Kids cadets against the forces of S.W.A.M.P. (Sinister Wrongdoers Against Mankind’s Preservation) and their leader, Golden Brain. FM DeMarco of Netflix original series “Dragons: Race to the Edge” is head writer. The series will be available to Netflix members worldwide in 2018.

“Hilda” is a production of Silvergate Media, in collaboration with Mercury Filmworks, and is based the graphic novels by Luke Pearson. In this animated adventure aimed at older kids, a fearless blue-haired girl travels from her home to the bustling city of Trolberg, where she makes new friends and discovers creatures who are often mysterious and dangerous. Netflix members worldwide will be able to watch “Hilda” beginning in 2018.

Genius Brands seals its largest content licensing deal with Netflix

Fri, 17 Jun 2016 00:00:00 -0400

Joseph O'Halloran; 17 June 2016

Marking what it describes as a milestone in growth, Genius Brands International has cut a deal with subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) leader Netflix to premiere its new original preschool series, Llama Llama.

Llama Llama 17 June 2016Currently in production on 15 half-hour episodes, the animated series is based on the award-winning and bestselling book series by author and illustrator Anna Dewdney. With nearly ten million units in print, Dewdney's Llama Llama books have all been New York Times bestsellers, with several titles reaching the number one spot.

The new series is being produced in 20 different languages, which will be distributed day and date worldwide. GBI is also rolling out a global licensing programme. The works is being driven by a number of leading creators, including Oscar-winning director Rob Minkoff, director Saul Blinkoff, Emmy-winning writer Joe Purdy, Disney art director Ruben Aquino and Emmy-award winning producers Jane Startz and Andy Heyward.

“Only with a property of this calibre, and with a broadcaster of Netflix’s stature have we been in a position to attract such an accomplished and talented team of champions,” remarked GBI chairman and CEO Andy Heyward. “This deal signifies our largest content deal and the global exposure of the brand through our partnership with Netflix will trigger a multitude of income streams in various content windows, as well as in consumer products, immediately becoming accretive to the company.”

Genius Brands launches kids show ‘SpacePop’ on YouTube

Mon, 20 Jun 2016 00:00:00 -0400

Beverly Hills-based Genius Brands International Inc. has launched a new music and fashion-driven animated property, “SpacePOP,” exclusively on YouTube.

Genius Brands (OTCQB: GNUS) said “SpacePOP” is comprised of more than 100 serialized adventures featuring original music woven into a narrative that follows five teenage princesses who disguise themselves as musicians and form a band while they secretly plot to vanquish an evil eEmpress who is seeking to enslave the galaxy.

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Beverly Hills-based Genius Brands International Inc. has launched a new music and… more

The first six videos will debut exclusively on the YouTube SpacePOP Channel. Following the premiere, two new “SpacePOP” videos will be released each week on YouTube, as well as across other digital platforms, including Toon Goggles, PopJam, BatteryPOP and the Kid Genius channel on Comcast's Xfinity on Demand platform.

Music will also be available on iTunes and Spotify. The content and music rollout will be followed by a fall 2016 merchandise launch at retail.

“SpacePOP”’s development and production team includes Steve Banks(head writer and story editor of “Sponge Bob Square Pants”) as content writer; Han Lee (“Pink Fizz,” “Bobby Jack”) for original character designs; producer and music veteran Ron Fair and singer songwriter spouse Stefanie Fair for the original “SpacePOP” theme music; and veteran music producer and composer John Loeffler for original songs.

“‘SpacePOP’ is a very unique brand, developed for girls in a manner that speaks directly to their passions as well as how they are consuming media," Genius Brands Chairman and Chief Executive Andy Heywardsaid in a statement. “We're premiering on YouTube primarily because of its popularity, as well as its forward-thinking approach to promotion. "

In addition to its premiere on YouTube, “SpacePOP” will also be a participant in YouTube Kids' Reading Program, which runs in June within the YouTube Kids app. The program will include “SpacePOP” music videos and kinetic text videos encompassing excerpts from the forthcoming book release (due out July 26 from Macmillan Publishing's Imprint).

GBI will also launch a number of digital marketing initiatives to support the “SpacePOP” launch.

'SpacePOP' brings kids TV to YouTube

Mon, 20 Jun 2016 00:00:00 -0400

By Yvonne Villarreal

Veteran TV producer Andy Heyward got into the business of children’s programming back when it was mostly relegated to Saturday mornings and when commanding the attention of youngsters didn’t require a touch-screen device.

“That world is long gone,” said Heyward, who spent his early career writing on shows such as “Inspector Gadget” and “Super Mario Bros. Super Show!”

Today, it’s rare to find a child plopped in front of a TV at a certain time to watch a certain show on a certain channel. So Heyward is unveiling his latest animated series the new fashioned way, on YouTube.

His Beverly Hills company, Genius Brands International, which creates and licenses multimedia content, is utilizing YouTube to exclusively launch a new animated property, “SpacePOP.”

Geared toward kids ages 8 to 12, the music and fashion-centric series follows five teenage princesses who disguise themselves as musicians and form a band while they secretly plot to a rebellion against the evil Empress Geela. The series is comprised of over 100 serialized episodes that are each about three minutes in length.

“It’s like Spice Girls meets ‘Star Wars,’” said Heyward, who is chief executive of Genius Brands.

The series arrives at a time when traditional children’s networks are grappling with shifting viewing habits of its core audience. Streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu and Amazon are clamoring to fill their slates with content that will keep young viewers locked on their services.

“We are a small company,” Heyward said in a phone interview. “We are competing against big giants with unlimited resources like the Walt Disney Co. … Our idea was to launch something for kids who were born into a digital universe, who live in that universe. For them, viewing does not occur on a television set. It most often occurs on a mobile device.”

See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour »

"SpacePOP." (Genius Brands International)

“SpacePOP” features a familiar name from within traditional children’s programming, with Steve Banks (head writer and story editor of “SpongeBob SquarePants”) serving as the show’s writer.

Helping on the music side are Grammy Award-winning producer Ron Fair (Fergie and Mary J. Blige) and his singer-songwriter spouse Stefanie Fair, who both worked on the theme music for the series. And music producer and composer John Loeffler (“Kidz Bop” and “Pokémon”) worked on the original music featured on the show.

Each episode will feature a 90-second music video of either original music or cover songs.

The first six videos will debut exclusively on the YouTube SpacePOP channel. Genius Brands will receive a share of the ad revenue generated when people view the videos.

Following the premiere, two new videos will be released each week on YouTube, as well as other digital platforms, Toon Goggles, PopJam, BatteryPOP and the Kid Genius channel on Comcast’s Xfinity on Demand platform. Music featured on the show will also be available on iTunes and Spotify.

"We are thrilled that Genius Brands recognizes the power of YouTube and is leveraging the platform to make their new series available to YouTube viewers around the world,” Angela Y. Lin, head of YouTube Kids and Learning in North America, said in a statement.

Genius Brands is also seeking the help of YouTube influencers, those with large followings who can help increase brand awareness and engagement, to help spread word about the series.

Popular YouTube stars such as Sophia Grace and Angelic, who have more than 2 million subscribers between them, will mention the series on their channels.

“You have to fish in the ponds where the fish are. And you have to have a communication strategy that is going to reach [young viewers] from those they are already watching and talking and listening to,” Heyward said.

The content and music rollout will be followed by a fall 2016 merchandise launch.

yvonne.villarreal@latimes.com

Stan Lee's POW! Entertainment Teams With Hollywood Reporter on New Series 'Cosmic Crusaders'

Tue, 21 Jun 2016 00:00:00 -0400

The adult animated series, co-produced with Genius Brands International and written by 'Deadpool' co-creator Fabian Nicieza based on a concept by Lee, marks the first show to debut on THR.com, with the premiere episode in virtual reality.

Stan Lee's POW! Entertainment has partnered with The Hollywood Reporter and global brand management company Genius Brands International on the launch of a new property, Stan Lee's Cosmic Crusaders.

The launch of the new animated series, aimed at 18- to 34-year-olds, coincides with THR's special salute "Stan Lee: 75 Years in the Business" in the upcoming Comic-Con issue. The announcement was made jointly Tuesday by Gill Champion, CEO and president of POW! Entertainment; The Hollywood Reporter's Entertainment Group president/chief creative officer Janice Min; and Andy Heyward, chairman and CEO of GBI.

A co-production of POW! Entertainment, GBI and THR, Stan Lee's Cosmic Crusaders was written by Fabian Nicieza (co-creator of Deadpool) based on a concept by Lee, who will edit and voice himself as one of the series' main characters. Superstar comic artist Todd McFarlane is creating the cover graphics for THR's special issue on Lee.

The show follows Lee, who, having come down with a case of writer's block, meets seven aliens who have crash-landed on Earth. Each of the aliens has superpowers; however, they can only use their powers in their homeland. On the verge of being captured by "the men in white coats," Lee offers the aliens sanctuary and puts them through intensive superhero immersion training, helping them learn how to access and use their powers on Earth.

The first four episodes will premiere exclusively on THR.com, with one episode airing each day during Comic-Con International 2016. The debut episode will be presented in virtual reality, with smartphone VR viewers to be handed out at Comic-Con.

Stan Lee's Cosmic Crusaders is the first series to launch on THR.com and will be promoted through THR's YouTube channel, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. THR also will collaborate with distribution partners on promoting the premiere episodes on THR.com and the remaining 22 episodes of the series. The animated series will then move to full global distribution through GBI.

The global consumer products program will be introduced by GBI at Licensing Expo 2016, beginning Tuesday. The company has already secured national retailer Hot Topic to launch the brand under a direct-to-retail apparel and accessories program in stores and online in conjunction with the webisode launch at San Diego Comic-Con.

"I can't wait to bestow upon the world one of our latest creations, Stan Lee's Cosmic Crusaders," said Lee. "And as if this wasn't exciting enough, we've joined forces with the creative teams at The Hollywood Reporter and Genius Brands, so you can guarantee this will be an unforgettable event that you won't want to miss!"

Added Min: "The Hollywood Reporter is thrilled to collaborate with Genius Brands and POW! Entertainment to celebrate Stan Lee's amazing accomplishments and longevity with the premiere of his latest animated series, Stan Lee's Cosmic Crusaders, on THR.com during Comic-Con International. Having that exclusive airing coincide with a special feature on Stan, the superhero of comic creators, within the pages of our special Comic-Con edition of THR is so perfect. Nobody comes close to Stan's creative prolificacy, and the introduction of this new series is the ideal opportunity for the industry and THR to honor Stan and his trailblazing contributions as a one-of-a-kind visionary."

Said Heyward: "Stan Lee is a true industry icon. From his Marvel superheroes like Spider-Man, Captain America, Iron Man, the X-Men, Hulk, the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, to the latest characters in Stan Lee's Cosmic Crusaders, he continues to stimulate our imaginations with characters and stories that are as indelible and relevant today as they were 50 years ago and will be 50 years from now. We are honored to partner with Stan's POW! Entertainment on producing his latest project and look forward to further collaborations as we celebrate this legendary man and his remarkable body of work."

The news come on the heels of THR winning a 2016 Webby Award for best online film and video in the entertainment category. THR also was honored with the American Society of Magazine Editors' National Magazine Award for General Excellence in the Special Interest category in 2015 and 2016 in addition to a 2015 and 2016 ASME National Magazine Award nomination for Magazine of the Year and a Gerald Loeb Award nomination for its Studio Chiefs Roundtable.

In 2014, THR won a Los Angeles Area Emmy Award for The Hollywood Reporter in Focus: The Wolf of Wall Street. The Hollywood Reporter and Sundance TV partnered in 2015 to co-produce and broadcast Close Up With The Hollywood Reporter, an original nonfiction series featuring panels with awards contenders.

The Hollywood Reporter-Billboard Media Group reaches more than 24 million U.S. users a month online, with a social footprint of about 15 million, ranking No. 5 among comScore entertainment-news properties.

STAN LEE'S POW! ENTERTAINMENT LAUNCHES ADULT ANIMATED SERIES "COSMIC CRUSADERS"

Tue, 21 Jun 2016 00:00:00 -0400

Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee is headed to television. Together with The Hollywood Reporter and Genius Brands International Inc., Stan Lee's POW! Entertainment will launch an adult animated series called "Cosmic Crusaders," which follows Lee himself after he encounters seven aliens who have crash-landed on Earth.

Written by Deadpool co-creator Fabian Nicieza based on a concept by Lee, the show finds Lee with a case of writer's block -- until the aforementioned aliens arrive. Each of the seven aliens has superpowers, but there's a catch: they can only use their powers in their homeland. In order to help them, Lee offers them not only asylum but "intensive superhero immersion training" so that they can master their abilities on earth.

Lee will edit and voice himself as one of the series' main characters, with "Spawn" creator Todd McFarlane creating cover graphics.

The first four episodes of the show, which is aimed at 18- to 34-year-olds, will premiere on THR.com, with one episode airing each day during Comic-Con International 2016. Smartphone VR viewers will be handed out at Comic-Con for the debut episode, which will be presented in virtual reality.

"I can't wait to bestow upon the world one of our latest creations, 'Stan Lee's Cosmic Crusaders,'" Lee said in a statement. "And as if this wasn't exciting enough, we've joined forces with the creative teams at The Hollywood Reporter and Genius Brands, so you can guarantee this will be an unforgettable event that you won't want to miss!"

"The Hollywood Reporter is thrilled to collaborate with Genius Brands and POW! Entertainment to celebrate Stan Lee's amazing accomplishments and longevity with the premiere of his latest animated series, 'Stan Lee's Cosmic Crusaders,' on THR.com during Comic-Con International," added The Hollywood Reporter's Entertainment Group president/chief creative officer Janice Min." Having that exclusive airing coincide with a special feature on Stan, the superhero of comic creators, within the pages of our special Comic-Con edition of THR is so perfect. Nobody comes close to Stan's creative prolificacy, and the introduction of this new series is the ideal opportunity for the industry and THR to honor Stan and his trailblazing contributions as a one-of-a-kind visionary."

GBI will also collaborate with national retailer Hot Topic, which will "launch the brand under a direct-to-retail apparel and accessories program in stores and online in conjunction with the webisode launch at San Diego Comic-Con."

"Stan Lee's Cosmic Crusaders" will debut July 21 on THR.com.

Genius Brands International (GNUS) recently released a letter to shareholders from Chairman & CEO Andy Heyward.

Thu, 30 Jun 2016 00:00:00 -0400

Genius Brands International, Inc. Issues Shareholder Letter

Marketwired June 30, 2016

Genius Brands International will premiere GBI's new original preschool series, Llama Llama, to Netflix members worldwide in 2017. Currently in production on 15 half-hour episodes, Llama Llama, based on the award-winning and bestselling book series by author and illustrator Anna Dewdney, is led by an all-star team of creators, including Oscar®-winning director Rob Minkoff (The Lion King), director Saul Blinkoff (Doc McStuffins, Barbie's Dreamtopia, Winnie the Pooh), Emmy winning writer Joe Purdy(Arthur), legendary Disney art director Ruben Aquino (Frozen, The Lion King, Aladdin, Mulan) and Emmy®-award winning producers Jane Startz and Andy HeywardClick

BEVERLY HILLS, CA--(Marketwired - June 30, 2016) - Genius Brands International (GNUS) recently released a letter to shareholders from Chairman & CEO Andy Heyward. The complete letter follows:

I try to write regularly with the news going on within your company. Our news is good. The recent vote of the U.K. to exit the European Union has sent global markets in a tizzy. Yet it also illustrates one of the most interesting characteristics of Genius Brands International and the business of making animated cartoons.

Our business isn't really affected if Britain leaves or stays within the EU. Our business really doesn't depend on the price of oil. Nor will it go up or down if Kim Jung Un launches a new missile in the Sea of Japan. The business of making animated cartoons won't be affected whether Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump is elected our next President. Changes in technology or new distribution systems only enrich the intrinsic value of animated cartoons. Strong cartoon characters don't go obsolete and are not diminished by innovation. In fact, they are enhanced by it.

Tom and Jerry was first made in 1939. It performed through World War II, through the Baby Boomer generation, through Generation X, through the Millennials, and it performs for kids today. It has gone through depressions and recessions, prosperity and booms. It went from distribution in movie theaters, to television, to cable, to satellite, to VHS, to DVD and Blu-ray, and now the Internet. It has lived on film, on tape, digitally and will continue through constantly new and emerging technologies. A good cartoon can be a cash cow, which over and again demonstrates itself to be impervious to the risks of economic, social and political change. Kids will always watch cartoons. Kids will always need backpacks, games, electronics, lunch boxes, toys and plush, bed sheets and sleepwear, and the myriad of aspirational products that fulfill their wonder to continuously engage in the fun and fantasy of animated characters and stories. The Flintstones were made almost 60 years ago, but every kid today knows them. I think that every kid today knows Flintstones vitamins and every kid today knows Fruity Pebbles cereal.

Why? Because the same as Tom and Jerry, good story telling is timeless, and regardless of the innovation or distribution system, strong characters and good stories endure. Animated characters and stories in particular have proven again and again, they endure best. They have shown themselves to be:

international
evergreen
merchandisable into consumer products
In an uncertain and changing world, DreamWorks Animation recently sold to Comcast for $3.8 billion dollars, and Disney's latest animated movie Finding Dory, broke opening week box office records. We are reminded once again that companies which make animated characters for kids are very valuable and in demand.

Last week at Licensing Show, Genius Brands International officially launched three new properties.

"SPACE POP"

"LLAMA LLAMA"

"STAN LEE'S COSMIC CRUSADERS"

What makes these three special is that:

each launched with Tiffany distribution platforms (You Tube, Netflix, THR/Billboard.com).
each targeted to a different demographic and provide diversification (tween girls, toddlers, Young Adult males).
each come with existing licensees and retailers (multiple).
Licensing Show was a resounding success for Genius Brands International!

We met with many of the leading retailers and leading manufacturing companies for a variety of categories ranging from toys to apparel, from footwear to Halloween, from accessories to digital. Our brands were extremely well received, and our team is now in the process of following up, procuring proposals and starting the process negotiating deals, which we anticipate will conclude over the course of the summer. These deals will generate advances, which will be accompanied by minimum guarantees and a commitment to bring products to market for our various animated characters/brands. We intend that the above brands will be joined later in the summer with one final brand targeted for preschool girls and join our three other tent pole properties in the marketplace.

"BABY GENIUS"

"THOMAS EDISON'S SECRET LAB"

"WARREN BUFFETT'S SECRET MILLIONAIRES CLUB"

With these seven properties, Genius Brands International now has a full dance card, across all categories and demos. We are 'locked and loaded." These are our Magnificent Seven!

IN OUR JUDGEMENT, SEVERAL OF THESE PROPERTIES HAVE THE POTENTIAL OF BECOMING BILLION DOLLAR BRANDS, no different from a Power Rangers, a Ninja Turtles, a Pokemon, a Barney, a Strawberry Shortcake, a Care Bears, a Tom & Jerry, a Smurfs, a He Man, or the numerous others that have reached that status.

SpacePOP licenses have been signed across all major categories. Books, toys, apparel, electronics, accessories, videos, music, footwear, room décor, and confection are among the many products that will roll out in retail, beginning this summer and into fall.
Baby Genius already has an array of products on Amazon, which will remain our exclusive retail partner through 2016.
Thomas Edison's Secret Lab has science kits and related products from Wicked Cool Toys coming out this coming 4th quarter.
Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club has books on how to start your first business already in Barnes & Noble and elsewhere, and has just begun its second printing! n.b. At Warren's invitation, we recently brought inventory of Secret Millionaires Club products to the annual Berkshire Hathaway meeting, and exhibited on the floor, alongside Coca Cola, NetJets, See's Candies, Geico Insurance, Borsheims, Nebraska Furniture Mart, Heinz Ketchup, BNSF Railroad, among all the other Berkshire companies. The entire inventory of books, videos, Business in a Box first business kits was sold out. We are currently expanding that brand among other items, to produce a plush figure of Warren Buffett with a talking chip which will articulate Warren's phrases of wisdom and learning for kids (e.g. "The more you learn, the more you'll earn," "The best investment you can make is an investment in yourself," "Someone is sitting in the shade today, because long ago, someone planted a tree").

Llama Llama. Girls Sleepwear, Boys sleepwear, plush, specialty plush, puppets, Jack in the Boxes, videos, and of course the upcoming Netflix animated series.
Stan Lee's Cosmic Crusaders will be launching exclusively with t-shirts, apparel and accessories at Hot Topic, before going wide.
WITH EVERY SINGLE ITEM SOLD, GENIUS BRANDS INTERNATIONAL EARNS AN AVERAGE ROYALTY RATE OF APPROXIMATELY 10% OF WHOLESALE SALES.

The programs are all in their earliest stages of signing licensees and rolling out at retail, and we are enthusiastic about their rollout and growth.

The aggregation of these powerful, pre-sold, marquee value properties now into a single catalogue places Genius Brands into the very thin air of the leading purveyors who create, produce, distribute and merchandise kids animated content.

Over the last years, one by one, these companies which make animated cartoons and have had catalogues and the infrastructure to create kids brands have been gobbled up at increasingly higher values, culminating most recently with DreamWorks recent sale to Comcast/Universal for $3.8 Billion dollars.

Hanna Barbera (sold to Warner Brothers)

Jim Henson Company* (originally sold to EMTV, bought back by the Henson family and a package of assets spun off and sold to Disney)

DIC (sold to Cookie Jar)

Nelvana (sold to Corus)

Cinar (sold to Cookie Jar)

Cookie Jar (sold to DHX)

Saban* (sold to Disney and subsequently re-acquired from Disney)

Classic Media (sold to Dream Works Animation)

Marvel Animation (sold to Disney)

DreamWorks Animation (sold to Comcast/Universal)

All of them today are gone. Sold either to Disney, Warner Brothers, Comcast/Universal, or elsewhere.

Here at Genius Brands International, we are building an incredibly valuable company with a powerful and proven business model. We have a clean balance sheet, no litigation, and plenty of cash in the bank. In the space of three years we have created, produced/producing, and are licensing globally, seven diverse and highly coveted children's animated brands, and have launched a VOD kids channel currently in 21 million U.S. TV households and growing rapidly. With a perspective of many years in the business, I can say our team is second to none.

The company is not for sale. We are building value, and are excited to see it grow in the coming months.

Andy Heyward
Chairman & CEO
Genius Brands International, Inc.

Watch the Premiere of 'Stan Lee's Cosmic Crusaders' as Comics Legend Debuts New Superhero Team

Mon, 18 Jul 2016 00:00:00 -0400

San Diego Comic-Con will soon be crawling with dozens of characters created by Stan Lee, but ahead of the convention, the comic book legend is unveiling his latest creation.

The first episode of Stan Lee's Cosmic Crusaders is now streaming, with The Hollywood Reporter debuting the animated series starring Lee and centering on a group of seven aliens he must train to become a superhero team. A new episode will premiere daily through Friday at thr.com/cosmic.

"The Hollywood Reporter is thrilled to celebrate Stan Lee's uncanny, amazing and incredible accomplishments of the course of a momentous career, which has not yet found its peak," says Janice Min, chief creative officer and co-president of The Hollywood Reporter-Billboard Media Group. "With Stan Lee's Cosmic Crusaders, fans will get access to the mind of a real-life creative superhero in Stan Lee. Bringing this series to fans around the world, THR will help honor the trailblazing creative contributions and visionary leadership Stan Lee has given to entertainment."

The series is produced by Lee's POW! Entertainment, in partnership with THR and global brand management company Genius Brands International.

"I can't wait to bestow upon the world one of our latest creations, Stan Lee's Cosmic Crusaders," says Lee. "Celebrating 75 years in the entertainment business is staggering enough, and as if this wasn't exciting enough, we've joined forces with my friends at The Hollywood Reporter and Genius Brands International so you don't want to miss out on this event!"

While Lee pioneered the idea of the flawed superhero in the 1960s with characters like Spider-Man and The X-Men, Cosmic Crusaders takes that idea a whole new level. It's edgy, aimed at adults and features protagonists who don't necessarily want to do the right thing.

"They are all fish out of water, and yet each of them, little by little, has some aspect about them that makes you want to root for them," says Deadpool co-creator Fabian Nicieza, who wrote the animated series based on a concept by Lee. "You can cheer these guys on even though you don't necessarily want to depend on them to save you in a fire. They may save you, but they'll burn the whole house down."

Nicieza says Lee was very hands on during the writing of the series, sending copious script notes, particularly about his character, a heightened version of himself, who at times in the series is more concerned with fame and fortune than saving the world.

On Thursday, a virtual reality component to the series will launch from Legend VR, which will allow fans to watch the series along with Lee in his living room (stay tuned to Heat Vision for more details on that). That innovative idea came out of a conversation with Lee about how to push the series even further into the cutting edge.

"Stan is in a class of his own. He is iconic. When I think of him, I think of a Walt Disney or somebody like that. He has so many amazing brands he has created over the years," says Andy Heyward, chairman and CEO of GBI. "I tease him that he's Benjamin Button. He gets younger every year. He's witty, glib. He's articulate. If I send him an email at midnight, I'll get an email back at 12:02. He has an amazing energy and he's a real blessing and treasure to our industry."

The series comes as THR is poised to launch its Comic-Con issue, which includes THR's special salute, "Stan Lee: 75 Years in the Business."

Stan Lee Blasts Off Into Space With Cosmic Crusaders

Tue, 19 Jul 2016 00:00:00 -0400

Marvel’s peerless writer/editor blazes onto the internet with an edgy animated series.

Cosmic Crusaders, the latest brainchild of the man who has been one of the brightest stars in the comic universe for most of the past century, is touching down on Earth.

The animated sci-fi series stars a 2-D version of the legend himself, known for his impeccably timed Marvel movie cameos. He cruises down the highway to forget his writer’s block until he has a close encounter of the first kind with a brigade of exiled (and possibly deranged) extraterrestrials. The aliens zoom away in his convertible just in time to escape a swarm of black helicopters. What they don’t know—until a naked Strongarm, who looks as if a mad scientist spliced together the DNA of Thor and the Hulk in a petri dish, eavesdrops on a phone call— is that Lee has ulterior motives.

These supernatural life forms are surprisingly human. They take Lee’s concept of the imperfect superhero to new heights. Earthlings will be able to relate to the winged, armored, lightning-throwing, laser-shooting heroes exactly because they aren’t infallible. As screenwriter and Deadpool co-creator Fabian Nicieza put it, "They may save you, but they'll burn the whole house down."

"I can't wait to bestow upon the world one of our latest creations, Stan Lee's Cosmic Crusaders," the comic luminary said. "Celebrating 75 years in the entertainment business is staggering enough, and as if this wasn’t exciting enough, we’ve joined forces with my friends at The Hollywood Reporter and Genius Brands International so you don't want to miss out on this event!"

Lee’s POW! Entertainment joins forces with The Hollywood Reporter and Genius Brands International to produce Cosmic Crusaders, which will stream a new episode here for every day of San Diego Comic-Con week through Friday. Watch for the aliens’ new costumes, and Strongarm’s “peculiar proclivities”, in the next episode.

Lee’s take on the series? “I love it! Naturally, I made it up.”

GBI secures raft of new partners for YouTube series SpacePOP

Fri, 22 Jul 2016 00:00:00 -0400

Madame Alexander Doll Company has come on board to create a line of fashion dolls and figures based on the brand’s main characters.

Genius Brands International has secured a slate of toy partners across the US for its growing YouTube property, SpacePOP.

Madame Alexander Doll Company has come on board to create a line of fashion dolls and figures based on the brand’s main characters, while KIDdesigns will deliver youth electronics, tech accessories and electronic toys.

Outside of toys, Mad Dog Concepts will launch a line of loungewear and sleepwear, Franco Manufacturing has signed on for bedding and bath textiles, Berkshire Fashions for head wear and cold weather accessories, while FAB Starpoint will deliver bags and accessories.

The new licensees join a growing roster of partners for the SpacePOP property that already spans products including confectionery, apparel, activity kits and more.

“The appeal of SpacePOP continues to fuel great demand from the licensing community across all categories, lining up best-in-class key partners for our launch,” said GBI’s president of global consumer products and marketing, Stone Newman.

“In addition to the captivating characters and engaging storylines, this property fuses the passionate interest of tween girls – fashion, music, fantasy – and offers licensing, merchandising and retail partners the opportunity to develop an indelible association with their product or brand at the onset of what promises to be a hugely successful, fresh, new brand for girls.”

More licensees jump on SpacePOP

Mon, 25 Jul 2016 00:00:00 -0400

Following SpacePOP’s June 20 premiere on YouTube, Genius Brands is expanding the retail program for the tween girls brand.

July 25, 2016

Genius Brands International has secured a number of new North American licensees for SpacePOP, as the company continues to expand its CP program for the music-driven tween girls brand.

Among the newly appointed partners is Madam Alexander Doll Company, which will create a line of fashion dolls and figures based on SpacePOP’s main characters.

KIDdesigns (youth electronics, tech accessories and electronic toys), Mad Dog Concepts (loungewear and sleepwear), Franco Manufacturing (bedding and bath textiles, accessories and room décor), Berkshire Fashions (hosiery, head wear and cold weather accessories) and FAB Starpoint (bags, backpacks and accessories) have also come on-board as key licensees and will begin releasing merchandise in the US this fall.

They join existing SpacePOP licensees including Taste Beauty, Bare Tree Media, Canal Toys, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and Imprint.

The retail rollout follows quickly behind SpacePOP‘s June 20 on-screen launch. The series premiered exclusively on the brand’s YouTube channel and has already exceeded three million views. Each episode features original music and focuses on fashion, beauty and friendship. On top of YouTube, SpacePOP is also available on Toon Goggles, PopJam, BatteryPOP and the Kid Genius channel on Comcast’s Xfinity on Demand platform.

Genius Brands International's Hit, Music-Driven YouTube Tween Series SpacePOP to Debut on Kabillion Girls Rule!(TM) and Kid Genius Network Reaching a Combined 70 Million+ Audience

Fri, 12 Aug 2016 00:00:00 -0400

Aug 12, 2016 (Marketwired via COMTEX) -- New Platforms Extend Series Reach Following YouTube Channel Launch Which Has Amassed More Than 4 Million Views to Date

BEVERLY HILLS, CA--(Marketwired - August 12, 2016) - Genius Brands International "GBI" (GNUS), a global content and brand management company dedicated to providing entertaining and enriching "content with a purpose" for toddlers to tweens, has signed a new licensing agreement with Kabillion® to debut its hit, music-driven YouTube tween series SpacePOP today on Kabillion Girls Rule!™, reaching more than 50 million U.S. households through multiple outlets, including Comcast, Time Warner, and Charter, among others. Kabillion Girls Rule! is a U.S. top-10 ranked free kids On Demand TV Network and the first and only On Demand network for girls.

The debut coincides with the launch of SpacePOP on GBI's Kid Genius VOD channel, available to approximately 22 million households across the U.S. through Comcast's CMCSA, -0.13% Xfinity On Demand platform.

Commented Deb Pierson, General Manager, Kid Genius Channel, "Our YouTube launch of SpacePOP has already engaged millions of young girls with this colorful, lifestyle series, and distribution on Kabillion Girls Rule! will enable us to introduce millions more with their highly targeted audience of 6- to 12-year-olds, complementing our own distribution across the Kid Genius channel."

Added David Di Lorenzo, President, Kabillion, "We are happy to add SpacePOP to our programming line-up. This fun, short-form, music-based content is perfect for our tween audience of Kabillion Girls Rule!"

GBI forged new paths in the children's media space by utilizing YouTube as its initial distribution path for SpacePOP, which launched exclusively on the YouTube SpacePOP Channel on June 20th, 2016, and has already amassed more than 4 million views. Following the premiere of the first six videos, two new SpacePOP videos have been released on YouTube each week, as well as across other digital platforms, including Toon Goggles, PopJam and BatteryPOP. SpacePOP music is available from Sony Music Entertainment on iTunes and Spotify.

SpacePOP is comprised of over 108 x 3' serialized adventures, featuring original music woven into a narrative that follows five teenage princesses who disguise themselves as musicians and form a band while they secretly plot to vanquish an evil empress who is seeking to enslave the galaxy. SpacePOP offers a colorful blend of music, fashion, beauty, friendship and intergalactic adventures, resulting in an engaging lifestyle brand.

SpacePOP was developed with a best-in-class development and production team, including Emmy Award-nominated Steve Banks (head writer and story editor of Sponge Bob Square Pants) as content writer; Han Lee (Pink Fizz, Bobby Jack) for original character designs; multiple Grammy Award-winning producer and music veteran Ron Fair (Fergie, Mary J. Blige, Black Eyed Peas, Pussycat Dolls, Christina Aguilera) and his singer-songwriter spouse Stefanie Fair (founding member of RCA's girl group Wild Orchid with Fergie) for the original SpacePOP theme music; and veteran music producer and composer John Loeffler (Kidz Bop, Pokemon) for original songs.

The Kid Genius Network is a free, advertising supported On Demand service, which launched in October 2015, featuring GBI's innovative, original animation series, including Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, Stan Lee's Mighty 7 and Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club alongside award-winning Baby Genius content and such classic children's series as ABC Monsters.For more information, visit www.kidgeniustv.com

About Genius Brands International

Headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, Genius Brands International, Inc. "GBI" (otcqb:GNUS) is a publicly traded global brand management company that creates and licenses multimedia content. Led by award-winning creators and producers, the company distributes its content worldwide in all formats, as well as a broad range of consumer products based on its characters. In the children's media sector, GBI's portfolio features "content with a purpose" for toddlers to tweens, which provides enrichment as well as entertainment, including tween music-driven brand SpacePOP; preschool property Llama Llama to debut on Netflix; award-winning Baby Genius, re-launched with new entertainment and over 40 new products; adventure comedy Thomas Edison's Secret Lab®, available on Netflix, public broadcast stations and GBI's Kid Genius channel on Comcast's Xfinity on Demand; Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club, created with and starring iconic investor Warren Buffett. The company is also co-producing an all-new adult animated series, Cosmic Crusaders, with Stan Lee's Pow! Entertainment and The Hollywood Reporter. Additionally under GBI's wholly owned subsidiary, A Squared Entertainment, the company represents third-party properties, including From Frank, a humor greeting card and product line, and Celessence Technologies, the world's leading micro encapsulation company, across a broad range of categories in territories around the world. For additional information please visit www.gnusbrands.com.

About Kabillion

Kabillion® and Kabillion Girls Rule™!, a subsidiary of U.S.-based Splash Entertainment, is a ranked Top Ten U.S. Kids Free On Demand TV Networks, reaching over 50 million US households and available on Comcast, Time Warner & Charter, among others. Kabillion is an ad supported network with pre-roll ads geared to kids and their families offering advertisers benefits such as increased ad durations, longer campaign flights, interstitials, and dynamic ad insertion through their partnership with Canoe in a 24/7 On Demand Network. Kabillion's reach extends across their multiple platforms, including Kabillion, Kabillion Girls Rule!, and the Kabillion YouTube channel which operates in direct partnership with YouTube.

SpacePOP debuts on Kabillion Girls Rule!

Mon, 15 Aug 2016 00:00:00 -0400

The Genius Brands International series has extended its reach with new platforms following its June YouTube channel launch.

https://ql.mediasilo.com/#ql/588003e5e4b0f36aeeca37b6

August 15, 2016

Genius Brands International’s music-driven tween girls brand SpacePOP has made its way to a number of new screens. The California-based brand manager has signed a new licensing agreement with Kabillion to debut its series SpacePOP on Kabillion Girls Rule!

The deal will see SpacePOP reach more than 50 million U.S. households through outlets including Comcast, Time Warner and Charter. Kabillion Girls Rule! — a subsidiary of the U.S.-based Splash Entertainment — is ranked among the top 10 free kids on-demand TV networks in the U.S. and specifically targets kids ages six to 12.

The series’ Aug. 12 debut on Kabillion coincided with the launch of SpacePOP on Genius Brands’ Kid Genius VOD channel. Through Comcast’s Xfinity On Demand platform, ad-supported Kid Genius is available to approximately 22 million households across the U.S.

Since launching on YouTube on June 20, SpacePOP has already amassed more than four million views. Two new videos are released each week on YouTube and across additional platforms including Toon Goggles, PopJam and BatteryPOP.

Recently, Genius Brands secured a number of new North American licensees for the SpacePOP brand, including the Madam Alexander Doll Company (dolls), KIDdesigns (tech accessories and electronic toys) and Mad Dog Concepts (loungewear and sleepwear).

Leumi Provides $5.2MM Facility for Genius Brands

Mon, 15 Aug 2016 00:00:00 -0400

Genius Brands International closed a $5.2 million credit facility with Bank Leumi secured by its Netflix agreement to produce 30 episodes of the animated preschool series Llama Llama, featuring the voice of Jennifer Garner.

“This is a milestone agreement for GBI on many levels,” said Andy Heyward, chairman and CEO of GBI. “Since we sold neither stock nor equity, there is no dilution for this money. It insures we will have access to the value of the Netflix contract (which is payable on and in the months after delivery), and we will have no need for raising funds to produce the series. It also speaks to third party validation of GBI’s creditworthiness, by an active and well-respected lender in the entertainment credit community.”

Beverly Hills, CA-based Genius Brands International is a publicly traded global brand management company that creates and licenses multimedia content.

Genius Brands International, Inc. Issues Shareholder Letter

Tue, 16 Aug 2016 00:00:00 -0400

Since its launch on YouTube on June 20th, the all new, music-driven tween brand SpacePOP has amassed approximately 4.5MM views and more than 12K subscribers.Click here for high-resolution version

BEVERLY HILLS, CA--(Marketwired - August 16, 2016) - Genius Brands (GNUS)recently released a letter to shareholders from Chairman & CEO Andy Heyward. The complete letter follows:

"The most important investment you can make
is an investment in yourself."
-Warren Buffett

At Genius Brands International, we've taken these simple words from Warren Buffett to heart and the results are beginning to show. Today we released our 10Q filing for the 2nd quarter of 2016. We are on track to finish the year with material growth in revenues, asset creation, licensees, channel subscribers, and advertising revenue to our growing channel with Comcast currently in 21 million homes, KID GENIUS.

Here are some specific Q2, 2016 financial highlights I would like to share.

Increasing Account Receivables. Net Accounts receivable increased by 98% or $168,259 from the year ended December 31, 2015 and by 134% or $194,945 from June 30, 2015 due to new contracts, as well as milestone payments in existing contracts.
Increasing Deferred Revenue and Advances
- Total Deferred Revenue and Advances increased 223% or $2,141,441 from the year ended December 31, 2015. The majority of increase reflects the signing of distribution agreement with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Inc. in which we received an advance in the amount of $2.0 million, against future royalties. These are contracted revenues that will be recognized over the passage of time as all revenue recognition criteria are met.
Total Deferred Revenue and Advances increased 223% or $2,141,441 from the year ended December 31, 2015. The majority of increase reflects the signing of distribution agreement with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Inc. in which we received an advance in the amount of $2.0 million, against future royalties. These are contracted revenues that will be recognized over the passage of time as all revenue recognition criteria are met.
Reduction of Short-Term Advances carried on the balance sheet
- On May 5, 2016, Genius extinguished $410,535 in certain short term cash advances through issuing 238,638 shares, not cash, to myself.
On May 5, 2016, Genius extinguished $410,535 in certain short term cash advances through issuing 238,638 shares, not cash, to myself.
Increasing Television & Home Entertainment Revenue Television & Home Entertainment Revenue increased by 426% or $37,851 from the three months ended June 30, 2015 and by 78% or $109,518 from the six months ended June 30, 2015. Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, released at the end of 2015, continues to generate revenues for the Company as we deliver the series to distributors around the world. (n.b. Thomas Edisons Secret Lab toy sets from Wicked Cool Toys, will be in the marketplace Q4 of this year!!)
In addition to the 10Q, this last Friday, Genius announced we have just closed a $5.2million credit facility with Bank Leumi secured by our Netflix agreement to produce 30(11 minute) cartoons of Llama Llama, the NY Times #1 best seller children's book series.

This is a milestone agreement for Genius Brands on many levels. Since we sold neither stock nor equity, there is no dilution. It ensures we will have access to the value of the Netflix contract (which is payable on and in the months after delivery), and Genius will have no need for raising funds to produce the series. It also speaks to 3rd party validation of GBI's creditworthiness, by an active and well respected lender in the entertainment credit community.

CHINA. Additionally, and concurrent with the Llama Llama production, we have negotiated a high six-figure deal for sale of our Llama Llama series in China, which will have a material impact on reducing our cash draw to produce the series.

Despite the continuing investment in Genius' seven core kids brands and catalogue, I anticipate us to be cash flow positive on an operational basis for 2016. In addition to the above, I would like to share some specific data points in the growth of our company.

As cited above, Warren Buffett has said in our series the Secret Millionaires Club, 'The most important investment you can make, is an investment in yourself'.

We believe this strategy will pay off handsomely, and to that end, I would like to share with you some of the benchmarks today of one of those 7 brands…SpacePOP, which we have been investing in.

To refresh everyone's memory, SpacePOP is a short format tween targeted animated series incorporating animated music videos, which debuted on YouTube, June 20.

It follows the adventures of the 5 Princesses of the Pentangle. Having been forced from their home planets by the evil Empress Geela in her quest to rid the galaxy of Music, Fashion and Beauty the Princesses form a band called SpacePOP, tour the galaxy sending messages of hope, freedom and happiness while they ultimately lead the resistance to Geela and restore order to the Galaxy. SpacePOP delivers positive messages to young girls that they can overcome adversity, be an individual while working as a team, and the benefits of friendship.

SpacePOP was designed to fill a void in the marketplace for tween girls from the decline of Mattel's Monster High. Monster High, was a hugely successful multi-billion dollar girls brand, with animated entertainment.

Since its launch on YouTube, June 20, SpacePOP has amassed approximately 4.5MM views and more than 12K subscribers, which is outpacing both Monster High (Mattel) and My Little Pony Equestria Girls (Hasbro) at similar times in their introductory periods

The significance of that is Monster High from Mattel and My Little Pony/Equestria Girls from Hasbro, are proven billion dollar brands, which we benchmarked against as our direct competition. The licensing program which was conceived a year ago, has today an unprecedented amount of consumer products and retailer support for a non-theatrical animated property with over 180 licensed products being manufactured by over 20 blue-chip licensing partners for SpacePOP's introduction this fall at retail. Coming into the marketplace this fall are:

64 Apparel, Accessory, Bag/BackPack/Hydration Items
44 Toy Items comprised of Fashion Dolls, Plush, Collectibles, Novelties, Games and Puzzles
16 Consumer Electronics and Tech Accessory Items
10 Beauty and Cosmetic Items
12 Bedding and Room Décor Items
10 Beauty & Cosmetic Items
8 Home Entertainment Items ranging from DVD, CD and Digital Downloads
6 Halloween Costumes & Halloween Accessories
3 Confectionery Items
2 Books

We have secured extraordinary retailer support for a first-time animated property including three major national retailers on board for fall 2016:

Kohl's, a national mid-tier retailer, will feature an exclusive SpacePOP apparel launch in October
Claire's, a leading tween specialty retailer, will feature SpacePOP accessory merchandise in all of its "A" doors starting in November
A leading national toy retailer will feature a dedicated 4-Foot SpacePOP end cap in the front of the store featuring an assortment of product from our diverse portfolio of licensees. This end cap will debut just in time for the busy Holiday Shopping Season.

We are cautiously optimistic, as we benchmark where our direct competitors have been.

Monster High from Mattel reached $1B in retail sales within 3 years of its introduction
Disney Princess (#1 best-selling character entertainment brand) consistently sells over $3B in global retail sales

The books come out next week.

The rest of the SpacePOP product rolls out for Christmas season, between October and December.

Standby!!

-Andy

Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/8/16/11G110771/Images/SpacePop_Art_4x6-1c5b454511a9a71ca998baee2d0f7a69.jpg

Genius Brands International, Inc. Announces Executive Changes

Tue, 06 Sep 2016 00:00:00 -0400

Genius Brands International, Inc. has promoted Stone Newman to President of Global Consumer Products, Worldwide Content Sales & Marketing. In his new role, Newman, who joined the company in 2014 as President of Global Consumer Products, will add oversight of the Company's global content distribution business for its flourishing catalog of animated properties, including SpacePOP, Llama Llama, Baby Genius, Secret Millionaires Club and Thomas Edison'sSecret Lab, as well as an all-new preschool property currently in development. Newman will also manage the worldwide rollout of the adult animated series, Stan Lee's Cosmic Crusaders. He will continue to oversee and manage all of GBI's licensing, merchandising, retail and marketing efforts, including appointing and managing the Company's growing team of leading licensing agencies in key markets around the world. Supporting Newman in his new role, Jo Kavanagh-Payne has been named GBI's Senior Vice President of Global Distribution, spearheading the company's worldwide content sales efforts.

GBI promotes Stone Newman and Jo Kavanagh-Payne in latest global growth move

Thu, 08 Sep 2016 00:00:00 -0400

By Robert Hutchins

In his new role, Newman will oversee the company’s global content distribution business for its catalogue of animated properties including SpacePOP, Llama Llama, Baby Genius and more.

Genius Brands International has promoted Stone Newman to president of global consumer products, worldwide content sales and marketing.

In his new role, Newman will oversee the company’s global content distribution business for its catalogue of animated properties including SpacePOP, Llama Llama, Baby Genius, Secret Millionares Club and Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab.

He will also manage the worldwide rollout of the adult animated series, Stan Lee’s cosmic Crusaders while overseeing GBI’s licensing, merchandising, retail and marketing efforts.

Supporting Newman in his new role, GBI has named Jo Kavanagh-Payne as senior vice president of global distribution, spearheading the company’s worldwide content sales efforts.

Kavanagh-Payne will drive GBI’s distribution business, identifying potential co-production partners and advising on the development of new and acquired properties. She will continue to serve as CEO of Foothill Entertainment.

Newman will continue to report to Andy Heyward, chairman and CEO of GBI.

“Stone has been instrumental in driving GBI’s growth through unique and strategic initiatives, including pioneering the digital distribution strategy for the recent successful launch of SpacePOP,” said Heyward.

“His relationships, experience and knowledge of the global marketplace have been and continue to be tremendously beneficial and I look forward to his contributions in realising the goals of both maximizing the opportunities for our myriad brands and multiplying the properties under GBI’s umbrella.

“Jo will also be a tremendous asset in meeting these objectives, and we are thrilled to welcome her to the GBI executive team.”

Genius Brands Launching New Nancy Drew Series

Wed, 14 Sep 2016 00:00:00 -0400

FinancialPress Staff Education, Featured

Teaching children coding is a hot issue for games and shows today. It’s not that every child is going to move on to a career in programming, but learning coding teaches a litany of problem solving and thinking skills that translate into nearly every profession. Apps such as Apple’s (NASDAQ: AAPL) Swift Playground start out by teaching children the basics of coding before moving on to design their own creations, effectively teaching unique skills in an entertaining manner. The educational philosophy is part of the popular STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) learning practices that have become commonplace today to make learning more fun and engagement for children.

Content and brand management company Genius Brands International (OTCQB: GNUS) on Wednesday said that it has partnered with HeR Interactive to launch Genius Brands’ first branded channel, called Nancy Drew: Codes & Clues, based on the new eponymous mobile game of HeR Interactive designed for kids with any coding experience. HeR Interactive has been published more than 32 interactive games based on the iconic teen girl sleuth since 1998 that have sold over nine million copies, while winning 30 Parents’ Choice awards in the process.

Since debuting 86 years ago, more than 100 million print copies of Nancy Drew detective stories have been published in 22 languages and still remain popular today. HeR Interactive has licensed the Nancy Drew trademark from Simon & Schuster.

Genius Brands is adding Nancy Drew: Codes & Clues as a new animated series available October 1 through its Kid Genius Network, an on demand service available on Comcast’s (NASDAQ: CMCSA) Xfinity on Demand platform. The new show is aimed at girls 6 – 11 years old, introducing them to a tween version of Nancy Drew and her friends Bess and George and robot puppy to solve the mystery of the missing technology fair project. According to Genius Brands, the detective (or “de-TECH-tive as they put it) team needs to utilize coding basics and critical thinking, such as pattern recognition, to put the clues to together to find the solution to the conundrum.

The new show will join the free, ad-supported on demand Kid Genius Network that includes other Genius Brands shows SpacePOP, Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab, Stan Lee’s Mighty 7 and Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaires Club (which was created and stars the investing icon). Overall, the company has a stable of over 40 products distributed through Netflix, on demand and public broadcast stations.

Nancy Drew: Codes & Clues will also be a sponsor of Genius Brands tween YouTube series SpacePOP. SpacePOP, which was developed in part by Sponge Bob Square Pants head writer and story editor Steve Banks, is an animated series of adventures following five teenage princesses who disguise themselves as musicians and form a band while secretly working to vanquish an evil Empress seeking to take over the galaxy. The YouTube series was launched in June and has amassed over seven million channel views to date.

“In keeping in line with our mission of providing ‘content with a purpose,’ Nancy Drew: Codes & Clues is the perfect complement to our ever-growing Kid Genius Network, and we look forward to collaborating with HeR Interactive to create this compelling destination for young girls,” stated Deb Pierson, General Manager, Kid Genius Channel, in a news release this morning.

Share of GNUS started 2016 at $1.10 per share, printed a 52-week high at $2.45 in June and are trading currently at $2.00 today.

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Kid Genius Launches ‘Nancy Drew’ Channel

Thu, 15 Sep 2016 00:00:00 -0400

Genius Brands International is building its content offerings on its Comcast Xfinity On Demand service, Kid Genius Network, with the launch of its first branded channel: Nancy Drew: Codes & Clues. Created in partnership with HeR Interactive, the channel is based on the new mobile game of the same title and will reach 22 million US households through Kid Genius’ reach.

Premiering on the channel on October 1 will be the new animated series Nancy Drew: Codes & Clues — featuring the smart, independent, gutsy and resourceful teen detective made world famous through stories published in 22 languages. Aimed at girls ages 6-11, the show follows a tweenage Nancy and her best friends Bess and George as they work together (With a robot puppy at their side) to solve the mystery of the missing tech fair project.

Nancy Drew: Codes & Clues is designed to introduce younger fans to the foundational concepts of coding in an engaging and accessible manner, as the “de-tech-tive” team go undercover and use coding principles to solve their clues, as well as critical thinking skills involving pattern recognition, problem solving and spatial visualization.

The content is based on the recently launched story-driven, hidden-object mobile game from HeR Interactive, developed for kids without any coding experience or skills. Nancy Drew: Codes & Clues will also be a new sponsor of GBI’s tween-targeted YouTube series, SpacePOP, which has garnered over 7 million channel views since its June launch.

GBI taps Lion King, Frozen talent for new series

Wed, 21 Sep 2016 00:00:00 -0400

California-based brand management company Genius Brands International is partnering with Rob Minkoff, director of Disney’s The Lion King, and Shane Morris, co-writer of Frozen, on the development and production of its new series Rainbow Rangers.

Minkoff will produce the 52 x 11-minute CGI preschool series, while Morris will serve as producer and head writer along with his partner Tim Mansfield. GBI’s Andy Heyward is executive producing.

GBI plans to premiere a Rainbow Rangers special in fall 2017, which will be followed by a full series launch in spring 2018. The company is currently developing a global licensing, merchandising and retail program that will coincide with the show’s launch.

Rainbow Rangers follows the adventures of seven magical girls who live on the other side of the rainbow and protect Earth from evil. GBI will unveil the property at next month’s MIP Jr. conference in Cannes, France.

Genius Brand International Inc. has partnered with Disney’s “Lion King” Director Rob Minkoff and “Frozen” co-writer Shane Morris on a new series.

Wed, 21 Sep 2016 00:00:00 -0400

PRODUCTION:

The animated series “Rainbow Rangers” will be geared toward preschoolers and ventures seven unique magical girls from the other side of the rainbow. Their mission is to protect Earth from a wicked villain through teamwork, bravery, creativity and compassion. Emmy Award-winning producer Andy Heyward will executive produce and key series designs were created by Brittany Myers and Ruben Aquino, who was a supervising animator on many major Disney characters from Pocahontas to Frozen. GBI anticipates a fall 2017 premiere special and a full series lunch in spring 2018.

Genius Brands International Kicks Off U.S. Fall Retail Launch of Its Tween Hit, SpacePOP, With the Debut of the Brand Apparel Program at Select Kohl's Stores Nationwide and Online

Mon, 10 Oct 2016 00:00:00 -0400

BEVERLY HILLS, CA--(Marketwired - October 10, 2016) - Genius Brands International, Inc. ("GBI") (GNUS) launches the first apparel program at select Kohl's stores nationwide and online for its music-driven brand SpacePOP, a hit among tweens with approximately eight million channel views on YouTube (youtube.com/spacepopgirls) since its premiere on June 20th.

GBI will debut on October 15th a fashionable collection of SpacePOP sportswear from Jaya Apparel for tween girls (size 7-16) at Kohl's, including tops, bottoms, skirts and dresses. To support the launch, GBI has integrated the apparel line into the SpacePOP entertainment content, which is available on YouTube and across digital platforms -- Kabillion Girls Rule!, Toon Goggles, PopJam, BatteryPOP, Kid Genius channel on Comcast -- and the new line will be promoted in a digital marketing campaign, which features YouTube influencers such as Sophia Grace and Angelic wearing the collection.

In addition to the new apparel line, Sony Music/Legacy Recordings debuts the SpacePOP original soundtrack, Not Your Average Princesses, at major retail stores across the U.S. and online, including Target, Toys"R"Us and Amazon.com. Additionally, the first SpacePOP book (Imprint, part of Macmillan Children's Publishing Group), Not Your Average Princesses, an original middle grade novel with graphic novel inserts written by author Erin Downing and illustrated by Jen Bartel., is now available at Barnes & Noble, Toys"R"Us, Costco and Amazon.com.

"We have worked hard to create a unique entertainment experience to draw tween and teen girls to SpacePOP, bringing fun, adventure, friendship and best-in-class music from incomparable talent, and as a result, we are building the brand rapidly online, with an audience of millions across all of the platforms, and soon at retail," said Stone Newman, President of Global Consumer Products, Worldwide Content Sales & Marketing, GBI. "We now look forward to engaging our audience beyond the screen, working with Kohl's and Jaya Apparel to introduce a cool, fresh aspirational line of sportswear that has also been integrated into the entertainment content and digital marketing campaign, reaching millions of fans."

In 2017, GBI will continue to expand the licensed products program for SpacePOP with an array of new branded merchandise, including Madame Alexander Doll Company (fashion dolls and figures), KIDdesigns (youth electronics, tech accessories and electronic toys), Mad Dog Concepts (loungewear, sleepwear), Franco Manufacturing (bedding & bath textiles, accessories, room décor), Berkshire Fashions (hosiery, head wear, and cold weather accessories), FAB Starpoint (bags, backpacks, accessories), Taste Beauty (beauty and bath products), Bare Tree Media (emoticons), Canal Toys (craft and activity kits), Yowie Group, Ltd. (confections), H.E.R. Accessories (accessories) and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (home entertainment).

SpacePOP was developed with best-in-class development and production team, including Emmy Award-nominated Steve Banks (head writer and story editor of SpongeBob SquarePants) as content writer; Han Lee (Pink Fizz, Bobby Jack) for original character designs; multiple Grammy Award-winning producer and music veteran Ron Fair (Fergie, Mary J. Blige, Black Eyed Peas, Pussycat Dolls, Christina Aguilera and more) and singer songwriter spouse Stefanie Fair (founding member of RCA's girl group Wild Orchid with Fergie) for the original SpacePOP theme music; and veteran music producer and composer John Loeffler (Kidz Bop, Pokemon) for original songs.

SpacePOP is comprised of over 100 serialized adventures featuring original music woven into a narrative that follows five teenage princesses who disguise themselves as musicians and form a band while they secretly plot to vanquish an evil Empress who is seeking to enslave the galaxy. SpacePop offers a colorful blend of music, fashion, beauty, friendship and intergalactic adventures resulting in an engaging lifestyle brand.

GBI has been supporting the launch of SpacePOP with a number of marketing initiatives, including a YouTube Influencer campaign; national promotional partnerships with Six Flags, Dippin' Dots and Camplified; promotional campaigns with Musical.ly and PopJam; and a dedicated SpacePOP site, SpacePOPGirls.com.

Kohl’s to Feature ‘SpacePOP’ Apparel

Wed, 12 Oct 2016 00:00:00 -0400

Genius will also incoroporate the apparel line into a host of entertainment content.

Genius Brands International has tapped Jaya Apparel for a collection of girls’ apparel that will launch exclusively at retailer Kohl’s.

The new apparel range will include a variety of tops, bottoms, skirts and dresses. To promote the range, Genius has integrated the line into the “SpacePOP” entertainment content, which is available on YouTube, Kabillion Girls Rule!, Toon Goggles, PopJam, BatterPOP and Kid Genius channel on Comcast, as well as launched a digital marketing campaign.

Additionally, Sony Music/Legacy Recordings will debut the “SpacePOP” original soundtrack at all major retail stores across the U.S. and online.

“We have worked hard to create a unique entertainment experience to draw tween and teen girls to ‘SpacePOP,’ bringing fun, adventure, friendship and best-in-class music from incomparable talent, and as a result, we are building the brand rapidly online, with an audience of millions across all of the platforms, and soon at retail,” says Stone Newman, president, global consumer products, worldwide content sales and marketing, Genius. “We now look forward to engaging our audience beyond the screen, working with Kohl’s and Jaya Apparel to introduce a cool, fresh aspirational line of sportswear that has also been integrated into the entertainment content and digital marketing campaign, reaching millions of fans.”

The new “SpacePOP” apparel will launch at Kohl’s this Thursday, Oct. 15.

Genius Brands International, Inc. (OTCQB: GNUS) (OTCQB: GNUSD) a global brand management company that creates and licenses multimedia content, issued a letter today from Chairman & CEO Andy Heyward to its shareholders as follows:

Tue, 15 Nov 2016 00:00:00 -0500

Producing the animated film that opens the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting for the last 20 years has given us the extraordinary privilege to spend quality time with Warren Buffett and learn so many valuable lessons. Producing the Secret Millionaires Club animated kid series with Warren has given us at Genius Brands an opportunity to share those lessons in stories for kids. One of the lessons we have learned from Warren is the value of powerful brands. Today we released our 10Q for the third quarter of 2016. To fully appreciate it, is to understand the vital importance of brands.

At Genius Brands International we have been developing brands for kids. Brands which are creatively and commercially powerful, as well as international and evergreen.

We have associated our brands with powerful broadcasters, licensees, promotional partners, and distribution systems, including YouTube, Netflix, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Sony Music, Target, Toys"R"Us, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and Walmart, among others. These brands occupy unique places in the marketplace and form a diverse portfolio of complimentary assets for Genius Brands. Some are for boys, some are for girls, some are for tweens, some are for toddlers. Our brands sit on different places on the viewing screen and different places on the retail shelves.

I share this with you as Genius Brands is amidst a period of unprecedented growth, and where many of these brands are now being established and coming into both the retail and media marketplace, which can become revenue drivers for our company. We've seen growth in the number of properties we have in production and development, the number of licensees of our brands, the number of big-box retailers carrying our brands, and we recently doubled the number of households, which have our Kid Genius Cartoon Channel available, bringing the total to 42 million households.

Since doing our reverse stock split last week, I have been on a 'road show' meeting investors on the west coast and starting today a four-day road show with Institutional Investors on the east coast. As I have told our story and shared where the company is going, our stock has risen to $6.50/share reflecting an 8% increase since the reverse split.

Today we released our 10Q for Q3 2016.

There are three important items I would like to draw to your attention:

DEFERRED REVENUE - Total Deferred Revenue and Advances increased from $958,539 as of December 31, 2015 to $3,118,730 as of September 30, 2016. UP 225%. Deferred revenue=coming revenue. It reflects increased activity and advances around our brands, notably Secret Millionaires Club, Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, SpacePOP, and two distribution agreements with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, which will be taken upon meeting certain revenue recognition criteria.
INCREASING FILM AND TELEVISION COSTS - Costs went up because we are growing and expanding our slate of brands and catalogue. Film and Television costs increased from $1,003,546 as of December 31, 2015 to $1,602,236 as of September 30, 2016 or 60%. These increases represent the continued investment in the production, development and completion of our film assets, notably:
Twenty-nine SpacePOP webisodes on YouTube
Fifteen 11-minute Llama Llama scripts in various stages of completion and the selection of Jennifer Garner as the voice of Mama Llama. These are important investments in programs which have been sold to broadcasters and have a growing list of licensees and retailers behind them who pay us money and carry our licensed products from which we will earn royalty income.
INCREASING PREPAID ASSETS - Prepaid assets increased from $65,464 as of December 31, 2015 to $319,142 as of September 30, 2016 or 388%. This increase reflects, in part, continued investment in all of our brands, notably an on-going marketing campaign related to our SpacePOP brand, which is launching at retail in Q4 at Kohl's, Claire's and Toys"R"Us.
At Genius Brands, we are investing in our brands either via the actual production cost or the marketing spend, because it is the key to success and ultimately creates hits and drives enduring sales and revenue. We are beginning to see now the fruits of that investment. Over the coming months and beyond, more and more products will come into the marketplace, and their impact on the company overall will be cumulative.

We couldn't be more excited!

Andy Heyward
Chairman & CEO
Genius Brands International, Inc.

About Genius Brands International
Headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, Genius Brands International, Inc. (OTCQB: GNUS) (OTCQB: GNUSD) is a publicly traded global brand management company that creates and licenses multimedia content. Led by award-winning creators and producers, the Company distributes its content worldwide in all formats, as well as a broad range of consumer products based on its characters. In the children's media sector, Genius Brands International's portfolio features "content with a purpose" for toddlers to tweens, which provides enrichment as well as entertainment, including tween music-driven brand SpacePOP; preschool property debuting on Netflix Llama Llama; award-winning Baby Genius, re-launched with new entertainment and over 40 new products; adventure comedy Thomas Edison's Secret Lab®, available on Netflix, public broadcast stations and Genius Brands International's Kid Genius channel on Comcast's Xfinity on Demand; Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club, created with and starring iconic investor Warren Buffett. The Company is also co-producing an all-new adult animated series, Stan Lee's Cosmic Crusaders, with Stan Lee's Pow! Entertainment and The Hollywood Reporter. Additionally, under Genius Brands International's wholly owned subsidiary, A Squared Entertainment, the Company represents third-party properties, including From Frank, a humor greeting card and product line, and Celessence Technologies, the world's leading micro encapsulation company, across a broad range of categories in territories around the world. For additional information please visit www.gnusbrands.com.

Genius Brands International and Toys"R"Us Announce Distribution Deal of Its Hit Brand, SpacePOP

Tue, 22 Nov 2016 00:00:00 -0500

BEVERLY HILLS, CA--(Marketwired - November 22, 2016) - Genius Brands International, Inc. "Genius Brands" (GNUS), a global brand management company that creates and licenses multimedia entertainment content for children, announced today that it is gearing up for the holiday season with a mass retail launch of its new, music-driven tween brand, SpacePOP, at Toys"R"Us® stores nationwide and online at Toysrus.com on December 1, 2016.

The launch features a vast array of products from the SpacePOP brand-a hit among tweens with over 10 million YouTube channel views-including:

SpacePOP beauty and bath products (Taste Beauty)
Books, with the launch of the second SpacePOP chapter book Rockin' The Rebellion (Macmillan Children's Publishing Group)
Blind bags (Commonwealth/License 2 Play)
Deluxe collector fashion dolls of the five princesses (Madame Alexander)
Headphones and microphones (KIDdesigns)
Bags, backpacks and water bottles (FAB Starpoint)
Socks, umbrellas and cold weather accessories (Berkshire Fashions)
Activity sets (Canal Toys)
Board games and puzzles (Goliath)
Novelty candy (Flix Candy) and DVDs (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)
Additionally, all new music CDs will be available, including an exclusive version of the SpacePOP soundtrack that features a single from YouTube sensation Angelic (Sony Music/Legacy Recordings).

To support the launch at Toys"R"Us, Genius Brands has integrated the product line into the SpacePOP entertainment content, which is available on YouTube and across digital platforms- Kabillion Girls Rule!, Toon Goggles, PopJam, BatteryPOP, and Kid Genius channel on Comcast. The new line will also be promoted in a digital marketing campaign, featuring product in videos of YouTube influencers, such as Sophia Grace and Angelic.

"Bringing SpacePOP to the mass market through Toys"R"Us is exactly what we envisioned when creating our unique brand. They recognized the potential and shared our vision and are the perfect retail partner to engage our millions of fans beyond the screen, as well as introduce new girls to the SpacePOP sensation," said Genius Brands' President of Global Consumer Products, Worldwide Content Sales & Marketing, Stone Newman. "We have no doubt that our robust line of high quality products, that speak to our audience of girls who love fashion, friendship, music and adventure, will top many holiday wish lists this season."

The SpacePOP series was developed with best-in-class development and production teams, including Emmy Award-nominated Steve Banks (head writer and story editor of Sponge Bob Square Pants) as content writer; Han Lee (Pink Fizz, Bobby Jack) for original character designs; multiple Grammy Award-winning producer and music veteran Ron Fair (Fergie, Mary J. Blige, Black Eyed Peas, Pussycat Dolls, Christina Aguilera and more) together with his singer songwriter spouse Stefanie Fair (founding member of RCA's girl group Wild Orchid with Fergie) for the original SpacePOP theme music; and veteran music producer and composer John Loeffler (Kidz Bop, Pokémon) for original songs.

SpacePOP is comprised of over 100 serialized adventures featuring original music woven into a narrative that follows five teenage princesses who disguise themselves as musicians and form a band while they secretly plot to vanquish an evil Empress who is seeking to enslave the galaxy. SpacePOP offers a colorful blend of music, fashion, beauty, friendship and intergalactic adventures resulting in an engaging lifestyle brand.

This past summer, Genius Brands launched SpacePOP with a number of marketing initiatives that included a YouTube influencer campaign; national promotional partnerships with Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, Dippin' Dots and Camplified; promotional campaigns with Musical.ly and PopJam; robust social media campaign and the debut of a dedicated SpacePOP site, SpacePOPGirls.com.

About Genius Brands International

Headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, Genius Brands International, Inc. (GNUS) is a publicly traded global brand management company that creates and licenses multimedia content for children. Led by award-winning creators and producers, the Company distributes its content worldwide in all formats, as well as a broad range of consumer products based on its characters. In the children's media sector, Genius Brands International's portfolio features "content with a purpose" for toddlers to tweens, which provides enrichment as well as entertainment, including tween music-driven brand SpacePOP; preschool property Llama Llama to debut on Netflix; award-winning Baby Genius, re-launched with new entertainment and over 40 new products; adventure comedy Thomas Edison's Secret Lab®, available on Netflix, public broadcast stations and Genius Brands International's Kid Genius channel on Comcast's Xfinity on Demand; and Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club, created with and starring iconic investor Warren Buffett. The Company is also co-producing an all-new adult animated series, Stan Lee's Cosmic Crusaders, with Stan Lee's Pow! Entertainment and The Hollywood Reporter. Additionally, under Genius Brands International's wholly owned subsidiary, A Squared Entertainment, the Company represents third-party properties, including From Frank, a humor greeting card and product line; and Celessence Technologies, the world's leading micro encapsulation company, across a broad range of categories in territories around the world. For additional information please visit www.gnusbrands.com.

Kid Genius Cartoon Channel Expands to 42M US Homes

Tue, 29 Nov 2016 00:00:00 -0500

Genius Brands International has partnered with multi-platform video distribution company Future Today, Inc. to deliver the Kids Genius Cartoon Channel to an additional 20 million homes, bringing the VOD channel’s total reach to 42 million US households. Future Today runs a cloud-based platform, which will enable Kid Genius Cartoon Channel to offer on-demand entertainment within a kids-safe and parent-controlled experience.

“The expansion of the Kid Genius Cartoon Channel into 40+ million homes is an extraordinary event, which brings their distribution up to critical mass, reaching close to half of all U.S. television households,” commented Shelly Hirsch, CEO of the nation’s largest kids’ media buyer Beacon Media Group. “We are constantly looking for new ways and systems to reach kids in an ever changing digital environment, and I am personally excited about the possibilities now from another player in the space, alongside Disney Channel, Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network.”

Kid Genius Cartoon Channel is currently available on Comcast’s Xfinity On Demand, offering a variety of programming for toddlers through preteens including original series Baby Genius, SpacePOP, Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaires Club and Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab. Acquired series also include Eddie Is a Yeti and Nancy Drew Codes & Clues. Starting this month, the channel is rolling out across OTT platforms from Roku, Apple, Amazon, Sony, Google and Samsung.

Kids Genius Cartoon Channel’s General Manager, Debra Pierson, added:

“As consumers’ viewing habits have changed, so too has the typical content distribution model. Future Today can deliver us into the 20 million households who aren’t subscribing to cable or satellite for their entertainment, and who are choosing from myriad devices and smart TVs. It may seem like an alternative approach to some, but we see the future for content distribution in Future Today.”

Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaires Club

‘SpacePOP’ Readies for Takeoff in Southern Europe

Tue, 13 Dec 2016 00:00:00 -0500

Genius Brands International has licensed the content distribution, licensing and merchandising rights to its digitally-launched, music-driven property SpacePOP in Southern Europe — including Spain, Portugal and Italy. Regional partner Luk Internacional S.A. is preparing for a 2017 launch.

“SpacePOP has become a tween sensation in the U.S., and we intend to replicate its success across Southern Europe by bringing on board best in class media, licensing, retail and promotional partners to drive the growth of the brand,” said Paco Gratacos, President of Luk Internacional. “We anticipate SpacePOP to be the ‘Galactic Star’ of 2017.”

Genius Brands took the novel approach of utilizing YouTube as the initial exclusive distribution platform for SpacePOP’s intergalactic animated adventures, where it has amassed approximately 11.5 million views since its June 2016 debut. The show is now available in the US on multiple digital platforms, including Toon Goggles, PopJam, BatteryPOP and the Kids Genius Cartoon Channel on Comcast, and will launch across OTT this month, bringing its combined audience reach to nearly 50 million. The first merchandise debuted Dec. 1 at Toys ‘R’ Us, Kohl’s, Claire’s and more.

“The strategy we developed to launch SpacePOP, from utilizing YouTube as our launch media partner to the creation of a fashion-forward marketing and retail strategy and harnessing the power of today’s top media influencers, has engaged millions of young girls,” said Stone Newman, President of Global Consumer Products, Worldwide Content Sales & Marketing for Genius Brands.

“The key elements of SpacePOP – music, friendship, fashion and adventure – cross cultural boundaries, and we have no doubt that Luk Internacional will create a program that equally resonates with tweens throughout Spain, Italy and Portugal.”

SpacePOP

Genius Brands takes SpacePOP to new territories and platforms

Wed, 14 Dec 2016 00:00:00 -0500

Luk Internacional will launch SpacePOP in 2017 across Spain, Portugal and Italy, plus the hit brand will be available on Amazon, Google and more.

Genius Brands International has licensed the content distribution, licensing and merchandising rights to its hit brand, SpacePOP.

Already available across multiple digital platforms, including Toon Goggles, PopJam and BatteryPOP, the property will also launch on OTT platforms, including Amazon, Roku, Google and more.

Elsewhere, Luk Internacional will launch SpacePOP in 2017 across Spain, Portugal and Italy.

“The strategy we developed to launch SpacePOP, from utilising YouTube as our launch media partner to the creation of a fashion-forward marketing and retail strategy and harnessing the power of today’s top media influencers, has engaged millions of young girls,” said Stone Newman, president of global consumer products, worldwide content sales and marketing for Genius Brands.

“The key elements of SpacePOP – music, friendship, fashion and adventure – across cultural boundaries, and we have no doubt that Luk Internacional will create a program that equally resonates with tweens throughout Spain, Italy and Portugal.”

Paco Gratacos, president of Luk Internacional, added: “SpacePOP has become a tween sensation in the US, and we intend to replicate its success across Southern Europe by bringing on board best in class media, licensing, retail and promotional partners to drive the growth of the brand.

“We anticipate SpacePOP to be the Galactic Star of 2017.”

TV Veteran Margaret Loesch Joins Kid Genius Cartoon Channel

Mon, 19 Dec 2016 00:00:00 -0500

Longtime family media exec Margaret Loesch is joining VOD service Kid Genius Cartoon Channel.

Loesch will serve as executive chairman of the channel, which is one of Genius Brands International’s offerings. She will advise newly elevated channel president Deb Pierson, who was recently upped from general manager.

Loesch was the founder and CEO of Fox Kids Worldwide, and in her four decades in the kid and family programming arena, she’s overseen the development and production of beloved series like “My Little Pony,” “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers,” “X-Men,” “Animaniacs,” and “Transformers.”

Additionally, she was the founding president and CEO of the Hub TV Network, a multi-platform joint venture between Discovery Communications and Hasbro, Inc., and had oversight of all business and creative areas of the network.

Loesch was also the first president and CEO of Crown Media United States, responsible for the creation of its U.S. cable television network, Hallmark Channel; and president of television worldwide for The Jim Henson Company.

Heyward and the rest of Genius Brands International are looking to Loesch — and Pierson — to replicate the success of those prior jaunts. Kid Genius is available in 50 million U.S. households as an on-demand channel aimed at the toddler-to-pre-teen set.

Kid Genius Cartoon Channel Adds Margaret Loesch, Ups Deb Pierson

Mon, 19 Dec 2016 00:00:00 -0500

Genius Brands International has tapped veteran children’s and family media executive Margaret Loesch as Executive Chairman of its Kid Genius Cartoon Channel, and promoted Deb Pierson to channel President.

In the newly created position, Loesch will provide counsel to Pierson, elevated from her role as General Manager, as she spearheads aggressive growth plans for the platform. Loesch will collaborate with Pierson to advise on the development of channel brand strategy, expand its coverage and build advertiser participation.

Loesch has spent the past four decades working in children’s broadcasting and family entertainment. She has contributed to the development and/or production of some of television’s most iconic children’s programs Smurfs, My Little Pony, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, X-Men, Jim Henson’s Muppet Babies, Animaniacs and Transformers.

Loesch previously was the founding President and CEO of the Hub TV Network, a multi-platform joint venture between Discovery Communications and Hasbro, Inc.. She also was the first President and CEO of Crown Media United States, responsible for the creation of its U.S. cable television network, Hallmark Channel; and President of Television Worldwide for The Jim Henson Company, where she served as executive producer of Bear in the Big Blue House. Loesch became the founding President and CEO of Fox Kids Network, Worldwide in 1990, and before that was President and CEO of Marvel Comics’ film production arm.

Pierson brings over 25 years of experience in children’s entertainment experience, including almost six years as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for multiplatform kids’ entertainment channel, Kabillion. Prior to Kabillion, Pierson served as Vice President of Specialty Merchandise for Neopets, where she created the independent retailer merchandise and licensing strategy for the brand, bringing Neopets to market for their 25 million registered users and leading the product development, manufacturing, licensing and sales for the Neopets’ Specialty Merchandise division.

“We are extraordinarily fortunate to have the dean of children’s broadcasters, Margaret Loesch, expand on her role as a board member of Genius Brands International to join the Kid Genius Cartoon Channel as its Executive Chairman, given her outstanding background in creating and building successful kid’s networks. As founder and CEO of Fox Kids Worldwide, she stewarded the Company until shortly before its sale to the Walt Disney Company for $5.4 billion dollars and in her career, she has repeatedly generated success time and time again,” said Andy Heyward, Chairman & CEO of Genius Brands.

“There are tremendous opportunities for the channel to explore and I am honored to be working in a greater capacity in expanding the channel, and working with an executive of Margaret’s stature, to make the Kid Genius Cartoon Channel into a #1 destination for kids,” said Pierson.

Genius Brands International, Inc. CEO Andy Heyward to Ring Closing Bell at the Nasdaq MarketSite

Tue, 17 Jan 2017 00:00:00 -0500

BEVERLY HILLS, CA--(Marketwired - January 18, 2017) - Genius Brands International, Inc. (GNUS), a global media company that creates and licenses multimedia animated content for children, announced that its Chairman and CEO Andy Heyward will be ringing the closing bell at the Nasdaq MarketSite on Wednesday, January 18 (3:45 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST), following the Company's start of common stock trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market in November, 2016.

In commenting on reaching the Company's goal to uplist the GNUS stock, Heyward said that in less than four short years, the Genius team has succeeded in positioning Genius Brands International as a key content and global brand management company for children, ensuring its shareholders continue to benefit from their early and ardent support of the Company's expansion efforts.

"When I ring the closing bell on Wednesday, we will be heralding the next chapter in Genius Brands International's continued global growth," remarked Heyward. "We're celebrating the commitment, dedication and strategic management efforts of our exemplary executive team and look forward to unveiling even more fresh and inventive content, as well as expanding our channel coverage both in the U.S. and internationally."

A live stream of the Nasdaq Closing Bell will be available at: https://new.livestream.com/nasdaq/live or http://www.nasdaq.com/about/marketsitetowervideo.asx

About Genius Brands International
Headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, Genius Brands International, Inc. (GNUS) is a publicly traded global children's media company that creates and licenses animated multimedia entertainment content. Led by award-winning creators and producers, the Company distributes its content worldwide in all formats, as well as a broad range of consumer products based on its characters. In the children's media sector, Genius Brands International's portfolio features "content with a purpose" for toddlers to tweens, which provides enrichment as well as entertainment, including tween music-driven brand SpacePOP; preschool property debuting on Netflix Llama Llama; Rainbow Rangers, a preschool property produced by Rob Minkoff (Disney's Lion King); award-winning Baby Genius, re-launched with new entertainment and over 40 new products; adventure comedy Thomas Edison's Secret Lab®, available on Netflix, public broadcast stations and Genius Brands International's Kid Genius channel on Comcast's Xfinity on Demand; Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club, created with and starring iconic investor Warren Buffett. The Company is also co-producing an all-new adult animated series, Stan Lee's Cosmic Crusaders, with Stan Lee's Pow! Entertainment and The Hollywood Reporter. Additionally, under Genius Brands International's wholly owned subsidiary, A Squared Entertainment, the Company represents third-party properties, including From Frank, a humor greeting card and product line, and Celessence Technologies, the world's leading micro encapsulation company, across a broad range of categories in territories around the world. For additional information please visit www.gnusbrands.com.

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Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Becomes Global Distributor of Genius Brands International

Wed, 18 Jan 2017 00:00:00 -0500

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Inc. ("SPHE") and Genius Brands International, Inc. ("Genius Brands") (NASDAQ: GNUS) have expanded SPHE's recent home entertainment distribution agreement to include the worldwide home entertainment marketing and distribution of Genius Brands' Kid Genius and Baby Genius labels of all Genius Brands' properties. In addition to the broader global distribution agreement, SPHE has taken an equity stake in Genius Brands.

SPHE and Genius Brands previously announced a multi-year agreement in which SPHE will market and distribute Genius Brands' Kid Genius and Baby Genius labels throughout North America.

"The global distribution deal between Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and Genius Brands provides a myriad of growth opportunities for both companies and coordinated global marketing for each of our brands as well as for our rapidly growing Kid Genius and Baby Genius channels," said Andy Heyward, Chairman and CEO of Genius Brands. "We look forward to working with SPHE to source, develop and produce valuable commercial children's 'content with a purpose' for global audiences."

"Genius Brands offers an incredible value to the worldwide marketplace in providing content with a purpose to children and family audiences around the globe. We are pleased to bring our global capabilities to this expanded relationship with Genius," said Bill Stellman, SPHE's Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Supply Chain.

Among Genius Brands' properties encompassed in the agreement are the all-new music and fashion-driven brand for tween girls, SpacePOP, which debuted at retail in Q4 2016; the new original Baby Genius series re-launched in conjunction with the brand's 2016 expansion; Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaire's Club animated series accessible on-air, online and at retail; and Stan Lee's Cosmic Crusaders.

About Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Inc. (SPHE) is a Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. (SPE) company. SPE is a subsidiary of Sony Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition and distribution; television production, acquisition and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. For additional information, go to http://www.sonypictures.com.

About Genius Brands International
Headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, Genius Brands International, Inc. (GNUS) is a publicly traded global children's media company that creates and licenses animated multimedia entertainment content. Led by award-winning creators and producers, the company distributes its content worldwide in all formats, as well as a broad range of consumer products based on its characters. In the children's media sector, Genius Brands International's portfolio features "content with a purpose" for toddlers to tweens, which provides enrichment as well as entertainment, including tween music-driven brand SpacePOP; preschool property debuting on Netflix Llama Llama; Rainbow Rangers, a preschool property produced by Rob Minkoff (Disney's Lion King); award-winning Baby Genius, re-launched with new entertainment and over 40 new products; adventure comedy Thomas Edison's Secret Lab®, available on Netflix, public broadcast stations and Genius Brands' Kid Genius channel, which is currently available in 50 million U.S. households; Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club, created with and starring iconic investor Warren Buffett. The company is also co-producing an all-new adult animated series, Stan Lee's Cosmic Crusaders, with Stan Lee's Pow! Entertainment and The Hollywood Reporter. Additionally, under Genius Brands International's wholly owned subsidiary, A Squared Entertainment, the company represents third-party properties, including From Frank, a humor greeting card and product line, and Celessence Technologies, the world's leading micro encapsulation company, across a broad range of categories in territories around the world. For additional information please visit www.gnusbrands.com.

Sony Takes Stake in Genius Brands International

Wed, 18 Jan 2017 00:00:00 -0500

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has taken an equity stake of an undisclosed amount in Genius Brands International.

The investment was announced Wednesday along with an expansion of last year’s home entertainment distribution agreement to include the worldwide home entertainment marketing and distribution of Genius Brands’ Kid Genius and Baby Genius labels of all Genius Brands’ properties.

“The global distribution deal between Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and Genius Brands provides a myriad of growth opportunities for both companies and coordinated global marketing for each of our brands as well as for our rapidly growing Kid Genius and Baby Genius channels” said Andy Heyward, Chairman and CEO of Genius Brands. “We look forward to working with SPHE to source, develop and produce valuable commercial children’s ‘content with a purpose’ for global audiences.”

Genius Brands’ properties encompassed in the agreement include the music and fashion-driven brand for tween girls, SpacePOP, which debuted at retail in the fourth quarter; the new original Baby Genius series re-launched last year; Warren Buffett’s “Secret Millionaire’s Club” animated series; and Stan Lee’s “Cosmic Crusaders.”

“Genius Brands offers an incredible value to the worldwide marketplace in providing content with a purpose to children and family audiences around the globe,” said Bill Stellman, exec VP and cief financial office. “We are pleased to bring our global capabilities to this expanded relationship with Genius,”

Variety first reported the multi-year distribution deal with Genius Brands International a year ago.

Genius Brands International at NASDAQ MarketSite

Thu, 19 Jan 2017 00:00:00 -0500

Genius Brands International (GNUS) Chairman & CEO Andy Heyward rang the closing bell at NASDAQ MarketSite on Wednesday, January 18th. Please click on the link below for highlights from the day, including a Nasdaq Facebook Live interview with Heyward!

Kid Genius Cartoon Channel Goes OTT

Wed, 01 Feb 2017 00:00:00 -0500

Genius Brands’ Kid Genius Cartoon Channel is now available as a free app on Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV. Genius Brands will also bow separate apps for Baby Genius and SpacePOP.

Kid Genius Cartoon Channel remains available on-demand to 20 million households through Comcast Xfinity TV, in addition to other pay-TV distributors.

The channel offers a variety of programming for young viewers (toddlers to age 12) aligned with Genius Brands’ mission to provide “content with a purpose.”

Original programming includes “Baby Genius,” “SpacePOP,” “Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaires Club” and “Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab,” as well as shows from other program creators, including “Eddie is a Yeti” and “Nancy Drew Codes & Clues.” Other titles include “Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego,” “Dennis the Menace” and “Stan Lee's Mighty 7.”

Working with Future Today Inc., a backend video technology company, Genius Brands has since last November worked to develop branded apps for OTT video platforms, according to Debra Pierson, GM of Kid Genius Cartoon Channel.

“As anyone with kids understands, being able to access and stream engaging entertainment on-demand is essential in today’s world,” Pierson said, adding that OTT video is not strictly an alternative to pay-TV. “If you want to reach the widest possible audience, you do that through [OTT video].”

In December, Genius hired veteran family media executive Margaret Loesch as executive chairperson of Kid Genius Cartoon Channel. In January, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment became a stakeholder in Genius Brands.

Kid Genius Cartoon Channel Goes Live on Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire, Expanding Reach of Channel to Approximately 50 Million U.S. Households

Wed, 01 Feb 2017 00:00:00 -0500

BEVERLY HILLS, CA--(Marketwired - February 01, 2017) - Genius Brands International, Inc. "Genius Brands" (GNUS) extends the reach of its Kid Genius Cartoon Channel today by approximately 20 million households as the channel "goes live" on OTT platforms, including Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon's Fire, boosting the channel's reach to an estimated 50 million U.S. households. Additionally, the company is launching new apps for its signature Baby Genius and SpacePOP brands on Roku and Apple TV, augmenting the audiences' entertainment experience with multiplatform engagement opportunities.

In addition to the OTT platforms, Kid Genius Cartoon Channel is also available on Comcast's Xfinity on Demand platform. Delivering on the Genius Brands' promise of "Smart TV for Kids," Kid Genius Cartoon Channel offers a variety of programming for young viewers (toddlers to age 12) that is aligned with Genius Brands' mission to provide "content with a purpose." Among the channel's original programming offerings are Baby Genius, SpacePOP, Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club and Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, as well as shows from other program creators around the world, including Eddie Is A Yeti and Nancy Drew Codes & Clues.

"We've been anxiously awaiting the 'go' for Kid Genius Cartoon Channel on these platforms since we first announced the distribution agreement with Future Today in November," explained Debra Pierson, General Manager of Kid Genius Cartoon Channel. "As anyone with kids understands, being able to access and stream engaging entertainment on demand is essential in today's world. And if you want to reach the widest possible audience, you do that through Roku, Apple, Amazon Fire and more. These are not alternative platforms, they are vital platforms, and Kid Genius Cartoon Channel will be there with hours of stimulating Smart TV for Kids."

Genius Brands is also introducing new apps through Roku and Apple TV for its Baby Genius and SpacePOP brands.

The Baby Genius app is designed to reach the coveted mom and pre-school audience and features the award-winning Baby Genius programming as well as top pre-school programs such as Happy Kids! For more than ten years, Baby Genius® has earned worldwide recognition for creating award-winning products for toddlers. Expanding the timeless appeal of its 500 songs, 125 music videos, and music-based toys featuring classic nursery rhymes, Baby Genius relaunched September 2015 on Amazon.com with fresh new designs, new entertainment, and dozens of new toddler products. In addition, a whole new library of music has been produced by music industry veterans Ron and Stefanie Fair, who have written and produced for numerous multi-award winning artists, including the Black-Eyed Peas, Mary J. Blige, Fergie, Christina Aguilera, Lady Gaga and others.

Genius Brands' SpacePOP app expands the distribution of the hit series across OTT platforms Roku and Apple TV.

Genius Brands forged a new path in the children's media space by utilizing YouTube as its initial distribution path for SpacePOP, which launched exclusively on the YouTube SpacePOP channel in June 2016 and has already amassed approximately 13 million views. In the U.S., SpacePOP is also available across multiple digital platforms, including Toon Goggles, PopJam, BatteryPOP, and the Kid Genius Cartoon Channel on Comcast, as well as on OTT platforms, including Amazon, Apple, Roku, Google and more, which brings the combined audience reach to nearly 50 million. Additionally, in December 2016, Genius Brands launched the first SpacePOP merchandise program into the U.S. mass retail market at Toys"R"Us, Kohl's, Claire's and more.

SpacePOP is comprised of over 100 serialized adventures featuring original music woven into a narrative that follows five teenage princesses who disguise themselves as musicians and form a band while they secretly plot to vanquish an evil Empress who is seeking to enslave the galaxy. SpacePOP offers a colorful blend of music, fashion, beauty, friendship and intergalactic adventures resulting in an engaging lifestyle and entertainment brand.

Kid Genius Cartoon Channel Adds Bilingual ‘LaGolda’ Toon

Thu, 09 Feb 2017 00:00:00 -0500

Genius Brands International continues to gild its programming pipeline for its Kid Genius Cartoon Channel, announcing this month’s season one premiere of new bilingual animated children’s series LaGolda. The series is executive produced by Judy Reyes (Scrubs), George Valencia (Glow Ropes), Roselyn Sanchez (Devious Maids) and Eric Winter (Secrets and Lies) in partnership with UnitedHealthcare’s Do Good. Live Well. volunteer initiative.

The series will run on Kid Genius Cartoon Channel, available on Comcast’s Xfinity on Demand and across OTT platforms Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV.

“Judy Reyes and George Valencia, the creators and executive producers of LaGolda, share the Genius Brands commitment to developing engaging content with a purpose for young minds,” said Debra Pierson, President of Kid Genius Cartoon Channel. “Reaching some 50 million homes throughout the U.S., not only does the dual language component of the series serve to entertain both English and Spanish speaking children, it’s also teaching a second language to kids through immersive play while reinforcing the value of helping others at home and around the globe.”

LaGolda (6 x 20) is the story of an eight-year-old girl from Colombia and her team of fellow orphans who travel the world to play soccer and raise awareness about issues that impact kids globally. The show stars Roselyn Sanchez as “Ricca,” as well as the voice talents of Justina Machado (Netflix’s One Day at a Time); Reyes’ co-star on Devious Maids, Ana Ortiz; former US National Team soccer player Cobi Jones; former Mexico Women’s National Soccer Team player Monica Gonzales; and Keith Powell (30 Rock), among others.

Reyes and Valencia are also the founders of the Sound of Gol Foundation, a global not-for-profit inspired by the series. The Foundation, also supported by UnitedHealthcare’s Do Good. Live Well. volunteer initiative, plays a role in the show as the sponsor organization behind LaGolda as she travels to play soccer around the world on behalf of charitable causes.

Season one of LaGolda and its accompanying curriculum is being provided free of charge to California’s Compton Unified School District and Inglewood School District. The series is currently available in over 22 elementary schools across Los Angeles, where the student population is primarily Latino (73.4%), as an educational tool to expand students’ vocabulary, social skills and behaviors.

LaGolda

Genius Brands International Signs Mattel Inc.'s Fisher-Price Toys as Worldwide Master Toy Partner for New Animated Series, Rainbow Rangers

Thu, 09 Feb 2017 00:00:00 -0500

Fisher-Price to Develop Comprehensive Toy Program Across Multiple Categories for the Preschool Property for Broad Retail Distribution Worldwide

BEVERLY HILLS, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/09/17 -- Genius Brands International, Inc. "Genius Brands" (NASDAQ:GNUS) has signed Fisher-Price, a subsidiary of Mattel, Inc.(NASDAQ:MAT), as global master toy partner for the Company's all-new original CGI-animated preschool series, Rainbow Rangers, marking the first licensing partnership as Genius Brands develops its global licensing program and content distribution strategy.

Currently in development on season one and two (104 x 11' episodes) with broadcasters to be announced shortly, Rainbow Rangers features an all-star team of acclaimed creators that includes Rob Minkoff, Director of Disney'sLion King, Shane Morris, who co-wrote Disney'sFrozen, along with his partner Tim Mansfield and New York Times Bestselling author and Emmy-Award nominated writer Elise Allen (Dinosaur Train, Lion Guard) who is serving as head writer and co-creator. Emmy Award-winning producer of over 5,000 episodes of children's programming, Andy Heyward, serves as executive producer. Additionally, key designs are created by legendary Disney alum Ruben Aquino, who designed most of the major Disney characters from Little Mermaid through to Frozen.

Rainbow Rangers is an empowering, exciting, behind-the-curtain peek at the real lives of superheroes -- Earth's First Responders. The series seamlessly blends fantasy and action-adventure with very relatable, accessible stories about friendship and saving the environment. The Rainbow Rangers -- seven girls, each with her own wildly unique personality and powers -- live a rainbow's ride away in Kaleidoscopia. But whenever there's trouble for the people, animals, or natural wonders of the Earth, the Rangers zoom into action and ride a rainbow across the sky to save the day! While watching the Rangers take on missions as huge as saving the Amazon rainforest and as small as helping a single lonely girl, viewers learn that there are all kinds of ways to make the world a better place. And since each Ranger is so unique, the show spreads the message that when we all come together, blending all our colors of the rainbow, there's nothing we can't accomplish.

"With the tremendous and proven creative talent we have behind the production of Rainbow Rangers, we are committed to partnering with best-in-class licensing and retail partners who understand our inspiration for the brand," commented Andy Heyward, Chairman & CEO, Genius Brands. "We could not have asked for a better partner than Fisher-Price, whose pedigree speaks for itself, to fulfill our vision with the development of a unique and robust toy program for worldwide retail distribution."

"Rainbow Rangers is an exciting content series that we believe will strike a relevant cord with its mission based adventures and message of empowerment for preschool girls," said Susie Lecker, EVP & Chief Brand Officer, Mattel's Toy Box. "Bringing Rainbow Rangers to life though engaging product allows us to address the opportunity in the preschool toy aisle for a girl targeted, heroic, action focused line. We're looking forward to the continued collaboration with Genius Brands and the incredible pedigree of talent behind the development of the series, to realize the full potential of a compelling toy line."

Genius Brands is currently developing a global, merchandising, licensing and retail program across all key categories for Rainbow Rangers to coincide with the series launch. As global master toy partner, Fisher-Price will create a broad range of preschool products in the toy category, including dolls/figures, playsets, plush, vehicles, technology and interactive toys, musical toys, role play and much more.

Stone Newman, President of Global Consumer Products, Worldwide Content Sales & Marketing, Genius Brands said, "Since debuting the series at the MIPJr market in Cannes last October, we have received a tremendous amount of interest for Rainbow Rangers from broadcast and licensing partners around the globe. We are thrilled to announce that Fisher-Price, the world leader in the preschool category, will lead the charge of our Rainbow Rangers licensing and merchandising program. Mattel and its Fisher-Price team immediately saw how toyetic this brand is and that it lends itself to an extremely broad toy program. With Mattel's creativity and ingenuity, we will no doubt present an unparalleled preschool program for the global marketplace that kids will love!"

Read more: http://www.nasdaq.com/press-release/genius-brands-international-signs-mattel-incs-fisherprice-toys-as-worldwide-master-toy-partner-for-20170209-00613#ixzz4Yy8leU9j

Genius Brands International, Inc. “Genius Brands” (GNUS) has signed Fisher-Price, a partner of Mattel, Inc. (MAT), as global master toy partner for the Company’s all-new original CGI-animated preschool series, Rainbow Rangers, marking the first licensing

Fri, 10 Feb 2017 00:00:00 -0500

Presently in development on season one and two (104 x 11′ episodes) with broadcasters to be declared shortly, Rainbow Rangers features an all-star team of acclaimed creators that includes Rob Minkoff, Director of Disney’s Lion King, Shane Morris, who co-wrote Disney’s Frozen, together with his partner Tim Mansfield and New York Times Bestselling author and Emmy-Award nominated writer Elise Allen (Dinosaur Train, Lion Guard) who is serving as head writer and co-creator. Emmy Award-winning producer of over 5,000 episodes of children’s programming, Andy Heyward, serves as executive producer. In Addition To, key designs are created by legendary Disney alum Ruben Aquino, who designed most of the major Disney characters from Little Mermaid through to Frozen.

Rainbow Rangers is an empowering, exciting, behind-the-curtain peek at the real lives of superheroes — Earth’s First Responders. The series seamlessly blends fantasy and action-adventure with very relatable, accessible stories about friendship and saving the environment. The Rainbow Rangers — seven girls, each with her own wildly unique personality and powers — live a rainbow’s ride away in Kaleidoscopia. But whenever there’s trouble for the people, animals, or natural wonders of the Earth, the Rangers zoom into action and ride a rainbow across the sky to save the day! While watching the Rangers take on missions as huge as saving the Amazon rainforest and as small as assisting a single lonely girl, viewers learn that there are all kinds of ways to make the world a better place. And since each Ranger is so unique, the show spreads the message that when we all come together, blending all our colors of the rainbow, there’s nothing we can’t accomplish.

Genius Brands International, Inc. Issues Shareholder Letter

Mon, 03 Apr 2017 00:00:00 -0400

BEVERLY HILLS, CA--(Marketwired - April 03, 2017) - Genius Brands International (GNUS) recently released a letter to shareholders from Chairman & CEO Andy Heyward. The complete letter follows:

Dear Genius Shareholders,

Our stock has been down lately, and a number of people have asked me what's going on? The answer I have is the same as what Warren Buffett has both told me personally and has often said publicly.

The stock market goes up, and it goes down. It's not always logical, nor is it predictable. Good CEOs keep their eye focused on growing their business, not the stock price, and ultimately, investors will be rewarded as the stock price aligns with the business.

With that in mind, I want to share with you today that I see the fundamentals at Genius Brands stronger than at any time in the company's history. The path to value creation is moving forward with clarity. These facts are underscored by the business highlights and management commentary (below), which was released concurrently with the Company's annual 10K this last Friday. I'm going to amplify upon this today.

Additionally,

1. Beginning this quarter, we will be scheduling quarterly earning conference calls to give the investment community financial guidance and foundational metrics that can be used to come up with relevant financial models and projections. These calls, and the numbers therein, will make the Genius Brands story easier to understand and track. It is something that we have not been able to provide previously, as we had heretofore been building assets and laying the foundations of our catalogue, a task which would not yet facilitate visibility going forward.

2. We will begin showing an enhanced presence, through either myself, and/or our CFO, and/or our worldwide head of sales, at the small cap investor conferences, the first of which I will be attending and presenting at in New York this week.

3. We have hired PMBC Group, a PR company, independent of our current entertainment industry PR people, to specifically address the business press for the financial and investment community.

The purpose of these 3 actions will be to more effectively get our story out.

In our 2017 fiscal year, we anticipate that we will be able to recognize substantial revenues as we meet GAAP requirements for revenue recognition for several of our properties. Let me highlight some key facts about our various properties and the status of each in that regard. First, by the end of the year, we anticipate that we will have delivered our Llama Llama series to Netflix which will trigger substantial revenue recognition related to the Netflix license. Next, we expect to recognize a significant portion of revenues from our $2 million advance from Sony for fees to be earned against digital and physical home entertainment distribution rights. Additionally, SpacePOP continues to build as a brand with not only more licensing and merchandising advances globally but also more international content licenses across multiple territories for which we anticipate we will be able to recognize additional revenue. Lastly, Rainbow Rangers has a significant toy deal with Mattel, and we will shortly announce a completed broadcast deal with a major broadcaster. We anticipate that those Rainbow Rangers agreements will generate cash collections for the company in 2017 (to be recorded as deferred revenue in fiscal 2017) with revenue recognition anticipated for 2018. Combined, we anticipate that top-line revenue in 2017 will be substantially greater than in recent years, and over the coming quarters, we will begin providing guidance towards that.

Deferred revenue (a measure of cash and future revenues) increased by over 220% in FY 2016
To date $2.5 million has been invested in the development and production of animated content
We are in production and development of four animated series to be delivered throughout 2017 and 2018
Currently have over 50 worldwide licensees with over 500 SKUs in over 10,000 retail locations
Licensed content to over 20 broadcasters in nearly 90 territories globally as well as several VOD and online platforms
We have currently 415 animated episodes in our catalogue and have a robust pipeline of new programs and brands being added. Catalogue is the backbone of value.
Kid Genius Cartoon Channel generated first advertising sales in the fourth quarter 2016, and on track to reach over 80 million US TV Households this year. That is a phenomenal statement of value which is underscored by sales of other childrens program services, even the least of which, is many times the current market cap of the complete Genius Brands company.
Expanded our long term strategic partnership with our shareholder Sony Pictures Home Entertainment from a domestic to a global partnership in January 2017
The metrics which I encourage our investors to look at today are not revenue and earnings. They are:

# of brands and episodes created

# of subscribers to the channel

# of licensees and SKUs contracted

# pedigree of management and creatives

Earnings are preceded by the value creation. Value creation is what is occurring currently.

To amplify further, more of our children's brands are in, and now coming into the market, than ever. Eight, to be precise. (SpacePOP, Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, Llama Llama, Rainbow Rangers, Baby Genius, Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club, Stan Lee's Cosmic Crusaders, *project x not yet announced )

We continue to have substantial undrawn credit facility at Bank Leumi, further to our Llama Llama production for Netflix.
We have large and meaningful contracts for millions of dollars with quality companies like Netflix, Mattel, and others.
In addition to the above, we are amidst concluding two very substantial broadcast deals, both of which will have an immediate impact on 2017 cash and deferred revenue, in addition to the Llama Lama series, scheduled to be delivered to NETFLIX in October, triggering revenue recognition upon delivery.

Amidst all of the aforementioned, the fundamental premise of Genius Brands' business should not be forgotten. We make animated cartoons and we license consumer products based on our characters. In addition, we operate a programming service of kids content, the Kid Genius Cartoon Channel. In simplistic terms, this model (absent theme parks and resorts, ESPN and ABC local affiliate stations) has been the core of the Walt Disney Company for many years.

Making cartoons
Licensing consumer products based on the characters of those cartoons
Operating a kid programming service which promotes those cartoons (Disney Channel)
The Walt Disney company was founded in 1923. It didn't make its first feature film SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS until 1937, went public in 1940, and notoriously struggled, with zero earnings, and cash troubles, as it continued to build assets, eventually finding relief when it reissued Snow White in 1944. Notwithstanding this, the company continued to invest in producing more product and build its catalogue, struggling until 1954, when ABC made an investment which would help relieve pressure.

TODAY, THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY HAS A $179 BILLION DOLLAR MARKET CAP.

This short history illustrates a very important and relevant point. Animated assets are not created instantly, but once they have been produced, and a catalogue has been built, they can spawn enormous and enduring value.

I have been saying for 3 years it takes 3 years for the cycle of asset creation in animation production. We have a laddered portfolio which BEGAN asset creation 3 years ago. We have a 415 episode catalogue and we have a fully functioning channel which is growing extremely rapidly. We are way ahead of where Disney was after 3 years. We are way ahead of where DreamWorks was after 3 years, a company which was eventually sold for over $3 billion dollars. We are ahead of where Marvel was after 3 years, a company which was eventually sold for over $4 billion dollars.

During these last 3 years, we have created a global infrastructure with clients/partners of the best companies in the kids entertainment media/licensing/retail business, including:

Netflix
Sony
Comcast
YouTube
Mattel
Toys R Us
Target
Kohl's
Claire's
Penguin Publishing
These are the leaders in their field. They play to win. They are cautious and deliberate with whom they enter into business. As are we.

The tactics of value creation of Genius Brands, are fully on track.

Our first fully distributed property, SpacePOP, has proven to be a hit, with both viewership and sales continuing to grow, as we maintain shelf space and grow market share. We are writing contracts for new licensing categories and for foreign distribution.

We continue to hold market share at Toys R Us, Claires, and Kohls. Moreover, adding additional retailers, including Target and Calendar Club, among others, coming on board for Back to School and Fall, 2017. As the SpacePOP brand continues to hold market space at retail, we expect the advances we have been paid by licensees, to be "earned out", and to become revenues flowing to the company across our various licensee categories, as well as from the international sales, as we will go into our second Christmas season this year.

It might be a good time to remind our investing base, that our management team we have put together is second to none. It is highly pedigreed, coming almost exclusively from the Walt Disney Company, MGM, and Hasbro Toys. Our creative team is also second to none, largely coming out of Disney, and has been responsible for some of the biggest and most successful billion dollar kids brands ever created. Our sales team is second to none, coming out of Hasbro, and has been associated with one success after another after another. These are facts underscored by their historical pedigrees.

NOW, the focus is going to become getting out there and doing a better job at telling our story so the investment community can more fully understand and appreciate the business, so our stock will reflect, what our company is accomplishing.

This remains an exciting time for Genius Brands, and one where we are poised for powerful growth and value recognition.

Andy Heyward

Chairman & CEO

Genius Brands International, Inc.

Genius Brands Inks ‘SpacePOP’ Deals in China, UK

Thu, 06 Apr 2017 00:00:00 -0400

Genius Brands Interanational has secureed new content license agreements for its YouTube-driven series SpacePOP with WeKids Asia in China, and for the animated music videos with U Music TV in the UK. With nearly 15 million channels views and 45,000 subscribers since its summer 2016 launch, SpacePOP has also been greenlit for a second season, slated to debut this fall.

These deals follow a recent agreement with Luk Internacional to handle content distribution, licensing and merchandising for SpacePOP in Spain, Portugal and Italy.

“SpacePOP demonstrates that music, fashion, fun and adventure are universally appealing to girls, bonding them to a shared experience regardless of where they live or what language they speak,” explained Stone Newman, President of Worldwide Content Sales, Global Consumer Products & Marketing at Genius Brands. “Expanding brand awareness and building the SpacePOP franchise through media partnerships in China, the UK and Southern Europe – we’re successfully building the brand in some of the largest and most influential markets in the world just three months after SpacePop’s initial release in the U.S. The response from licensing partners, retailers and viewers has been incredible, which is why we’re eager to get moving on season two of SpacePOP.”

WeKids Asia has licensed content distribution, licensing and merchandising rights to the property, and will launch a brand program across China this summer. WeKids Founder & CEO Sean Chu says the company plans to replicate Genius Brands’ rollout with “simultaneous launches of music videos, merchandising and the animated SpacePOP series through online streaming video, IPTV, OTT TV, iOS and Android based Apps for mobile and tablet devices throughout China.”

And in the UK, U Music TV has picked up the rights to the original SpacePOP music videos for its popular app platform and, subsequently, its content block airing on Sky TV, FreeSat and FreeView. “Today’s young consumers want to be part of a property’s development, they want to claim responsibility for the popularity of songs, content and consumer products and SpacePOP clearly puts them in the driver’s seat,” said Claire Palmer, CMO, U Music TV. “It may be a unique growth strategy today, but other content developers will be emulating it for years to come.”

Genius Brands International Expands Retail Program for Hit Entertainment Lifestyle Brand SpacePOP in 2017

Fri, 07 Apr 2017 00:00:00 -0400

BEVERLY HILLS, CA--(Marketwired - April 06, 2017) - Reaching an audience of over 50 million in the U.S. and launching a successful nationwide mass retail campaign in 2016, Genius Brands International, Inc. "Genius Brands" (GNUS), continues the momentum for its popular music-driven YouTube series, SpacePOP, by broadening the retail program for the entertainment lifestyle brand. Expanded product collections from key licensing partners are set to debut this year and new licensing, retail and promotional partners have signed on board to reach the brand's enthusiastic and ever-growing fan base. Additionally, the Company has greenlit the development of season two of the animated SpacePOP series to premiere this year.

"When we began developing SpacePOP, we asked ourselves if we could launch an entirely new IP that drives the sale of merchandise from an all-digital launch, and given the response from retailers and fans around the country, the answer is yes! We are exactly where we should be, and our metrics are, in fact, comparable to where brands such as Monster High were at the same point in their life cycle," explained Andy Heyward, Chairman & CEO, Genius Brands. "We have partnered with best-in-class manufacturers, retailers and promotional partners, and YouTube has allowed us to reach our audience in a way that might not have been possible with a traditional distribution strategy. We are extremely proud of our achievement with SpacePOP and are eager to reach an even wider audience as we continue to build the program, creating new products and content and expanding into the international marketplace this year."

Genius Brands premiered SpacePOP in June 2016 on YouTube, garnering over 15 million channel views and 45,000 subscribers to date. Following the digital content launch, a merchandise program quickly rolled out in the U.S. with approximately 20 manufacturing partners who collectively developed over 100 products across publishing, beauty, apparel, accessories, consumer electronics, toys and more for debut at mass retailers nationwide, including Toys"R"Us, Claire's and Kohl's. Genius Brands also expanded the reach of the SpacePOP series via digital platforms, including Toon Goggles, PopJam, BatteryPOP and the Kid Genius Cartoon Channel on Comcast, as well as on OTT platforms, such as Amazon, Apple, Roku, and Google, bringing the combined audience reach to nearly 50 million U.S. households. Additionally, nearly 50 million impressions were achieved through strategic partnerships with Six Flags Theme Parks, Dippin' Dots, Chuck E. Cheese, Girls' World and Storybird, as well as through a robust influencer campaign.

In 2017, Genius Brands plans to significantly broaden the retail reach of SpacePOP with products available at Target, Best Buy, Barnes and Noble, Hudson News and Spirit Halloween, as well as launching a new direct-to-retail program with Calendar Club's Go! retail stores nationwide; an expanded Claire's program at additional locations; and continued support by Toys"R"Us. Current licensing partners, including Madame Alexander, Canal Toys, Taste Beauty and KidDesigns, will expand their SpacePOP collections, and the Company has recently signed two new licensees, Paper Punk (3D arts, crafts) and Video Bomb (music content creator) with additional partnerships in the works for new categories, including bedding, compounds, activities, stationery and more. To support the new retail launches this year, Genius Brands is developing a comprehensive marketing campaign that will feature a national promotional partnership with Zumba Kids.

On the international front, Genius Brands will expand the SpacePOP footprint this year in Europe and Asia with media and/or retail launches planned in the U.K., China, Spain, Italy and Portugal.

About SpacePOP

SpacePOP is comprised of over 100 serialized adventures featuring original music woven into a narrative that follows five teenage princesses who disguise themselves as musicians and form a band while they secretly plot to vanquish an evil Empress who is seeking to enslave the galaxy. SpacePOP offers a colorful blend of music, fashion, beauty, friendship and intergalactic adventures resulting in an engaging lifestyle and entertainment brand.

Genius Brands expands distribution for SpacePOP

Fri, 07 Apr 2017 00:00:00 -0400

Company licenses content for distribution via WeKids in China and U Music TV in the U.K., significantly expanding the reach of the animated series and original music videos.

April 7, 2017 By Victoriya Priya

Genius Brands OTT Platform SpacePOP YouTube

Beverly Hills, CA – With nearly 15 million channel views and 45,000 subscribers for SpacePOP on YouTube since launching in summer 2016, Genius Brands International, Inc. Genius Brands, continues the momentum and expansion in 2017 with new content license agreements for distribution of the hit music-driven animated series in China with WeKids Asia Ltd. and SpacePOP music videos in the U.K with U Music TV. Additionally, Genius Brands has greenlit the development of season two of SpacePOP for global distribution, anticipated for fall 2017.

Genius Brands has licensed the content distribution, licensing and merchandising rights for SpacePOP to WeKids Asia Ltd. to launch a brand program across China in summer 2017. The Company has also licensed the rights to the SpacePOP original music videos to U Music TV for distribution across the U.K. via their popular app, and subsequently through their content block Sky TV, FreeSat, and FreeView. The deals with WeKids and U Music TV follow a recent agreement with Luk Internacional to handle the content distribution and licensing and merchandising campaign for SpacePOP in Southern Europe (Spain, Portugal and Italy). Luk Internacional is creating a dedicated Spanish-language SpacePOP YouTube channel for the market in Spain, utilizing Genius Brands’ U.S. marketing strategy by partnering with influencers and regional promotional partners.

Genius Expands ‘SpacePOP’ Retail Program

Fri, 07 Apr 2017 00:00:00 -0400

Apr 07, 2017 By License Global
Target, Best Buy, Spirit Halloween and more will support the animated series with new products and more.
Genius Brands International has broadened the retail program for its entertainment and lifestyle brand “SpacePOP” with new licensing, retail and promotional partners.

In order to expand its reach, Genius Brands will release new “SpacePOP” products at Target, Best Buy, Barnes and Noble, Hudson News and Spirit Halloween, as well as launch a new direct-to-retail program with Calendar Club’s Go! retail stores throughout the U.S. this year. The company is also planning to expand its current retail program with Claire’s at additional locations.

Furthermore, a host of current licensing partners–including Madame Alexander, Canal Toys, Taste Beauty and KidDesigns–will expand their “SpacePOP” collections. New licensees supporting the program include Paper Punk for 3D arts and crafts as well as Video Bomb for music content creation.

Additional partnerships are also in the works for new categories such as bedding, compounds, activities, stationery and more.

"When we began developing ‘SpacePOP,’ we asked ourselves if we could launch an entirely new IP that drives the sale of merchandise from an all-digital launch, and given the response from retailers and fans around the country, the answer is yes," says Andy Heyward, chairman and chief executive officer, Genius Brands. "We have partnered with best-in-class manufacturers, retailers and promotional partners, and YouTube has allowed us to reach our audience in a way that might not have been possible with a traditional distribution strategy.”

Additionally, Genius Brands will expand “SpacePOP” in Europe and Asia with media and retail launches planned for the U.K., China, Spain, Italy and Portugal.

“We are extremely proud of our achievement with ‘SpacePOP’ and are eager to reach an even wider audience as we continue to build the program, creating new products and content and expanding into the international marketplace this year,” continues Heyward.

Genius Brands International Closes Broadcast License Deal With Nickelodeon for New Animated Preschool Series, Rainbow Rangers

Tue, 25 Apr 2017 00:00:00 -0400

BEVERLY HILLS, CA--(Marketwired - April 25, 2017) - Genius Brands International, Inc. "Genius Brands" (GNUS), a leading media company that creates, produces and licenses children's multimedia entertainment content and products for global broadcast, digital and retail distribution, has licensed exclusive U.S. and Caribbean Basin broadcast rights for season one of its new CGI-animated production, Rainbow Rangers, to the No. 1 rated kids' network, Nickelodeon. Currently in development (52 x 11' episodes), the mission-based action adventure series is expected to air on Nickelodeon's preschool channel, Nick Jr. The deal follows Genius Brands' recent announcement of the appointment of Mattel Inc.'s Fisher-Price Toys as Global Master Toy Partner for the brand, further demonstrating the high level of confidence that the property is well positioned for breakout success in the global market.

Rainbow Rangers, which is expected to air on Nickelodeon's preschool channel Nick Jr., boasts a unique and highly-accomplished team of creators from the animated motion picture world, including Rob Minkoff (Disney's The Lion King director), Shane Morris (Disney's Frozen co-writer), Tim Mansfield and New York Times Bestselling author and Emmy-nominated writer Elise Allen (Dinosaur Train, Lion Guard, Barbie specials) who is serving as head writer and co-creator. Genius Brands' Chairman and CEO and multiple Emmy-winning producer of more than 5,000 episodes of children's programming, Andy Heyward, serves as executive producer, with legendary Disney alum Ruben Aquino creating key designs. Aquino is responsible for the design and animation of many of Disney's most iconic characters from award-winning films including "The Lion King," "Beauty and the Beast," "The Little Mermaid," "Mulan" and "Frozen."

"We've assembled an unprecedented team of creative talent to bring Rainbow Rangers to life and are committed to selecting partners of the same caliber that have a shared passion for the brand," said Heyward. "Nickelodeon has introduced so many of the most beloved and exciting characters to kids and families across the globe."

Rainbow Rangers is an empowering, exciting, behind-the-curtain peek at the real lives of superheroes -- Earth's First Responders. The series seamlessly blends fantasy and action-adventure with relatable, accessible stories about friendship and saving the environment. The Rainbow Rangers -- seven girls, each a different color of the rainbow, each with her own wildly unique personality and powers -- band together to save the day whenever there's trouble for the people, animals or natural wonders of the Earth. Every storyline is designed to show viewers the importance of working together and that actions both big and small can make the world a better place.

As a flagship property for Genius Brands in its strategy to build global properties, the new animated series has received strong interest from broadcast and licensing partners since its debut at MIPJunior in Cannes last October. Fisher-Price, the world leader in the preschool category, will lead the licensing and merchandising program with a broad range of preschool products in the toy category.

"Rainbow Rangers is an exciting content series that we believe will strike a relevant cord with its mission-based adventures and message of empowerment for preschool girls," said Susie Lecker, EVP & Chief Brand Officer, Mattel's Toy Box. "Bringing Rainbow Rangers to life through engaging product allows us to address the opportunity in the preschool toy aisle for a girl-targeted, heroic, action-focused line. We're looking forward to the continued collaboration with Genius Brands and the incredible pedigree of talent behind the development of the series, to realize the full potential of a compelling toy line."

Genius Brands is actively developing its global merchandising, licensing and retail program across all key categories to coincide with the series launch.

"Combining Genius Brands' unique business model and expertise in creating highly engaging cross-platform content with Nickelodeon and Mattel's pedigree and industry-leading position in the global market gives Rainbow Rangers the fuel it needs to lead in the preschool space," said Stone Newman, President of Global Consumer Products, Worldwide Content Sales & Marketing. "Our partnerships can be seen as indicators of the growth potential for this property and its ability to generate significant revenue streams across multiple categories."

Genius Brands Inks License Deal With Nickelodeon for Animated Preschool Series RAINBOW RANGERS

Tue, 25 Apr 2017 00:00:00 -0400

Genius Brands International, Inc. "Genius Brands" (NASDAQ: GNUS), a leading media company that creates, produces and licenses children's multimedia entertainment content and products for global broadcast, digital and retail distribution, has licensed exclusive U.S. and Caribbean Basin broadcast rights for season one of its new CGI-animated production, RAINBOW RANGERS, to the No. 1 rated kids' network, Nickelodeon. Currently in development (52 x 11' episodes), the mission-based action adventure series is expected to air on Nickelodeon's preschool channel, Nick Jr. The deal follows GENIUS Brands' recent announcement of the appointment of Mattel Inc.'s Fisher-Price Toys as Global Master Toy Partner for the brand, further demonstrating the high level of confidence that the property is well positioned for breakout success in the global market.

Rainbow Rangers, which is expected to air on Nickelodeon's preschool channel Nick Jr., boasts a unique and highly-accomplished team of creators from the animated motion picture world, including Rob Minkoff (Disney's The Lion King director), Shane Morris (Disney's Frozen co-writer), Tim Mansfield and New York Times Bestselling author and Emmy-nominated writer Elise Allen (Dinosaur Train, Lion Guard, BARBIE specials) who is serving as head writer and co-creator. GENIUS Brands' Chairman and CEO and multiple Emmy-winning producer of more than 5,000 episodes of children's programming, Andy Heyward, serves as executive producer, with legendary Disney alum Ruben Aquino creating key designs. Aquino is responsible for the design and animation of many of Disney's most iconic characters from award-winning films including "The Lion King," "Beauty and the Beast," "The Little Mermaid," "Mulan" and "Frozen."

"We've assembled an unprecedented team of creative talent to bring Rainbow Rangers to life and are committed to selecting partners of the same caliber that have a shared passion for the brand," said Heyward. "Nickelodeon has introduced so many of the most beloved and exciting characters to kids and families across the globe."

Rainbow Rangers is an empowering, exciting, behind-the-curtain peek at the real lives of superheroes Earth's First Responders. The series seamlessly blends fantasy and action-adventure with relatable, accessible stories about friendship and saving the environment. The Rainbow Rangers seven girls, each a different color of the rainbow, each with her own wildly unique personality and powers band together to save the day whenever there's trouble for the people, animals or natural wonders of the Earth. Every storyline is designed to show viewers the importance of working together and that actions both big and small can make the world a better place.

‘Rainbow Rangers’: Nickelodeon Acquires CGI-Animated Preschool Series From Genius Brands Int’l

Tue, 25 Apr 2017 00:00:00 -0400

Nickelodeon has acquired U.S. and Caribbean Basin broadcast rights to season one of CGI-animated preschool series Rainbow Rangers from Genius Brands International. Currently in development, the 11-episode mission-based action adventure series debuted at MIPJunior at Cannes last October and is expected to air on Nickelodeon’s preschool channel, Nick Jr.

Rainbow Rangers blends fantasy and action-adventure with relatable, accessible stories about friendship and saving the environment. The Rainbow Rangers – seven girls, each a different color of the rainbow, each with her own wildly unique personality and powers – band together to save the day whenever there’s trouble for the people, animals or natural wonders of the Earth.

The series hails from an accomplished team of creators from the animated motion picture world, including The Lion King director Rob Minkoff, Frozen co-writer Shane Morris, and Tim Mansfield. Bestselling author and Emmy-nominated writer Elise Allen (Dinosaur Train, Lion Guard, Barbie specials) is head writer and co-creator. Genius Brands’ Chairman and CEO and Emmy winner Andy Heyward serves as executive producer. Disney alum Ruben Aquino (The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Frozen) is creating key designs for the series.

“We’ve assembled an unprecedented team of creative talent to bring Rainbow Rangers to life and are committed to selecting partners of the same caliber that have a shared passion for the brand,” said Heyward. “Nickelodeon has introduced so many of the most beloved and exciting characters to kids and families across the globe.”

The deal with Nickelodeon follows Genius Brands’ recent announcement of the appointment of Mattel Inc.’s Fisher-Price Toys as Global Master Toy Partner for the brand. Genius Brands is developing its global merchandising, licensing and retail program across all key categories to coincide with the series launch.

Genius Brands International, Inc. Issues Shareholder Letter

Wed, 03 May 2017 00:00:00 -0400

BEVERLY HILLS, CA--(Marketwired - May 03, 2017) - Genius Brands International (GNUS) recently released a letter to shareholders from Chairman & CEO Andy Heyward. The complete letter follows:

Dear Shareholders and Friends,

Last week, Genius Brands made an important announcement regarding our upcoming animated series RAINBOW RANGERS and the team that will now be bringing this to the global marketplace.

Rainbow Rangers will be important because:

The #1 ranked kids network, Nickelodeon, will be the broadcaster.
The #1 toy company in the world, Mattel, will be the master toy license.

The #1 creative team assembled for animated television series created by Rob Minkoff, the director of Disney's Lion King, Shane Morris, the co-writer of Disney's Frozen, and Show Run by Elise Allen, the Emmy nominated writer currently doing Disney Channel's Lion King spinoff, Lion Guard. (I don't make such a statement lightly, but to the best of my knowledge there has never been a team with the mega hit Disney animated motion picture pedigree of this stature, which has come together to create a new brand).

In addition to this 'winning tripod,' we have been joined by Shelly Hirsch as Co-Executive Producer. Shelly is the founder and CEO of Beacon Media, the largest children's media buying service in the U.S. Shelly will be a Co-Executive Producer of the series, along with myself. The significance of Shelly Hirsch as part of our Rainbow Rangers series is the huge strategic insight that Shelly brings to the table in successful content distribution and consumer product licensing. As the single largest spender of kids media dollars, Shelly is the foremost authority on what makes kid's programs succeed and their licensing business explode. The tactics which Shelly will help engineer to maximize the success of Rainbow Rangers cannot be overstated.

Since announcing RAINBOW RANGERS' pickup last week by Nickelodeon, we have been contacted by licensees of product across all the major categories, from publishing to apparel and all points in between. The licensing community quickly smells a hot property, and our expectations are that we will have deals written in virtually every major category with the tiffany licensees in each category by end of Licensing Show in Las Vegas at the end of this month. In October, we will be exhibiting Rainbow Rangers at Brand Licensing Europe in London, and we expect similar results from the international licensee community, for those categories where we have not already done global licenses.

I share this with you because in the kid's content business, RAINBOW RANGERS represents the 'perfect storm.'

Best in Class, creative
Best in Class, distribution
Best in Class, master toy license
Best in Class, licensee base

This means that we expect the property will be on air and on shelf with content and consumer products in virtually every major category, including toys, electronics, video games, apparel, publishing, music, stationary, party goods, school supplies, backpacks, bedding, costumes, role play, and confections to name a few. Strawberry Shortcake had over 300 licensees globally, and ultimately did $5 BILLION DOLLARS OF RETAIL SALES. Each and every licensee pays an $advance and provides a monetary guarantee for the rights to license our characters and put it on their products. With every single item of every single product sold, a percentage of the sale price is paid to Genius Brands as a royalty.

Of course nobody can guarantee what property becomes the next billion dollar brand. Nevertheless, every year there is another Power Rangers, another Strawberry Shortcake, another Ninja Turtles, Pokemon, Barney, or Paw Patrol. We think that Rainbow Rangers has every chance to become such a property.

This month, for the first time, Genius Brands will begin hosting quarterly earnings conference calls as a means to explain our performance and highlight key trends and activity within the business. We are excited with what we are seeing, and we believe our shareholders will be as well. I have always said that it takes three years from the time the first property is created until it is developed, produced, and on the screen, with consumer products on shelf. Now we are just beginning to see the fruits of that process.

Adding to the excitement of RAINBOW RANGERS:

LLAMA LLAMA will be delivered to Netflix in October, and product will begin to appear on shelf at retail this 4th quarter.
SPACEPOP will go into its second season this 4th quarter with more product, more retail distribution and more content.

THOMAS EDISON'S SECRET LAB will debut licensed product through a direct-to-retail license with a soon to be announced national retailer introducing 14 items across science, activity kits and compounds. Products will be in nearly 1,000 stores nationally in time for the all important Q4.

KID GENIUS CARTOON CHANNEL: we expect to be in 80 million US TV Households this year, a hugely valuable benchmark, putting us in three out of four households in America.
We are grateful for the confidence our investors have placed in Genius Brands and look forward to that being reflected in our revenue forecasts later this month.

Andy Heyward

Chairman & CEO

Genius Brands International, Inc.

SpacePOP is getting a night at the movies

Thu, 18 May 2017 00:00:00 -0400

Genius Brands’ SpacePOP: Not Your Average Princesses is partnering with Fathom Events to premiere the first season in US movie theaters.
By Alexandra WhyteMay 18, 2017

Genius Brands has partnered with Fathom Events to release SpacePOP: Not Your Average Princesses in US theaters on September 16.

It will be an exclusive one-night showing of SpacePOP season one and a sneak peek of season two ahead of its YouTube debut. The event will also include the premiere of new music videos and a special surprise.

Ticket buyers will also receive a copy of the original soundtrack, a 20% off coupon to Spirit Halloween (SpacePOP’s official Halloween partner) and discounted tickets to a Six Flag’s wintertime celebration.

Participating theater chains include AMC, Regal and Cinemark, with exact locations available on the Fathom Events website.

The SpacePOP brand debuted less than a year ago and has since released more than 100 short-form episodes and original music videos. The content has garnered 15 million channel views and 50,000 subscribers on YouTube. This year, the brand will continue to expand with DIY activity kits at Claire’s and a dedicated retail section at Go! Retail stores in the US.

The premiere follows news that Sony Pictures had taken an equity stake in Genius Brands, and that the SpacePOP brand was expanding to the UK and China.

Hit Animated Series From Genius Brands International, "SpacePOP: Not Your Average Princesses," Voyages to the Big Screen as a Special One-Night Event in Cinemas Nationwide This Fall

Thu, 18 May 2017 00:00:00 -0400

BEVERLY HILLS, CA--(Marketwired - May 17, 2017) - Genius Brands International, Inc. "Genius Brands" (NASDAQ: GNUS), a leading media company that creates, produces and licenses children's multimedia entertainment content and products for global broadcast, digital and retail distribution, is partnering with Fathom Events, the recognized leader in event cinema distribution, for an exclusive one-night showing of "SpacePOP: Not Your Average Princesses" in U.S. movie theaters.

As part of the September 16 event, attendees will see the first-ever feature length compilation of season one; a season two sneak peek of SpacePOP ahead of its YouTube debut; the premiere of all-new music videos; and a special surprise featuring some of SpacePOP's biggest fans! Each SpacePOP fan who purchases a ticket will also receive a copy of the SpacePOP original music soundtrack; a 20% off coupon from official SpacePOP Halloween partner Spirit Halloween that can be used on any item in the store; and discounted tickets to SpacePOP promotional partner Six Flags' wintertime celebration, Holiday in the Park® (while supplies last). Additional information available on the Fathom Events website.

Since its premiere in June 2016, the wildly popular SpacePOP animated series has released over 100 short-form episodes and original music videos garnering over 15 million channel views, 50,000+ subscribers and approximately 300,000 hours of viewed programming. This special nationwide cinema event will introduce new audiences to the colorful, intergalactic adventures of the SpacePOP princesses and give existing fans an exciting a new way to engage with the story while getting an early look at what is in store for the Princesses of the Pentangle in season two.

Ticketing dates for "SpacePOP: Not Your Average Princesses" will be announced soon and will be available online by visiting Fathom Events or at participating theater box offices. Participating theater chains include select AMC, Regal and Cinemark locations. A complete list of theater locations will be available on the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).

"In less than a year since the debut of the SpacePOP brand, we have successfully extended the characters and storylines across multiple online and offline channels, including YouTube, SVOD and OTT platforms, iTunes, PopJam, Musical.ly, and at specialty, mid and mass retailers, to touch virtually every aspect of our audiences lives," explained Stone Newman, President, Global Consumer Products, Worldwide Content Sales & Marketing for Genius Brands. "Releasing SpacePOP on the silver screen is the next frontier to exponentially build upon our fan base."

"Fathom is very excited to be a part of bringing SpacePOP from its home on YouTube to the big screen," Fathom Events Vice President of Programming Kymberli Frueh said. "This will give audiences the unique experience of seeing their favorite characters larger than life and alongside fellow passionate fans."

Building on the success from 2016's consumer products debut at Kohl's, Claire's and Toys R Us where over 100 SpacePOP products were launched, 2017 will see the brand's expansion into new categories and retailers while further building programs with our existing partners. Highlights for 2017 include the debut of Halloween costumes with Spirit Halloween; the launch of DIY activity kits and compounds with Claire's; and a dedicated SpacePOP retail section at Go! retail stores nationally. To support the new retail launches this year, Genius Brands is executing a comprehensive marketing campaign featuring national promotional partnerships with Six Flags and Zumba Kids. Internationally, SpacePOP will expand this year into Europe and Asia with media and retail launches planned in the U.K., China, Spain, Italy and Portugal.

About SpacePOP

SpacePOP is comprised of over 100 serialized adventures featuring original music woven into a narrative that follows five teenage princesses who disguise themselves as musicians and form a band while they secretly plot to vanquish an evil Empress who is seeking to enslave the galaxy. SpacePOP offers a colorful blend of music, fashion, beauty, friendship and intergalactic adventures resulting in an engaging lifestyle and entertainment brand.

Following the digital content launch on YouTube in June 2016, Genius Brands debuted a merchandise program in the U.S. with approximately 20 manufacturing partners who collectively developed over 100 products across multiple categories at mass retailers nationwide, including Toys"R"Us, Claire's and Kohl's. Genius Brands also expanded the reach of the SpacePOP series via digital platforms, including Toon Goggles, PopJam, BatteryPOP and the Kid Genius Cartoon Channel on Comcast, as well as on OTT platforms, such as Amazon, Apple, Roku, and Google, bringing the combined audience reach to nearly 50 million U.S. households. Additionally, nearly 50 million impressions were achieved through strategic partnerships with Six Flags Theme Parks, Dippin' Dots, Chuck E. Cheese, Girls' World and Storybird, as well as through a robust influencer campaign.

About Genius Brands International

Headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, Genius Brands International, Inc. (NASDAQ: GNUS) is a leading global media company developing, producing, marketing and licensing branded children's entertainment properties and consumer products for media distribution and retail channels. Led by award-winning creators and producers, Genius Brands distributes its content worldwide in all formats, as well as a broad range of consumer products based on its characters. In the children's media sector, its portfolio features "content with a purpose" for toddlers to tweens, which provides enrichment as well as entertainment, including new preschool property Rainbow Rangers; tween music-driven brand SpacePOP; preschool property debuting on Netflix Llama Llama; award-winning Baby Genius, re-launched with new entertainment and over 40 new products; adventure comedy Thomas Edison's Secret Lab®, available on Netflix, public broadcast stations and Genius Brands' Kid Genius channel on Comcast's Xfinity on Demand; Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club, created with and starring iconic investor Warren Buffett. The Company is also co-producing an all-new adult animated series, Stan Lee'sCosmic Crusaders, with Stan Lee's Pow! Entertainment and The Hollywood Reporter. Additionally, under Genius Brands' wholly owned subsidiary, A Squared Entertainment, the company represents third-party properties, including From Frank, a humor greeting card and product line, and Celessence Technologies, the world's leading micro encapsulation company, across a broad range of categories in territories around the world. For additional information please visit www.gnusbrands.com.

About Fathom Events:

Fathom Events is recognized as the leading domestic distributor of event cinema with participating affiliate theaters in all 100 of the top Designated Market Areas®, and ranks as one of the largest overall distributors of content to movie theaters. Owned by AMC Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: AMC), Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK) and Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC) (known collectively as AC JV, LLC), Fathom Events offers a variety of one-of-a-kind entertainment events such as live, high-definition performances of the Metropolitan Opera, dance and theatre productions like the Bolshoi Ballet and National Theatre Live, sporting events like Copa America Centenario, concerts with artists like Michael Bublé, Rush and Mötley Crüe, the yearlong TCM Big Screen Classics film series and inspirational events such as To Joey With Love and Kirk Cameron's Revive US. Fathom Events takes audiences behind the scenes and offers unique extras including audience Q&As, backstage footage and interviews with cast and crew, creating the ultimate VIP experience. Fathom Events' live digital broadcast network ("DBN") is the largest cinema broadcast network in North America, bringing live and pre-recorded events to 896 locations and 1,383 screens in 181 DMAs. For more information, visit www.fathomevents.com.

Forward Looking Statements:

Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "continue," "predict," "forecast," "project," "plan," "intend" or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. While the Company believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), not limited to Risk Factors relating to its patent business contained therein. Thus, actual results could be materially different. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

New licensees hop on Rainbow Rangers

Tue, 13 Jun 2017 00:00:00 -0400

Genius Brands International's all-new preschool series has added a trio of licensing partners ahead of the show's Nick Jr. US debut next year.

June 13, 2017

California-based Genius Brands International has added a trio of licensees for its new preschool property, Rainbow Rangers.

New partners include The Bentex Group (apparel), Jay Franco (bedding, home décor, bath textiles and accessories) and H.E.R. Accessories (accessories). The announcement comes on the heels of Nickelodeon scooping up exclusive broadcast rights to Rainbow Rangers‘ first season for Nick Jr. in the US and the Caribbean Basin.

Earlier this year, Mattel-owned Fisher-Price signed on as worldwide master toy partner for Rainbow Rangers. Fisher-Price will produce a number of products inspired by the girl-skewing superhero series, including dolls/figures, playsets, plush, vehicles, musical toys, role play, technology and interactive toys.

Rainbow Rangers follows seven girls who work to save the environment using their unique personalities and powers. The 52 x 11-minute CGI toon is currently in development with a planned premiere for fall 2018. Genius Brands will continue to actively pursue agreements to develop a global merchandising, licensing and retail program to coincide with the show’s launch.

As Genius Brands revs the Rainbow Rangers IP for launch, the company’s other girl-skewing property, tween brand SpacePOP, has expanded into a number of categories since making its debut on YouTube last year, recently inspiring an exclusive line with Toys “R” Us in the US.

Genius Brands Grows 'Rainbow Rangers'

Wed, 14 Jun 2017 00:00:00 -0400

The Bentex Group, Jay Franco and H.E.R. Accessories are on board to support the upcoming preschool series.

Genius Brands International has teamed up with three new licensing partners–The Bentex Group, Jay Franco and H.E.R. Accessories–to support its upcoming animated preschool series “Rainbow Rangers.”

As the master apparel partner, The Bentex Group will develop an extensive fashion collection in all sizes that highlights each of the Rainbow rangers.

Meanwhile, H.E.R. Accessories has signed on to create a variety of on-trend merchandise including watches, jewelry, hair accessories and other age-appropriate fashion accessories.

Finally, Jay Franco will release a line of bedding, room décor, bath textiles and accessories that will allow fans to turn their rooms into their own Kaliedoscopia (home of the Rainbow Rangers).

"The marketplace shares our excitement about ‘Rainbow Rangers,’ especially with the early endorsements of broadcast partner Nickelodeon and our master toy licensee Mattel's Fisher-Price Toys," says Stone Newman, president, global consumer products, worldwide content sales and marketing, Genius Brands. "This bright and colorful series, developed by the best in the business, will delight preschoolers and empower little girls the world over, which is why our licensing program for the brand continues to attract partners like The Bentex Group, H.E.R. Accessories and Jay Franco. We've made our list of preferred licensees and will actively pursue agreements, developing a robust global merchandising, licensing and retail program encompassing all key categories to coincide with the series launch."

Genius Brands International Partners With Southwest Airlines(R) to Offer Premium Children's Entertainment on WiFi-Equipped Flights Nationwide

Tue, 20 Jun 2017 00:00:00 -0400

BEVERLY HILLS, CA--(Marketwired - June 20, 2017) - Genius Brands International, Inc. "Genius Brands" (GNUS), a leading media company that creates, produces and licenses children's multimedia entertainment content and products for global broadcast, digital and retail distribution, today announced the addition of three of its animated series to Southwest Airline's inflight entertainment portal. Beginning this July, SpacePOP, Thomas Edison's Secret Lab and Baby Genius will be available for the first time inflight on customers' personal devices during travel.

"We're thrilled to partner with Southwest to bring three of our most popular kids series to their customers," said Stone Newman, President of Global Consumer Products, Worldwide Content Sales & Marketing at Genius Brands. "Finding new distribution channels to engage consumers regardless of where they may be is just as critical as developing quality content, and this partnership represents an exciting new channel for us."

Genius Brands is known for creating content with a purpose, and SpacePOP, Thomas Edison's Secret Lab and Baby Genius are all designed to provide positive messages for young viewers, infant through tween. For Southwest, the deal presents an opportunity to expand upon its kid-friendly entertainment choices and set itself apart from other airlines as families across the country go wheels up for summer travel.

"We always aim to provide an exceptional Customer Experience for our passengers of all ages, and expanding our kids' entertainment offerings reflects that commitment," said Tara Bamburg, Associate Manager of Inflight Entertainment, Southwest Airlines. "We look forward to bringing Genius Brands' family-friendly programming to WiFi-equipped flights across the country."

About SpacePOP

SpacePOP is comprised of over 100 serialized adventures featuring original music woven into a narrative that follows five teenage princesses who disguise themselves as musicians and form a band while they secretly plot to vanquish an evil Empress who is seeking to enslave the galaxy. SpacePOP offers a colorful blend of music, fashion, beauty, friendship and intergalactic adventures resulting in an engaging lifestyle and entertainment brand.

Premiering in June 2016 on YouTube Genius Brands, SpacePOP has garnered, to date, over 15 million channel views, 50,000+ subscribers and approximately 300,000 hours of viewed programming. Following the digital content launch, Genius Brands debuted a merchandise program in the U.S. with approximately 20 manufacturing partners who collectively developed over 100 products across multiple categories at mass retailers nationwide, including Toys"R"Us, Claire's and Kohl's. Genius Brands also expanded the reach of the SpacePOP series via digital platforms, including Toon Goggles, PopJam, BatteryPOP and the Kid Genius Cartoon Channel on Comcast, as well as on OTT platforms, such as Amazon, Apple, Roku, and Google, bringing the combined audience reach to nearly 50 million U.S. households. Additionally, nearly 75 million impressions were achieved through strategic partnerships with Six Flags Theme Parks, Dippin' Dots, Chuck E. Cheese, Girls' World and Storybird, as well as through a robust influencer campaign.

About Thomas Edison's Secret Lab

Genius Brands' original children's animated adventure series, Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, is filled with fun, comedy, exploration and adventure to show kids how fun science can be, encouraging them to explore the limits of their imaginations. The series follows Angie, a 12-year-old prodigy and her young science club who accidentally discover Thomas Edison's Secret Lab -- a 'tricked out' dream lab equipped with gizmos and gadgets, including two of Edison's very last inventions: a hologram that brings Mr. Edison himself "to life," and a virtual reality machine that lets them go anywhere. It even has a wacky (and slightly nervous) robot called Von Bolt, who becomes part of every adventure. In each of the episodes, Edison encourages and inspires the kids through a variety of scientific and technological explorations and lots of other fun, wacky, wild and engaging topics, School House Rock style music videos and more, showing kids just how much fun science can be.

Genius Brands will be launching the animated series (52 x 11) on YouTube this summer and a direct-to-retail program with a specialty retailer is set to debut in more than 1,000 stores nationwide this fall with product in categories, including, science activity kits and compounds.

The series is also currently available on American Public Television stations nationwide; on Genius Brands' Kid Genius Cartoon Channel on Comcast's Xfinity on Demand platform; and on DVD from NCircle Entertainment at major retailers.

About Baby Genius

For more than twelve years, Baby Genius has earned worldwide recognition for creating award-winning products for toddlers. Its catalogue of 500 songs, 125 music videos, and music-based toys feature classic nursery rhymes, learning songs, classical music, holiday favorites and more.

In 2015, Genius Brands launched new music videos and a broad new line of products on Amazon, developed in consultation with early childhood development expert Stanford University Professor Emeritus Don Roberts. Baby Genius is the only toddler brand to align with and encourage a child's natural development.

Baby Genius continues to be the #1 video on demand property on Comcast's Baby Boost Channel and is also available on Genius Brands Kid Genius Cartoon Channel on Comcast's Xfinity on Demand platform, reaching 48 million U.S. households, as well as via Apple TV, Samsung and Roku.

About Genius Brands International

Headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, Genius Brands International, Inc. (GNUS) is a leading transmedia storytelling company developing, publishing, marketing and licensing branded children's entertainment properties and consumer products for traditional, digital and emerging media distribution and retail channels. Led by award-winning creators and producers, Genius Brands distributes its content worldwide in all formats, as well as a broad range of consumer products based on its characters. In the children's media sector, its portfolio features "content with a purpose" for toddlers to tweens, which provides enrichment as well as entertainment, including new preschool property Rainbow Rangers; tween music-driven brand SpacePOP; preschool property debuting on Netflix Llama Llama; award-winning Baby Genius, re-launched with new entertainment and over 40 new products; adventure comedy Thomas Edison's Secret Lab®, available on Netflix, public broadcast stations and Genius Brands' Kid Genius channel on Comcast's Xfinity on Demand; Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club, created with and starring iconic investor Warren Buffett. The Company is also co-producing an all-new adult animated series, Stan Lee's Cosmic Crusaders, with Stan Lee's Pow! Entertainment and The Hollywood Reporter. Additionally, under Genius Brands' wholly owned subsidiary, A Squared Entertainment, the company represents third-party properties, including Celessence Technologies, the world's leading micro encapsulation company, across a broad range of categories in territories around the world. For additional information please visit www.gnusbrands.com.

Genius Brands Partners With Southwest Airlines

Tue, 20 Jun 2017 00:00:00 -0400

Brian Crompton | June 20, 2017

Genius Brands International, a media company, said pre-market Tuesday three of its animated series have been added to Southwest Airline’s inflight entertainment portal.

Beginning this July, SpacePOP, Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab and Baby Genius will be available for the first time inflight on customers’ personal devices during travel. “We’re thrilled to partner with Southwest to bring three of our most popular kids series to their customers,” Stone Newman, a Genius executive, said in a statement. “Finding new distribution channels to engage consumers regardless of where they may be is just as critical as developing quality content, and this partnership represents an exciting new channel for us,” he added.

Pop Warner Little Scholars and Genius Brands International Announce Exclusive Music Partnership

Thu, 22 Jun 2017 00:00:00 -0400

Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc., the nation's oldest and most prominent youth football, cheer and dance organization, and Genius Brands International, Inc. "Genius Brands" (NASDAQ: GNUS), a global media company that creates and licenses multimedia animated content for children, appoints Genius Brands' hit music-driven tween series SpacePOP as the Official Music Provider for Pop Warner Little Scholars Cheer and Dance program, engaging participants and audience of 325,000 Pop Warner student-athletes across the U.S.

As the Official Music Provider, SpacePOP music will be utilized in Pop Warner's dance and cheerleading workshops, camps, games and at competitions across the country through the end of the year, culminating in the national championships to be broadcast across a family of ESPN networks. Multiple Grammy Award-winning producer and music veteran Ron Fair (Fergie, Mary J. Blige, Black Eyed Peas, Pussycat Dolls, Christina Aguilera and more) together with his singer songwriter spouse Stefanie Fair (founding member of RCA's girl group Wild Orchid with Fergie) created the SpacePOP theme music; and veteran music producer and composer John Loeffler (Kidz Bop, Pokemon) created the songs that will be incorporated into the routines.

"We strive to work with exceptional brands that share our commitment to creating positive experiences for our student-athletes and this relationship with Genius Brands is a perfect example," said Jon Butler, executive director of Pop Warner Little Scholars. "In their lyrics, SpacePOP provides uplifting messages of empowerment for young girls. We're excited about this partnership and we know the young girls who cheer and dance, and those who play football, will appreciate a fun, new addition to the Pop Warner experience."

"Pop Warner's mission the empowerment of kids though education, entertainment and team building aligns with the SpacePOP brand values. Through this collaboration, thousands of cheerleaders and dancers participating in the competitions and audiences attending will have the opportunity to become familiar with SpacePOP, if they aren't already, or see it and experience it in a unique new way," commented Stone Newman, President, Global Consumer Products, Worldwide Content Sales & Marketing at Genius Brand. "The creation of original choreographies, cheer and dance routines to the remixes of the SpacePOP songs will showcase our content in an entirely new way that our fans around the world will love. These routines will motivate and encourage girls of all ages to get up and be active with SpacePOP!"

About SpacePOP
The wildly popular SpacePOP animated series features over 100 short-form episodes and original music videos, which, since debuting on YouTube last year, have garnered over 16 million channel views, 55,000+ subscribers and approximately 300,000 hours of viewed programming. In this empowering, entertainment and adventurous series, original music is woven into a narrative that follows five teenage princesses who disguise themselves as musicians and form a band while they secretly plot to vanquish an evil Empress who is seeking to enslave the galaxy. In addition to YouTube, SpacePOP content is currently available in the U.S. on digital platforms, including Toon Goggles, PopJam, BatteryPOP and the Kid Genius Cartoon Channel on Comcast, as well as on OTT platforms, including Amazon, Apple, Roku, and Google, bringing The Combined audience reach to nearly 50 million households. And, SpacePOP music from Sony Music's Legacy label is available on iTunes. Additionally, in September 2017 SpacePOP will make its big screen debut in theaters nationwide.

Pop Warner to Feature 'SpacePOP' Music

Thu, 22 Jun 2017 00:00:00 -0400

Genius Brands International and Pop Warner Little Scholars, a youth football, cheer and dance organization, have joined forces to feature music from the tween series “SpacePOP” across its programs.

As the official music provider, music from the series will be utilized in Pop Warner’s dance and cheerleading workshops, camps, games and at competitions across the U.S. through the end of the year, culminating in the national championships that are slated to broadcast across a family of ESPN networks.

SpacePOP rides with Six Flags, VideoBomb

Fri, 30 Jun 2017 00:00:00 -0400

Genius Brands’ tween property will be featured throughout Six Flag's theme parks as well as on the new music-themed VideoBomb app.

June 30, 2017

Genius Brands International has inked a promotional deal with theme park operator Six Flags that will bring SpacePOP branding and content to 10 of its US parks. The campaign is sponsored by VideoBomb, a free mobile app that will allow fans to incorporate their own content into SpacePOP music video clips.

The promotion, which builds upon a similar one forged between Genius Brands and Six Flags last year, will run from July 1 to September 16. It will include on-site trailers for the upcoming SpacePOP: Not Your Average Princesses movie as well as the brand’s music played throughout the park on Six Flags’ radio network.

VideoBomb, which is available exclusively on iTunes and features more than 47,000 music videos, will host a contest allowing users to win a trip to any Six Flags location. From July 13 to August 10, users will be encouraged to video-bomb themselves in SpacePOP music videos and share with the hashtags #sixflagscontest #spacepop #boom.

The Six Flags Over Texas Karaoke Stage and audience area will also be branded, giving fans a chance to sing along with five original SpacePOP songs.

Genius Brands’ tween-skewing brand debuted last summer with a series of animated shorts, apparel and a middle-grade book series.

GENIUS BRANDS INTL. TIES UP WITH SIX FLAGS AND MOBILE APP VIDEOBOMB

Tue, 04 Jul 2017 00:00:00 -0400

licensing | July 4, 2017 | Entertainment Licensing | No Comments

Genius Brands International has tied up with Six Flags Entertainment and the mobile app VideoBomb to create a SpacePOP-themed experience at as many as 10 theme parks this summer.

“Our partnership last year with Six Flags was an integral part of our successful launch of the ‘SpacePOP’ brand, and we are thrilled to further extend our relationship this year to reach the millions of guests that visit the theme parks around the country, as well as collaborate with ‘VideoBomb,’ creating a truly unique opportunity to engage with our core tween girl audience,” said Stone Newman, president, global consumer products and marketing, Genius Brands.

The VideoBomb app allows fans to incorporate their own content into clips of their favourite music videos. The SpacePOP locations at Six Flags which will be sponsored by VideoBomb will feature original SpacePOP content and music videos from Genius Brands.

The content, which will run from July 1 to September 16 includes music videos and trailers that will entertain guests while waiting in ride lines as well as music played throughout the parks on the Six Flags radio network.

Six Flags is also a partner for the upcoming nationwide big screen release of the SpacePOP: Not Your Average Princesses movie. The official trailer will be showcased in all parks and guests who purchase tickets for the movie release will get a Six Flags ticket discount to Holiday in the Park.

Additionally, at Six Flags over Texas, the karaoke stage and audience area, which will be SpacePOP”-branded, will offer kids and families an opportunity to listen to SpacePOP music with five original SpacePOP songs available including My Girls, a collaboration with teen sensation Angelic.

A contest, which will run from July 13 to August 10, will be promoted via VideoBomb street teams at five Six Flags locations encouraging guests to video bomb themselves in “SpacePOP” music videos and share with the hashtags #sixflagscontest #spacepop #boom for a chance to win a trip to any U.S. Six Flags theme park location.

Six Flags, officially known as Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, is an amusement park corporation based in the United States with properties in the US, Canada, and Mexico.

Genius Brands International Signs Broadcast License Deal With Nat Geo Kids For Thomas Edison's Secret Lab To Air Throughout Latin America

Mon, 10 Jul 2017 00:00:00 -0400

Company Appoints Tycoon Enterprises as Brand’s Pan-Latin American Licensing Agent

Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab Premieres on Nat Geo Kids In All Spanish-Speaking Markets in July

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – July 10, 2017 – Genius Brands International, Inc. "Genius Brands" (NASDAQ: GNUS) has signed a broadcast licensing agreement with Nat Geo Kids that will bring Genius Brand’s animated children’s series, Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab, to young viewers throughout Latin America. Genius Brands has also appointed Latin American independent licensing agency Tycoon Enterprises as the pan-Latin American licensing agent for the Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab brand.

“Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab blends real science with kids’ natural curiosity to create engaging, entertaining and informative content that blends beautifully with the Nat Geo Kids personality, and as we continue to drive the brand’s global development and expansion, the association with the National Geographic brand underscores both the educational and entertainment value of the series,” explained Genius Brands’ President of Global Consumer Products, Worldwide Content Sales & Marketing Stone Newman. We are also excited to begin working with the Tycoon team to develop new product for retail distribution across the region that supports the launch of the series.”

Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab premiered on Nat Geo Kids in all Spanish-speaking markets on July 1, 2017 and will premiere in all Portuguese-speaking markets on September 1, 2017. As the new licensing agent for Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab in Latin America, Tycoon will work with Genius Brands to develop and execute a strategic and comprehensive licensing and merchandising program based on the franchise, building on the brand’s multimedia, cross-platform identity. Categories include toy, apparel, accessories, school supplies, electronics, collectibles, novelty and publishing. The retail program will begin rolling out in 2018.

“As we were looking for new content for Nat Geo Kids there was no doubt that “Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab” was a wonderful addition for us”, said Diego Reck, EVP National Geographic Partners in Latin America. “We look forward to developing and promoting the passion for science in children. This content is a perfect fit for Nat Geo Kids, as it’s fully aligned with the mission of our brand.”

“We are honored that Genius Brands has chosen us to introduce this creative, fun brand into the Latin American marketplace,” added Tycoon Enterprises’ Co-Founder & President Elias Fasja. “With our extensive knowledge of both the consumer and retail markets as well as our myriad relationships with licensees and manufacturers across Latin America, we are eager to support the launch of Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab on Nat Geo Kids with an all-encompassing program that will create the level of consumer awareness warranted by this engaging children’s series.”

Zasha Robles, Director of Spiral International, a subsidiary of The Ecetera Group and Genius Brands’ exclusive content distribution agent in Latin America, commented, “I look forward to working together with our best-in-class partners, Nat Geo Kids and Tycoon, to deliver a stellar brand launch across Latin America for Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab.

Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab series is filled with fun, comedy, exploration and adventure to show kids how fun science can be, encouraging them to explore the limits of their imaginations. The series follows Angie, a 12-year-old prodigy and her young science club who accidentally discover Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab – a ‘tricked out’ dream lab equipped with gizmos and gadgets, including two of Edison’s very last inventions: a hologram that brings Mr. Edison himself “to life,” and a virtual reality machine that lets them go anywhere. It even has a wacky (and slightly nervous) robot called Von Bolt, who becomes part of every adventure. In each of the episodes, Edison encourages and inspires the kids through a variety of scientific and technological explorations and lots of other fun, whacky, wild and engaging topics, School House Rock style music videos and more, showing kids just how much fun science can be.

Emmy-nominated writer Steve Banks (SpongeBob Square Pants) wrote the pilot episode; Grant Moran (Word Girl, New Adventures of the Magic School Bus) and Betsy McGowan (Senior VP Kids' WB!, co-creator Camp Lakebottom) are co-story editors; Emmy Award-winning Michael Maliani (Madeline, Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego) serves as co-producer and director; Kevin O’Donnell is the series co-creator; and Emmy Award-winning Mark Young (All Dogs Go to Heaven 2, Tutenstein) serves as co-producer.

An academic team led by Professor Emeritus Don Roberts of Stanford University, and Dorothy Singer of Yale, have overseen the development, as well as the episodic content to ensure it meets E/I (educational and informational) standards.

About National Geographic Partners LLC:

National Geographic Partners LLC (NGP), a joint venture between National Geographic and 21st Century Fox, is committed to bringing the world premium science, adventure and exploration content across an unrivaled portfolio of media assets. NGP combines the global National Geographic television channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo Wild, Nat Geo Mundo, Nat Geo People) with National Geographic’s media and consumer-oriented assets, including National Geographic magazines; National Geographic studios; related digital and social media platforms; books; maps; children’s media; and ancillary activities that include travel, global experiences and events, archival sales, licensing and e-commerce businesses. Furthering knowledge and understanding of the world has been the core purpose of National Geographic for 128 years, and now it is committed to going deeper, pushing boundaries, going further for consumers… all while reaching over 730 million people around the world in 171 countries and 45 languages every month. NGP returns 27 percent of its proceeds to the non-profit National Geographic Society to fund work in the areas of science, exploration, conservation and education. For more information visit natgeotv.com or nationalgeographic.com.

About Tycoon Group

Tycoon Group (www.tycoon.mx) is the largest Licensing network in Latin America. Since first start in 1990, Tycoon has been both a pioneer and an agent of transformation and has rewritten the Licensing business in the region for countless brand owners. Structured via on-the ground offices in Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru & Costa Rica, Tycoon offers comprehensive Licensing services across the region. Tycoon’s experience includes brands from the character, entertainment, sports and lifestyle fields, and its performance in the development of Merchandising, Promotional and Retail programs has been internationally commended. Love for brands and business motivation, paired with advanced management systems, Tycoon continues to represent the most professional and passion-driven licensing practice in the region. As part of its regional operations, Tycoon Group has developed two separate business areas in addition to Licensing & Merchandising: Tycoon Gou Productions, and Blink Solutions.

About Genius Brands International

Headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, Genius Brands International, Inc. (NASDAQ: GNUS) is a leading global media company developing, producing, marketing and licensing branded children’s entertainment properties and consumer products for media distribution and retail channels. Led by award-winning creators and producers, Genius Brands distributes its content worldwide in all formats, as well as a broad range of consumer products based on its characters. In the children's media sector, its portfolio features "content with a purpose" for toddlers to tweens, which provides enrichment as well as entertainment, including new preschool property Rainbow Rangers; tween music-driven brand SpacePOP; preschool property debuting on Netflix Llama Llama; award-winning Baby Genius, re-launched with new entertainment and over 40 new products; adventure comedy Thomas Edison's Secret Lab®, available on Netflix, public broadcast stations and Genius Brands' Kid Genius channel on Comcast's Xfinity on Demand; Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club, created with and starring iconic investor Warren Buffett. The Company is also co-producing an all-new adult animated series, Stan Lee's Cosmic Crusaders, with Stan Lee's Pow! Entertainment and The Hollywood Reporter. Additionally, under Genius Brands' wholly owned subsidiary, A Squared Entertainment, the company represents third-party properties, including From Frank, a humor greeting card and product line, and Celessence Technologies, the world's leading micro encapsulation company, across a broad range of categories in territories around the world. For additional information please visit www.gnusbrands.com.

About Spiral International

Spiral is a content distribution company with headquarters in Miami Florida and focuses in Distribution and Brand Development within the Latin American market. Spiral is a subsidiary of Etcetera Group with 42 years of experience and success, with regional offices in the US, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Mexico, Venezuela, and Brazil.

Nat Geo Lat Am enters Edison’s Lab

Tue, 11 Jul 2017 00:00:00 -0400

Nat Geo Kids in Latin America has acquired Genius Brands International’s animated series about light-bulb inventor Thomas Edison.

Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab follows a 12-year-old prodigy and her young science club after they discover Edison’s secret lab, equipped with a holographic version of the famous inventor.

The show premiered on Nat Geo Kids in all Spanish-speaking markets on July 1 and will premiere in all Portuguese-speaking markets on September 1.

Genius Brands ups senior execs

Wed, 19 Jul 2017 00:00:00 -0400

The entertainment company has promoted content distribution vet Deb Pierson and longtime licensing exec Lloyd Mintz to SVP positions.

July 19, 2017

Genius Brands International (GBI) has elevated Debra Pierson and Lloyd Mintz to SVP positions. Pierson has been named SVP of global content distribution and marketing, while Mintz will serve as SVP of worldwide consumer products at the California-based entertainment company. Both Pierson and Mintz will report directly to Genius Brands chairman and CEO Andy Heyward.

In her new role, Pierson will oversee Genius Brands’ global content distribution business for its catalog of animated properties, including music-based YouTube brand SpacePOP, upcoming Netflix series Llama Llama and new preschool brand Rainbow Rangers. She will also handle distribution for new properties currently in development.

Pierson will also identify potential co-pro partners and advise on the development of new and acquired properties for both international and domestic distribution. She remains president of Genius Brands’ Kids Genius Cartoon Channel (a role she took on last December) and will continue to work in collaboration with the channel’s executive chairman, Margaret Loesch.

Before joining GBI in March 2016 as GM of Kid Genius, Pierson spent six years as VP of sales and marketing for multiplatform kids entertainment channel Kabillion. She was also previously VP of specialty merchandise for Neopets, where she created the independent retailer merchandise and licensing strategy for the virtual brand.

Mintz, meanwhile, will boost global awareness for GBI’s roster of IPs, including the implementation of global licensing and merchandising programs for signature brands. He was appointed Genius Brands VP of consumer products in August 2014. Previously, he served as VP of domestic corporate licensing for Hasbro and managed his own licensing consulting business.

Earlier this year, Nickelodeon scooped up GBI’s preschool series Rainbow Rangers for Nick Jr. US. Mattel-owned Fisher-Price has also signed on as the brand’s global master toy partner. The 52 x 11-minute series—currently in development—follows Earth’s First Responders, a group of seven girls who save the environment with their unique personalities and powers.

GBI reshuffles distribution

Thu, 20 Jul 2017 00:00:00 -0400

US children’s content firm Genius Brands International (GBI) has promoted the president of its Kids Genius Cartoon Channel to a role overseeing global content distribution.

Deb Pierson

Deb Pierson has been named as senior VP of global content distribution and marketing at GBI.

Pierson will oversee sales for GBI’s catalogue of animation properties, which include SpacePOP, Llama Llama, Rainbow Rangers, Baby Genius, Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaires Club and Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab.

She will now lead the company’s worldwide content sales efforts, identify potential coproduction partners and advise on the development of new and acquired properties for international and domestic distribution.

Pierson, who joined GBI in March 2016, will continue to oversee the Kid Genius Cartoon Channel both domestically and internationally, working with its executive chairman Margaret Loesch.

The firm has also promoted VP of consumer products Lloyd Mintz to senior VP, head of worldwide consumer products. Both execs report to GBI chairman and CEO Andy Heyward.

Pierson’s promotion comes after GBI last year recruited Jo Kavanagh-Payne, the CEO of LA-based Foothill Entertainment, as senior VP of global distribution. Kavanagh-Payne will now report to Pierson, a spokeswoman for GBI confirmed to C21.

'Rainbow Rangers' Ties Up New Licensees

Fri, 18 Aug 2017 00:00:00 -0400

Aug 18, 2017 By License Global

Global Design Concepts, Handcraft and Taste Beauty have all signed on to support the upcoming preschool series.

GLOBAL–Genius Brands International has secured three new licensees to support its animated series “Rainbow Rangers.”

New partners for the licensing program include Global Design Concepts (bags and luggage), Handcraft (underwear) and Taste Beauty (bath and beauty products).

“The industry’s response to ‘Rainbow Rangers’ continues to bolster are expectations for this colorful, engaging and empowering series for young viewers,” says Lloyd Mintz, senior vice president, worldwide consumer products, Genius Brands. “Each new partner and every branded product line we introduce in support of ‘Rainbow Rangers’ fuels greater interest and ultimately, will bolster what is already anticipated to be a tremendously successful new preschool brand.”

Currently in development on season one and two, “Rainbow Rangers” is slated to premiere in 2018 on Nickelodeon’s Nick Jr. Previously announced licensing partners include H.E.R. Accessories (accessories), Bentex (apparel) and Franco Manufacturing (bedding and home décor) as well as Fisher-Price, who has been appointed as the brand’s master toy.

Genius Brands International, Inc. Issues Shareholder Letter

Tue, 12 Sep 2017 00:00:00 -0400

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Sept. 12, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Genius Brands International (GNUS) recently released a letter to shareholders from Chairman & CEO Andy Heyward. The complete letter follows:

Dear Shareholders and Friends,

About two years ago, I began sending CEO newsletters to our shareholders to keep them apprised of the various developments in Genius Brands. I have felt it was vital that you, the company’s owners, be kept current about all the activity occurring in Genius Brands as we grow and build assets. But as we saw the terrible devastation this weekend in Florida, not to mention the previous week in Texas, all of our attention goes out to those in need through this terrible ordeal. We wish them a speedy recovery and our hearts are with them all.

As we continue with our work, I couldn’t help but remind our shareholders that the business of animated cartoons is not only one which brings smiles, but one which is immune to hurricanes, and external forces. They have unique characteristics, which make them timeless holders of value. They are not affected by floods, events in Korea, the price of gold or the price of oil. They are not affected by the debt ceiling or by who is in office. Cartoons endure and endure. Irrespective of external events, they continue to perform year in and year out. They are a unique asset class and once the assets are built and in place, they continue to grow in value.

At Genius Brands, we have had the privilege of working closely with Warren Buffett for the last few years while making our animated kids series, "Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaires Club”. Later this month, we will introduce our ‘’Talk to Me, Warren” doll at retail loaded with 20 of Warren's most famous quotes, recorded in his own voice. There are many valuable lessons we have learned from Warren, but one which now, more than ever, bears repeating is:

“The single most important characteristic
of successful investing is patience."

Despite the stock price having retreated since listing on NASDAQ, the key markers of value have increased, and before long, we expect share price to reflect that.

1. In the last year, the Genius Brands animation catalogue size has increased from 284 distinct program episodes completed or in production to 434 distinct program episodes completed or in production.

2. In the last year, the Genius Brands owned cartoon channel (Kid Genius Cartoon Channel), has grown from approximately 20 million U.S. TV households covered, to 60 million U.S. TV households covered.

3. In the last year, the monthly views of the channel have grown from approximately 125,000 monthly views to over 2 million monthly views.

4. In the last year, the number of non-Genius Brands’ produced cartoon episodes, which we now represent for broadcast, has increased from 25 episodes to 460 episodes.

5. Our net loss per share improved from a loss of $0.30 per share for the three months ended June 30, 2016 to a loss of $0.22 per share for the three months ended June 30, 2017. For the six months ended June 30, 2016, net loss per share was $0.74 decreasing to a net loss of $0.47 per share for the six months ended June 30, 2017.

6. As of June 30, 2017, our deferred revenue totaled $5 million compared to $3.1 million as of December 31, 2016, representing a 62% increase, and nearly $1 million as of December 31, 2015, representing over a 400% increase.

7. The company is on track to deliver its 30-episode Llama Llama series to Netflix by year end and recognize several million dollars of revenue. Equally, we expect to recognize substantial revenue this year from our home entertainment agreement with Sony who distributes our catalogue.

PATIENCE PAYS OFF

Now let's look at the business partners with whom Genius Brands is in business. They are the most respected and successful companies in the kid’s entertainment food chain. Companies who are smart and discerning with whom they enter business.

Comcast
Sony Music
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Netflix
YouTube
Apple TV
Mattel Toys
Nickelodeon
Target
Toys”R”Us
BMG Music
General Mills
Penguin Publishing
Macmillan Publishing

TODAY'S CARTOONS ARE TOMORROW’S OIL WELLS!

I have often cited Tom & Jerry, which was first made in 1939 and is stronger than ever today. Equally so, is the point that it endured through wars, famines, and stock market ups and downs. The same is true for The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Inspector Gadget, Strawberry Shortcake, Care Bears, Alvin and the Chipmunks, and many others, which I have also worked on and/or produced.

The cartoons (and their merchandise) we are making and distributing at Genius Brands today will be for new generations of kids to discover and enjoy. I’m every bit as excited about the value coming from Llama Llama, Rainbow Rangers, and Baby Genius, today at Genius Brands, as I was working on The Flintstones, Inspector Gadget, Strawberry Shortcake, and Alvin and the Chipmunks, at Hanna Barbera and DIC Entertainment.

WHY IS ALL THIS SO VALUABLE?

SCARCITY

There are a limited number of cartoon catalogues, and there are an even fewer number of kids channels/program services. Under one roof together, they can be counted on one hand, and they are highly coveted assets.

The few kids program services out there (Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Sprout), are multi billion dollar enterprises and they are not for sale. Meanwhile, in the last year we have seen kid’s animation catalogues sell for enormous amounts of money. The most exciting example has been Dreamworks, which sold for over $3 billion dollars. What was Dreamworks at its core? It was a company that makes and licenses animated cartoons. Genius Brands does the exact same things, AND has its own kids channel, one which is now growing dramatically.

This is why we are so excited about what is going on at Genius Brands. We are creating valuable content AND successfully exploiting it across the entire kid’s food chain, including our own kids channel currently in over 60 million homes, and growing.

SO WHY NOT SELL THE COMPANY?

I have sometimes been asked, do we want to sell the company and be acquired by the likes of a Disney, as I have done in the past. My answer is, “IT’S TOO SOON.”

Genius Brands is a young company still, and we are amidst a gigantic growth surge. Our assets are being aggregated, and before long, will be ripe. Opportunities, larger than we can currently imagine, will be presented sooner than we think.

It has taken us almost four years to get to this point where all this value has been created. Those who were with us from the beginning will remember that we said it takes 3-4 years to create and produce, and distribute an animated series.
As we come closer to turning our partnerships to revenues and earnings, there are powerful value creating initiatives afoot within the company, as the fundamentals of catalogue creation and channel distribution continue to grow.

Last but not least, at Genius Brands, we never forget how fortunate we are, and we will be making a contribution to the Red Cross Hurricane Relief Fund towards helping those now in need. Those who wish to do the same, we encourage you to go to www.redcross.org/about-us/our-work/disaster-relief/hurricane-relief

Sincerely,
Andy Heyward
Chairman & CEO
Genius Brands International, Inc.

Amazon partners with Genius Brands International in the battle to dominate the streaming market for kids

Mon, 25 Sep 2017 00:00:00 -0400

By David Ng

As streaming competition heats up over the coveted kids’ demographic, Amazon Channels is teaming up with a prominent maker of animated entertainment to launch a new channel that will target youngsters ranging in age from toddlers to tweens.

Amazon on Thursday will debut Kid Genius Cartoons Plus as part of Amazon Channels, the suite of add-on channels available to subscribers of Amazon Prime. The channel will cost $3.99 per month on top of the usual Prime membership, which costs $99 a year.

The channel comes from the Beverly Hills-based Genius Brands International, which owns the popular “Baby Genius” brand and creates a wide range of programming with educational themes.

It marks the latest effort by Amazon to bolster its block of kids shows, which include programs from PBS Kids. The battle for dominance in the streaming market for kids entertainment escalated last month with the announcement that Walt Disney Co. would launch its own streaming service in 2019, a decision that will end its distribution pact with Netflix, which also has been expanding its offering of children’s shows.

“We are excited to announce this new deal with Genius Brands International,” Brad Beale, vice president of worldwide television acquisition for Amazon, said in a statement. “We’re committed to making Prime Video the best destination for kids and family programming that will both educate and entertain.”

Among the shows that will be available on the on-demand service will be titles from the company’s catalog, including “Baby Genius,” “Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab” and “Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaires Club.”

The service will also feature non-Genius Brands titles such as “Dino Squad,” Inspector Gadget,” “Carl Squared” and “Liberty’s Kids.”

Genius chose to partner with Amazon because of the company’s ubiquity and the size of its streaming audience, said Genius Chairman and CEO Andy Heyward.

“This is very specifically content with a purpose that has enrichment to it,” Heyward said in an interview. “Everything we do is something you’ll get something from.”

Buffett himself has given his stamp of approval to the new channel.

“I am thrilled ‘Secret Millionaires Club’ is available on Amazon Channels, allowing kids, along with their parents, to learn valuable lessons about finance and business to inspire them to be the best they can be,” the billionaire investor said in a statement.

Genius Brands shows can currently be seen on a wide range of channels and platforms, including PBS, Netflix and Nickelodeon.

Amazon Studios began creating original children’s programming in 2014. Its lineup includes such shows as “Tumble Leaf” and “Wishenpoof.”

CNBC Host, Becky Quick, Exclusive Interview with Genius Brands International (GNUS) Chairman & CEO, Andy Heyward

Sat, 30 Sep 2017 00:00:00 -0400

Dear Friends and Shareholders,

Last Thursday, Amazon and Genius Brands International launched an exclusive kid’s animation subscription streaming channel, Kid Genius Cartoons Plus!, to all 80 million+ subscribers of Amazon Prime. We believe this transaction will be transformational for the company.

I appeared this weekend on CNBC’s “On the Money” with Becky Quick. The segment aired throughout the weekend both on CNBC and syndicated across the country on 200 TV stations in all of the top markets. Additionally, it is available to be seen on CNBC.

The agreement between Amazon and Genius Brands is a multi-year deal, which will be offered at $3.99/month/subscriber. Industry analysts project that Amazon Prime's subscriber base will double within the next five years. Genius Brands is excited to participate in that growth through the Kid Genius Cartoon + streaming channel.

Kid Genius Cartoons Plus! now offers exclusive access to stream full seasons of enriching and entertaining content for toddlers to tweens via the Amazon Video app for TVs, connected devices, including Fire TV, mobile devices and online at Amazon channels. Kid Genius Cartoons Plus! is a unique proposition in that we provide “content with a purpose.” Thus, most of our programming incorporates a positive curriculum along with entertainment. Our award-winning content features series that support science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills, as well as social-emotional development and literacy skills, including Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaires Club, featuring 26 half-hour episodes and 26 shorts created and produced in partnership with and starring legendary financier Warren Buffett, Baby Genius, Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab, SpacePOP, Stan Lee’s Mighty 7, Martha Stewart’s Martha & Friends, and Gisele Bündchen’s Gisele & The Green Team.

I encourage you to take some time to check out Kid Genius Cartoons Plus! and subscribe here today. Stay tuned for more exciting news regarding our partnership with Amazon!

Sincerely,

Andy Heyward
Chairman & CEO
Genius Brands International, Inc.

Genius Brands licenses DHX toons for Amazon channel

Fri, 03 Nov 2017 00:00:00 -0400

GBI has picked up eight classic series from DHX Media for its newly launched Kid Genius Cartoons Plus! streaming service.
By Alexandra WhyteNovember 3, 2017

Genius Brands International has added eight animated titles from DHX Media to its Amazon Channels subscription streaming offering, Kid Genius Cartoons Plus!

The series include Liberty’s Kids, The Adventures of Paddington Bear (pictured), Inspector Gadget, Animal Mechanicals, The Littles, New Adventures of Madeline, Pirates: Adventures in Art and Dino Squad. The episodes will also be available to download for offline viewing on iPads, iPhones, Android devices and Fire tablets.

The licensing deal comes as Genius Brands continues to build out its US$3.99/month SVOD service, which launched on Amazon’s low-cost, third-party premium video service on September 28.

Kid Genius Cartoons Plus! gives exclusive access to full seasons of content for kids of all ages on the Amazon Video app for TVs, connected devices (including Fire TV), mobile devices and online. The channel currently has series focused on STEM skills, as well as social-emotional development and literacy. Its catalog includes Genius Brand’s own shows like Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab, SpacePOP and more.

Genius strikes DHX streaming deal

Fri, 03 Nov 2017 00:00:00 -0400

US children’s content firm Genius Brands International has acquired a package of animated programming from Canada’s DHX Media for its streaming channel.

Kid Genius Cartoons Plus!, which launched on Amazon Channels in September, will feature such series as The Adventures of Paddington Bear and Dino Squad following the deal with DHX.

Liberty’s Kids, Inspector Gadget, Animal Mechanicals, The Littles, New Adventures of Madeline and Pirates: Adventures in Art are also included in the deal.

“In building out our subscription streaming service, our priority is to ensure all content meets our criteria of being both entertaining and enriching and that all series resonate with our young viewers,” said Deb Pierson, Genius Brands’ senior VP of global content distribution and marketing and president of Kid Genius Cartoons.

Genius Brands appoints master publishing partner for Rainbow Rangers

Tue, 12 Dec 2017 00:00:00 -0500

Imprint at Macmillan Children's Publishing Group has been named master publishing partner for the animated series.

Genius Brands International continues to build on the global licensing, merchandising and retail program for its highly-anticipated preschool series, Rainbow Rangers, with the appointment of the new master publishing partner for the brand, Imprint, a part of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group.

The Imprint team will develop a wide-ranging line of books, including picture books, leveled readers, story and board books for anticipated release in 2019.

“We could not be more pleased with the level of genuine enthusiasm we have received from the licensing industry for Rainbow Rangers, who recognize that we have created a truly special concept that lends itself to a robust retail program,” said Genius Brand’s SVP of global consumer products Lloyd Mintz.

“The brand captures the essence of preschool girls with fun mission-based adventures while promoting empowerment, diversity, inclusivity, environmental responsibility and more, and we look forward to working with Imprint and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and our other best-in-class licensing, retail and broadcast partners worldwide to bring the magic of the Rainbow Rangers to young fans around the world.”

“Rainbow Rangers is a show based in friendship, with wonderful storytelling layering in diversity environmental awareness, responsibility and exciting adventures. The show is also colorful and full of joy. I am thrilled to be partnering with Genius Brands to translate the empowering themes of the brand into books that will be adapted from the show, and also feature original stories,” added Erin Stein, publisher at Imprint.

Imprint joins a growing list of previously announced top-tier licensees, including Mattel, Inc. (master toy), Bentex (master apparel), Handcraft Manufacturing (packaged underwear), Global Design Concepts (bags, backpacks), Jay Franco (bedding and bath), H.E.R. Accessories (jewelry and hair accessories) and TASTE Beauty (healthy and beauty). The company anticipates the retail program to begin rolling out in the U.S. in late spring 2019, continuing through back-to-school and holiday. Currently in production on season one (52 x 11’ episodes), the CGI-animated series, Rainbow Rangers, is slated to premiere in fall 2018 on the #1 rated kids’ network, Nickelodeon’s Nick Jr.

Macmillan scoops up Rainbow Rangers license

Tue, 12 Dec 2017 00:00:00 -0500

Imprint, a part of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, has been tapped as global master publishing partner for the CGI-animated preschool series.

December 12, 2017

Genius Brands International has appointed Imprint, a part of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, as the global master publishing partner for its preschool brand Rainbow Rangers.

Imprint will develop a line of books–including picture books, leveled readers, story books and board books–for release in 2019.

Previously announced licensing partners for Rainbow Rangers include Mattel-owned Fisher-Price (master toy), Bentex (master apparel), Handcraft Manufacturing (underwear), Global Design Concepts (bags, backpacks), Jay Franco (bedding, bath), H.E.R. Accessories (jewelry, hair accessories) and TASTE Beauty (health, beauty).

Consumer products are set to begin rolling out in the US in spring 2019, continuing through back-to-school and holiday.

CGI-animated Rainbow Rangers is currently in production, with the 52 x 11-minute episodes set to premiere on Nickelodeon’s Nick Jr. in the US next year. Rainbow Rangers follows Earth’s First Responders, a group of seven girls dedicated to protecting people, animals and the environment.

Genius Brands International Announces Global Premiere of Netflix Animated Series Llama Llama, Starring Jennifer Garner, on January 26, 2018

Wed, 13 Dec 2017 00:00:00 -0500

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Dec. 13, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Genius Brands International, Inc. “Genius Brands” (GNUS) announced today the January 26, 2018 global premiere of Llama Llama on Netflix, the world’s leading internet entertainment service. Based on the award-winning and bestselling book series by celebrated author and illustrator Anna Dewdney, the all-new Llama Llama animated series features the voice talent of award-winning actress Jennifer Garner.

Llama Llama will debut worldwide with 15 x 30” episodes, which have been produced in 20 different languages. The preschool series is about first childhood experiences and adventures, as well as the special connections between the lead character, Llama, his Mama and his grandparents. Llama Llama tells heart-warming tales of life in a safe, friendly town seen through the eyes of Llama as he interacts with the amazing world around him.

“From the caliber of the development and production team and our best in class media partner Netflix to the talent and passion that Jennifer Garner brought to the series, Llama Llama has truly been a dream project for Genius Brands, and we are extremely proud to deliver a series that we believe honors Anna Dewdney’s legacy,” stated Andy Heyward, Chairman & CEO, Genius Brands. “The series is just the beginning of our creating a global entertainment franchise for Llama Llama, including a worldwide licensing, merchandising and retail program to launch next year, that will take the brand to the next level.”

Llama Llama was developed and produced by an all-star team of creators, including director Saul Blinkoff (Doc McStuffins, Barbie’s Dreamtopia, Winnie the Pooh), Emmy Award-winning writer Joe Purdy (Arthur, Hey Arnold!), legendary Disney art director Ruben Aquino (Frozen, The Lion King, Aladdin, Mulan) and Emmy® Award-winning producers Jane Startz (Ella Enchanted, Tuck Everlasting, The Indian In The Cupboard, The Magic School Bus series) and Andy Heyward (Inspector Gadget, The Real Ghostbusters, Strawberry Shortcake). Dewdney’s longtime partner, Reed Duncan, also serves as producer.

About Llama Llama
With 20 million units in print worldwide, Dewdney’s Llama Llama books from Penguin Young Readers have all been New York Times bestsellers with several titles claiming the #1 spot, and her work has been translated into eight languages. Dewdney’s soothing tales are synonymous with calming early-childhood anxiety and she was praised by the Chicago Tribune as a “geographer extraordinaire of the emotional terrain of preschoolers and their mothers.” Books in her Llama Llama series include Llama Llama Red Pajama, Llama Llama Holiday Drama, Llama Llama Misses Mama, and Llama Llama Time to Share.

About Genius Brands International
Headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, Genius Brands International, Inc. (GNUS) is a leading global media company developing, producing, marketing and licensing branded children’s entertainment properties and consumer products for media distribution and retail channels. Led by award-winning creators and producers, Genius Brands distributes its content worldwide in all formats, as well as a broad range of consumer products based on its characters. In the children's media sector, its portfolio of “content with a purpose” includes new preschool properties Rainbow Rangers for Nick Jr. and Llama Llama for Netflix; tween music-driven YouTube brand SpacePOP; award-winning toddler brand Baby Genius; adventure comedy series Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, and Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club, created with and starring iconic investor Warren Buffett. The Company is also co-producing an all-new adult animated series, Stan Lee's Cosmic Crusaders, with Stan Lee's Pow! Entertainment and The Hollywood Reporter. Genius Brands’ Kid Genius Cartoon Channel is currently available in approximately 60 million households. For additional information please visit www.gnusbrands.com.

Baby Genius launches on Comcast Xfinity

Sun, 17 Dec 2017 00:00:00 -0500

Genius Brands is launching its second children’s channel on the on-demand platform, following the Kid Genius Cartoon Channel.

December 19, 2017

Genius Brands International is launching its second children’s content channel, Baby Genius, on Comcast’s Xfinity on Demand. The channel joins the Kids Genius Cartoon Channel on the on demand platform, reaching millions of homes in the US.

Some of the content that will now be available through Baby Genius includes The Adventures of Paddington Bear, Rainbow Valley Fire Department, Baby Prodigy, Igloo-Gloo, Pirates Adventures in Art, So! Smart and Todd World. Those programs join Baby Genius Nursery Rhymes and Baby Genius Animals which were made available to Xfinity TV customers in 2014.

Ten series will be added to the platform initially, which can be accessed by customers in the home and on the go via the Xfinity Stream app and portal or using the X1 voice remote. The channels are available free of charge on top of the US$4.99 per month that subscribers pay for Xfinity on demand.

Comcast also picked up Kidstream this year with more than 100 hours of series from Canada’s Breakthrough Entertainment and France’s Millimages and awol animation, providing at least 22 series with more to come.

Genius Brands has been expanding its kids channels on streaming platforms this year, also putting Kid Genius on Amazon Channels, as the first all-ages children’s service to launch on Amazon’s low-cost third-party platform.

Baby Genius launches second VOD destination on Comcast

Tue, 19 Dec 2017 00:00:00 -0500

Mercedes Milligan Dec 14th, 2017

Llama Llama

Genius Brands International has announced the global premiere of its new animated preschool series Llama Llama on January 26, 2018 via Netflix. Based on the award-winning, bestselling books by author-illustrator Anna Dewdney, the show features the voice of Golden Globe-winning actor Jennifer Garner.

Llama Llama (15 x 30 min.), produced in 20 different languages, tells stories about childhood firsts and adventures, as well as the special connections between Llama, his Mama and his grandparents. Set in a safe, friendly town, the heart-warming series follows Llama as he interacts with the amazing world around him.

“From the caliber of the development and production team and our best in class media partner Netflix to the talent and passion that Jennifer Garner brought to the series, Llama Llama has truly been a dream project for Genius Brands, and we are extremely proud to deliver a series that we believe honors Anna Dewdney’s legacy,” said Andy Heyward, Chairman & CEO, Genius Brands. “The series is just the beginning of our creating a global entertainment franchise for Llama Llama, including a worldwide licensing, merchandising and retail program to launch next year, that will take the brand to the next level.”

Llama Llama was developed and produced by director Saul Blinkoff (Doc McStuffins, Barbie’s Dreamtopia, Winnie the Pooh), Emmy Award-winning writer Joe Purdy (Arthur, Hey Arnold!), Disney art director Ruben Aquino (Frozen, The Lion King, Aladdin, Mulan) and Emmy-winning producers Jane Startz (Ella Enchanted, Tuck Everlasting, The Indian in the Cupboard, The Magic School Bus) and Andy Heyward (Inspector Gadget, The Real Ghostbusters, Strawberry Shortcake). Dewdney’s longtime partner, Reed Duncan, also serves as producer.

Netflix Just Released Its First “Llama Llama” TV Show Trailer

Fri, 05 Jan 2018 00:00:00 -0500

2018/01/05

Shahrzad Warkentin

The literary world lost a shining light just over a year ago with the sudden death of Llama Llama author and illustrator Anna Dewdney. Luckily for fans she left not only a legacy behind, but also a treasure trove of Llama Llama material for more books and a new TV series. Netflix has just given us the its peak of the Llama Llama TV show and it does not disappoint.

The first Llama Llama trailer, which features the opening title song for Llama Llama the series, shows everyone’s favorite lovable Little Llama, as well as his friends from the books, Nelly Gnu and Gilroy Goat. Of course it wouldn’t be Llama Llama without his ever-present Mama Llama—and you’ll probably recognize her voice as real-life mom and actress Jennifer Garner. The new show is targeted to preschoolers, though book fans of all ages, including parents, will find it sweet and fun to watch.

The first season of Llama Llama premieres on Netflix Jan. 26 and will feature 15 30-minute episodes. The show’s creative team features directors and producers behind kid show favorites like Doc McStuffins, Frozen, and The Magic School Bus, so Little Llama’s story is most definitely in good hands.

Which Llama Llama story does your family love most? Share your favorite book in the comments.

Genius Brands International Appoints APC Kids as Exclusive Content Distribution Agent in Europe, Middle East and Africa for Original Preschool Series, Rainbow Rangers

Thu, 11 Jan 2018 00:00:00 -0500

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Jan. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Genius Brands International “Genius Brands” (GNUS), a global brand management company that creates and licenses multimedia entertainment content for children, has appointed APC Kids as the exclusive agent to handle the content distribution of its all-new preschool series, Rainbow Rangers, throughout EMEA, including Russia and ex-CIS countries.

Currently in production on season one (52 x 11’ episodes), the CGI-animated series, Rainbow Rangers, follows the thrilling rescue-based adventures of seven 9-year-old girls who are Earth’s first responders – protecting people, animals, resources, and the natural beauty of our world. The series is slated to premiere in fall 2018 on the #1 rated kids’ network, Nickelodeon’s Nick Jr. Genius Brands is also developing a comprehensive consumer products program to follow the series launch, which will begin rolling out in the U.S. in late spring 2019, continuing through back-to-school and holiday. The program will be led by global master toy partner Mattel, Inc., and global master publisher Imprint, a part of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group. Additional key licensees onboard include Bentex (master apparel), Handcraft Manufacturing (packaged underwear), Global Design Concepts (bags, backpacks), Jay Franco(bedding and bath), H.E.R. Accessories (jewelry and hair accessories) and TASTE Beauty (health and beauty).

Genius Brands’ SVP of Global Content Distribution and Marketing & President of Kid Genius Cartoon Channel Deb Pierson stated: “The buzz around Rainbow Rangers has been nothing short of phenomenal, and we are thrilled with the partners that we are assembling across content sales, licensing, merchandising, retail and promotions to bring this unique brand to market this year. EMEA will be central to the rollout of the brand overseas, and with APC Kids’ experience and expertise in the market, we anticipate Rainbow Rangers to attract leading media partners, providing maximum reach to kids in the region.”

Lionel Marty, Managing Director of APC Kids, says: “We were immediately attracted to Rainbow Rangers due to the talented creatives behind the show teamed with the powerhouses of Nickelodeon and Mattel. The series is innovative and fun and promises to have global appeal so we are excited to be taking it to new audiences across EMEA.”

The Rainbow Rangers, Earth’s first responders, live in the magical land of Kaleidoscopia at the other side of the rainbow and have their own distinctive personalities and superpowers. Whenever there’s trouble for the people or animals of Earth, our seven heroines zoom into action and ride their Spectra scooters across the rainbow to save the day. We’ll join them on exciting adventures, but also see them at home having the same daily dramas and hilarities as every preschooler watching the show. And at its heart, Rainbow Rangers is about empowering and encouraging girls to take action and make a difference in their own homes and neighborhoods to improve and safeguard the planet. Every viewer -- boys and girls -- will see themselves in at least one of these strong, unique and empowered Rangers!

Boasting a unique and highly-accomplished team of creators from the animated motion picture world, Rainbow Rangers’ creative development and production team includes Rob Minkoff (Disney’s The Lion King director), Shane Morris (Disney’s Frozen co-writer), Tim Mansfield and New York Times Bestselling author and Emmy-nominated writer Elise Allen (Dinosaur Train, Lion Guard, Barbie specials) who is serving as head writer and co-creator. Genius Brands’ Chairman and CEO and multiple Emmy-winning producer of more than 5,000 episodes of children's programming Andy Heyward serves as executive producer, with legendary Disney alum Ruben Aquino creating key designs. Aquino is responsible for the design and animation of many of Disney’s most iconic characters from award-winning films including “The Lion King,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Mulan” and “Frozen.”

About Genius Brands International
Headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, Genius Brands International, Inc. (GNUS) is a leading global media company developing, producing, marketing and licensing branded children’s entertainment properties and consumer products for media distribution and retail channels. Led by award-winning creators and producers, Genius Brands distributes its content worldwide in all formats, as well as a broad range of consumer products based on its characters. In the children's media sector, its portfolio of “content with a purpose” includes new preschool properties Rainbow Rangersfor Nick Jr. and Llama Llama for Netflix; tween music-driven YouTube brand SpacePOP; award-winning toddler brand Baby Genius; adventure comedy series Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, and Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club, created with and starring iconic investor Warren Buffett. The Company is also co-producing an all-new adult animated series, Stan Lee's Cosmic Crusaders, with Stan Lee's Pow! Entertainment and The Hollywood Reporter. Genius Brands’ Kid Genius Cartoon Channel is currently available in approximately 60 million households. For additional information please visit www.gnusbrands.com.

Netflix's New 'Llama Llama' Series Starring Jennifer Garner Is Nearly Here

Mon, 15 Jan 2018 00:00:00 -0500

Based on the bestselling children's books, the Netflix Family show looks charming beyond belief.
By Maressa Brown

Fans of the adorable Llama Llama books by author and illustrator Anna Dewdney, it's time to rejoice! Netflix Family has announced that an animated new show based on the beloved series will begin streaming on January 26. That alone is exciting, but wait, it gets even better: A celeb mom we can't help but adore is the voice behind Mama Llama ... Jennifer Garner!

And Garner is part of a top-tier team: The show's creators include include Oscar-winning director Rob Minkoff (The Lion King), director Saul Blinkoff (Doc McStuffins), showrunner Joe Purdy, art director Ruben Aquino (Frozen) and Emmy-winning producers Jane Startz and Andy Heyward. Amazing.

According to a Deadline.com, "The show tells heart-warming tales about childhood moments and adventures, as well as the special connections between lead character Llama, his family and best friends. Llama and his mother, in particular, share a warm and loving bond — she is his rock and safe haven as her son experiences growing up." Check out the trailer that went live this week, and just try not to be over-the-moon psyched to put this sweet new show on for your L.O.s.

APC Kids to distribute Rainbow Rangers in EMEA

Thu, 18 Jan 2018 00:00:00 -0500

As exclusive agent, APC Kids will distribute Genius Brands International's preschool series in EMEA, including Russia and ex-CIS countries.

By Elizabeth FosterJanuary 11, 2018

California-based Genius Brands International has appointed APC Kids as exclusive agent to handle content distribution for its preschool series Rainbow Rangers throughout EMEA, including Russia and ex-CIS countries.

APC Kids is the children’s entertainment distribution arm of London-based boutique financier and distributor About Premium Content.

The first season of the CGI-animated series is currently in production. Rainbow Rangers follows Earth’s First Responders, a group of girls who protect the environment with their unique personalities and powers. The show is set to premiere in fall 2018 on Nick Jr.

Genius Brands is developing a consumer products program scheduled to begin rolling out with retailers across the US in spring 2019. The CP initiative will be led by global master toy partner Mattel as well as global master publisher Imprint.

Genius Brands CEO talks Warren Buffett, Jennifer Garner and Disney

Thu, 18 Jan 2018 00:00:00 -0500

Yahoo Finance Video•January 11, 2018

Andy Heyward, Chairman and CEO of Genius Brands International, talks with Yahoo Finance's Jared Blikre at the New York Stock Exchange about producing, distributing and licensing content for toddlers to tweens, including: Llama Llama, Kid Genius, Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club, Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, Kid Genius, Baby Genius, SpacePOP. Check out the interview: https://finance.yahoo.com/video/genius-brands-ceo-talks-warren-155220859.html

Netflix Is Bringing Kid-Favorite Llama Llama to Life With a Show Starring Jennifer Garner new

Sun, 21 Jan 2018 00:00:00 -0500

January 21, 2018 by ALESSIA SANTORO

If books from the beloved Llama Llama series are constantly read in your home, Netflix is about to rock your world with some pretty amazing news: it's bringing the bestselling series to life in a new show starring none other than celebrity mom crush Jennifer Garner as Mama Llama. Not only will your kids go nuts for the cartoon series, but hearing Garner's soothing voice throughout also means this won't be on the list of shows you dread your child asking to watch on repeat.

Although the preschool series may not end up being quite as entertaining for parents as watching Ludacris rap Llama Llama Red Pajama, we're pretty psyched to watch the characters come to life on screen along with our kids. See the full trailer for the Netflix original series above, and stream all of the season one episodes beginning Jan. 26 (and be sure to check out what other kid shows Netflix has on tap for 2018).

Netflix's New 'Llama Llama' Series Starring Jennifer Garner Is Nearly Here new

Fri, 26 Jan 2018 00:00:00 -0500

Based on the bestselling children's books, the Netflix Family show looks charming beyond belief.

By Maressa Brown

Want the latest parenting news? Sign up for our Parents Daily newsletter

Check out the trailer that went live this week, and just try not to be over-the-moon psyched to put this sweet new show on for your L.O.s.

Genius Brands grows Llama Llama licensing efforts new

Fri, 26 Jan 2018 00:00:00 -0500

A range of consumer products will roll out later this year, following the series' global debut on Netflixtoday.

January 26, 2018

Genius Brands International has brought a number of new partners on board to expand the North American consumer products program for Llama Llama, its new animated preschool series that launches globally on Netflix today.

New licensing partners include Franco MFG (bedding), Cuddle Barn (animatronic plush toys), Intimo (sleepwear), Prime Party (online party supplies) and Myself Designs/Myself Belts (belts). Genius Brands is also collaborating with Kids Preferred on a line of Llama Llama plush. Initial products are expected to roll out later this year.

Based on the bestselling book series by Anna Dewdney, 15 x 30-minute Llama Llama follows childhood experiences shared by its titular character and his mother (who is voiced by actor Jennifer Garner). It is developed and produced by director Saul Blinkoff (Doc McStuffins), writer Joe Purdy (Arthur, Hey Arnold!) and producers Jane Startz (Ella Enchanted) and Andy Heyward (Inspector Gadget, The Real Ghostbusters). Dewdney’s longtime partner, Reed Duncan, also serves as producer.

Published by Penguin Young Readers, the Llama Llama books have sold 20 million units in print worldwide in eight different languages.

More licensees hop on Rainbow Rangers

Tue, 06 Feb 2018 00:00:00 -0500

New US partners are attached to Genius Brands' preschool property, with sleepwear, school supplies, bubble toys and more slated to roll out next spring.

February 6, 2018

California-based Genius Brands International has signed a number of new licensing agreements for its preschool brand Rainbow Rangers.

GBI inked deals with Global Brand Group’s American Marketing Enterprises (sleepwear), GBG Socks dba Planet Sox (socks and legwear), Dynacraft (bikes, trikes, scooters and wagons), Kiddieland (ride-on toys), Kittrich/inkology (floor décor, stationery and school supplies) and Kid Galaxy (bubble toys).

The retail program is expected to roll out in the US in spring 2019, with additional products launching through back-to-school and holiday.

The new partners join Rainbow Rangers’ master global toy licensee Fisher-Price and global master publisher Imprint, a part of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group. Fisher-Price’s upcoming range will include dolls/figures, playsets, plush, vehicles, musical toys, role play, technology and interactive toys. Imprint, meanwhile, will develop a line of books including picture books, leveled readers, story books and board books.

Additional licensees include Bentex (master apparel), Handcraft MFG (packaged underwear), Jay Franco (bedding and bath), Global Design Concepts (bags and backpacks), H.E.R. Accessories (hair and jewelry accessories) and T.A.S.T.E. Beauty (health and beauty products).

The first season of Rainbow Rangers is currently in production, with 52 x 11-minute episodes slated to premiere in fall 2018 on Nick Jr.

Genius Brands Grows 'Rainbow Rangers'

Wed, 07 Feb 2018 00:00:00 -0500

New partners include Kid Galaxy, Kiddie Land and Dynacraft.

NORTH AMERICA–Genius Brands International has tapped several new licensees to develop new merchandise for its preschool series “Rainbow Rangers.”

New partners for the property include Global Brands Group’s American Marketing Enterprises for sleepwear; GBG Socks (dba Planet Sox) for socks and legwear; Dynacraft for bikes, trikes, scooters and wagons; Kiddieland for foot-to-floor ride-on toys; Kittrich/Inkology for floor décor, stationery and school supplies; and Kid Galaxy for bubble toys.

“The licensing industry’s response to ‘Rainbow Rangers’ validates just how special this content concept is and how eager companies are to be associated with a fun, mission-based adventure series for preschool girls that demonstrates and encourages empowerment, diversity, inclusivity, environmental responsibility and more,” says

Lloyd Mintz, senior vice president, global consumer products, Genius Brands. “As we move closer to ‘Rainbow Rangers’ series premiere dates around the world, the enthusiasm for licensing, retail and merchandising involvement continues to grow, ensuring the broadest ‘Rainbow Rangers’ brand awareness possible among young admirers, parents and care givers.”

The retail program will begin rolling out in the U.S. in late spring 2019. Season one of “Rainbow Rangers” is set to premiere this fall on Nick Jr.

Llama Llama plays the long game

Wed, 14 Feb 2018 00:00:00 -0500

Global launch for Rainbow Rangers

Tue, 20 Feb 2018 00:00:00 -0500

Genius Brands takes pre-school series worldwide with latest appointments

Genius Brands is preparing for the global debut of its new pre-school series with the appointment of two international brand agents. Centa IP will handle content distribution and licensing for Rainbow Rangers throughout Australia and New Zealand, and Alicom will represent the brand’s licensing business in Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway and Iceland.

Currently in production on season one (52 x 11’ episodes), the CGI-animated series Rainbow Rangers follows the thrilling rescue-based adventures of seven nine-year-old girls who are Earth’s first responders – protecting people, animals, resources, and the natural beauty of our world. The series is slated to premiere in autumn 2018 on Nickelodeon’s Nick Jr.

Genius Brands is also preparing for the US launch of the retail programme to follow the series premiere, which will begin rolling out in the US in late spring 2019, continuing through back-to-school and holiday, and then into the international markets.

The programme is led by global master toy partner Mattel, Inc., and global master publisher Imprint, a part of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group.

Additional key licensees include Global Brand Group’s American Marketing Enterprises (sleepwear), GBG Socks dba Planet Sox (socks and legwear), Dynacraft (bikes, trikes, scooters and wagons), Kiddieland (foot-to-floor ride-on toys), Kittrich/Inkology (floor décor, stationary and school supplies),Kid Galaxy (bubble toys), Bentex (master apparel), Handcraft MFG (packaged underwear), Jay Franco Mfg. (bedding and bath), Global Design Concepts (bags, backpacks), H.E.R. Accessories (hair and jewelry accessories), and Taste Beauty (health and beauty products).

The Rainbow Rangers, Earth’s first responders, live in the magical land of Kaleidoscopia at the other side of the rainbow and have their own distinct personalities and superpowers. Whenever there’s trouble for the people or animals of Earth, our seven heroines zoom into action and ride  their Spectra scooters across the rainbow to save the day. We’ll join them on exciting adventures, but also see them at home having the same daily dramas and hilarities as every pre-schooler watching the show. And at its heart, Rainbow Rangers is about empowering and encouraging girls to take action and make a difference in their own homes and neighborhoods to improve and safeguard the planet.

Genius Brands Appoints Rainbow Rangers International Content Distribution and Licensing Agents

Tue, 20 Feb 2018 00:00:00 -0500

Genius Brands International series appointed two international brand agents for its new CGI-animated preschool series, Rainbow Rangers. Centa IP will handle content distribution and licensing throughout Australia and New Zealand, and Alicom will represent the brand’s licensing business in Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Iceland.

Currently in production, Rainbow Rangers follows the rescue-based adventures of seven 9-year-old girls who are Earth’s first responders, protecting people, animals, resources, and the natural beauty of our world. The series will premiere in the fall on Nickelodeon’s Nick Jr.

The U.S. launch of the retail program will begin to roll out in spring 2019, continuing through back-to-school and holiday, and then into the international markets. The program is led by global master toy partner Mattel Inc., and global master publisher Imprint, a part of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group.

Additional key licensees include Global Brand Group’s American Marketing Enterprises for sleepwear; GBG Socks dba Planet Sox for socks and legwear; Dynacraft for bikes, trikes, scooters, and wagons); Kiddieland for foot-to-floor ride-on toys; Kittrich/Inkology for floor décor, stationery, and school supplies; Kid Galaxy for bubble toys; Bentex as master apparel licensee; Handcraft MFG for packaged underwear; Jay Franco Mfg. for bedding and bath; Global Design Concepts for bags and backpacks; H.E.R. Accessories for hair and jewelry accessories; and Taste Beauty for health and beauty products.

GBI hands DHX alum distribution role

Mon, 26 Feb 2018 00:00:00 -0500

US children’s content firm Genius Brands International (GBI) has appointed a former DHX Media territory manager as its director of distribution.

Mark Shoeman will report to Deb Pierson, senior VP, global content distribution and marketing at LA-based GBI and president of Kid Genius Cartoon Channel.

He will handle global sales of GBI’s library of children’s programming as well as content acquisitions and distribution for the Kid Genius Cartoon Channel and Baby Genius Channel online.

Shoeman left DHX last year having joined the company as territory manager for the US in 2012 following its takeover of Cookie Jar Entertainment, formerly DIC Entertainment.

He began his career in 2002 at DIC, which was formed by GBI’s chairman and CEO Andy Heyward.

GBI’s slate includes Rainbow Rangers, Llama Llama, SpacePOP, Baby Genius, Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab and Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaires Club.

The firm last year reshuffled its distribution team by promoting Pierson to a role overseeing sales for GBI’s catalogue of animation properties.

Genius Brands names global distribution director

Tue, 27 Feb 2018 00:00:00 -0500

Former DHX Media exec Mark Shoeman** will handle global programming sales for GBI series including Rainbow Rangers and Llama Llama.**