Genius Brands International, Inc.
(“Genius Brands” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: GNUS), a global brand
management company that creates and licenses multimedia
entertainment content for children, today announced plans for a
transformative acquisition of
ChizComm
Ltd., a leading
North American marketing and media agency, as well as
ChizComm Beacon
Media, its best-in-class media research,
planning and buying division.
ChizComm is the largest purchaser of children’s
media across both traditional and digital platforms in North
America, as well as a leader in PR, media, and marketing within the
kids/family media and consumer product sectors. Founded by Harold
and Jennifer Chizick in 2013, with offices in New Jersey, Los
Angeles, and Toronto, the company represents more than 30 major toy
companies and some of the most powerful and iconic brands in the
children and family media and toy industries.
ChizComm Beacon Media has consistently been
ranked the largest media buyer within the Kids 2-11 age group,
representing over 32% of total Gross Rating Points (GRPs).
ChizComm Beacon Media has gained market share year-to-date, and now
represents 34% of the total GRPs within the Kids 2-11
demographic. The company’s unique purchasing power and
extensive media relationships across networks, including Viacom,
Warner Media, Disney, YouTube and other digital platforms, offer
clients an unmatched competitive advantage and access to audiences
of all ages.
“Our strategy has been to accelerate the growth
of Genius Brands through smart and accretive acquisitions. ChizComm
achieves this goal and more, by driving revenue and generating
immediate synergies and strategic opportunities to enhance the core
businesses of Genius,” stated Genius Brands’ Chairman &
CEO Andy Heyward. “ChizComm’s reputation, integrity and
unparalleled passion for the industry is completely aligned with
what we stand for. Their team has very smartly built an incredible
marketing engine with best-in-class ability to connect brands and
consumers in a highly competitive market, and we see that as a
powerful complement to our forward growth at Genius Brands,
including Kartoon Channel!”
Well known for its growth, track record and
extensive expertise in toy, kids entertainment, gaming and related
industries, ChizComm’s comprehensive integrated marketing approach
and deep understanding of kids, youth, millennials and parents help
brands connect with audiences to drive growth and make noise using
PR, social media, influencer marketing, and paid media
strategies.
The addition of marketing and media buying
expertise positions the Company to create synergies and fuel new
opportunities with broadcast clients and toy companies, for
innovative offerings, reach and engagement in a rapidly evolving
landscape as well as fueling the growth of Kartoon Channel!.
As a part of the transaction, ChizComm Ltd and
ChizComm Beacon Media will continue to operate as independent
divisions of Genius Brands, under the leadership of Harold Chizick
as CEO, Jennifer Chizick as COO, Donna MacNeil as President, and
Kathleen Campisano as ChizComm Global CMO and GM of ChizComm Beacon
Media.
“We are simply thrilled to find a partner in
Genius Brands who shares our energy, enthusiasm and passion for the
business of entertainment, media, licensing and consumer products,”
said Harold
Chizick,
ChizComm CEO and Co-Founder.
“Many of our clients are expanding into content development and
licensing opportunities, so this partnership extends our
capabilities to meet our clients’ evolving needs. This transaction
also provides us a solid financial partner and additional resources
to further accelerate our growth.”
About Genius Brands
International
Genius Brands International, Inc. (Nasdaq: GNUS)
is a leading global kids media company developing, producing,
marketing and licensing branded children’s entertainment properties
and consumer products for media and retail distribution. The
Company’s award-winning ‘content with a purpose’ portfolio includes
the upcoming Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten, starring Arnold
Schwarzenegger and in partnership with Alibaba; Rainbow Rangers for
Nick Jr.; Llama Llama, starring Jennifer Garner, for Netflix;
award-winning toddler brand Baby Genius; adventure comedy STEM
series Thomas Edison's Secret Lab; and entrepreneurship series
Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club, and the recently
announced SHAQ’S GARAGE produced in association with Shaquille
O’Neal and Authentic Brands Group. Through licensing agreements
with leading partners, characters from Genius Brands’ IP also
appear on a wide range of consumer products for the worldwide
retail marketplace. The Company’s new Kartoon Channel! is available
in over 100 million U.S. television households via a broad range of
distribution platforms, including Comcast, Cox, DISH, Amazon Prime,
Sling TV, Apple iOs, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and more.
About
ChizComm
ChizComm is a full-service marketing and
communications agency, specializing in the strategic planning and
execution of public relations, digital marketing, social media, and
creative services. Through its ChizComm Beacon Media division,
ChizComm offers media research, planning, and buying services. The
company is the largest purchaser of children’s media across
traditional and emerging platforms (including TV, OTT, VOD, OLV,
Social and Digital Media). Focused on cultivating long-lasting,
impactful connections between consumers and brands across a diverse
range of industries including consumer products, entertainment,
gaming, lifestyle and tech. ChizComm's integrated expertise brings
the voice of brands to the forefront and makes them part of
influential consumer conversation.
GENIUS BRANDS INTERNATIONAL INVESTOR RELATIONS
CONTACT: |
T:
844-589-8760 |
ir@gnusbrands.com |
|
|
CHIZCOMM LTD CONTACT: |
T: 647-992-3561 |
hchizick@chizcomm.com |
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2334d91e-d2ba-45d1-b76e-1c035791e355
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