Genius Brands International Announces Greenlight of Season Two of Preschool Series Llama Llama; Jennifer Garner Returns to V...
June 19 2018 - 8:55AM
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., June 19, 2018 (GLOBE
NEWSWIRE) -- Genius Brands International, Inc. “Genius Brands”
(NASDAQ:GNUS) announced today that Netflix, the
world’s leading internet entertainment service, has greenlit the
production of season two of animated preschool
series, Llama Llama, with Jennifer
Garner returning in the lead role as Mama
Llama.
Jennifer Garner commented: “I love Anna
Dewdney’s award-winning joyful Llama Llama books
and am proud to voice Mama Llama on this very special series for
Netflix. And now—great news!—Mama Llama and Llama
Llama will be back for a second season! Thank you,
Netflix—I can’t wait to get to work!”
Season one of Llama Llama, also
starring Jennifer Garner, debuted worldwide in 20 different
languages on Netflix in January 2018. Currently in production
on season two, Genius Brands and Netflix also announce the
development of two new, 30-minute Llama
Llama specials, including one for Mother’s Day.
Season two of Llama
Llama also features an all-star team of
award-winning producers, including Jane
Startz (Ella Enchanted, Tuck Everlasting, The
Indian In The Cupboard, The Magic School
Bus series), Andy
Heyward (Inspector Gadget, The Real Ghostbusters,
Strawberry Shortcake, Madeline, Carmen Sandiego)
and Reed Duncan. Emmy Award-winning
writer Joe Purdy serves (Arthur, Hey
Arnold!) serves as the head writer and legendary Disney
alum Ruben Aquino (Frozen, The Lion
King, Aladdin, Mulan) as art director for the series.
“With the greenlight from Netflix and the
commitment from Jennifer Garner to star again, we have taken the
next step in creating an evergreen global franchise
for Llama Llama, and 2018 will no doubt be a banner
year for the brand with a second season in the works and a
worldwide retail program set to launch,” stated Andy Heyward,
Chairman & CEO, Genius Brands. “Everyone involved in the
development and production of season one of Llama
Llama—from our cream of the crop production team to the
passion that Jennifer brought to the project--went over and beyond
to create a truly enchanting series that has resulted in a social
media firestorm of support; resonated with parents and children all
over the world; and the production of a second season.”
Based on the award-winning and bestselling book
series by celebrated author and illustrator Anna Dewdney, 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.
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 via Comcast and
OTT platforms and Kid Genius Cartoons Plus!, which is now available
to Amazon Prime subscribers. 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 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.
GENIUS BRANDS MEDIA CONTACT:
Michelle Orsi/Carol
Holdsworth
Three.Sixty Marketing & Communications
310-418-6430; michelle@360-comm.com
FOR INVESTOR RELATIONS:
Michael Porter
PLR Investor Relations
212.564.4700; mike@plrinvest.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ce7239f7-f2ff-4a62-8066-b82ffb4b4124
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