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,
and ABG Entertainment, a division of Authentic Brands Group, a
global brand owner, marketing and entertainment company, today
announced an all-new animated comedy, action-adventure series for
kids, “Shaq’s Garage,” starring
Shaquille O'Neal.
The series will be executive produced by Shaquille O’Neal, Genius
Brands, PRP, and ABG Entertainment. Through the partnership, O’Neal
is also becoming a shareholder in Genius Brands.
“Shaq’s Garage” will depict the secret
adventures of Shaquille’s extraordinary collection of animated
cars, trucks, and automobiles. All the vehicles in “Shaq’s Garage”
have unique attributes, intellects, and skills ranging from musical
stylings, Shaq Fu, and their mastery of the ultra-secret language
of Shaqanese and the Shaqtionary. Whether in Sheijing on a secret
mission or visiting an ancient shrine in the lost city of
Shaqmandu, each story will be as special as the vehicles and
Shaquille himself.
“We challenged ourselves to come up with the
most exciting storylines and vehicle designs inspired by Toy Story,
Tony Stark, and 007!, that could only be imagined by ‘Big Diesel,’
himself,” stated Genius Brands Chairman
& CEO Andy Heyward. “The
lead vehicle is named Big Diesel and will be voiced by Shaq.”
“Ever since I was a kid I have been fascinated
by cars,” said O’Neal. “I’m so excited to bring this series to life
with Genius Brands. We plan to showcase the most amazing, tricked
out assortment of vehicles that can only be found in my garage,”
said O’Neal. “They
will all have larger than life personalities, larger than life
missions and of course, larger than life sound systems. One of our
cars is a vehicle missing a wheel, but she is as strong, fast, and
smart as any other vehicle. This will be a kid’s show which will
highlight inclusivity for all.”
“Through comedy and adventure, we will showcase
strong and diverse characters as positive role models with
purposeful storytelling. This is going to be a special show that
touches every button--music, adventure, humor, and positive
prideful messaging for kids,” added Heyward. “I
have known and admired Shaq for many years and am thrilled that we
can come together to make this important show for all kids around
the world, and Shaq will become a part of the Genius Brands
family.
Shaq’s Garage is slated to premiere in early
2022 on the new free digital Kartoon
Channel!, which launched on June 15, 2020, and is
available in over 100 Million U.S. television households across
multiple AVOD and OTT platforms. Kartoon Channel! is a
COPPA-compliant free children’s programming service focused on
positive entertainment.
About Shaquille O’NealShaquille
O’Neal is one of the world’s most successful
athlete-turned-businessman, whose accomplishments both on and off
the court have translated into a highly sought-after consumer
brand. As an entrepreneur, sports analyst, DJ, restaurateur, and
brand ambassador, Shaquille O’Neal’s signature “Business of Fun”
mantra resonates throughout each of his countless endeavors.
The 15-time NBA All-Star’s unprecedented
athletic career spanned nearly two decades and earned him countless
awards and honors, including NBA Most Valuable Player, NBA Rookie
of the Year, four NBA Championships and a First Ballot NBA Hall of
Famer. Currently, O’Neal is an analyst on TNT’s Emmy
Award-winning “Inside the NBA.”
O’Neal, who has a PhD in Leadership and
Education, gives back through a number of annual philanthropic
programs including Shaq to School, Shaqsgiving, and Shaq a
Claus.
The launch of his Las Vegas eatery Big Chicken
has further elevated Shaquille’s status as he has positioned
himself as a successful restaurateur. A second Big Chicken location
is open in Glendale, CA and additional locations will debut at sea
on Carnival Cruise Lines Radiance and Mardi Gras.
Follow Shaquille O’Neal on Facebook, Twitter and
Instagram.
About Genius Brands
InternationalGenius 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. 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 TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and more. For additional
information, please visit www.gnusbrands.com.
About Authentic Brands
GroupAuthentic Brands Group (ABG) is a brand development,
marketing, and entertainment company, which owns a portfolio of
global media, entertainment, and lifestyle brands. Headquartered in
New York City, ABG elevates and builds the long-term value of more
than 50 consumer brands and properties by partnering with
best-in-class manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. Its brands
have a global retail footprint in more than 100,000 points of sale
across the luxury, specialty, department store, mid-tier, mass, and
e-commerce channels, and more than 6,000 freestanding stores and
shop-in-shops around the world.
ABG is committed to transforming brands by
delivering compelling product, content, business, and immersive
experiences. It creates and activates original marketing strategies
to drive the success of its brands across all consumer touchpoints,
platforms, and emerging media. ABG’s portfolio of iconic and
world-renowned brands generates more than $14 billion in annual
retail sales and includes Marilyn Monroe®, Elvis Presley®, Muhammad
Ali®, Shaquille O'Neal®, Sports Illustrated®, Dr. J®, Greg Norman®,
Neil Lane®, Thalia®, Nautica®, Aéropostale®, Forever 21®, Juicy
Couture®, Vince Camuto®, Herve Leger®, Judith Leiber®, Barneys New
York®, Brooks Brothers ®, Frye®, Lucky Brand®, Nine West®, Jones
New York®, Frederick's of Hollywood®, Louise et Cie®, Sole
Society®, Enzo Angiolini®, CC Corso Como®, Hickey Freeman®, Hart
Schaffner Marx®, Adrienne Vittadini®, Taryn Rose®, Bandolino®,
Misook®, Spyder®, Tretorn®, Tapout®, Prince®, Volcom®, Airwalk®,
Vision Street Wear®, Above The Rim®, Hind®, Thomasville®, Drexel®,
and Henredon®.
For more information, visit
authenticbrandsgroup.com.Follow ABG on Twitter, LinkedIn, and
Instagram.
About ABG EntertainmentABG
Entertainment offers unparalleled storytelling through long-form
and short-form content, live event production, hospitality and
immersive experiences in collaboration with the world’s most
influential creators, distributors, brands and artists. ABG
Entertainment is a division of Authentic Brands Group, a global
brand development, marketing and entertainment company, and owner
of a portfolio of iconic and renowned brands that generate more
than $14 billion in retail sales worldwide.
For more information, visit authenticbrandsgroup.com.
Follow ABG
on Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.
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, our ability to generate revenue or
achieve profitability; our ability to obtain additional financing
on acceptable terms, if at all; our ability to repay our
outstanding debt; the potential issuance of a significant number of
shares to our convertible note holders which will dilute our equity
holders; fluctuations in the results of our operations from period
to period; general economic and financial conditions; our ability
to anticipate changes in popular culture, media and movies, fashion
and technology; competitive pressure from other distributors of
content and within the retail market; our reliance on and
relationships with third-party production and animation studios;
our ability to market and advertise our products; our reliance on
third-parties to promote our products; our ability to keep pace
with technological advances; our ability to protect our
intellectual property and those other risk factors set forth in the
“Risk Factors” section of the Company’s most recent Annual Report
on Form 10-K and in the Company's subsequent filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). 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.
MEDIA CONTACT:pr@gnusbrands.com
INVESTOR RELATIONS
CONTACT:
ir@gnusbrands.com
Shaquille O’Neal/Authentic Brands
Group:mciciyasvili@abg-nyc.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b36d88e8-ab74-41d6-bac8-9b4799a1744f
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