GNUS Genius Brands International Inc

Genius Brands International, Inc. (“Genius Brands” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: GNUS) announced today the formation of a new division, Genius Music, focused on developing and monetizing its broad music publishing rights with emerging opportunities throughout the worldwide network of streaming platforms and existing broadcast outlets. Genius Brands has appointed veteran music executive and creative artist, Juan Carlos “JC” Quintero, as Head of Genius Music, to drive the new business venture.

Under Quintero’s leadership, Genius Music will create multiple revenue streaming opportunities through production and distribution of music soundtracks for its extensive portfolio of IP across Genius Brands (“Shaq’s Garage,” “Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten,” “Rainbow Rangers,” “Llama Llama,” “Baby Genius,” “Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab,” “Warren Buffet’s Secret Millionaires Club”) and its affiliates Canada’s WOW! Unlimited Media, Inc. (“Castlevania,” “Bravest Warriors,” “Bee and Puppycat,” “Catbug,” “Uke University”) and Germany’s Your Family Entertainment (“Fix and Foxi”).  

Genius Music is launching a unique model comprised of a production music library of over 8,000 original premium production tracks, specifically designed and produced for content creators on Genius Brands’ Frederator Network, a subsidiary of Wow! Unlimited Media Inc., which has become YouTube’s #1 talent-driven animation network, with 2,500 channels and over 1 billion ad-supported monthly views.

In addition, new production music assets are being developed for “Shaq’s Garage,” set to debut this year, including 1,800 minutes of original music (theme, score, songs, logos). The new series, includes a theme song composed/produced by Ron Wasserman (“Power Rangers,” “X-Men,” “Dragon Ball Z,” “Secret Millionaires Club”), as well as the score composed by Matt McGuire (“Power Rangers,” “Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten”).

“We began laying the groundwork for Genius Music last year. Given the vast library of IP Genius Brands owns across our own library, as well as WOW! and YFE’s catalog, we envision significant new revenue streams via distribution and licensing on streaming channels, music platforms and sync licensing throughout all media,” stated Juan Carlos ‘JC’ Quintero, Head of Genius Music.

Quintero added: “At Genius Music, we are creating a 21st century music library from the ground up. I am actively curating seasoned composers and serving as executive music producer to ensure a comprehensive buildout of a vast music library, covering a range of genres (EDM, Chill, Indie Rock, Alternative, Game, Trailer, World, Americana, Latin, etc.). Through Genius Brands’ exclusive partnerships and representation with international music publishers and distributors, the newly formed library is poised to achieve significant revenue worldwide, in one of the most important sectors of the entertainment industry.”

A 30-year veteran in the music business, both on the business and creative side, Quintero spent over 20 years as a music producer/composer with top-tier Production Music Libraries (Warner Chappell/Café Moondo, Megatrax, 5 Alarm Music), as well as a couple decades producing, composing original works, while running his Jazz/World Music label, Moondo Records Inc. For over eight years, he served as the Head of Music at Saban Brands, working on renowned children’s brands, including “Power Rangers,” “Digimon,” “Popples,” “Paul Frank,” ”Julius Jr.” and more.

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 IP portfolio of family-friendly content features the Stan Lee brand, Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, on Kartoon Channel!; Shaq’s Garage, starring Shaquille O’Neal, coming to Kartoon Channel!; Rainbow Rangers on Kartoon Channel! and Netflix; Llama Llama, starring Jennifer Garner, on Netflix and more.  This past year, Genius Brands also acquired Canada’s WOW! Unlimited Media (TSX-V: WOW), which includes 2,500 channels under the Channel Frederator Network, and has also made a strategic investment in Germany’s Your Family Entertainment AG (FRA:RTV), one of Europe’s largest distributors and broadcasters of high-quality programs for children and families.

Genius Brands’ Kartoon Channel! is a globally distributed entertainment platform with 100% penetration in the U.S. television market and international expansion with launches in key markets around the world. Kartoon Channel! is available across multiple platforms, including iOS, Android Mobile, Web, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, Comcast, Cox, Dish, Sling TV, Android TV, Xumo, Tubi, Samsung and LG Smart TVs.

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, our ability to generate revenue or achieve profitability; our ability to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms, if at all; the potential issuance of a significant number of shares, 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

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9e2caea5-257a-4ae0-88b2-6f32d0ac2973