GBI Signs Home Entertainment Deal with Sony

CULVER CITY & BEVERLY HILLS, CA -- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) and Genius Brands International, Inc. (GBI), a global brand management company 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,” remarked 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,” commented 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.

Source: Genius Brands International & Sony Pictures Home Entertainment