Sony, Genius ink distribution agreement


Details

Michelle Clancy

| 23 February 2016




Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) and Genius Brands have finalised a multi-year distribution agreement.



SPHE will provide marketing and distribution of GBI’s Kid Genius and Baby Genius labels throughout North America. In addition, PHE and GBI will 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,” said Ben Means, SVP for third-party strategic partnerships at SPHE. “This partnership underscores our long-term commitment to provide consumers with quality product for children and families.”

Among the brands SPHE will distribute are the music and fashion-driven brand for tween girls, SpacePOP, which is set to debut in autumn 2016; a new original Baby Genius series to coincide with the brand’s expanded launch in 2016; Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaires Club, an 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 catalogue titles.

“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,” said Andy Heyward, chairman and CEO, Genius Brands. “SPHE’s substantial, marketing, promotion, and retail and digital distribution resources, will be instrumental in the continued expansion of our brands.”

Genius Brands also recently secured a multiple territory broadcast licensing agreement for Stan Lee's Mighty 7 (Slam 7) with the pan-regional Cartoon Network Latin America.