Genius Brands International “Genius Brands”
(NASDAQ: GNUS) announced today the launch of season one of its
flagship animated children’s series,
Stan Lee’s Superhero
Kindergarten, Executive Produced by and starring
Arnold Schwarzenegger, on
Alibaba
Group’s (NYSE:BABA) video streaming platform,
Youku, starting March 2022, which is one of the
top three streaming platforms in the Mainland China territory.
Additionally, the acclaimed series will be available via the
Tudou and
Kumiao apps.
“I have always loved bringing my latest projects
to my Chinese fans, because they’re some of the most passionate
fans in the world, so I can’t wait for them to see Stan Lee’s
Superhero Kindergarten,” stated Arnold
Schwarzenegger.
Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten premiered on
April 23, 2021 on Genius Brands’ Kartoon Channel! in the U.S. and
Canada and has since garnered over 75 million views. The Company
will continue to launch the series in key territories around the
world in 2022.
“Alibaba’s Youku is one of the most far-reaching
media platforms for kids in the world, and we are excited to make
Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten available to millions of kids
across China. This unique action-packed series delivers all the
elements that resonate with kids today, along with positive
messaging and Arnold’s star power,” commented Andy
Heyward, Chairman & CEO of Genius Brands.
“Genius Brands has done a tremendous job of
creating a truly unique series that kids and their families can
enjoy together. With Arnold Schwarzenegger driving Stan Lee’s
Superhero Kindergarten, and the creative storylines and compelling
characters, we have no doubt that we will be able to create an
impressive fan base in China, building on the success of the series
in the U.S. and Canada,” stated Aaron Liao,
General Manager of Youku Kids.
About Superhero
KindergartenStan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten is geared
towards kids and families and focuses on the adventures of six
unique kids who are learning to master their super skills, along
with their ABCs. With the help of their teacher Arnold Armstrong
(AKA ‘Captain Fantastic’, the greatest superhero to ever
live!).
It all began five years ago when Arnold
Armstrong faced off in a final fight against his nemesis, the evil
Dr. Superior, that left him powerless. Little did anyone know that
during the fight, super-energy particles rained down on a group of
unsuspecting toddlers. Now, those toddlers are kindergarten
students at Greenville Elementary School who, with the help of
Arnold Armstrong, must learn to control their powers as they go on
super adventures! Arnold Armstrong’s mission: to train these kids
to use their super-powers safely without revealing their
identities. They learn the values of teamwork, health, diversity
and anti-bullying while also protecting their town from rivals, and
the nefarious Dr. Superior who has returned as Headmaster Danforth
of the Academy for Superior Children across town.
Fun for the whole family, the series opens up
the superhero genre for a whole new demographic and draws kids in
with action and comedy, while parents can appreciate the quality of
content synonymous with Stan Lee. Season one of the series includes
26 half-hour long episodes.
Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten features
Schwarzenegger, voice-directed by John Landis, one of the most
successful movie directors of all time, with Steven Banks, former
head writer for SpongeBob SquarePants, serving as head writer for
the series. The series is produced by Genius Brands and Stan Lee’s
POW! Entertainment in association with Schwarzenegger’s Oak
Productions. Gill Champion, CEO of Stan Lee’s POW! Entertainment;
Andy Heyward, Chairman & CEO of Genius Brands; Schwarzenegger;
and Paul Wachter of Main Street Advisors serve as executive
producers.
About YoukuYouku is a leading
multi-screen online video sharing and streaming platform in China
and forms a key part of Alibaba Group's digital media and
entertainment business, under its “Double H” (Health and Happiness)
strategy. Youku Kids offers high-quality programming, covering a
comprehensive range of categories including animation series,
nursery songs, puzzle games, e-books, and preschool education.
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 ‘content with a purpose’ portfolio includes Stan
Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, on
Kartoon Channel!; Shaq’s Garage, starring Shaquille O’Neal on
Kartoon Channel!; Rainbow Rangers on Kartoon Channel! and
Netflix; Llama, starring Jennifer Garner, on 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 Kartoon Channel! and
Kartoon Classroom! are available in over 100 million U.S.
television households via a broad range of distribution platforms,
including Comcast, Cox, DISH, Sling TV, Pluto TV, Amazon
Prime, Amazon Fire, Apple TV, Apple iOS, Android TV,
Android Mobil, Google Play, Xumo, Roku, Tubi, YouTube,
KartoonChannel.com, Samsung Smart TVs and LG 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/3d776534-42f0-46c7-980e-aa17a22e7036
Genius Brands (NASDAQ:GNUS)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2024 to May 2024
Genius Brands (NASDAQ:GNUS)
Historical Stock Chart
From May 2023 to May 2024