BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., March 21, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Genius Brands International, “Genius Brands”
(Nasdaq:GNUS), a global brand management company that creates and licenses multimedia entertainment content for children, announced
today the appointment of Michael Jaffa to General Counsel & Senior Vice President of Business Affairs. The announcement was made
today by Genius Brands’ Chairman and CEO Andy Heyward, to whom Jaffa will report.
In his new role, Jaffa will oversee the negotiating and shaping of business transactions in the areas of development,
production, licensing, finance and distribution of Genius Brands’ content catalog, including Rainbow Rangers, Llama Llama,
Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaires Club, Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab, Baby Genius and more. He will also spearhead the
business and legal operations of the Company’s digital channels, Kid Genius Cartoon Channel, Kid Genius Plus for
Amazon and the Baby Genius channel.
“As Genius Brands embarks on a year of rapid growth, I am thrilled to welcome Mike, who has a long history of driving profits
from the legal sector, on board to lead our business,” said Heyward. “He is a superb executive, who brings an extraordinary
pedigree and breadth of experience in entertainment and technology and across production, distribution and licensing, and the
entire company is looking forward to working with him.”
“Andy and the team at Genius Brands have created a children’s media company that is poised to compete with the majors, and I am
honored to join in a role that will facilitate the continued global expansion of the Company,” commented Jaffa.
At DreamWorks Animation Television, Jaffa served as Head of Business Affairs and was responsible for all studio business and
legal affairs matters, including the negotiation and drafting of hundreds of development, production, acquisition, talent, digital
and music agreements. Previously, he was the Vice President of Legal & Business Affairs for Hasbro Studios, working directly
with Hasbro Studios’ President, CFO, and General Manager to help create programs and launch strategy for a new studio and related
network. Jaffa has also represented various clients, including Sony Pictures Animation and MGM Studios.
Jaffa received a J.D. from New York University School of Law.
About Genius Brands International
Headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, Genius Brands International, Inc. (NASDAQ:GNUS) is a leading global media company
developing, producing, marketing and licensing branded children’s entertainment properties and consumer products for media
distribution and retail channels. Led by award-winning creators and producers, Genius Brands distributes its content worldwide in
all formats, as well as a broad range of consumer products based on its characters. In the children's media sector, its portfolio
of “content with a purpose” includes new preschool properties Rainbow Rangers for Nick Jr. and Llama Llama for
Netflix; tween music-driven YouTube brand SpacePOP; award-winning toddler brand Baby Genius; adventure comedy
series Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, and Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club, created with and starring
iconic investor Warren Buffett. The Company is also co-producing an all-new adult animated series, Stan Lee's Cosmic
Crusaders, with Stan Lee's Pow! Entertainment and The Hollywood Reporter. Genius Brands’ Kid Genius Cartoon Channel
is currently available in approximately 60 million households. 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 those set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), not
limited to Risk Factors relating to its patent business contained therein. 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.
GENIUS BRANDS MEDIA CONTACT:
Michelle Orsi/Carol Holdsworth
Three.Sixty Marketing & Communications
310-418-6430
michelle@360-comm.com
FOR INVESTOR RELATIONS:
Michael Porter
PLR Investor Relations
212.564.4700
mike@plrinvest.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/927fe3d1-1252-4790-863f-63729ab2b849
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