Genius Brands International Announces $9.0 Million Registered Direct Offering

Rhea-AI Summary

Genius Brands International (NASDAQ: GNUS) announced a securities purchase agreement for the sale of 7.5 million shares of common stock at $1.20 per share, totaling gross proceeds of $9 million. The funds will be utilized to enhance the new digital network, Kartoon Channel!, launching on June 15, support production of Rainbow Rangers episodes, and reduce outstanding debt. The offering is registered under a prospectus supplement in accordance with SEC regulations.

Positive

• Raising $9 million to support the launch of Kartoon Channel!, available to 100 million U.S. TV households.
• Funding for additional episodes of Rainbow Rangers may enhance content offerings.
• Repayment of outstanding debt improves financial health.

Negative

• Issuance of new shares could lead to shareholder dilution.

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., May 18, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Genius Brands International, Inc. (“Genius Brands” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: GNUS) announced today that it has entered into a securities purchase agreement with certain long-standing investors providing for the purchase and sale of 7.5 million shares of its common stock at a purchase price of $1.20 per share, priced ”at the market”’ under Nasdaq rules based on the average closing sale price for the previous five trading days, in a registered direct offering, resulting in total gross proceeds of $9.0 million.

The net proceeds of the financing will be used to grow its newly-announced digital network for children, Kartoon Channel! on demand and subscription free, launching June 15 and available in approximately 100 million U.S. TV Households and approximately 200 million mobile devices, to fund production of additional episodes of its series Rainbow Rangers, and repayment of certain outstanding debt, and for working capital.

The Special Equities Group, LLC, a division of Bradley Woods & Co. LTD, acted as the placement agent for this transaction.

The shares of common stock described above are being offered by the Company through a prospectus supplement pursuant to the Company’s shelf registration statement on Form S-3 as previously filed and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the base prospectus contained therein (Registration No. 333-235962). A prospectus supplement related to the offering will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. Copies of the final prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus may be obtained, when available, by contacting The Special Equities Group, LLC, a division of Bradley Woods & Co. LTD, 805 Third Ave., 18th Floor, New York, NY, 10022, at (212) 826-9191, or the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at http://www.sec.gov.

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 award-winning ‘content with a purpose’ portfolio includes Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger; Rainbow Rangers for Nick Jr.; Llama Llama, starring Jennifer Garner, for Netflix; award-winning toddler brand Baby Genius; adventure comedy STEM series Thomas Edison's Secret Lab; entrepreneurship series Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club; and Stan Lee's Cosmic Crusaders, created with Stan Lee's Pow! Entertainment. 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 Genius Brands Network of channels, including Kid Genius Cartoon Channel, Baby Genius TV, and Kid Genius Cartoons Plus!, are available in over 100 million U.S. television households via a multitude of distribution platforms, including Comcast, Cox, DISH, Amazon Prime, Sling TV, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and more. 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; our ability to repay our outstanding debt; the potential issuance of a significant number of shares to our convertible note holders 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. 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.

INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT:                                                                        
Porter, Levay & Rose
T: 212-564-4700
ir@gnusbrands.com

FAQ

What is the purpose of the stock offering by Genius Brands (GNUS)?

The offering aims to raise funds for the launch of Kartoon Channel!, production of Rainbow Rangers episodes, and debt repayment.

When will Kartoon Channel! be available to the public?

Kartoon Channel! is set to launch on June 15 and will be available to approximately 100 million U.S. TV households.

How many shares is Genius Brands (GNUS) offering in this deal?

Genius Brands is offering 7.5 million shares of its common stock at a price of $1.20 per share.

What impact might the offering have on existing shareholders of GNUS?

The issuance of new shares in the offering could dilute the ownership percentage of existing shareholders.