Genius Brands International


Genius Brands ups Disney alum to oversee new network division

US-based kids content company Genius Brands International has consolidated its portfolio of kids-focused channels under the newly created Genius Networks and promoted Todd Steinman to head up the new unit. Kartoon Channel!, Frederator Network and Ameba TV will now fall under the Genius Networks banner, with Steinman serving as president. The exec joined Genius Brands […]

Opinion: Paul Robinson on how virtual worlds can open up kids content opportunities

Genius Brands International exec Paul Robinson surveys how the Metaverse can offer huge potential to those working in the kids content business but explains why a ‘dystopian’ future involving these virtual worlds is unlikely. One of the highlights of my summer was being in the same room as friends and partners in the kid’s business to share […]

Genius Brands hires Disney alum to head up further M&As

US-based kids content company Genius Brands International has hired Zrinka Dekic as its new chief financial officer, as well as its head of strategy and mergers and acquisitions. The appointment comes following Genius Brand’s recent acquisitions of both Canada’s WOW! Unlimited Media and Germany’s Your Family Entertainment as the company continues its global expansion. Dekic […]

Kids round-up: Kartoon Genius block launches on YFE; Moonbug Kids comes to EMEA

Kartoon Genius block launches on YFE Genius Brands International has unveiled a new block of children’s animated series and expanded distribution for its international channels, following its pending acquisition of Canada’s WOW! Unlimited Media Inc. and strategic investment in Germany’s Your Family Entertainment (YFE). The new block on the YFE International channels will be branded […]

Genius Brands acquires WOW! Unlimited in $53m deal

US-based kids content company Genius Brands International has acquired Canadian prodco Wow! Unlimited Media for $53m. The deal will allow Genius Brands to use WOW!’s production facilities to access Canadian tax credits and move animation production currently being undertaken by service companies in China in-house. Financial details have not been revealed, but the acquisition is […]

Genius Brands ups Jon Ollwerther to president of Kartoon Channel!

US-based Genius Brands International has promoted Jon Ollwerther to president of its kids streaming platform Kartoon Channel!. Ollwerther previously served in the role of general manager for the platform and will also continue as EVP of business development for Genius Brands. Prior to joining the company, was VP of media, arts & entertainment for aerial intelligence […]

Kids round-up: Wildbrain hires Spin Master alum Withrington for development role; Genius Brands appoints Harold Chizick to head sales; CBBC seeks Screen Glue show

Wildbrain hires Spin Master alum Withrington for development role Canada’s WildBrain has appointed Lorna Withrington to the newly created role of VP of development-animation. The former Spin Master exec will help drive the strategic vision behind the company’s multi-genre slate of original animation, collaborating closely with creators, writers, artists and other production stakeholders to “instil […]

Kids round-up: WarnerMedia unveils EMEA kids team; Netflix acquires ‘Rainbow Rangers’; ‘DinoCity’ sells to Europe, Balkans and MENA

WarnerMedia unveils EMEA kids team US-based WarnerMedia has unveiled its leadership team for its EMEA kids division, working across Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Boing, Cartoonito and the HBO Max kids offering. Vanessa Brookman, head of kids, EMEA for WarnerMedia, has appointing Sarah Fell to lead original production, with Marc Goodchild as head of digital content, Sean Henry […]

Kids round-up: ‘Paddington’ heads to China; CBBC & Family Channel return to ‘Malory Towers’; Kartoon Channel! lands ‘Roblox’ series

‘Paddington’ heads to China French production and distribution company StudioCanal has partnered with distributor Shanghai Senyu Media to bring animated series The Adventures Of Paddington to China. The series will be represented to broadcasters in Mainland China at the forthcoming Filmart in Hong Kong, which kicked off with a digital version on 15 March. Shanghai Senyu […]

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