Llama Llama, a Kellogg's Breakfast 75 Million Boxes Strong!
Dear Friends & Shareholders:
It is my pleasure to share with you some exciting news from our classic evergreen brand, Llama Llama, based on the bestselling and award-winning children’s book franchise, with over 30 million units in print, by Anna Dewdney.
If you’ve been in the supermarket this week, you may have noticed Llama Llama Red Pajama is now featured on Kellogg’s Rice Krispies, Kellogg’s Frosted Mini Wheats, Kellogg’s Apple Jacks, and Kellogg’s Corn Pops. In fact, Llama Llama will be on 75 MILLION Kellogg’s box packages this summer. With our publishing partner Penguin Publishing, Kellogg’s has launched a nationwide promotion to support their “Feeding Reading” program that features #1 New York Times best selling, Llama Llama Red Pajama, through September 30th on the back of these cereal boxes.
This is exactly the kind of promotion that we are proud to be a part of, because it not only promotes one of our tentpole brands, but it has a positive purpose to children: It promotes reading. Llama Lama is a series of books that is a metaphor for a single mom, raising her family and imparting strong values to them through the daily obstacles of growing up.
We first developed a Netflix Original series, starring Jennifer Garner, as the voice of Mama Llama, which has two seasons available on Netflix (and shorts as well now on Kartoon Channel!) in over 20 languages around the world. We have deals with broadcasters and platforms around the world as the series continues to rollout in territories. We also also continue to fuel our Llama Llama dedicated YouTube channel with short-form content.
We have a consumer products program that continues to grow, and when we have a promotion such as this, it brings more visibility to the brand, which then becomes a virtuous circles as more consumer products from the brand are sold. We just announced a partnership with MaskClub.com to create Llama Llama branded masks to protect kids and moms together. Plus, we have a range of products at retail, including a range of hydration and feeding products from Core Home, children’s bedding from Everyday Kids; a book and plus set from SPIRIT!, sold exclusively available at retailer Five Below’s; and plush toys from Kids Preferred, which includes a top-selling jack-in-the-box, available at Walmart.com, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Buy Buy Baby, Wegmans and more;
We also have activity books from Bendon Publishing available at Michael’s and Dollar General; DVDs from NCircle Entertainment available at Walmart, Target and online; puzzles available at Go Retail shops and online; Decopac cake design and decorating kits available at grocery and bakery stores; party accessories from Prime Party and Creative Converting available at mass and online retailers; Halloween costumes at Halloween.com/Fun.com, holiday ornaments from Kurt Adler and holiday plush from Cuddle Barn.
The content distribution from the series and royalty revenue fron the retail program creates for Genius Brands a dual income stream.
If you haven’t seen the show, go take a look on Netflix or watch the trailer right here.
For kids, it doesn’t matter whether they see Llama Llama, on a cereal box, in a book, on a TV or device, or on a stuffed animal. The messaging is positive, and this is how we not only earn royalties, but bring positive storytelling to our young audience. Anybody feel like a Kellogg's breakfast???
Sincerely,
Andy Heyward
Chairman & CEO
Genius Brands International, Inc.
Forward Looking Statements:
Certain statements in this blog post 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 (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.