Genius Brands International Kicks Off U.S. Fall Retail Launch of Its Tween Hit, SpacePOP, With the Debut of the Brand Apparel Program at Select Kohl's Stores Nationwide and Online

Genius Brands International Kicks Off U.S. Fall Retail Launch of Its Tween Hit, SpacePOP, With the Debut of the Brand Apparel Program at Select Kohl's Stores Nationwide and Online

BEVERLY HILLS, CA--(Marketwired - October 10, 2016) - Genius Brands International, Inc. ("GBI") (GNUS) launches the first apparel program at select Kohl's stores nationwide and online for its music-driven brand SpacePOP, a hit among tweens with approximately eight million channel views on YouTube (youtube.com/spacepopgirls) since its premiere on June 20th.

GBI will debut on October 15th a fashionable collection of SpacePOP sportswear from Jaya Apparel for tween girls (size 7-16) at Kohl's, including tops, bottoms, skirts and dresses. To support the launch, GBI has integrated the apparel line into the SpacePOP entertainment content, which is available on YouTube and across digital platforms -- Kabillion Girls Rule!, Toon Goggles, PopJam, BatteryPOP, Kid Genius channel on Comcast -- and the new line will be promoted in a digital marketing campaign, which features YouTube influencers such as Sophia Grace and Angelic wearing the collection.

In addition to the new apparel line, Sony Music/Legacy Recordings debuts the SpacePOP original soundtrack, Not Your Average Princesses, at major retail stores across the U.S. and online, including Target, Toys"R"Us and Amazon.com. Additionally, the first SpacePOP book (Imprint, part of Macmillan Children's Publishing Group), Not Your Average Princesses, an original middle grade novel with graphic novel inserts written by author Erin Downing and illustrated by Jen Bartel., is now available at Barnes & Noble, Toys"R"Us, Costco and Amazon.com.

"We have worked hard to create a unique entertainment experience to draw tween and teen girls to SpacePOP, bringing fun, adventure, friendship and best-in-class music from incomparable talent, and as a result, we are building the brand rapidly online, with an audience of millions across all of the platforms, and soon at retail," said Stone Newman, President of Global Consumer Products, Worldwide Content Sales & Marketing, GBI. "We now look forward to engaging our audience beyond the screen, working with Kohl's and Jaya Apparel to introduce a cool, fresh aspirational line of sportswear that has also been integrated into the entertainment content and digital marketing campaign, reaching millions of fans."

In 2017, GBI will continue to expand the licensed products program for SpacePOP with an array of new branded merchandise, including Madame Alexander Doll Company (fashion dolls and figures), KIDdesigns (youth electronics, tech accessories and electronic toys), Mad Dog Concepts (loungewear, sleepwear), Franco Manufacturing (bedding & bath textiles, accessories, room décor), Berkshire Fashions (hosiery, head wear, and cold weather accessories), FAB Starpoint (bags, backpacks, accessories), Taste Beauty (beauty and bath products), Bare Tree Media (emoticons), Canal Toys (craft and activity kits), Yowie Group, Ltd. (confections), H.E.R. Accessories (accessories) and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (home entertainment).

SpacePOP was developed with best-in-class development and production team, including Emmy Award-nominated Steve Banks (head writer and story editor of SpongeBob SquarePants) as content writer; Han Lee (Pink Fizz, Bobby Jack) for original character designs; multiple Grammy Award-winning producer and music veteran Ron Fair (Fergie, Mary J. Blige, Black Eyed Peas, Pussycat Dolls, Christina Aguilera and more) and singer songwriter spouse Stefanie Fair (founding member of RCA's girl group Wild Orchid with Fergie) for the original SpacePOP theme music; and veteran music producer and composer John Loeffler (Kidz Bop, Pokemon) for original songs.

SpacePOP is comprised of over 100 serialized adventures featuring original music woven into a narrative that follows five teenage princesses who disguise themselves as musicians and form a band while they secretly plot to vanquish an evil Empress who is seeking to enslave the galaxy. SpacePop offers a colorful blend of music, fashion, beauty, friendship and intergalactic adventures resulting in an engaging lifestyle brand.

GBI has been supporting the launch of SpacePOP with a number of marketing initiatives, including a YouTube Influencer campaign; national promotional partnerships with Six Flags, Dippin' Dots and Camplified; promotional campaigns with Musical.ly and PopJam; and a dedicated SpacePOP site, SpacePOPGirls.com.