Genius Brands International Adds a New Piece to Baby Genius(R) Licensing Program With Puzzle Licensee Karmin International

Creative Line of Jigsaw Puzzles Featuring Baby Genius(R) Characters Coming to Retail Shelves Soon

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 6, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Genius Brands International, Inc. (OTCQB:GNUS), developer and marketer of entertainment products including the award-winning Baby Genius^® line of music and education-based products and characters, today announced it has granted a license to Karmin International to create an extensive new line of Baby Genius®-themed jigsaw puzzles for preschoolers. Karmin has sold its American-made products throughout the U.S. and Canada for over two decades.

Karmin joins a growing list of licensees and promotional partners signed by Genius Brands over the past year which includes: master toy licensee JAKKS Pacific's Tollytots® division; Sunscape Eyewear for sunglasses, eyewear and eyewear accessories; and The Wendy's Company for a Wendy's Kids' Meal® promotional program at over 6,500 Wendy's® restaurants in the U.S. and Canada.

The three-year agreement grants Karmin rights to manufacture puzzles featuring the popular Baby Genius® characters and distribute the products throughout the U.S. and Canada. Product categories include floor puzzles, dry erase puzzles, book and puzzle combinations, two-sided puzzles, 4-1 progressive puzzles, multi-pack puzzles and musical puzzles.

Karmin will introduce an initial line of puzzles at the Toy Industry Association's annual Fall Toy Preview in Dallas, Texas, this October. The line includes floor puzzles, progressive puzzles and dry erase puzzles, among others, and will be targeted to mass market retailers, club stores, department store chains, food and drug stores, health and beauty stores, and military exchanges.

"We are pleased with the momentum of our in-house licensing and promotion program and especially excited to be bringing Karmin into our family of Baby Genius® licensees," said Genius Brands Chairman and CEO, Klaus Moeller. "Karmin provides quality products that are proudly manufactured in the U.S. - just like the millions of Baby Genius® DVDs and CDs we sell every year."

"We are proud to be a part of the Baby Genius® family and pleased to be moving forward with production on a wonderful new line of preschool puzzles that are made in the USA and are earth friendly, for the many merchants who have recognized the quality of the Karmin International brand," said Chris Catjakis, Executive Vice President, Karmin International.

About Genius Brands

Genius Brands International, Inc. is the developer and marketer of entertainment products including the award winning Baby Genius® line of music and education-based products and characters. The Company is developing and marketing a growing line of Genius branded products that entertain and educate the whole family. Baby Genius® awards include: Mom's Choice Award, The National Parenting Center Seal of Approval, The Toy Insider Best Toddler Toys, Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products, NAPPA Honors Award, iParenting Excellent Product Award, Creative Child Preferred Choice Award, Latino DVD Awards, iParenting Media Award, Film Advisory Board Award of Excellence, Kids First! Quality Children's Media Endorsement, Parents Magazine 2002 "Video of the Year," and Best "Under 3" QSR Program 2004/2005 from Restaurant Magazine. Baby Genius® products are available at most major retailers and have international exposure in over 40 countries. For brand information please visit www.babygenius.com. For Company information please visit https://ir.stockpr.com/babygenius/overview.

The Genius Brands International, Inc. logo is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=11441

About Karmin International

Karmin International, located in Dorval, Quebec Canada, is a subsidiary of the Karmin Group, a diversified corporation that has been in business for over twenty years. Karmin International has become a well known household name in the USA and Canadian jigsaw puzzle market. Karmin continues to develop a leading presence in the marketplace by producing a cutting edge line of quality, affordable, American Made puzzles that inarguably tantalize, entertain and stimulate the mainstream of puzzle consumers from toddlers to our senior citizen population. Puzzles continue to remain a price sensitive, American and Canadian pastime for ALL ages.

Forward-looking statements

This release contains forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of Genius Brands International Inc. All statements that address operating performance that the Company expects will occur in the future, including statements relating to operating results for fiscal 2012 and beyond, revenue growth, and future profitability statements expressing general optimism about future operating results, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current views and we cannot assure that anticipated results will be achieved. These statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including, among other things, uncertainties relating to the Company's success in judging consumer preferences, financing the Company's operations, entering into strategic partnerships, engaging management, seasonal and period-to-period fluctuations in sales, failure to increase market share or sales, inability to service outstanding debt obligations, dependence on a limited number of customers, increased production costs or delays in production of new products, intense competition within the industry, inability to protect intellectual property in the international market for our products, changes in market condition and other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available via the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and are encouraged to consider the risk factors that could affect actual results. The Company disclaims any intent to update forward-looking statements.

CONTACT: Investor Relations Contact:
         Mr. Andrew Haag
         Managing Partner
         IRTH Communications, LLC
         Tel:  +1-866-976-IRTH (4784)
         E-Mail: Andrew@irthcommunications.com
         Website: www.irthcommunications.com

         Media Contact:
         John Russel
         RUSSEL Public Relations
         Tel: +1-818-561-5072
         Cell: 818-516-8572
         E-Mail: JRussel@russelprla.com

Released September 6, 2012