Genius Products

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Genius Products

Genius Products (formerly known as Genius Entertainment) was a home entertainment company based in Santa Monica, California, United States.

The Baby Genius line was one of a number of "smart toys" that came out in response to a study book about the Mozart effect.[2]

Genius also released DVDs for other companies, including

World Wrestling Entertainment, and PorchLight Entertainment
.

History

Genius Products Inc. was founded in

AOL Time Warner was distributing Baby Genius products.[2]

Genius Products acquired American Vantage Media (formerly Fox Lorber, Winstar TV & Video, and Wellspring Media, spun off from

Blockbuster in exchange for exclusive rental rights. Expecting the indistinguishable dozen films to be made (possibly by a standing Romanian-based crew) under the multi-year deal would generate regular income of $1 to $2 million.[4]

In January 2006,

Pacific Entertainment, formed by Moeller and Balaban, purchased Baby Genius and other lines from Genius Products, Inc. for $3 million. The other lines were preschool brands such as Wee Worship and the Little Tikes music and DVD series. Genius Products retained exclusive U.S. distribution rights for the lines.[3]

In April 2006, Genius Products signed a distribution agreement with Tartan USA, an American division of the British company Tartan Films to distribute its titles on DVD, taking over from TLA Releasing.[5]

In July 2006, Genius Products signed an agreement with ESPN Inc. to distribute DVDs of ESPN programs via the ESPN Home Entertainment label.[6]

In October 2006, Genius Products signed distribution agreements with Discovery Kids and World Wrestling Entertainment to distribute their titles on DVD.[7][8]

On December 10, 2006, Genius Products signed a distribution agreement with

RHI Entertainment (now known as Sonar Entertainment) to distribute its miniseries and television films on DVD.[9]

In January and February 2007, Genius Products and The Weinstein Co. signed distribution and co-production agreements with

Sony Wonder ended. Genius would distribute Sesame Workshop and ER/Classic Media's shows, while Weinstein Co. would work with Sesame and ER/Classic Media on current properties and for future development.[10][11] At this time, Steve Bannon was the chairman of the board at Genius.[12]

In 2009, investment firm Quadrant Management affiliate, GNPR Investments, acquired 60% of Genius Products, LLC, with TWC retaining 15% and Genius Products, Inc. holding 25%.

Warner Home Video
.

In 2011, GPL was pushed into involuntary bankruptcy over $8.5 million in debt by World Wrestling Entertainment and two other companies.[15]

Distribution rights

References

  1. ^ a b c Hernandez, Eugene (February 21, 2006). "Major Changes for Wellspring As Weinstein Controlled Genius Pulls Plug on Existing Theatrical Distribution". IndieWire. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  2. ^ a b c della Cava, Marco R. (June 25, 2002). "The race to raise a brainier baby". USA Today. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  3. ^ a b c Baisley, Sarah (January 20, 2006). "Genius Products Sells Baby Genius Back to Creators". Animation World Network. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  4. ^ a b c Cieply, Michael (2007-04-12). "Films From the Weinsteins Falter, but the Brothers Stay Focused". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-03-23.
  5. ^ "Genius spins Tartan pix to DVD". Variety. April 23, 2006. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  6. ^ a b "ESPN hands ball to Genius". Variety. July 10, 2006. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  7. ^ "WWE, Genius Products: A winning combination". WWE. October 17, 2006. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  8. ^ a b c d Zeitchik, Steven (2006-10-25). "Genius discovers kidvid". Variety. Retrieved 2016-05-25.
  9. ^ "Weinstein, Genius in RHI deals". The Hollywood Reporter. December 11, 2006. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  10. ^ "Genius Products Announces Long-Term Co-Production and Distribution Agreements with Entertainment Rights Plc and Classic Media". www.businesswire.com. 8 January 2007.
  11. ^ a b c d Ball, Ryan (February 21, 2007). "Sesame Workshop Has Job for Genius". Animation Magazine. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  12. ^ Boyer, Brandon. "Affinity Media Founder Resigns". www.gamasutra.com. Retrieved 2019-07-11.
  13. ^ Garrett, Diane (2009-01-07). "GNPR acquires 60% of Genius". Variety.
  14. ^ a b c d Gruenwedel, Erik (2009-09-14). "Vivendi Acquires Genius Titles, Select Staff". Home Media Magazine. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved 2008-02-25.
  15. ^ Gardner, Eriq (May 15, 2015). "Weinstein Co. Hit With $130 Million Fraud Lawsuit Over Bankrupt Company (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  16. ^ "Genius portfolio keeps growing". The Hollywood Reporter. April 19, 2007. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
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