BEVERLY HILLS, CA--(Marketwired - September 21, 2015) - Celebrating the re-launch of the all new Baby Genius® brand at retail, Genius Brands International, Inc. ("GBI") (
GBI's re-launch of Baby Genius is part of a robust expansion of the timeless brand, based on an entirely new Baby Genius "Learn & Grow" program that has been created to align with a child's natural development. The new Baby Genius "Learn & Grow" "products with a purpose" was developed with Stanford University Professor Emeritus Donald F. Roberts, who provided guidance to the line of new products and original entertainment that have been developed and categorized by five different developmental stages that mark a child's natural growth. These include:
- Baby Genius Safe Haven products, for infants to 6 months, designed to nurture and soothe
- Baby Genius Discoverer products, for ages 6-12 months, to encourage a child's self-discovery
- Baby Genius Proud Explorer products, for ages 6-12 months, to begin teaching words, shapes and colors
- Baby Genius Curious Learner products, for ages 18-24 months, to engage kids, allowing them to experience for themselves
- Baby Genius Independent Doer products, for ages 24-36 months, to encourage decision-making and problem solving
"We are creating products designed for the specific social and cognitive capabilities of developing infants and toddlers. Our goal is to respond to the dramatic changes that occur during the first three years of life, and to fashion products applicable to each stage. What engages and promotes development in an 18-month-old differs from what engages and promotes development in a 3-year-old. Our content is designed to respond to those differences," states Dr. Roberts. "Baby Genius is committed to meeting the cognitive needs and capabilities of children as they navigate the critically important first 36 months with products designed to delight, engage, and stimulate each developmental moment."
"When Genius Brands first came to us with their unique approach to enhance early child development through Baby Genius 'Products with a Purpose,' we immediately saw the opportunity for us and the benefit to our customers," said Nicki Shekalus, Divisional Merchandise Manager, Amazon.com. "The team at Genius Brands and their licensing partners have done a fantastic job cultivating a great program, and Amazon is excited to be the exclusive retailer bringing it to market."
As part of the overall brand re-launch, the beloved Baby Genius characters have been newly designed by renowned pop artist Todd Goldman, founder of apparel and accessories company David & Goliath.
Music has long been the hallmark of the Baby Genius brand. Now for the first time in 10 years, new original songs have been created, written and produced by music industry legend Ron Fair and his singer-songwriter-Momtrepreneur-wife Stefanie Fair. Ron Fair's long track record as a top producer and record executive includes multiple Grammy Award-winning number one records by Christina Aguilera, Mary J. Blige, the Black-Eyed Peas, Fergie, Lady Gaga, The Pussycat Dolls, Counting Crows, Snow Patrol, Bastille and others.
New Baby Genius DVDs will be available from Public Media Distribution, LLC on Amazon. Baby Genius content will also be available through GBI's new Kid Genius channel on Comcast's Xfinity on Demand service, which will be launching later this month. Additionally, GBI has launched an all-new website, www.babygenius.com, a destination to learn more about the brand and products.
"As children transition from new born to infant to toddler, every waking moment is a time for discovery and development, and Baby Genius all-new 'products with a purpose' engage kids at these important stages in relevant ways to guide and encourage their development," explained GBI's President of Global Consumer Products Stone Newman. "We're making it easier for parents to identify age-appropriate products for their children, and more importantly, products that are designed to nurture, soothe, encourage, teach and engage children according to their natural development process. And we're committed to offering these products at an affordable price point, something that Amazon.com is recognized for the world over."
Among the over 40 new Baby Genius "Learn & Grow" products available exclusively on Amazon.com beginning September 15th are the following:
From Manhattan Toy:
- Cuddly friends for babies and toddlers will help develop creative, emotional and social skills;
- Soft Activity Books with Sounds for Discoverers (6-12 months), featuring colorful graphics and engaging electronic sounds that encourage learning through repetition and developing coordination skills;
- All My Instruments and Wooden Puzzles with Sounds for Curious Learners (18-24 months), encourage problem solving while teaching shapes and feature fun sounds about each shape as the pieces are placed properly on the board!
- Talking Hand Puppets for Independent Doers (24-36 months) that say different fun, interactive phrases when you press their mouth closed encouraging creative, emotional, and social skills.
From DGL USA:
Baby Genius® musical instruments and toys are now available, including:
- My First Music Set, for Independent Doers (24-36 months), a 3-piece musical instruments set that includes a tambourine, a xylophone and a clap noise maker;
- Step To Step Electric Piano Dance Mat, for Independent Doers (24-36 months);
- PLUS a range of real wooden instruments, including a guitar, tambourine, flute, xylophone and drum set!
From Winfun:
Early learning toys with a musical focus include:
- The Musical Train, for Proud Explorers (12-18 months), encourages hand-eye coordination with its push and pull feature and fun sound effects;
- My Baby Genius Laptop, for Curious Learners (18-24 months), encourages motor development, reviews numbers, letters and words and encourages independence;
- Learn With Me EduPad, for Independent Doers (24-36 months), encourages learning the letters of the alphabet and numbers 1 to 10. The Find It Game Mode offers fun learning challenges for toddlers and the Music Mode lets little ones play and create melodies.
From Zak Designs:
Fun…and functional selection of mealtime products for toddlers 6-36 months include:
- Baby Genius® Curious Learner Plate, Bowl, and Flatware, Set of 4;
- Perfect Flo Toddler Cup, 8.7oz featuring the Baby Genius characters.
From Public Media Distribution, LLC:
All About Words DVD Premiere
- Join DJ the Dinosaur and the whole Baby Genius gang for a musical adventure that teaches kids dozens of new words. This collection of upbeat music videos makes learning new words fun for your child and features 14 new, original songs produced by Grammy® veteran Ron Fair and co-written and performed by Stefanie Fair. Songs include Learn the Alphabet, On Our Way to 10, Up in the Air, Me & My Body, and many more.
From HADOKEN, LLC:
- Baby Genius Sing Along app includes beautifully animated favorites such as The Alphabet Song and Itsy Bitsy Spider with additional songs available for purchase with in the app. Also included is a Music Maker feature, which allows children to play along with their favorite songs using traditional instruments, including horns and marimbas, as well as fun new instruments such as a keyboard of cats or a chorus of frogs! Baby Genius Sing Along app is also currently available on iTunes for download on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.
About Baby Genius®
For more than ten years, Baby Genius has earned worldwide recognition for creating award-winning products for toddlers. Its catalogue of 500 songs, 125 music videos, and music-based toys features classic nursery rhymes, learning songs, classical music, holiday favorites, and more. Expanding the timeless appeal of Baby Genius offerings, GBI re-launched Baby Genius with fresh new designs, new entertainment, and an array of new toddler products in addition to the new Baby Genius website www.babygenius.com. Visit www.amazon.com/babygenius.
About Genius Brands International
Headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, Genius Brands International, Inc. "GBI" (
A Squared Entertainment, a wholly owned subsidiary of GBI, is a brand management and licensing company that represents third-party properties across a broad range of categories in territories around the world. The company currently represents Psycho Bunny, a luxury apparel line, From Frank, a humor greeting card and product line, and Celessence Technologies, the world's leading microencapsulation company.
For additional information please visit www.gnusbrands.com.
Forward Looking Statements: Certain statements in this press release 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 those set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), not limited to Risk Factors relating to its business contained therein. 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.
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Contact Information:
GBI MEDIA CONTACT
Three.Sixty Marketing & Communications
Michelle Orsi/Carol Holdsworth
310-418-6430
