Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

xQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 20212022

 

oTRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from ___________ to___________

 

Commission file number: 001-37950000-54389

 

 

GENIUS BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Nevada20-4118216
(State or other jurisdiction of(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)Identification No.)
190 N Canon Dr.
Beverly Hills, California90210
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)

190 N. Canon Dr., 4th Floor

Beverly Hills, CA90210

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

 

310-273-4222

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)____________________________

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per shareGNUSThe Nasdaq Capital Market

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer Smaller reporting company
 Emerging growth company

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).Yes ☐ No ☒

 

IndicateAs of August 15, 2022, the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:registrant had 300,967,436317,235,116 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value $0.001 per share, were outstanding as of August 16, 2021.outstanding.

 

 

   

 

 

GENIUS BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

FORM 10-Q

 

For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 20212022

 

Table of Contents

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION13
  
Item 1. Financial Statements.Statements (Unaudited)13
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)5
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity6
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows7
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements8
  
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.Operations3145
  
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.Risk3857
  
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.Procedures3857
  
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION3959
  
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.Proceedings3959
  
Item 1A. Risk Factors.Factors3961
  
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.Proceeds4062
  
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.Securities4062
  
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.Disclosures4062
  
Item 5. Other Information.Information4062
  
Item 6. Exhibits.Exhibits4062
  
SIGNATURES4163

 i2 

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

Genius Brands International, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

As of June 30, 2021,(in thousands, except share and December 31, 2020

         
ASSETS June 30, 2021  December 31, 2020 
  (unaudited)    
Current Assets:        
Cash and Cash Equivalents $58,372,335  $100,456,324 
Investment in Marketable Securities (amortized cost of $80,902,119)  80,392,494   0 
Accounts Receivable, net  5,986,844   1,731,373 
Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets  7,769,963   6,378,392 
Total Current Assets  152,521,636   108,566,089 
         
Property and Equipment, net  333,898   95,828 
Right of Use Assets, net  2,299,230   1,972,364 
Film and Television Costs, net  14,972,446   11,828,494 
Lease Deposits  78,739   43,001 
Investment in ChizComm  0   300,798 
Investment in Stan Lee Universe, LLC  1,500,000   1,000,000 
Intangible Assets, net  9,518,769   28,694 
Goodwill  19,995,036   10,365,806 
Total Assets $201,219,754  $134,201,074 
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
Current Liabilities:        
Accounts Payable $8,413,030  $785,526 
Accrued Expenses  151,345   408,459 
Participations Payable  3,823,742   3,160,016 
Deferred Revenue  775,996   684,129 
Payroll Protection Program  0   366,267 
Warrant Derivative Liability  1,513,883   1,197,068 
Lease Liability  219,858   146,099 
Due to Related Party  139,006   2,420 
Accrued Salaries and Wages  470,240   428,922 
Total Current Liabilities  15,507,100   7,178,906 
         
Long Term Liabilities:        
Deferred Revenue  3,181,941   3,748,248 
Lease Liability  2,499,633   2,052,530 
Production Facility, net  274,365   1,099,713 
Contingent Earn Out  7,210,000   0 
Disputed Trade Payable  925,000   925,000 
Total Liabilities  29,598,039   15,004,397 
         
Stockholders’ Equity        
Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, 0 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020  0   0 
Common Stock, $0.001 par value, 400,000,000 shares authorized 300,791,335 and 258,438,514 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively  300,792   258,439 
Additional Paid in Capital  724,924,857   588,500,680 
Accumulated Deficit  (553,200,246)  (469,557,324)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss  (403,688)  (5,118)
Total Stockholders' Equity  171,621,715   119,196,677 
         
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity $201,219,754  $134,201,074 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. per share data)

 

1

Genius Brands International, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020

(unaudited)

                 
  Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
  June 30, 2021  June 30, 2020  June 30, 2021  June 30, 2020 
Revenues:            
Licensing & Royalties $1,236,156  $162,759  $1,406,616  $366,124 
Media Advisory & Advertising Services  971,324   0   1,724,712   0 
Television & Home Entertainment  67,959   326,244   151,430   378,461 
Advertising Sales  66,102   70,357   122,564   149,014 
Product Sales  664   1,319   1,146   1,819 
Total Revenues  2,342,205   560,679   3,406,469   895,418 
                 
Operating Expenses:                
Marketing and Sales  1,540,882   128,556   2,142,710   241,256 
Direct Operating Costs  1,269,301   440,015   1,517,767   667,521 
General and Administrative  7,106,151   2,368,834   14,039,979   4,131,416 
Total Operating Expenses  9,916,334   2,937,405   17,700,456   5,040,193 
                 
Loss from Operations  (7,574,129)  (2,376,726)  (14,293,988)  (4,144,775)
                 
Other Income (Expense):                
Interest Income  84,701   28,342   131,885   28,342 
Loss on Foreign Exchange  (4,809)  0   (7,968)  0 
Warrant Revaluation Expense  119,062  (208,760,698)  (316,814)  (212,228,659)
Warrant Incentive Expense  0   0   (69,138,527)  0 
Conversion Option Revaluation Expense  0   (171,835,729)  0   (171,835,729)
Sub-Lease Income  0   117,415   0   238,484 
Interest Expense  (8,803)  (430,606)  (17,509)  (1,151,609)
Net Other Income (Expense)  190,151   (380,881,276)  (69,348,933  (384,949,171)
                 
Loss Before Income Tax Expense  (7,383,978)  (383,258,002)  (83,642,921)  (389,093,946)
                 
Income Tax Expense  0   0   0   0 
                 
Net Loss Applicable to Common Shareholders $(7,383,978) $(383,258,002) $(83,642,921) $(389,093,946)
                 
Net Loss per Common Share (Basic and Diluted) $(0.02) $(4.88) $(0.28) $(15.76)
                 
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (Basic and Diluted)  300,646,819   78,503,414   293,969,462   24,690,154 
       
  June 30, 2022  December 31, 2021 
  (unaudited)    
ASSETS        
Current Assets:        
Cash and Cash Equivalents $7,816  $2,058 
Restricted Cash  0   8,002 
Investments in Marketable Securities (amortized cost of $103,155)  97,428   112,523 
Accounts Receivable, net  9,508   7,632 
Tax Credits Receivable  25,892   0 
Note & Accounts Receivable from Related Party  1,405   1,276 
Other Receivable  2,932   969 
Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets  5,342   3,725 
Total Current Assets  150,323   136,185 
         
Noncurrent Assets:        
Property and Equipment, net  2,564   449 
Right of Use Assets, net  12,014   2,785 
Film and Television Costs, net  16,900   2,940 
Investment in Your Family Entertainment AG  17,840   6,695 
Intangible Assets, net  35,661   9,733 
Goodwill  36,720   15,227 
Other Assets  320   69 
Total Assets $272,342  $174,083 
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
Current Liabilities:        
Accounts Payable $4,279  $7,192 
Participations Payable  4,571   2,438 
Accrued Expenses  1,121   535 
Accrued Salaries and Wages  2,712   799 
Deferred Revenue  13,396   432 
Margin Loan  61,052   6,392 
Production Facilities, net  19,115   0 
Bank Indebtedness  2,718    
Lease Liability  3,098   664 
Warrant Liability  586   855 
Due to Related Party  0   63 
Other Current Liabilities  100   1,761 
Total Current Liabilities  112,748   21,131 
         
Noncurrent Liabilities:        
Deferred Revenue  4,564   3,492 
Lease Liability  9,579   2,460 
Contingent Earn Out  1,345   1,340 
Other Noncurrent Liabilities  1,019   1,007 
Total Liabilities $129,255  $29,430 
         
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 21)        
Stockholders’ Equity        
Preferred Stock Series A, $0.001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, 0 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively  0   0 
Preferred Stock Series B, $0.001 par value, 1 share authorized, 0 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively  0   0 
Common Stock, $0.001 par value, 400,000,000 shares authorized 317,235,116 and 303,379,122 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively  317   303 
Additional Paid in Capital  761,737   739,495 
Accumulated Deficit  (613,720)  (595,848)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss  (7,133)  (1,221)
Total Genius Brands International, Inc. Stockholders' Equity  141,201   142,729 
Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Subsidiaries  1,886   1,924 
Total Stockholders' Equity  143,087   144,653 
         
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity $272,342  $174,083 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

 

2

Genius Brands International, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss

Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020

(unaudited)

                 
  Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
  June 30, 2021  June 30, 2020  June 30, 2021  June 30, 2020 
Net Loss $(7,383,978) $(383,258,002) $(83,642,921) $(389,093,946)
Unrealized Loss on Marketable Securities  (509,625)  0   (509,625)  0 
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment  111,330   0   111,055   0 
Comprehensive Net Loss $(7,782,273) $(383,258,002) $(84,041,491) $(389,093,946)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 3 

 

Genius Brands International, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' EquityOperations

Three(in thousands, except share and Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020per share data)

(unaudited)

 

                         
  Common Stock  Preferred Stock  

Additional

Paid-In

 Accumulated Other Comprehensive    
  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount  Capital  Deficit  Loss  Total 
Balance, December 31, 2020  258,438,514  $258,439     $  $588,500,680  $(469,557,324) $(5,118) $119,196,677 
                                 
Shares Issued for ChizComm acquisition  1,980,658   1,981         3,525,046         3,527,027 
Proceeds From Warrant Exchange, net  39,740,500   39,740         57,224,916         57,264,656 
Issuance of Common Stock for Services  161,986   162         240,838         241,000 
Share Based Compensation              2,573,148         2,573,148 
Warrant Incentive              69,138,527         69,138,527 
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment                    (275)  (275)
Net Loss                 (76,258,943)     (76,258,943)
                                 
Balance, March 31, 2021  300,321,658  $300,322     $  $721,203,155  $(545,816,267) $(5,393) $175,681,817 
                                 
Issuance of Common Stock for Services  469,677   470         727,530         728,000 
Share Based Compensation              2,994,172         2,994,172 
Unrealized Loss on Marketable Securities                    (509,625)   (509,625) 
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment                    111,330   111,330 
Net Loss                 (7,383,978)     (7,383,978)
                                 
Balance, June 30, 2021  300,791,335  $300,792     $  $724,924,857  $(553,200,246) $(403,688) $171,621,715 
                                 
                                 
                                 
Balance, December 31, 2019  21,877,724  $21,878   1,097  $1  $75,117,076  $(66,047,135) $(5,118) $9,086,702 
                                 
Value of Preferred Stock Conversion  3,171,428   3,172   (667)  (1)  (3,171)         
Proceeds from Securities Purchase Agreement, Net  4,000,000   4,000         911,296         915,296 
Proceeds From Warrant Exchange, net  500,000   500         169,500         170,000 
Issuance of Common Stock for Services  43,077   43         27,957         28,000 
Share Based Compensation              23,814         23,814 
Net Loss                 (5,835,944)     (5,835,944)
                                 
Balance, March 31, 2020  29,592,229  $29,593   430  $  $76,246,472  $(71,883,079) $(5,118) $4,387,868 
                                 
Proceeds from Securities Purchase Agreement, Net  47,500,000   47,500         43,792,875         43,840,375 
Issuance of Common Stock for Services  49,610   50         190,950         191,000 
Share Based Compensation              328,497         328,497 
Value of Preferred Stock Conversion  1,571,430   1,571   (330)     (1,571)         
Derivative Liability Adjustment              171,835,729         171,835,729 
Note Conversion  65,476,190   65,476         (120,662)        (55,186)
Warrant Exercise  74,666,711   74,667         8,159,358   (1,840,384)     6,393,641 
Warrant Revaluation              219,034,621         219,034,621 
Warrants Issued for Services              519,513         519,513 
Net Loss                 (383,258,002)     (383,258,002)
                                 
Balance, June 30, 2020  218,856,170  $218,857   100  $  $519,985,782  $(456,981,465) $(5,118) $63,218,056 
             
  Three Months Ended  

Six Months Ended

 
  June 30, 2022  June 30, 2021  June 30, 2022  June 30, 2021 
Revenues:            
Production Services $10,018  $0  $10,018  $0 
Content Distribution  8,529   135   8,942   275 
Licensing & Royalties  2,495   1,236   2,536   1,407 
Media Advisory & Advertising Services  1,082   971   2,067   1,724 
Total Revenues  22,124   2,342   23,563   3,406 
                 
Operating Expenses:                
Marketing and Sales  972   1,541   1,132   2,143 
Direct Operating Costs  14,648   1,269   14,992   1,518 
General and Administrative  15,105   7,106   25,962   14,039 
Total Operating Expenses  30,725   9,916   42,086   17,700 
                 
Loss from Operations  (8,601)  (7,574)  (18,523)  (14,294)
                 
Other Income (Expense):                
Interest Expense  (418)  (9)  (473)  (18)
Other Income (Expense), Net  (3,131)  189   2,286   (69,341)
Net Other Income (Expense)  (3,549)  180   1,813   (69,359)
                 
Loss Before Income Tax Expense  (12,150)  (7,394)  (16,710)  (83,653)
                 
Provision for Tax Expense  0   0   0   0 
                 
Net Loss  (12,150)  (7,394)  (16,710)  (83,653)
                 
Net Income Attributable to Non-Controlling Interests  (1,193)  0   (1,162)  0 
                 
Net Loss Attributable to Genius Brands International, Inc. $(13,343) $(7,394) $(17,872) $(83,653)
                 
Net Loss per Share (Basic) $(0.04) $(0.02) $(0.06) $(0.28)
Net Loss per Share (Diluted) $(0.04) $(0.02) $(0.06) $(0.28)
                 
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (Basic)  315,519,907   300,646,819   309,682,010   293,969,462 
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (Diluted)  315,519,907   300,646,819   309,682,010   293,969,462 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

 

 4 

 

Genius Brands International, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash FlowsComprehensive Loss

Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

         
  June 30, 2021  June 30, 2020 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:        
Net Loss $(83,642,921) $(389,093,946)
         
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Loss to Net Cash Used in Operating Activities:        
Amortization of Film and Television Costs  759,989   292,362 
Depreciation and Amortization Expense  392,861   266,417 
Accretion of Discount on Secured Convertible Notes  0   (7,288)
Bad Debt  (11,164)  99,792 
Stock Issued for Services  41,000   219,000 
Share Based Compensation Expense  5,567,320   352,311 
Warrant Revaluation Expense  316,814   212,228,659 
Lease Modification  (66,859)  0 
Conversion Option Revaluation Expense  0   171,835,729 
Debt Discount in Excess of the Principal  0   1,031,852 
Warrant Inducement Expense  69,138,527   0 
         
Decrease (Increase) in Operating Assets:        
Accounts Receivable, net  1,906,261   974,524 
Inventory, net  0   9,277 
Prepaid Expenses & Other Assets  (1,134,977)  (300,662)
Lease Deposits  (23,348)  0 
Film and Television Costs, net  (3,175,941)  (381,777)
         
Increase (Decrease) in Operating Liabilities:        
Accounts Payable  921,952   126,144 
Accrued Salaries & Wages  41,318   69,800 
Deferred Revenue  (474,440)  62,290 
Participations Payable  663,726   282,406 
Due to Related Party  136,586   (493,309)
Accrued Expenses  (329,479)  95,159 
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities  (8,972,775)  (2,331,260)
         
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:        
Investment in Stan Lee Universe, LLC  (500,000)  0 
Cash Payment for ChizComm, net of cash acquired  (7,788,877)  0 
Investment in Marketable Securities  (80,902,119)  0 
Investment in Intangible Assets, net  (5,000)  (500)
Investment in Property & Equipment  (120,210)  0 
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities  (89,316,206)  (500)
         
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:        
Payments On Lease Liability  131,951   (105,680)
Proceeds from Sale of Securities Purchase Agreement, net  0   44,755,671 
Proceeds From Warrant Exchange  57,264,656   5,819,319 
Proceeds from Senior Secured Convertible Notes, net  0   6,098,000 
(Repayment)/Proceeds from Payroll Protection Program  (366,267)  366,267 
Collection Of Investor Notes  0   3,600,000 
Repayment of Secured Convertible Notes  0   (2,866,664)
Note Conversion Costs  0   (55,186)
Repayment of Production Facility, net  (825,348)  (1,202,313)
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities  56,204,992   56,409,414 
         
Net (Decrease)/Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents  (42,083,989)  54,077,654 
Beginning Cash and Cash Equivalents  100,456,324   305,121 
Ending Cash and Cash Equivalents $58,372,335  $54,382,775 

             
  Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
  June 30, 2022  June 30, 2021  June 30, 2022  June 30, 2021 
Net Loss $(12,150) $(7,394) $(16,710) $(83,653)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):                
Change in Unrealized Losses on Marketable Securities  (1,095)  (158)  (4,595)  (158)
Realized Losses on Marketable Securities Reclassified from AOCI into Earnings  44   0   123   0 
Foreign Translation Adjustment  (1,477)  111   (1,440)  111 
Total Other Comprehensive Loss  (2,528)  (47)  (5,912)  (47)
Total Comprehensive Net Loss  (14,678)  (7,441)  (22,622)  (83,700)
Less: Comprehensive Income Attributable to Non-Controlling Interests  (1,193)  0   (1,162)  0 
Total Comprehensive Net Loss Attributable to Genius Brands International, Inc. $(15,871) $(7,441) $(23,784) $(83,700)

 

5

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:      
Cash Paid for Interest $0  $468,468 

 

Schedule of Non-Cash Financing and Investing Activities

        
Issuance of common stock for services $969,000  $0 
Shares issued for ChizComm acquisition $3,527,027  $0 
Liability for Acquisition Earnout Shares $7,210,000  $0 
Senior Convertible notes were converted into 65,476,190 shares of Common Stock, 58,522,601 warrants were exercised on a cashless basis resulting in the issuance of 52,551,716 shares of Common Stock  $0   $13,750,000 
Warrant Derivative Liability $0  $10,229,852 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

Genius Brands International, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity

(in thousands, except share data)

(unaudited)

 

                        
  Common Stock Preferred Stock Additional Paid-In  Accumulated  Accumulated Other Comprehensive  Non-
Controlling
    
  Shares Amount Shares Amount Capital  Deficit  Loss  Interest  Total 
Balance, December 31, 2021 303,379,122 $303  $ $739,495  $(595,848) $(1,221) $1,924  $144,653 
                               
Issuance of Common Stock for Services 386,196       311            311 
Issuance of Common Stock for Vested Restricted Stock Units 603,648  1     (1)            
Share Based Compensation        4,491            4,491 
Other Comprehensive Loss              (3,384)     (3,384)
Net Loss           (4,531)     (31)  (4,562)
                               
Balance, March 31, 2022 304,368,966 $304  $ $744,296  $(600,379) $(4,605) $1,893  $141,509 
                               
Shares Issued for Wow Acquisition 11,057,085  11 1    11,543            11,554 
Fair Value of Replacement Options Related to Wow Acquisition        1,213            1,213 
Issuance of Common Stock for Services 736,667  1     441            442 
Issuance of Common Stock for Vested Restricted Stock Units 1,072,398  1     (1)            
Share Based Compensation        4,245            4,245 
Other Comprehensive Loss              (2,528)     (2,528)
Distributions to Non-Controlling Interests                 (1,200)  (1,200)
Net (Loss) Income           (13,341)     1,193   (12,148)
                               
Balance, June 30, 2022 317,235,116 $317 1 $ $761,737  $(613,720) $(7,133) $1,886  $143,087 
                               
                               
                               
Balance, December 31, 2020 258,438,514 $258  $ $588,501  $(469,557) $(5) $  $119,197 
                               
Shares Issued for ChizComm acquisition 1,980,658  2     3,525            3,527 
Proceeds From Warrant Exchange, net 39,740,500  40     57,225            57,265 
Issuance of Common Stock for Services 161,986       241            241 
Share Based Compensation        2,573            2,573 
Warrant Incentive        69,138            69,138 
Net Loss           (76,259)        (76,259)
                               
Balance, March 31, 2021 300,321,658 $300  $ $721,203  $(545,816) $(5) $  $175,682 
                               
Issuance of Common Stock for Services 469,677  1     728            729 
Share Based Compensation        2,994            2,994 
Other Comprehensive Loss              (47)     (47)
Net Loss           (7,395)        (7,395)
                               
Balance, June 30, 2021 300,791,335 $301  $ $724,925  $(553,211) $(52) $  $171,963 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 6 

 

 

Genius Brands International, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

       
  June 30, 2022  June 30, 2021 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:        
Net Loss $(16,710) $(83,653)
         
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Loss to Net Cash Used in Operating Activities:        
Amortization of Film and Television Costs  2,253   760 
Depreciation and Amortization of Property, Equipment & Intangible Assets  1,103   301 
Amortization of Right of Use Asset  700   92 
Share Based Compensation Expense  8,736   5,567 
Amortization of Premium on Marketable Securities  545   0 
(Gain) on Revaluation of Equity Investment in Your Family Entertainment AG  (2,901)  0 
(Gain) Loss on Foreign Currency Transactions  1,296   0 
(Gain) Loss on Warrant Revaluation  (269)  317 
Interest Incurred on Debt  422   0 
Realized Loss on Marketable Securities  123   0 
Warrant Incentive Expense  0   69,139 
Stock Issued for Services  312   41 
Other  51   (81)
         
Decrease (Increase) in Operating Assets:        
Accounts Receivable, net  6,078   1,906 
Other Receivables  384   0 
Tax Credits Earned (less capitalized)  (4,247)  0 
Tax Credits Received  1,702   0 
Film and Television Costs, net  (6,015)  (3,176)
Note Receivable from Related Party  (128)  0 
Prepaid Expenses & Other Assets  (469)  (1,158)
         
Increase (Decrease) in Operating Liabilities:        
Accounts Payable  (4,439)  922 
Accrued Salaries & Wages  338   41 
Accrued Expenses  (2,250)  (329)
Accrued Production Costs  (1,658)  0 
Participations Payable  1,283   664 
Deferred Revenue  (3,455)  (474)
Lease Liability  (352)  143 
Due to Related Party  (63)  137 
Other Noncurrent Liabilities  (42)  0 
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities  (17,672)  (8,841)
         
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:        
Cash Payment for Wow, net of Cash Acquired  (37,311)  0 
Cash Payment for Equity Investment in YFE  (9,540)  0 
Cash Payment for Ameba, net of Cash Acquired  (3,893)  0 
Cash Payment for ChizComm, net of cash acquired  0   (7,789)
Investment in Stan Lee Universe, LLC  0   (500)
Investment in Marketable Securities  0   (80,902)
Proceeds from Principal Collections on Marketable Securities  4,420   0 
Proceeds from Sales of Marketable Securities  5,536   0 
Purchase of Property & Equipment  (401)  (125)
Investment in Intangible Assets  (22)  0 
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities  (41,211)  (89,316)
         
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:        
Proceeds from Margin Loan  58,980   0 
Repayments of Margin Loan  (4,522)  0 
Proceeds from Production Facilities  4,330   0 
Repayments of Production Facilities  (1,795)  (825)
Proceeds from Bank Loan  1,291   0 
Capital Lease Payments  (442)  0 
Debt Issuance Costs  (40)  0 
Repayment of Note Payable  (9)  0 
Distributions to Non-Controlling Interest  (1,200)  0 
Repayment of Payroll Protection Program  0   (367)
Proceeds from Warrant Exchange, net  0   57,265 
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities  56,593   56,073 
         
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash  46   0 
         
Net Increase/(Decrease) in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash  (2,244)  (42,084)
Beginning Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash  10,060   100,456 
Ending Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash $7,816  $58,372 
         
Schedule of Non-Cash Financing and Investing Activities        
Shares issued for Wow Acquisition $11,554  $0 
FV of Replacement Options Granted Related to Wow Acquisition $1,213  $0 
Shares issued for ChizComm acquisition $0  $3,527 
Liability for Acquisition Earnout Shares $0  $7,210 
Issuance of Common Stock for Services $0  $969 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

7

Genius Brands International, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

June 30, 2021 2022

(unaudited)

 

Note 1: Organization and Business

 

Organization and Nature of Business

 

Genius Brands International, Inc. (“we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company”) is a publicly traded (NASDAQ:GNUS) global content and brand management company that creates, produces, licenses, and licensesbroadcasts timeless and educational, multimedia content.animated content for children. Led by experienced industry personnel, we distribute ourthe Company distributes its content in all formats as well asprimarily on streaming platforms and television and licenses its properties for a broad range of consumer products based on ourthe Company’s characters. The Company is a leading “work for hire” producer for many of the streaming outlets and IP holders. In the children'schildren’s media sector, ourthe Company’s portfolio features “content with a purpose” for toddlers to tweens, which providesproviding enrichment as well as entertainment. New intellectual property titles include Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten producedThe Company’s programs, along with Stan Lee’s Pow! Entertainment, and Oak Productions. Arnold Schwarzenegger lends his voice as the lead and is also an Executive Producer on the series. The show isthose programs it acquires and/or licenses, are being broadcast in the United States on the Company’s wholly-owned distribution outlet, advertisement supported video on demand (“AVOD”) service, Kartoon Channel!. Other newer series include, the preschool property Rainbow Rangers, which debuted in November 2018and its subscription video on Nickelodeondemand (“SVOD”) distribution outlets, Kartoon Channel! Kidaverse, and which was renewed for a second seasonAmeba TV. These streaming services are available on Apple TV, Apple iOS, Android TV, Android mobile, Amazon Prime, Amazon Fire, Tubi, Roku, Comcast, Cox, Dish/Sling, Zumo, Pluto, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, as well as YouTube, among other popular platforms. The Company’s in-house owned and preschool propertyproduced shows include Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Llama Llama which debuted on Netflixstarring Jennifer Garner, Rainbow Rangers, KC Pop Quiz, and the upcoming Shaq’s Garage starring Shaquille O’Neal, scheduled to debut in January 2018 and was renewed by Netflix for a second season.the fourth quarter of 2022. The Company’s library titles include the award-winning Baby Genius, adventure comedy Thomas Edison'sEdison’s Secret Lab®Lab®, and Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaires Club, created with and starring iconic investor Warren Buffett, which is distributed across the Company’s Genius Brands Network on Comcast’s Xfinity on Demand, AppleTV, Roku, Amazon Fire, YouTube, Amazon Prime, Cox, Dish, Sling and Zumo, as well as Connected TV. In July 2020, the Company entered into a binding term sheet with POW, Inc. (“POW!”) in which the Company agreed to form an entity with POW! to exploit certain rights in intellectual property created by Stan Lee, as well as the name and likeness of Stan Lee. The entity is called “Stan Lee Universe, LLC”. POW! and the Company executed an Operating Agreement for the joint venture, effective as of June 1, 2021. This agreement enables the Company to assume the worldwide rights, in perpetuity, to the name, physical likeness, physical signature, live-action and animated motion picture, television, online, digital, publishing, comic book, merchandising and licensing rights to Stan Lee and over 100 original Stan Lee creations, from which Genius Brands plans to develop and license multiple properties each year. The Company is in production on a new animated series starring Shaquille O’Neal called Shaq’s Garage.

In addition, the Company acts as licensing agent for Penguin Young Readers, a division of Penguin Random House LLC which owns or controls the underlying rights to Llama Llama, leveraging the Company’s existing licensing infrastructure to expand this brand into new product categories, new retailers, and new territories.Buffett.

 

The Company commenced operationsalso licenses its programs to other services worldwide, in 2006, assuming alladdition to the rights and obligationsoperation of its then Chief Executive Officer, under an Asset Purchase Agreement betweenown channels, including but not limited to Netflix, HBO Max, Paramount+, Nickelodeon, and satellite, cable and terrestrial broadcasters around the Companyworld.

Through the Company’s recent investment in Germany’s Your Family Entertainment (“YFE”), a publicly traded company on the Frankfurt Exchange (RTV-Frankfurt), it has gained access to one of the largest animation catalogues in Europe with over 3,000 titles, and Genius Products, Inc., ina global distribution network, which currently covers over 60 territories worldwide and, which the Company obtained all rights, copyrights, and trademarks to the brands “Baby Genius,” “Kid Genius,” “123 Favorite Music” and “Wee Worship,” and all then existing productions under those titles. In 2011, the Company reincorporatedis currently in Nevada and changed its name to Genius Brands International, Inc. (the “Reincorporation”)process of rebranding as Kartoon Channel! Worldwide. In connection with the Reincorporation, the Company changed its trading symbol to “GNUS.”

 

In 2013, theThe Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the “Merger Agreement”) with A Squared Entertainment LLC, a Delaware limited liability companyalso recently acquired WOW Unlimited Media Inc. (“A Squared”), A Squared Holdings LLC, a California limited liability company and sole member of A Squared (the “Parent Member”Wow”), and A2E Acquisition LLC, its newly formed, wholly-owned Delaware subsidiary (“Acquisition Sub”). Upon closingthrough that acquisition, established an affiliate relationship with Mainframe Studios, which is one of the transactions, A Squared, aslargest animation producers in the surviving entity, became a wholly-owned subsidiary ofworld. In addition, Wow owns Frederator Networks Inc. (“Frederator”) and its Channel Frederator Network, the Company.largest animation focused multi-channel network on YouTube, with over 2,500 content creators and currently averages over 1 billion views per month.

 

Liquidity

During the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents and marketable security positions increased by $38,308,505, net. Cash and cash equivalents were used to purchase marketable securities of $80,902,119 during the six months ended June 30, 2021. Cash in excess of immediate requirements is invested in accordance with the Company’s investment policy, primarily with a view to liquidity and capital preservation. Accordingly, available for sale securities, consisting principally of corporate and government debt securities stated at fair value, are also available as a source of liquidity.

 78 

 

Historically, the Company has incurred net losses. For the three months ended June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020, the Company reported net losses of $7,383,978 and $383,258,002, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020, the Company reported net losses of $83,642,921 and $389,093,946, respectively. The Company reported net cash usedowns a select amount of valuable IP, including among them a controlling interest in operating activities of $8,972,775Stan Lee Universe (“SLU”), through which it controls the name, likeness, signature, and $2,331,260 for the six months ended June 30, 2021all consumer product and June 30, 2020, respectively. As of June 30, 2021, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $553,200,246 and total stockholders’ equity of $171,621,715. As of June 30, 2021, the Company had current assets of $152,521,636, including cash and cash equivalents of $58,372,335, and current liabilities of $15,507,100. The Company had working capital of $137,014,536 as of June 30, 2021, comparedIP rights to working capital of $101,387,183 as of December 31, 2020.

On January 28, 2021, the Company entered into letter agreementsStan Lee (the “Letter Agreements”) with certain existing institutional and accredited investors to exercise certain outstanding warrants (the “Existing Warrants”) to purchase up to an aggregate of 39,740,500 shares of the Company’s common stock at their original exercise price of $1.55 per share (the “Exercise”“Stan Lee Assets”). The Company received approximately $61.6 millionplans to launch a Stan Lee Centennial program of merchandise set to coincide with Stan Lee’s 100th birthday on December 28, 2022.

The Company also owns Beacon Media, the largest media buying service for children in gross proceeds. The Special Equities Group,North America. Beacon represents over 30 major toy companies, including Playmobile, Bandai Toys, Bazooka, Moose Toys, and JAKKS Pacific.

In addition, the Company recently acquired the Canadian company Ameba TV (“Ameba”), which distributes a division of Bradley Woods & Co. Ltd., acted as warrant solicitation agentprofitable SVOD channel for kids and received a cash fee of approximately $4.3 million. In consideration foris now expected to become the exercisebackbone of the Existing Warrants for cash, the exercising holders received new unregistered warrants to purchase up to an aggregatenewly launched SVOD channel of 39,740,500 shares of common stock (the “New Warrants”) at an exercise price of $2.37 per share and with an exercise period of five years from the initial issuance date. Pursuant to the Letter Agreements, the New Warrants are substantially in the formKartoon Channel!, Kartoon Channel! Kidaverse.

The combination of the Existing Warrants (except for customary legendsCompany, its investment in YFE, its acquired companies Wow, Ameba and other language typical for an unregistered warrant, including the ability for the holder of the New Warrant to make a cashless exercise if no resale registration statement covering the common stock underlying the New Warrants is effective after six months), were exercisable immediately, andBeacon Media provide the Company was requiredwith world class animation production studios, a catalogue representing thousands of hours of premium global content for children, a broadcast system for delivering that content and an in-house Consumer Products Licensing infrastructure to registerfully exploit the shares of common stock underlying the New Warrants for resale.content.

 

As more fully discussed in Note 3 onRecent Investments

On February 1, 2021, the Company, through GBI Acquisition LLC, a New Jersey limited liability company, and 2811210 Ontario Inc., a company organized under the laws of the Province of Ontario, two wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company, purchased the outstanding equity interests of ChizComm Ltd., a corporation organized in Canada, and ChizComm USA Corp., a New Jersey corporation.During the fourth quarter of 2021, the Company rebranded and renamed ChizComm Ltd. to Beacon Communications and ChizComm USA Corp. to Beacon Media (collectively, the “Beacon Media Group”).

On January 13, 2022, the Company completed its acquisition of the issued and outstanding shares of Ameba and gained access to its kid-safe SVOD platform technology and 13,000 episodes of content. Refer to Note 3 for additional details.

On April 6, 2022, the Company completed its acquisition of Wow. On October 26, 2021, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, 1326919 B.C. LTD., a corporation existing under the laws of the Province of British Columbia and Wow, entered into an Arrangement Agreement to effect a plan of arrangement under the arrangement provisions of Part 9, Division 5 of the Business Corporations Act. The Company purchased 100% of Wow’s issued and outstanding shares for approximately $38.3 million in cash and 11,057,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. Refer to Note 3 for additional details.

Following the initial equity investment in YFE during the fourth quarter of 2021, the Company participated in a mandatory tender offer for the remaining publicly traded shares held by YFE shareholders. Upon the expiration of the offer on February 14, 2022, the Company purchased an additional 2,637,717 shares of YFE at 2.00 EUROS per share or $5.7 million in the aggregate. On March 9, 2022, bonds held by YFE shareholders were converted into 2,574,000 shares of YFE common stock, 304,631 of which were purchased by the Company, at 2.00 EUROS per share or $0.6 million. On April 5, 2022, the Company exercised its subscription rights to purchase an additional 914,284 shares of YFE’s common stock at 3.00 EUROS per share, or $2.7 million, increasing the number of YFE’s outstanding shares to 6,857,132 and the Company’s ownership in YFE to 49.2% as of June 30, 2022.

Liquidity

During the six months ended June 30, 2022, the Company’s cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash decreased by $2.2 million. The decrease was primarily due to cash used in investment activities, inclusive of the Wow and Ameba acquisitions and the YFE investments, totaling $41.2 million, $17.7 million used for operational activities, offset by $56.6 million of financing from the margin loan, and production facilities and bank indebtedness assumed in the Wow Acquisition.

9

As of June 30, 2022, the Company held marketable securities with a fair value of $97.4 million as available-for-sale, a decrease of $15.1 million as compared to December 31, 2021 primarily due to the Company selling $5.5 million of its held securities during the period, a decrease in fair value of $4.5 million recorded as an unrealized loss, additional prepayments of $4.4 million on principals for certain mortgage-backed securities and $0.5 million for continued amortization of premiums during the period. The available-for-sale securities, consist principally of corporate and government debt securities and are also available as a source of liquidity. As the Company’s recent focus has been on expanding its business, excess cash and liquid investments have been utilized to pay the Company’s margin loan down.

The Company borrowed an additional $59.0 million from its investment margin account during the six months ended June 30, 2022 and repaid $4.5 million with cash received from sales and/or redemptions of its marketable securities. During the six months ended June 30, 2022, the borrowed amounts were used to finance the Company’s additional investments in YFE and the closing of the acquisitions of Ameba and Wow, in each case pledging certain of its marketable securities as collateral. During the three months ended June 30, 2022, the additional borrowings of $3.2 million related to the Company’s final obligated purchase of YFE shares and additional transactional costs in the acquisition of Wow. The interest rate for these investment margin account borrowings fluctuates based on the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.65% with interest only payable monthly. The weighted average interest rate was 1.23% on an average margin loan balance of $55.7 million during the three months ended June 30, 2022. The weighted average interest rate was 0.98% on an average margin loan balance of $34.6 million during the six months ended June 30, 2022. The Company incurred interest expense of $201,160 during the six months ended June 30, 2022. The investment margin account borrowings do notmature but are payable on demand as the custodian can issue a margin call at any time, therefore the margin loan is recorded as a current liability on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Upon the acquisition of Wow, the Company assumed certain credit facilities (the “Facilities”) with a Canadian bank. The Facilities are comprised of: (i) a $5.0 million CAD ($3.9 million USD) revolving demand facility, (ii) an $8.0 million CAD ($6.2 million USD) equipment lease line, (iii) a treasury risk management facility of up to $0.5 million CAD ($0.4 million USD) for foreign exchange forward contracts, and (iv) interim financing facilities for specific production titles. The Facilities are guaranteed by the Company and the security reflects substantially all of the tangible and intangible assets of the Company and its subsidiary guarantors subject to permitted encumbrances, including a combination of federal and provincial tax credits, other government incentives, production service agreements, and license agreements. The Facilities are generally repayable on demand and are subject to customary affirmative and negative covenants, default provisions, representations and warranties and other terms and conditions. Refer to Note 14 for additional details.

Historically, the Company has incurred net losses. For the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company reported net losses of $13.3 million and $7.4 million, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company reported net losses of $17.9 million and $83.7 million, respectively. The Company reported net cash used in operating activities of $17.7 million and $8.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. As of June 30, 2022, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $613.7 million and total stockholders’ equity of $141.2 million. As of June 30, 2022, the Company had current assets of $150.3 million, including cash and cash equivalents of $7.8 million and current liabilities of $112.7 million. The Company had working capital of $37.6 million as of June 30, 2022, compared to working capital of $115.1 million as of December 31, 2021.

 

Note 2: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2021 has been derived from audited statements. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance withpursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles generally accepted(“US GAAP”) for complete financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and related footnotes included in the United StatesCompany’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 6, 2022.

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include, in the opinion of America (“U.S. GAAP”).management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments and reclassifications) necessary to state fairly the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, Statements of Operations, Statements of Comprehensive Loss, Statements of Stockholders' Equity, and Statements of Cash Flows for all periods presented.

 

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified for consistency with the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the reported results of operations.

10

Segments

The Company determined its operating segments on the same basis that it assesses performance and makes operating decisions. The Company principally operates in two distinct business segments: the Content Production & Distribution Segment which produces and distributes children’s content, and the Media Advisory & Advertising Services Segment which provides media and advertising services. These segments are reflective of how the Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) reviews operating results for the purposes of allocating resources and assessing performance. The Company has identified its Chief Executive Officer as the CODM. The segments are organized around the products and services provided to customers and represent the Company’s reportable segments. Prior to the acquisition of the Beacon Media Group (formerly “ChizComm”), the Company’s operations were comprised of a single segment.

The accounting policies for each segment are the same as for the Company as a whole. Refer to Note 22 for additional information.

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanyingCompany’s condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Genius Brands International, Inc., and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Company consolidates all majority-owned subsidiaries, A Squared Entertainment LLC, Llama Productions LLC, Rainbow Rangers Productions LLC, Superhero Kindergarten LLC, ChizComm Beacon Media LLC, ChizComm Ltd., Stan Lee Universe LLCinvestments in entities in which it has controlling influence and Shaq’s Garage Productions LLC.variable interest entities where the Company has been determined to be the primary beneficiary. Minority interests are recorded as non-controlling interests. Non-consolidated investments are accounted for using the equity method or the fair value option when the Company has the ability to significantly influence the operating decisions of the investee. When the Company does not have the ability to significantly influence the operating decisions of an investee, these equity securities are classified as either marketable investment securities or other investments and recorded at fair value with changes recognized within other Income (expense) on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). All significant inter-company balancesintercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Business Combinations

The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared using the acquisition method of accountingCompany accounts for transactions that are classified as business combinations in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards BoardBoards’ (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 805, Business Combinations (“ASC 805”). Once a business is acquired, the Company allocates the fair value of the purchase consideration to the tangible assets, liabilities, and ASC 810 intangible assets acquired based on their estimated fair values. The excess of the fair value of purchase consideration over the fair values of these identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill. As required, preliminary fair values are determined upon acquisition, with the final determination of the fair values being completed within the one-year measurement period from the date of acquisition. The valuation of acquired assets and assumed liabilities requires significant judgment and estimates, especially with respect to intangible assets. The valuation of intangible assets requires that the Company use valuation techniques such as the income approach. The income approach includes the use of a discounted cash flow model, which includes discounted cash flow scenarios and requires significant estimates such as future expected revenue, expenses, capital expenditures and other costs, and discount rates. The Company estimates the fair value based upon assumptions management believes to be reasonable, but which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable and, as a result, actual results may differ from estimates. Estimates associated with the accounting for acquisitions may change as additional information becomes available regarding the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Acquisition-related expenses and any related restructuring costs are recognized separately from the business combination and are expensed as incurred.

11

ConsolidationVariable Interest Entities

The Company holds an interest in Stan Lee University (“SLU”), an entity that is considered a variable interest entity (“VIE”). The variable interest relates to 50% ownership in the entity that is comprised of the Stan Lee Assets (as defined below) and that requires additional financial support from the Company to continue operations. The Company’s total net cash investment in SLU as of June 30, 2022, is $0.8 million. The Company is considered the primary beneficiary and is required to consolidate the VIE.

In evaluating whether the Company has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance, the Company considers the purpose for which the VIE was created, the importance of each of the activities in which it is engaged and the Company’s decision-making role, if any, in those activities that significantly determine the entity’s economic performance as compared to other economic interest holders. This evaluation requires consideration of all facts and circumstances relevant to decision-making that affects the entity’s future performance and the exercise of professional judgment in deciding which decision-making rights are most important.

In determining whether the Company has the right to receive benefits or the obligation to absorb losses that could potentially be significant to the VIE, the Company evaluates all of its economic interests in the entity, regardless of form (debt, equity, management and servicing fees, and other contractual arrangements). This evaluation considers all relevant factors of the entity’s design, including: the entity’s capital structure, contractual rights to earnings (losses), subordination of our interests relative to those of other investors, contingent payments, as well as other contractual arrangements that have the potential to be economically significant. The evaluation of each of these factors in reaching a conclusion about the potential significance of our economic interests is a matter that requires the exercise of professional judgment. The Company continuously assesses whether it is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity as changes to existing relationships or future transactions may result in the Company consolidating its collaborators or partners.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods.

 

8

Foreign Currency

 

The Company considers the U.S. dollar to be its functional currency for its United States based operations. The Company considers the Canadian dollar to be its functional currency for its Canada based operation.operations. Accordingly, the financial information is translated from the Canadian dollar to the U.S. dollar for inclusion in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Revenue and expenses are translated at average exchange rates prevailing during the period, and assets and liabilities are translated at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Resulting translation adjustments are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net in stockholders’ equity.

 

Foreign exchange transaction gains and losses are included in other income (expense), net in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

12

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments with initial maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. As of June 30, 2021,2022 and December 31, 2020,2021, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $58,372,3357.8 million and $100,456,3242.1, million, respectively.

Tax Credits Receivable

The Federal and certain Provincial governments in Canada provide programs that are designed to assist film and television production in the form of refundable tax credits or other incentives.

Estimated amounts receivable in respect of refundable tax credits are recorded as an offset to the related production operating cost, or to investment in film and television programming when the conditions for eligibility of production assistance based on the government’s criteria are met, the qualifying expenditures are made and there is reasonable assurance of realization. Determination of when and if the conditions of eligibility have been met is based on management’s judgement, and the amount recognized is based on management’s estimates of qualifying expenditures. The ultimate collection of previously recorded estimates is subject to ordinary course audits from the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) and Provincial agencies. Changes in administrative policies by the CRA or subsequent review of eligibility documentation may impact the collectability of these estimates. The Company continuously reviews the results of these audits to determine if any circumstances arise that in management’s judgement would result in a previously recognized amount to be considered no longer collectible.

The Company classifies the tax credits receivable as current based on their normal operating cycle. Government assistance, in the form of refundable tax credits, is relied upon as a key component of production financing. These amounts are claimed from the CRA through the submission of income tax returns and can take up to 18 to 24 months from the date of the first tax credit dollar being earned to being received. As this financing is fundamental to the Company’s ability to produce animated productions and generate revenue in the normal course of business, the normal operating cycle for such assets is considered to be a 12-to-24-month period, or the time it takes for the CRA to assess and refund the tax credits earned.

As of June 30, 2022, the Company had $25.9 million in current Tax Credit Receivables on its condensed consolidated balance sheet. The Company does not have an allowance on tax credits receivable as of June 30, 2022, based on historical experience and future expectations.

Marketable Debt Securities

 

The Company purchases high quality, investment grade securities from diverse issuers with a weighted average credit rating of AA/Aa2.issuers. Management determines the appropriate classification of securities at the time of purchase and reevaluates such designation as of each balance sheet date. Currently, the Company classifies its investments in marketable securities as “available-for-sale” and records these investments at fair value. The securities are available to support current operations and, accordingly, the Company classifies the investments as current assets without regard to their contractual maturity.

 

Unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale securities for which the Company expects to fully recover the amortized cost basis are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, a component of stockholders’ equity. If the Company intends to sell a debt security, or it is more likely than not that it would be required to sell a debt security before the recovery of its amortized cost basis, the entire difference between the security's amortized cost basis and its fair value at the balance sheet date would be recognized as a loss in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

 

The Company reports accrued interest receivable separately from the available-for-sale securities and has elected not to measure an allowance for credit losses for accrued interest receivables. Uncollectible accrued interest is written off when the Company determines that no additional interest payments will be received. Approximately $0.4 million in interest income was receivable as of June 30, 2022 and classified within Other Receivables on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Interest earned on investment securities is reported in interest income, net of applicable adjustments for accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums accounted for by the level yield method with no pre-payment anticipated.

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Equity-Method Investments

When the Company does not have a controlling financial interest in an entity but can exert significant influence over the entity’s operating and financial policies, the investment is accounted for either (i) under the equity method of accounting or (ii) at fair value by electing the fair value option available under U.S. GAAP. Significant influence generally exists when the firm owns 20% to 50% of the entity’s common stock or in-substance common stock.

In general, the Company accounts for investments acquired at fair value. See Note 5 for further information about the Company’s investment in YFE’s equity securities accounted for under the fair value option.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts receivable are presented on the balance sheets net of estimated uncollectible amounts. The carrying amounts of trade accounts receivable and unbilled accounts receivable represents the maximum credit risk exposure of these assets. The Company assessesevaluates its accounts receivable balances on a quarterly basis to determine collectability based on an assessment of past events, current economic conditions, and forecasts of future events. The Company records an allowance for estimated uncollectible accounts in an amount approximating anticipated losses based on historical experience and future expectations.losses. Individual uncollectible accounts are written off against the allowance when collection of the individual accounts appears doubtful.

The Company had an allowancelimits its exposure to this credit risk through a credit approval process and credit monitoring procedures. In addition, Wow’s contracts with customers usually require upfront and milestone payments throughout the production process. The Company’s customer base is mainly comprised of major Canadian, American, and worldwide studios, distributors, broadcasters, toy companies and AVOD and SVOD platforms that have been customers for doubtful accounts of $54,840 as of June 30, 2021 and $43,676 as of December 31, 2020.several years.

 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation on property and equipment is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from two to seven years. Maintenance, repairs, and renewals, which neither materially add to the value of the assets nor appreciably prolong their lives, are charged to expense as incurred. Gains and losses from any dispositions of property and equipment are reflected in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

 

Right of Use Leased Assets

Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASC 842, Leases, using the modified retrospective transition method applied at the effective date of the standard.

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The Company determines at contract inception whether the arrangement is a lease based on its ability to control a physically distinct asset and determines the classification of the lease as either operating or finance.finance under FASB ASC 842, Leases (“ASC 842”). For all leases, the Company combines all components of the lease including related nonlease components as a single component. Operating leases are reflected as operating right-of-useright of use (“ROU”) assets and operating lease liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company does not have any finance leases.

 

Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The Company estimates the incremental borrowing rate to reflect the profile of collateralized borrowing over the expected term of the leases based on the information available at the later of the initial date of adoption, or the lease commencement date.

 

The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments made prior to lease commencement date and excludes lease incentives. Lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when the Company is reasonably certain that it will exercise the option. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term in the consolidated statement of operations. Lease incentives are recognized as a reduction to the lease expense on a straight-line basis over the underlying lease term.

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Film and Television Costs

The Company capitalizes production costs for episodic series produced in accordance with FASB ASC 926-20, Entertainment-Films - Other Assets - Film Costs. Accordingly, production costs are capitalized at actual cost and amortized using the individual-film-forecast-computation method, whereby these costs are amortized, and participations costs are accrued based on the ratio of the current period’s revenues to management’s estimate of ultimate revenue expected to be recognized from each production.

Due to the inherent uncertainties involved in making such estimates of ultimate revenues and expenses, these estimates have differed in the past from actual results and are likely to differ to some extent in the future from actual results. In addition, in the normal course of the Company’s business, some titles are more successful or less successful than anticipated. Management reviews its ultimate revenue for productions in development and cost estimates on a title-by-title basis, when an event or change in circumstances indicates that the fair value of the production may be less than its unamortized cost. This may result in a change in the rate of amortization of film costs and participations and/or a write-down of all or a portion of the unamortized costs of the film or television production to its estimated fair value.

These write-downs are included in amortization expense within Direct Operating Expenses on the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations. There were no events or changes in circumstances that would indicate a change in fair value of productions and therefore the Company has not recorded any impairment charges during the three or six months ended June 30, 2022.

The Company expenses all capitalized costs that exceed the initial market firm commitment revenue in the period of delivery of the episodes. Additionally, for episodic series, from time to time, the Company develops additional content, improved animation and bonus songs/features for its existing content. After the initial release of the episodic series, the costs of significant improvement to existing products are capitalized while routine and periodic alterations to existing products are expensed as incurred.

 

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

 

Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the estimated fair value of net assets acquired in business combinations accounted for by the acquisition method. In accordance with FASB ASC 350, Intangibles Goodwill and Other, goodwill and certain intangible assets are presumed to have indefinite useful lives and are thus not amortized, but subject to an impairment test annually or more frequently if indicators of impairment arise. The Company completes the annual goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment tests at the end of each fiscal year. To test for goodwill impairment, the Company may elect to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is required to estimatemore likely than not that the fair market value of each of oura reporting units,unit, of which the Company has one. Whiletwo, is less than its carrying value. If impairment is indicated in the Company may usequalitative assessment, or, if management elects to initially perform a varietyquantitative assessment of methods to estimategoodwill, the impairment test uses a one-step approach. The fair value for impairment testing,of a reporting unit is compared with its primary method is discounted cash flows. The Company estimates future cash flows and allocations of certain assets using estimates for future growth rates and judgment regardingcarrying amount, including goodwill. If the applicable discount rates. Changes to judgments and estimates could result in a significantly different estimate of the fair market value of the reporting units,unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is not impaired. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge would be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.

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Changes in future results, assumptions, and estimates after the measurement date may lead to an outcome where additional impairment charges would be required in future periods. Specifically, actual results may vary from the Company’s forecasts and such variations may be material and unfavorable, thereby triggering the need for future impairment tests where the conclusions may differ in reflection of prevailing market conditions. Further, continued adverse market conditions could result in anthe recognition of additional impairment if the Company determines that the fair values of goodwill or indefinite lived intangible assets in future periods.its reporting units have fallen below their carrying values.  

 

Other intangible assets have been acquired, either individually or with a group of other assets, and were initially recognized and measured based on fair value. Annual amortization of these intangible assets is computed based on the straight-line method over the remaining economic life of the asset.

 

Debt and Attached Equity-Linked Instruments

 

The Company measures issued debt on an amortized cost basis, net of debt premium/discount and debt issuance costs amortized using the effective interest rate method or the straight-line method when the latter does not lead to materially different results.

 

The Company analyzes freestanding equity-linked instruments including warrants attached to debt to conclude whether the instrument meets the definition of the derivative and whether it is considered indexed to the Company’s own stock. If the instrument is not considered indexed to the Company’s stock, it is classified as an asset or liability recorded at fair value. If the instrument is considered indexed to the Company’s stock, the Company analyzes additional equity classification requirements per FASB ASC 815-40, Contract’s in Entity’s Own Equity. When the requirements are met, the instrument is recorded as part of the Company’s equity, initially measured based on its relative fair value with no subsequent re-measurement. When the equity classification requirements are not met, the instrument is recorded as an asset or liability and is measured at fair value with subsequent changes in fair value recorded in earnings.

 

When required, the Company also considers the bifurcation guidance for embedded derivatives per FASB ASC 815-15, Embedded Derivatives.

Borrowing Costs

Borrowing costs related to the issuance of interim production financing are recorded as a reduction to the carrying amount of interim production financing and measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. Borrowing costs are recognized as part of interest expense in the condensed consolidated statements operations or loss in the period in which they are incurred. Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition or production of qualifying assets, which are assets that necessarily take a substantial period of time to get ready for their intended use or sale, are added to the cost of those assets, until such time the assets are substantially ready for their intended use or sale. The Company recorded $0.3 million related to production financing during the three months ended June 30, 2022.

 

 

 

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Film and Television Costs

The Company capitalizes production costs for episodic series produced in accordance with FASB ASC 926-20, Entertainment-Films - Other Assets - Film Costs. Accordingly, production costs are capitalized at actual cost and then charged against revenue based on the initial market revenue evidenced by a firm commitment over the period of commitment. The Company expenses all capitalized costs that exceed the initial market firm commitment revenue in the period of delivery of the episodes.

The Company capitalizes production costs for films produced in accordance with FASB ASC 926-20, Entertainment - Films - Other Assets - Film Costs. Accordingly, production costs are capitalized at actual cost and then charged against revenue quarterly as a cost of production based on the relative fair value of the film(s) delivered and recognized as revenue. The Company evaluates its capitalized production costs annually and limits recorded amounts by their ability to recover such costs through expected future sales.

Additionally, for both episodic series and films, from time to time, the Company develops additional content, improved animation and bonus songs/features for its existing content. After the initial release of the film or episodic series, the costs of significant improvement to existing products are capitalized while routine and periodic alterations to existing products are expensed as incurred

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company accounts for revenue according to standard FASB ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”).

Revenue is measured based on the consideration specified in a contract with a customer. Revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of the products or services in a contract. Judgement is required in determining the timing of whether the transfer of control occurs at a point in time or over time and is discussed below. The Company evaluates each contract to identify separate performance obligations as a contract with a customer may have one or more performance obligations. Consideration in a contract with multiple performance obligations is allocated to the separate performance obligations based on their stand-alone selling prices. If a stand-alone selling price is not determinable, the Company estimates the stand-alone selling price using an adjusted market assessment approach. The Company’s main sources of revenue are derived from animation production services provided to third parties, the sale of licenses for the distribution of films and television programs, advertising revenues, and merchandising and licensing sales.

Gross versus Net Revenue Presentation

The Company evaluates individual arrangements with third parties to determine whether the Company acts as principal or agent under the terms. To the extent that the Company acts as the principal in an arrangement, revenues are reported on a gross basis, resulting in revenues and expenses being classified in their respective financial statement line items. To the extent that the Company acts as the agent in an arrangement, revenues are reported on a net basis, resulting in revenues being presented net of any expenses incurred in providing agency services. Determining whether the Company acts as principal or agent is based on an evaluation of which party has substantial risks and rewards of ownership under the terms of an arrangement. The most significant factors that the Company considers include identification of the primary obligor, as well as which party has credit risk, general and inventory risk and the latitude or ability in establishing prices.

The Company has identified the following six material and distinct performance obligations:obligations.

·Provide animation production services.

 

 ·License rights to exploit Functional Intellectual Property (Functional(“Functional Intellectual PropertyProperty” or “functional IP” is defined as intellectual property that has significant standalone functionality, such as the ability be played or aired. Functional intellectual propertyIntellectual Property derives a substantial portion of its utility from its significant standalone functionality.)functionality).

 

 ·License rights to exploit Symbolic Intellectual Property (Symbolic(“Symbolic Intellectual PropertyProperty” or “symbolic IP” is intellectual property that is not functional as it does not have significant standalone use and substantially all of the utility of symbolic IP is derived from its association with the entity’s past or ongoing activities, including its ordinary business activities, such as the Company’s licensing and merchandising programs associated with its animated content.)content).

·Provide media and advertising services to clients.
·Fixed and variable fee advertising and subscription-based revenue generated from the Genius Brands Kartoon Channel! and the Frederator owned and operated YouTube channels.
 ·Options to renew or extend a contract at fixed terms. (While this performance obligation is not significant for the Company’s current contracts, it could become significant in the future.)future).

 

 ·Options on future seasons of content at fixed terms. (While this performance obligation is not significant for the Company’s current contracts, it could become significant in the future.)

·Fixed fee advertising revenue generated from the Genius Brands Network

·Variable fee advertising revenue generated from the Genius Brands Networkfuture).

 

As

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Production Services

Animation Production Services

For revenue from animation production services, the customer controls the output throughout the production process. Each production is made to an individual customer’s specifications and if the contract is terminated by the customer, the Company is entitled to be reimbursed for any costs incurred to date, and for any prepaid commitments made, plus the agreed contractual mark-up. Revenue and the associated costs of such contracts are recognized over time on a percentage of completion basis - i.e. as the project is being produced, prior to it being delivered to the customer. The percentage-of-completion is calculated based upon the proportion of costs incurred cumulatively to total expected costs. Changes in revenue recognized as a result of adjustments to total expected costs are recognized in profit or loss on a prospective basis. Invoices related to these projects are issued based on the change, beginning January 1, 2018,achievement of milestones during the project or other contractual terms. The difference between contractual payments received and revenue recognized is recorded as deferred revenue when receipts exceed revenue. When revenue exceeds milestone billings, the Company began recognizingrecognizes this difference as unbilled accounts receivable. Unbilled accounts receivable is transferred to accounts receivable when the Company has an unconditional right to consideration.

When the outcome of an arrangement cannot be estimated reliably, revenue is recognized only to the extent of the expenses incurred that are recoverable.

Content Distribution

Film and Television Licensing

The Company recognizes revenue related to licensed rights to exploit functional IP in two ways. Forways; for minimum guarantees, the Company recognizes fixed revenue upon delivery of content and the start of the license period. Forperiod and for functional IP contracts with a variable component, the Company estimates revenue such that it is probable there will not be a material reversal of revenue in future periods. Revenue under these types of contracts was previously recognized when royalty statements were received. The Company began recognizingrecognizes revenue related to licensed rights to exploit symbolic IP substantially similarly to functional IP. Although it has a different recognition pattern from functional IP, the valuation method is substantially the same, depending on the nature of the license.

 

Invoices related to these projects are issued based on the achievement of milestones during the project or other contractual terms. The difference between contractual payments received and revenue recognized is recorded as deferred revenue when receipts exceed revenue. When revenue exceeds milestone billings, the Company recognizes this difference as unbilled accounts receivable. Unbilled accounts receivables are transferred to accounts receivable when the Company has an unconditional right to consideration.

 

Advertising revenues

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The Company sells advertising and subscriptions on its Appwholly-owned AVOD service, Kartoon Channel!, and OTT based “Kartoonits SVOD distribution outlets, Kartoon Channel! Kidaverse, and Ameba TV. Advertising sales are generated in the form of either flat rate promotions or advertising impressions served. For flat rate promotions with a fixed term, the Company recognizes revenue when all five revenue recognition criteria under FASB ASC 606 are met. For impressions served, the Company delivers a certain minimum number of impressions on the channel to the advertiser for which the advertiser pays a contractual CPM per impression. Impressions served are reported to the Company on a monthly basis, and revenue is reported in the month the impressions are served. For subscription-based revenue, the Company recognizes revenue when customer downloads the mobile device application and their credit card is charged.

Upon the acquisition of Wow, the Company generates advertising revenue from Frederator’s owned and operated YouTube channels as well as revenues generated from the operation of its multi-channel network on YouTube. Revenue is recognized when services are provided in accordance with the Company’s agreement with YouTube, the price is fixed or determinable, and collection of the related receivable is probable. Receivables are usually collectable within 30 days.

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Licensing & Royalties

Merchandising and licensing

 

The Company provides mediaenters into merchandising and advertising serviceslicensing agreements that allow customers to clients. Revenueproduce merchandise utilizing certain of the Company’s intellectual property. For minimum guaranteed amounts that make up a contract, revenue is recognized over time, over the term of the license period commencing on the date at which the customer can use and benefit from the licensed content. Variable consideration in the month that the services are performed.

The Company also purchases advertising for clients on linearexcess of non-refundable guaranteed amounts, such as royalties and across digital and streaming platforms and receives a commission on these purchases. Advertising commissionsother contractual payments are recognized as revenue inwhen the monthamounts are known and become due provided collectability is reasonably assured. Invoices are issued based on the advertising is displayed.contractual terms of an agreement and are usually payable within 30-45 days.

Product Sales

 

The Company recognizes revenue related to product sales when the Company completes its performance obligation, which is when the goods are transferred to the buyer.

 

Media Advisory & Advertising Services

Media and Advertising Services

The Company provides media and advertising services to clients. Revenue is recognized when the services are performed. When the Company purchases advertising for clients on linear and across digital and streaming platforms and receives a commission, the commissions are recognized as revenue in the month the advertising is displayed.

Direct Operating Costs

Direct operating costs include costs of the Company’s product sales, non-capitalizable film costs, film and television cost amortization expense, impairment expenses related to film and television costs, and participation expense related to agreements with various animation studios, post-production studios, writers, directors, musicians or other creative talent with which the Company is obligated to share net profits of the properties on which they have rendered services. Upon the acquisition of Wow, the Company also includes salaries and related service production employee costs as part of its direct operating costs.

 

Share-Based Compensation

The Company issues stock-based awards to employees and non-employees that are generally in the form of stock options or restricted stock units (“RSUs”). Share-based compensation cost is recorded for all options and awards of non-vestedunvested stock based on the grant-date fair value of the award.

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The fair value of stock options is estimated at the date of grant using the Black-ScholesBlack-Scholes-Merton (“BSM”) option pricing model, which requires management to make assumptions with respect to the fair value on the grant date. The assumptions are as follows: (i) the expected term assumption of the award is based on the Company’s historical exercise and post-vesting behavior (ii) the expected volatility assumption is based on historical and implied volatilities of the Company’s common stock calculated based on a period of time generally commensurate with the expected term of the award; (iii) the risk-free interest rates are based on the implied yield available on U.S. treasury zero-coupon issues with an equivalent expected term; (iv) and the expected dividend yields of the Company’s stock are based on history and expectations of future dividends payable. In the case of RSUs the fair value is calculated based on the Company’s underlying common stock on the date of grant.

 

The Company recognizes compensation expense over the requisite service period ratably, using the graded attribution method, which is in-substance, recognizing multiple awards based on the vesting schedule. The Company has elected to account for forfeitures when they occur. The Company issues authorized shares available for issuance under the Company’s 2015 Incentive Plan and the Company’s 2020 PlansIncentive Plan upon employees’ exercise of their stock options.

  

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings (loss) per share of common sharestock (“EPS”) is calculated by dividing net income (loss) applicable to common shareholdersstockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS is calculated by dividing net income (loss) applicable to common shareholdersstockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding, plus the assumed exercise of all dilutive securities using the treasury stock or “as converted” method, as appropriate. During periods of net loss, all common stock equivalents are excluded from the diluted EPS calculation because they are antidilutive.

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Income Taxes

 

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using presently enacted tax rates. At each balance sheet date, the Company evaluates the available evidence about future taxable income and other possible sources of realization of deferred tax assets and records a valuation allowance that reduces the deferred tax assets to an amount that represents management’s best estimate of the amount of such deferred tax assets that more likely than not will be realized.

  

Concentration of Risk

 

The Company’sCompany maintains its cash is maintainedin bank deposit accounts which, at three financial institutions and from time to time the balances for this accounttimes, may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s (“FDIC”) or the Canadian Deposit Insurance Corporation’s (“CDIC”) insured amount.amounts. Balances on interest bearing deposits at banks in the United States are insured by the FDIC up to $250,000$250,000 per account.account and deposits in banks in Canada are insured by the CDIC up to $100,000 CAD. As of June 30, 2021,2022, the Company had threesix accounts with an uninsured balance in bank deposit accounts of $56,601,0181.8 million.

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The Company has a managed account and a brokerage account with a financial institution. The managed account maintains the Company’s investments in marketable securities of $97.4 million as of June 30, 2022. The brokerage account did not hold any of the Company’s cash as of June 30, 2022. Assets in the managed and brokerage account are protected by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”) up to $500,000 (with a limit of $250,000 for cash). In addition, the financial institution provides additional “excess of SIPC” coverage which insures up to $1 billion. As of June 30, 2022 the Company has not had account balances held at this financial institution that exceed the insured balances.

 

The Company’s investment portfolio consists of investment-grade securities diversified among security types, industries and issuers. The investments are held and managed by a financial institution that follows the Company’s investment policy. The Company’s policy limits the amount of credit exposure to any one security issue or issuer and the Company believes no significant concentration of credit risk exists with respect to these investments.

 

 For the three months ended June 30, 2022, the Company had five customers, whose total revenue exceeded 10% of total consolidated revenue. These customers accounted for 81.25% of total revenue.

For the six months ended June 30, 2022, the Company had five customers whose total revenue exceeded 10% of total consolidated revenue. These customers accounted for 76.3% of total revenue. As of June 30, 2022, the Company had four customers whose total accounts receivable exceeded 10% of total accounts receivable. These customers accounted for 65.04% of the total accounts receivable as of June 30, 2022.

For the three months ended June 30, 2021, the Company had one customer whose total revenue exceeded 10%10% of the total consolidated revenue. ThatThis customer accounted for 1147% of the total revenue. As of June 30, 2021, the Company had two customers whose accounts receivable exceeded 10% of total consolidated accounts receivable. Those customers accounted for 62% of accounts receivable.

For the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company had one customer, whose total revenue exceeded 10%10% of the total consolidated revenue. ThatThis customer accounted for 34% of the total revenue.

For the three months ended As of June 30, 2020,2021, the Company had one customertwo customers whose accounts receivable exceeded 10% of total revenue exceeded 10% of the total consolidated revenue. That customeraccounts receivable. Those customers accounted for 46% of the total revenue and 1362% of accounts receivable. One other customer accounted

There is significant financial risk associated with a dependence upon a small number of customers. The Company periodically assesses the financial strength of these customers and establishes allowances for 56%any anticipated bad debt. As of accounts receivable. For the six months ended June 30, 2020,2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had one customer whose total revenue exceeded 10%recorded an allowance for bad debt of the total consolidated revenue. That customer accounted for $2967,897% of the total revenue and 13% of accounts receivable. One other customer accounted for $5622,080% of accounts receivable., respectively.

 

Fair value of financial instrumentsFinancial Instruments

 

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FASB ASC Topic 820,Fair Value Measurement (“ASC 820”) establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level(Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level(Level 3 measurements). These tiers include:

 

·Level 1 - Observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets;

·Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable such as quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and

·Level 3 - Unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions, such as valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

 

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Financial instruments that are not measured at fair value on the condensed consolidated statement of operations are represented by cash, receivables, payables, accrued liabilities, bank indebtedness, the Company’s margin loan and interim production financing.

The carrying amounts of cash, restricted cash, receivables, accounts payable, andpayables, accrued liabilities, bank indebtedness and the Company’s margin loan approximate fair value due to the short-term maturitynature of the instruments. The carrying amountfair values of the Production Loan Facility approximatesCompany’s liability-classified derivative warrants are revalued at the end of each reporting period determined using the BSM model (Level 2) with standard valuation inputs. Refer to Note 19 for additional details. The investment in YFE is also revalued at the end of each reporting period based on the trading price of YFE (Level 1). Refer to Note 5 for additional details. Upon acquisition of Wow, the Company assumed foreign currency forward contracts that are not traded in active markets. These are fair value sincevalued using observable forward exchange rates at the debt carries a variablemeasurement dates and interest rate that is tiedrates corresponding to either the current Prime or LIBOR rates plus an applicable spread.maturity of the contracts.

 

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The fair values of the available-for-sale securities are generally based on quoted market prices, where available. These fair values are obtained primarily from third-party pricing services, which generally use Level I1 or Level II2 inputs for the determination of fair value to facilitate fair value measurements and disclosures. Level II2 securities primarily include corporate securities, securities from states, municipalities and political subdivisions, mortgage-backed securities, United States Government securities, foreign government securities, and certain other asset-backed securities. For securities not actively traded, the pricing services may use quoted market prices of comparable instruments or a variety of valuation techniques, incorporating inputs that are currently observable in the markets for similar securities.

 

The following table summarizes the marketable securities measured at fair value by level within the fair value hierarchy as of June 30, 2021: 2022 (in thousands):

Schedule of marketable security measured at fair value                
 Level 1  Level 2  Total Fair Value  Level 1  Level 2  Total Fair Value 
Marketable investments:                        
Corporate Bonds $0  $45,254,451  $45,254,451  $31,129  $11,897  $43,026 
U.S. Treasury  5,964,342   0   5,964,342   23,194   0   23,194 
Mortgage-Backed  0   6,197   6,197 
U.S. agency and government sponsored securities  0   5,294,277   5,294,277   0   12,504   12,504 
U.S. states and municipalities  0   11,150,277   11,150,277   0   11,079   11,079 
Asset-Backed  0   12,729,147   12,729,147   0   1,428   1,428 
Total $5,964,342  $74,428,151  $80,392,494  $54,323  $43,105  $97,428 

 

Fair values were determined for each individual security in the investment portfolio. The Company’s marketable securities are considered to be available-for-sale investments as defined under FASB ASC 320, Investments – Debt and Equity Securities. There were no impairment charges recorded for the marketable securities. Refer to Note 4 for additional details. The fair values of the derivative warrants attached to the 2020 Convertible Notes were determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton model (Level 2) with standard valuation inputs. Refer to Note 18 for additional details. The fair value of the contingent earn-out liability was valued using Level 3 inputs. Refer to Note 36 for additional details.

 

The Company did not have any financialFinancial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis are those that are adjusted to fair value when a significant event occurs and include the Company’s contingent earn-out liability, goodwill and film and television costs as of June 30, 20212022. There were no significant events that occurred or December 31, 2020.

Business Combinations

The Company allocatescircumstances that resulted in an adjustment to the fair value of the purchase consideration of a business acquisition to the tangible assets, liabilities, and intangible assets acquired based on their estimated fair values. The excess of the fair value of purchase consideration over the fair values of these identifiablethose assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill. The valuation of acquired assets and assumed liabilities requires significant judgment and estimates, especially with respect to intangible assets. The valuation of intangible assets requires thatmeasured on a non-recurring basis during the Company use valuation techniques such as the income approach. The income approach includes the use of a discounted cash flow model, which includes discounted cash flow scenarios and requires significant estimates such as future expected revenue, expenses, capital expenditures and other costs, and discount rates. The Company estimates the fair value based upon assumptions management believes to be reasonable, but which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable and, as a result, actual results may differ from estimates. Estimates associated with the accounting for acquisitions may change as additional information becomes available regarding the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Acquisition-related expenses and any related restructuring costs are recognized separately from the business combination and are expensed as incurred.three months ended June 30, 2022.

 

 

 

 1422 

 

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (Topic 326). ASU 2016-13 replaces the “incurred loss” credit losses framework with a new accounting standard that requires management's measurement of the allowance for credit losses to be based on a broader range of reasonable and supportable information for lifetime credit loss estimates. The new model, referred to as the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) model, will apply to: (1) financial assets subject to credit losses and measured at amortized cost, and (2) certain off-balance sheet credit exposures. This includes, but is not limited to, loans, leases, held-to-maturity securities, loan commitments, and financial guarantees. The CECL model does not apply to available-for-sale (“AFS”) debt securities. For AFS debt securities with unrealized losses, entities will measure credit losses in a manner similar to what they do today, except that the losses will be recognized as allowances rather than reductions in the amortized cost of the securities. The ASU also simplifies the accounting model for purchased credit-impaired debt securities and loans. ASU No. 2016-13 also expands the disclosure requirements regarding an entity’s assumptions, models, and methods for estimating the allowance for loan and lease losses. On October 16, 2019, the FASB approved a proposal to change the effective date of ASU No. 2016-13 for smaller reporting companies, such as the Company, delaying the effective date to fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal periods. Early adoption is permitted for interim and annual reporting periods. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that the ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In August 2020, the FASBreviewed all recently issued ASU No. 2020-06, Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity. The update simplifies the accounting for convertible instruments by removing certain separation models in Subtopic 470-20, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options, for convertible instruments. As part of the amendment, the embedded conversion features are no longer separated from the host contract for convertible instruments with conversion features that are not required to be accounted for as derivatives under Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, or that do not result in substantial premiums accounted for as paid-in capital. The FASB has eliminated the cash conversion and beneficial conversion feature models. The FASB has also modified accounting rules relating to application of the scope exception from derivative accounting. The amendments revise the guidance in ASC 815-40-25-10, to remove three out of seven conditions from the settlement guidance, referred to as additional equity classification requirements. Following the above amendments, more convertible debt instruments will be accounted for as a single liability measured at its amortized cost and more convertible preferred stock will be accounted for as a single equity instrument measured at its historical cost, as long as no features require bifurcation and recognition as derivatives. The amendments are effective for public business entities, excluding smaller reporting companies, for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, including interim periods within those fiscal years. For all other entities, including smaller reporting companies the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company has adopted ASU No. 2020-06 starting January 1, 2021. The impact to the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows was not material as the Company does not have any outstanding convertible instruments.

Various other accounting pronouncements have been recently issued, most of which represented technical corrections to the accounting literatureand concluded that they were not applicable or were applicable to specific industries and are not expected to have a material effectsignificant impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.statements.

 

Note 3: Acquisition of ChizComm EntitiesAcquisitions

        

Wow Unlimited Media

On February 1,April 6, 2022, the Company completed the acquisition of Wow. On October 26, 2021, the Company through GBI Acquisition LLC, a New Jersey limited liability company, and 2811210 Ontario Inc.Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, 1326919 B.C. LTD., a company organizedcorporation existing under the laws of the Province of Ontario, two wholly-owned subsidiariesBritish Columbia and Wow, entered into an Arrangement Agreement to effect a plan of arrangement under the arrangement provisions of Part 9, Division 5 of the Business Corporations Act. The Company closed its previously announced acquisition pursuant to a Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with (i) Harold Aaron Chizick, (ii) Jennifer Mara Chizick, (iii) Wishing Thumbelina Inc. (“Wishing Thumbelina”), and (iv) Harold Aaron Chizick and Jennifer Mara Chizick, the trusteespurchased 100% of The Chizsix (2019) Family Trust for and on behalf of Harold Aaron Chizick, Jennifer Mara Chizick and Jay Mark Sonshine, trustees of The Chizsix (2019) Family Trust, (the “Trustees”) (each a “Seller” and, collectively, “Sellers”), pursuant to which the Company acquired from the Sellers all of the issued and outstanding equity interestsshares of ChizComm Ltd., a corporation organizedWow for $38.3 million in Canada (“ChizComm Canada”),cash and ChizComm USA Corp., a New Jersey corporation (“ChizComm USA”11,057,085 shares of the Company’s common stock, including Wow’s subsidiary Frederator. The plan of arrangement and final agreement, together with ChizComm Canada, “ChizComm”) (the “Acquisition”).

the acquisition of Wow’s Mainframe Studios and its subsidiary Frederator, are referred to as the “Wow Acquisition.”

 

15

The following table summarizes the fair value of the purchase price consideration paid to acquire ChizComm:

Total purchase price consideration paid   
  Amount 
Cash consideration at closing $8,500,000 
Equity consideration at closing  3,527,027 
Fair value of Earn-Out shares  7,210,000 
Total $19,237,027 

TotalFinal consideration paid by the Company in the transaction at closing consisted of $8.538.3 million in cash and 1,980,65811,057,085 shares (the “Closing Shares”) of the Company’s common stock, including 691,262 Exchangeable Shares, with a fair value of approximately $3.5$11.6 million, both as subject2,409,515 options granted to certain purchase price adjustments. Of the Closing Shares, 674,157 sharesemployees of common stock,Wow with a fair value of approximatelypreviously vested options of $1.2 million, were deposited into an escrow accountincluded in the purchase price, and $0.3 million for future services and $1.6 million in severance and bonuses to cover potential post-closing indemnification obligationsexecutives, for total consideration of Sellers under the Purchase Agreement. Additionally, the Purchase Agreement also provides for the issuance$52.7 million, or $50.1 million net of additional shares of common stock with an aggregate value of up to $8.0 million that may be issued to the Sellers if certain EBITDA and performance levels are achieved within a four-year period commencing on the date of the Purchase Agreement (Earn-Out).cash acquired, excluding transaction costs as described in more detail below.

 

The Acquisition was approved by the board of directors of each Company. Transaction costs incurred relating to this acquisitionthe Wow Acquisition, including banks, legal and accounting, totaled $539,8063.1, million, which is included in general and administrative expenses on the statement of operations.operations in the three months ended June 30, 2022. The acquisition expandsCompany will also expense the unvested replacement options, with a fair value of $0.3 million, as stock-based compensation expense over the remaining requisite service period specified in the agreements.

The Wow Acquisition facilitates the Company’s revenue streamsexpansion as a global animation and children’s digital media company. With Wow’s content, ongoing production projects and the addition of two studios that can also be leveraged for in-house production of the Company’s properties, will drive cost synergies, facilitate further expansion into mediathe global children’s entertainment market and advertising services.strengthen financial growth. Frederator, with its owned and operated channels on YouTube, will provide a distribution platform to facilitate the global growth of Kartoon Channel!.

 

The Company has determined that the Wow Acquisition constitutes a business acquisition as defined by Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 805, Business Combinations.ASC 805. Accordingly, the assets acquired, and the liabilities assumed in the transaction were recorded at their estimated acquisition fair values, while transaction costs associated with the acquisition were expensed as incurred pursuant to the purchase method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805. The Company’s preliminary purchase price allocation was based on an evaluation of the available data to determine the appropriate fair values and represent managements best estimate based on available data. Fair values are determined based on the requirements of ASC 820 Fair Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”).represents managements best estimates.

The Earn-Out arrangement meets the liability classification criteria outlined in ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, as it is not indexed to the Company’s own shares and is classified as a liability in the accompanying balance sheet. Liability classified contingent consideration is measured initially at the fair value on the acquisition date and is remeasured at each reporting period. Subsequent differences between the estimated fair value of the Earn-Out recorded at the acquisition date and the remeasurement date will be reflected as a charge or credit, as applicable, in the statement of operations. As of June 30, 2021, there were no material changes to the assumptions used on the acquisition date to value the contingent consideration, therefore no change in value was recorded.

The Company completed and finalized the purchase price allocation during the three months ended June 30, 2021. The Company recorded assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their respective fair values. The following table summarizes the final fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed: 

Assets acquired and liabilities assumed    
Cash $711,123 
Accounts Receivable  6,150,919 
Prepaid Expenses  56,594 
Lease Deposits  12,390 
Fixed Assets  147,689 
Trade Name  3,430,000 
Customer Relationships  6,140,000 
Non-Compete Agreements  60,000 
Goodwill  9,607,027 
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses  (7,006,350)
Payroll Tax Liability  (72,365)
     
Total Consideration $19,237,027 

 

 

 

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The following table summarizes the consideration paid:

Schedule of Total purchase price consideration paid   
  Amount 
Cash $38,310 
Genius Common Stock Issued  10,832 
Shares Issued Exchangeable for Genius Common Stock  722 
Stock Option Value of Replacement Options- Pre-Combination Vested Options  1,213 
Severance Payments  1,044 
Bonuses  529 
Total $52,650 

As of June 30, 2022, the accounting for the acquisition is preliminary, as the Company is finalizing its valuation and determination of the intangible assets. The Company has engaged a third-party valuation firm to assist with the purchase price allocation, which will be completed in subsequent quarters.

The preliminary purchase price allocation is based upon the estimate of the fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed by the Company on April 6, 2022 as follows (in thousands):

Schedule of fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed   
Cash and cash equivalents $2,573 
Accounts Receivable  34,237 
Prepaid Expenses and Other  1,245 
Property and Equipment  1,936 
ROU Assets  10,311 
IP (In-Process)  4,600 
IP (Proprietary Productions)  5,684 
Tradename  7,631 
Customer Relationships  16,064 
Networks and Platforms  803 
Goodwill  21,399 
Accounts Payable  (1,547)
Participations Payable  (1,380)
Bank Debt  (1,475)
Accrued Liabilities  (3,825)
Interim Production Facilities  (16,930)
Deferred Revenue  (18,080)
Lease Liabilities  (10,614)
Other Liabilities  (60)
Total Consideration $52,650 

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The identifiable intangible assets acquired of $9,630,00034.8 was composedmillion is comprised of $16.1 million for Customer Relationships, with remaining economic lives of 8 years, $10.3 million for IP Content including completed productions and productions in progress, that is included as part of Film and Television costs on the condensed consolidated balance sheet and will be amortized as such, Tradenames for $3,430,0007.6 for ChizComm’s trade namemillion, with an indefinite remaining economical life and Networks and Platforms of $6,140,0000.8 for ChizComm’s customer base with a remaining useful life of approximately 12 years, and $60,000 for ChizComm’s non-compete agreementsmillion, with a remaining economic life of 316 years. The goodwill of $21.4 million arising from the acquisition consists largely of the synergies expected from the combined businesses, including the Company’s ability to produce its content in-house utilizing the acquired studios and expansion of the Kartoon Channel! platform. The goodwill was recorded to the Content Production & Distribution reporting unit and is not deductible for tax purposes.

 

The valuation and allocation of the preliminary purchase price shown in the above table was based upon a preliminary valuation and estimates and assumptions, especially with respect to intangible assets, that are subject to change within the purchase price allocation period generally one year from the acquisition date, including our evaluation of certain income tax positions, with corresponding adjustments to goodwill.

Valuation Methodology

 

Customer relationships for ChizCommThe Networks and Platforms were valued by performing a discounted cash flow analysis, usingspecifically the multiperiodmulti-period excess earnings method. This method includes discountinginvolves quantifying the projectedamount of residual (or excess) cash flows associated with existing customersgenerated by the current digital network content, based primarily upon customer turnover datahistorical revenue and projections over its expected life, and considers the operating expenses and contributory asset charges associated with servicing such existing customers.network. Projected cash flows attributable to the customer relationships werenetworks are discounted to their present value at a rate commensurate with the perceived risk. The significant assumptions used in this model included the customer attrition rate, acquisition rate of new customers, weighted average cost of capital, and expense estimates. The useful liveslife of customer relationships arethe networks is estimated based primarily upon the present value of cash flows attributable to the customer relationships.digital network. The significant assumptions used in this method included the royalty rate and weighted average cost of capital.

 

Trademarks

The Tradenames were valued using the relief-from-royalty method. The relief-from-royalty method is one of the methods under the income approach wherein estimates of a company’s earnings attributable to the intangible asset are based on the royalty rate the company would have paid for the use of the asset if it did not own it. Royalty payments are estimated by applying a royalty rate to the prospective revenue attributable to the intangible asset. The resulting annual royalty payments are tax-affected and then discounted to present value.

Ameba

On January 13, 2022, the Company completed the acquisition of Ameba, pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “SPA”) by and between the Company and Tony Havelka, a resident of the Province of Manitoba (the “Seller”), in which the Company acquired from the Seller all of the issued and outstanding equity interests of Ameba. Concurrently, pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “APA”) by and among the Company, the Seller and Tek Gear Inc., a corporation owned by the Seller, the Company acquired from the Seller a proprietary software platform (the “Technology”) that powers the Ameba SVOD deliveries. The transactions contemplated by the SPA and the APA are referred to as the “Ameba Acquisition.”

Consideration paid by the Company in the transaction at closing consisted of $3.8 million in cash, inclusive of $0.3 million for a net working capital adjustment (the “NWC Adjustment”) pursuant to the SPA and $0.3 million in cash pursuant to the APA, for total consideration of $4.1 million, or $3.9 million net of cash acquired, excluding transaction costs and subject to as described in more detail below.

Transaction costs incurred relating to the Ameba Acquisition, including legal and accounting, totaled $0.1 million, which is included in general and administrative expenses on the statement of operations. The agreement provided for an adjustment to the purchase price based on an adjusted net working capital (“NWC”) as defined in the agreement.

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The Ameba acquisition facilitates the Company’s expansion into SVOD with its technology and content essential to the launch of the ad-free subscription-based Kartoon Channel! Kidaverse platform. The acquisition provides immediate benefit recognized through the content available on the SVOD Ameba channel app, available for download on Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Xbox 360, Xumo, LG Smart TV, TiVo, VEWD, CINEMOOD and iOS and Android devices.

The Company has determined that the Ameba Acquisition constitutes a business acquisition as defined by ASC 805. Accordingly, the assets acquired, and the liabilities assumed in the transaction were recorded at their estimated acquisition fair values, while transaction costs associated with the acquisition were expensed as incurred pursuant to the purchase method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805. The Company’s preliminary purchase price allocation was based on an evaluation of the available data to determine the appropriate fair values based on the requirements of ASC 820 and represents managements best estimates.

The following table summarizes the consideration paid, including the Net Working Capital Adjustment (in thousands):

Total purchase price consideration paid   
  Amount 
SPA cash consideration at closing $3,500 
APA cash consideration at closing  300 
Net working capital adjustment  269 
Total $4,069 

The net working capital calculation was finalized as $268,657 during the three months ended June 30, 2022, as determined by the Company and agreed upon by the acquiree. The amount was paid to the acquiree on June 30, 2022.

As of June 30, 2022, the accounting for the acquisition is preliminary, as the Company is finalizing its valuation and determination of the intangible assets. The Company has engaged a third-party valuation firm to assist with the purchase price allocation, which will be completed in subsequent quarters.

The preliminary purchase price allocation is based upon an estimate of the fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed by the Company on January 11, 2022 as follows (in thousands):

Assets acquired and liabilities assumed   
Cash $176 
Accounts Receivable  238 
Prepaids Expenses  25 
Trade Name  23 
Digital Network  2,804 
Technology  300 
Goodwill  673 
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses  (140)
Tax Liability  (30)
Total Consideration $4,069 

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The identifiable intangible assets acquired of $3.1 million is comprised of $2.8 million for the Digital Network, Ameba TV, with a remaining economic life of 18 years, $24,000 for Ameba’s trade namesname with a useful life of 3 years and $0.3 million for ChizComm werethe SVOD technology with a remaining useful life of approximately 3 years. The $0.7 million in goodwill arising from the acquisition consists largely of the synergies expected from the combined businesses, including the Company’s build-out of its technology for the expansion of the Kartoon Channel! platform. The goodwill was recorded to the Content Production & Distribution reporting unit and is not deductible for tax purposes.

The valuation and allocation of the preliminary purchase price shown in the above table was based upon a preliminary valuation and estimates and assumptions, especially with respect to intangible assets, that are subject to change within the purchase price allocation period generally one year from the acquisition date, including our evaluation of certain income tax positions, with corresponding adjustments to goodwill.

Valuation Methodology

The digital network was valued by performing a discounted cash flow analysis. This method includes discounting the projected cash flows associated with the current digital network content, based primarily upon historical revenue and projections over its expected life and considers the operating expenses and contributory asset charges associated with servicing such network. Projected cash flows attributable to the digital network was discounted to the present value at a rate commensurate with the perceived risk. The useful life of the digital network is estimated based primarily upon the present value of cash flows attributable to the digital network.

The Ameba trade name was valued using the relief-from-royalty method. This method is an income approach that estimates the portion of a company’s earnings attributable to an asset based on the royalty rate the company would have paid for the use of the asset if it did not own it. Royalty payments are estimated by applying a royalty rate to the prospective revenue attributable to the intangible asset. The resulting annual royalty payments are tax-affected and then discounted to present value. The useful life of the trade name is based on the estimated time it will take for the Company to rebrand the Ameba trade name and logo with the Company branded Kartoon Channel! Kidaverse trade name.

 

Non-compete agreements wereThe technology was valued using a with and without method. Under this method, estimated prospective financial information (“PFI”) is calculated with the existence and ownership of an intangible asset and compared to the PFI in the absence of the ownership of the intangible asset. The after-tax differential PFI attributable to the intangible asset is then discounted to its present value.at cost.

 

AssumptionsThe assumptions used in forecasting cash flows for each of the identified intangible assets included consideration of the following:

 

 ·Historical performance including sales and profitability.

 

 ·Business prospects and industry expectations.Expense estimates.
·Contributory asset charges.

 

 ·Estimated economic life of asset.

 

 ·Acquisition of new customers.

 

 ·Attrition of existing customers.

 

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Supplemental Pro Forma Information

The following unaudited supplemental pro forma information summarizes the Company’s results of operations as if the acquisitions were completed at the beginning of the periods presented (in thousands, except for share and per share data):

Supplemental pro forma information            
  Three Months Ended 
  Genius Brands Consolidated (including Wow and Ameba results)  Wow  Ameba 
  June 30, 2022  June 30, 2021  June 30, 2021(1)  June 30, 2021 
             
Total Revenues $22,124  $17,246  $14,732  $172 
                 
Net Income (Loss) $(13,343) $(6,933) $374  $87 
                 
Net Loss per Common Share (Basic and Diluted) $(0.04) $(0.02) $0  $0 
                 
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (Basic and Diluted)  315,519,907   300,646,819   0   0 

                   
  Six Months Ended 
  

Genius Brands Consolidated

(including Wow and Ameba results)

  Wow  Ameba  Wow  Ameba 
  June 30, 2022  June 30, 2021  June 30, 2022(1)  June 30, 2022  June 30, 2021(1)  June 30, 2021 
                   
Total Revenues $41,667  $30,192  $35,810  $849  $26,453  $333 
                         
Net Income (Loss) $(16,926) $(82,070) $1,154  $(32) $1,418  $165 
                         
Net Loss per Common Share (Basic and Diluted) $(0.05) $(0.28) $0  $0  $0  $0 
                         
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (Basic and Diluted)  309,682,010   293,969,462   0   0   0   0 

(1) The unaudited historical financial statements of Wow are not adjusted for conversion to U.S. GAAP from International Financial Reporting Standards, as the adjustments are immaterial to the periods presented.

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Note 4: Variable Interest Entity

In July 2020, the Company entered into a binding term sheet with POW, Inc. (“POW!”) in which the Company agreed to form an entity with POW! to exploit certain rights in intellectual property created by Stan Lee, as well as the name and likeness of Stan Lee. The entity is called “Stan Lee Universe, LLC” (“SLU”). POW! and the Company executed an Operating Agreement for the joint venture, effective as of June 1, 2021. The purpose of the acquisition was to enable the Company to assume the worldwide rights, in perpetuity, to the name, physical likeness, physical signature, live-action and animated motion picture, television, online, digital, publishing, comic book, merchandising and licensing rights to Stan Lee and over 100 original Stan Lee creations (the “Stan Lee Assets”), from which Genius Brands plans to develop and license multiple properties each year.

The Company contributed $2.0 million to obtain 50% of SLU’s voting equity and POW, for the remaining 50%, contributed the specified intangible assets associated with the Stan Lee Assets. POW will retain certain rights in the transferred intangible assets, namely existing the rights/obligations arising from current licensing agreements. Under ASC 805, the Company determined that the value of SLU was wholly attributable to the Stan Lee Assets and would be accounted for as an asset acquisition. The acquisition cost of $2.0 million was treated for tax purposes as a nontaxable transaction and as such,equivalent to the historical tax basisvalue of the acquired assets, net operating loss, and other tax attributes of ChizComm will carryover. As a result, no new goodwill for tax purposes was created in connection with the acquisition as there is no step-up toStan Lee Assets contributed by POW. Therefore, the fair value of the underlying tax basesconsideration paid by the entity of $2.0 million and the fair value of the acquired net assets.50% non-controlling interest approximated a total of $4.0 million.

 

Pursuant to the guidance under ASC 810, the Company concluded that SLU qualifies as a variable interest entity (“VIE”). The following supplemental pro forma information summarizeCompany consolidates the Company’s results of operations forSLU as it was determined that the current reporting period,Company is the primary beneficiary due to having the power through the collaboration to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and the Company is required to fund over half of the economic support of the entity. Accordingly, the Company recorded the total fair value of the Stan Lee Assets in SLU of $4.0 million, as ifan intangible asset to be amortized over the duration of 70 years, the life of the publicity rights related to Stan Lee’s name, likeness, voice, physical characteristics, etc.

During the three months ended June 30, 2022, SLU generated $2.4 million in net income, upon entering into a license agreement to license certain of the Stan Lee Assets. The Company distributed $1.2 million to POW as their share of the non-controlling interest in SLU. The Company’s investment in SLU, net of the cash received from a distribution of $1.2 million, is $0.8 million as of June 30, 2022.

There were no changes in facts and circumstances that occurred during the three or six months ended June 30, 2022 that would result in a re-evaluation of the VIE assessment.

Note 5: Investment in Equity Interest

On December 1, 2021, the Company completed the acquisition asa $6.8 million investment in YFE. In exchange for $3.4 million in cash and 2,281,269 shares of the beginningCompany’s common stock (valued at approximately $3.4 million), the Company received 3,000,000 shares of the annual reporting period.

Supplemental pro forma information as follows: 

                 
   Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended 
   June 30,
2021
   June 30,
2020
   June 30,
2021
   June 30,
2020
 
Total Revenues $2,342,205  $1,293,956  $4,758,768  $6,963,704 
                 
Net Loss  (7,383,978)  (383,624,941)  (84,269,062)  (391,305,960)
                 
Net Loss per Common Share (Basic and Diluted) $(0.02) $(4.89) $(0.29) $(15.85)
                 
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (Basic and Diluted)  300,646,819   78,503,414   293,969,462   24,690,154 

YFE’s common stock.

 

 

 

 1729 

Following the initial equity investment in YFE during the fourth quarter of 2021, the Company participated in a mandatory tender offer for the remaining publicly traded shares held by YFE shareholders. Upon the expiration of the offer on February 14, 2022, the Company purchased an additional 2,637,717 shares of YFE at 2.00 EUROS per share or $5.7 million in the aggregate. On March 9, 2022, bonds held by YFE shareholders, were converted into 2,574,000 shares of YFE common stock, 304,631 of which were purchased by the Company at 2.00 EUROS per share, or $0.6 million. On April 5, 2022, the Company exercised its subscription rights to purchase an additional 914,284 shares of YFE’s common stock at 3.00 EUROS per share, or $2.7 million, increasing the number of YFE’s outstanding shares to 6,857,132 and the Company’s ownership in YFE to 49.2% as of June 30, 2022.

The Company has elected to apply the fair value option for its investment in YFE (Level 1) as YFE is a publicly traded company on the Frankfurt Exchange, therefore its trading price is readily available and relied upon by investors. The Company recognizes changes in the fair value of its investment in YFE as unrealized gains (losses), net in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations with other income (loss), net.

The Company revalues the investment in YFE securities as of the end of each reporting period. During the three months and six months ended June 30, 2022, the Company recorded a loss of $2.5 million and a gain of $2.9 million, respectively, within other income (loss) on the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of operations, net of a $1.1 million loss and a $1.3 million loss, respectively, due to the change in the foreign currency translation rate during the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively.

Wow has a 63% membership interest in Ratchet Productions, LLC ("RPLLC"), a privately-owned company registered in Colorado. Wow accounts for its interest using the equity method of accounting. Prior to the Wow Acquisition, in 2016, Wow determined that its investment in RPLLC was impaired and reduced its investment to $0. As the investment has been $0, and remains as such, there has been no impact on the Company’s financial statements for the membership interest in RPLLC.

 

Note 4:6: Marketable Securities

 

The Company classifies and accounts for its marketable debt securities as available-for-sale and the securities are stated at fair value.

 

The investments in marketable securities had an adjusted cost basis of $80,902,119$103.2 million and a market value of $80,392,494$97.4 million as of June 30, 2021.2022. The balances consisted of the following securities (in thousands):

Summary of Investment in marketable security                
 Adjusted Cost  Unrealized Loss  Fair Value  Adjusted Cost  Unrealized Gain/(Loss)  Fair Value 
Corporate Bonds $45,625,483  $(371,032) $45,254,451  $45,446  $(2,420) $43,026 
U.S. Treasury  5,997,340   (32,998)  5,964,342   24,281   (1,087)  23,194 
Mortgage-Backed  6,610   (413)  6,197 
U.S. agency and government sponsored securities  5,300,463   (6,186)  5,294,277   13,529   (1,025)  12,504 
U.S. states and municipalities  11,231,747   (81,470)  11,150,277   11,836   (757)  11,079 
Asset-Backed  12,747,086   (17,939)  12,729,147   1,453   (25)  1,428 
Total $80,902,119  $(509,625) $80,392,494  $103,155  $(5,727) $97,428 

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The Company reported the net unrealized losses net of taxes, asin accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, a component of stockholders' equity. The decline in fair value is largely due to changes in interest rates and other market conditions.conditions and is expected to recover as the securities approach maturity. The Company has evaluated these securities and determined that no allowance is necessary based on the credit quality and the low risk of loss due to the security type. The Company holds sixty-three available-for-sale securities, all of which are in an unrealized loss position as of June 30, 2022. The unrealized losses and fair value is expectedvalues of available-for-sale securities that have been in an unrealized loss position for a period greater than 12 months as of June 30, 2022 are as follows:

Schedule of Unrealized losses and fair values of available for sale securities      
  Gross Unrealized Loss  Fair Value 
Corporate Bonds $(1,328) $24,698 
U.S. Treasury  (823)  18,518 
Mortgage-Backed  (358)  4,604 
U.S. agency and government sponsored securities  (871)  10,717 
U.S. states and municipalities  (591)  8,341 
Asset-Backed  (24)  1,429 
Total $(3,995) $68,307 

A net realized loss of $44,241 and $123,291 related to recover as the prepayment of principals for certain mortgage-backed securities approach maturity.was recorded in earnings during the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively.

 

The contractual maturities of the Company’s marketable investments as of June 30, 20212022 were as follows: follows (in thousands):

Summary of contractual maturity   
  Fair Value 
Due after 1 year through five years $70,408,695 
Due after 5 years through 10 years  2,074,020 
Due after 10 years (a)  7,909,779 
Total $80,392,494 

(a)Included within this category are municipal bonds with a fair value of $2,300,000 that the Company plans to sell within the next twelve months.
Summary of contractual maturity   
  Fair Value 
Due within 1 year $11,763 
Due after 1 year through 5 years  73,413 
Due after 5 years through 10 years  4,218 
Due after 10 years  8,034 
Total $97,428 

 

The Company may sell certain of its marketable debt securities prior to their stated maturities for reasons including, but not limited to, managing liquidity, credit risk, duration and asset allocation.

 

The Company did not sell any securities during the three or six months ended June 30, 2021,2022 that resulted in material gains or losses.

31

 

Note 5:7: Property and Equipment, Net

 

The Company has property and equipment as follows as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020: (in thousands):

Schedule of property and equipment, net      
  

June 30,

2021

  

December 31,

2020

 
Furniture and Equipment $124,585  $19,419 
Computer Equipment  231,097   168,122 
Leasehold Improvements  43,485   14,182 
Software  115,622   68,152 
Production Equipment  23,017   0 
Property and Equipment, Gross  537,806   269,875 
Less Accumulated Depreciation  (203,908)  (174,047)
Property and Equipment, Net $333,898  $95,828 

18

Schedule of property and equipment, net      
  June 30, 2022  December 31, 2021 
Furniture and Equipment $199  $181 
Computer Equipment  283   173 
Leasehold Improvements  2,130   44 
Software  235   177 
Production Equipment  23   23 
Property and Equipment, Gross  2,870   598 
Less Accumulated Depreciation  (306)  (149)
Property and Equipment, Net $2,564  $449 

 

During the three months ended June 30, 20212022 and 2020,2021, the Company recorded depreciation expense of $15,2650.2 million and $13,53782,688, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 20212022 and 2020,2021, the Company recorded depreciation expense of $29,8290.2 million and $27,0750.1, million, respectively.

 

Note 6:8: Right of Use Leased AssetAssets

 

Right of use assetassets consisted of the following as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:(in thousands):

Schedule of right of use asset       
   

June 30,

2021

  

December 31,

2020

 
Office Lease Asset $2,700,864  $2,245,093 
Printer Lease Asset  12,374   12,374 
Right Of Use Asset, Gross  2,713,238   2,257,467 
         
Office Lease Accumulated Amortization  (402,403)  (274,980)
Printer Lease Accumulated Amortization  (11,605)  (10,123)
Right Of Use Asset, Net $2,299,230  $1,972,364 
Schedule of right of use asset      
  June 30, 2022  December 31, 2021 
Office Lease Assets $10,095  $3,351 
Equipment Lease Assets  3,236   13 
Right of Use Assets, Gross  13,331   3,364 
         
Accumulated Amortization  (1,317)  (579)
Right of Use Assets, Net $12,014  $2,785 

 

During the three months ended June 30, 20212022 and June 30, 2020,2021, the Company recorded ROU asset amortization expense of $82,6680.7 million and $109,4580.1, million, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 20212022 and June 30, 2020,2021, the Company recorded ROU asset amortization expense of $128,9050.6 million and $217,7040.2, million, respectively.

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Note 7:9: Film and Television Costs, Net

 

As ofDuring the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company had net2022, Film and Television Costs increased by $14.0 million, net of $14,972,446,amortization expense, as compared to $11,828,494 as of December 31, 2020.2021. Excluding the $9.5 million acquired from the Wow Acquisition, Film and Television Costs increased $4.5 million during the six months ended June 30, 2022, primarily due to the production of Shaq’s Garage. The increase primarily relates to the development costs related to Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergartenis partially offset by amortization of Rainbow Rangers Season 1and Llama Llama Seasons 1 & 2Superhero Kindergarten.

 

During the three months ended June 30, 20212022 and 2020,2021, the Company recorded Film and Television Cost amortization expense of $553,5622.2 million, $1.9 million of which amortized by Wow, and $185,748,$0.2 million, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 20212022 and 2020,2021, the Company recorded Film and Television Cost amortization expense of $658,3692.4 million, $1.9 million of which amortized by Wow, and $292,363,$0.7 million, respectively.

 

The following table highlights the activity in Film and Television Costs as of June 30, 2021,2022 and December 31, 2020: 2021 (in thousands):

Schedule of film and television costs activity   
  Total 
Film and Television Costs, Net as of December 31, 2019 $9,906,885 
Additions to Film and Television Costs  2,901,207 
Film Amortization Expense  (979,598)
Film and Television Costs, Net as of December 31, 2020  11,828,494 
Additions to Film and Television Costs  3,903,941 
Film Amortization Expense  (759,989)
Film and Television Costs, Net as of June 30, 2021 $14,972,446 

Schedule of film and television costs activity   
Film and Television Costs, Net as of December 31, 2020 $11,828 
Additions to Film and Television Costs  10,650 
Film Amortization Expense  (19,538)
Film and Television Costs, Net as of December 31, 2021  2,940 
Additions to Film and Television Costs  16,213 
Film Amortization Expense  (2,253)
Film and Television Costs, Net as of June 30, 2022 $16,900 

  

19

Note 8:10: Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net and Goodwill

Goodwill

In 2013, the Company recognized $10,365,806 in goodwill, representing the excess of the fair value of the consideration for the merger with A Squared over net identifiable assets acquired. Pursuant to FASB ASC 350-20, Goodwill is not subject to amortization but is subject to annual review to determine if certain events warrant impairment to the goodwill asset.

As a result of the ChizComm acquisition, the consideration exceeded the fair value of the assets acquired by $9,607,027. Accordingly, this amount was recorded as goodwill at the time of the acquisition. Through June 30, 2021, the Company has not recognized any impairment on goodwill.

The following table represents details of our goodwill balance: 

Schedule of Goodwill   
  Total 
Goodwill as of December 31, 2020 $10,365,806 
Acquisition of ChizComm Entities  9,607,027 
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment  22,203 
Goodwill as of June 30, 2021 $19,995,036 

 

Intangible Assets, Net

 

The Company had the following intangible assets as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020: (in thousands) with their weighted average remaining amortization period (in years):

Schedule of Intangible Asset      
  

June 30,

2021

  

December 31,

2020

 
Trademarks (a) $129,831  $129,831 
Trade Name (b)  3,430,000   0 
Customer Relations (c)  6,140,000   0 
Non-Compete (d)  60,000   0 
Other Intangible Assets (a)  304,028   299,028 
Intangible Assets, Gross  10,063,859   428,859 
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment  89,202   0 
Less Accumulated Amortization  (634,292)  (400,165)
Intangible Assets, Net $9,518,769  $28,694 

Intangible Assets, Net

Schedule of Intangible Asset        
  Weighted Average Remaining Amortization Period 

June 30,

2022

  

December 31,

2021

 
Customer Relationships 9 $22,205  $6,120 
Digital Networks 17  3,607   0 
Trade names 69  11,654   4,000 
Technology 3  300   0 
Non-Compete 2  60   60 
Other Intangible Assets (a) 2  323   301 
Intangible Assets, Gross    38,149   10,481 
           
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment    (786)  24 
Less Accumulated Amortization    (1,702)  (772)
Intangible Assets, Net   $35,661  $9,733 

__________________ 

 (a)Pursuant to FASB ASC 350-30-35,Represents the Company reviews theseremaining unamortized logo and website intangible assets periodically to determine if the value should be retired or impaired due to recent events. During the three months ended June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020, the Company recognized, $8,276 and $10,847, respectively, in amortization expense related to the Trademarks, Product Masters, and Other Intangible Assets. During the six months ended June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020, the Company recognized, $11,131 and $21,638, respectively, in amortization expense related to the Trademarks, Product Masters, and Other Intangible Assets. 
(b)Amount represents fair value of the ChizComm and ChizComm Beacon Media Trade Names which have been determined to have an indefinite useful life.
(c)Amount represents fair value of the ChizComm and ChizComm Beacon Media Customer Relationshipsmerger with a useful life of 12 years. Amortization expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 was $129,277 and $214,610, respectively.
(d)Amount represents fair value of the Non-Compete agreements as part of the ChizComm acquisition. The Non-Compete agreements have a useful life of 3 years. Amortization expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 was $5,053 and $8,386, respectively.A Squared.

 

33

During the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company recorded amortization expense of $0.9 million and $0.1 million, respectively. During the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company recorded amortization expense of $0.7 million and $0.2 million, respectively.

Pursuant to ASC 350-30, General Intangibles Other than Goodwill, the Company reviews these intangible assets periodically to determine if the value should be retired or impaired due to recent events. There were no changes in events or circumstances during the three or six months ended June 30, 2022 that would indicate an impairment of the intangible assets.

Expected future intangible asset amortization as of June 30, 20212022 is as follows:follows (in thousands):

Expected future intangible asset amortization   
Fiscal Year:   
2022 $1,427 
2023  2,851 
2024  2,827 
2025  2,720 
2026  2,712 
Thereafter  23,124 
Total $35,661 

Goodwill

In 2013, the Company recognized $10.4 million in goodwill, as a result of the merger with A Squared. During the first quarter of 2021, the Company recognized $9.6 million in goodwill, as a result of the acquisition of the Beacon Media Group (formerly ChizComm), which was subsequently determined to be impaired as of December 31, 2021, resulting in an impairment charge of $4.8 million and a goodwill balance of $4.9 million.

 

Expected future intangible asset amortization   
Fiscal Year:   
Remaining 2021 $276,655 
2022  552,963 
2023  549,018 
2024  524,678 
Thereafter  4,185,455 
Total $6,088,769 

As a result of the Ameba Acquisition during the first quarter of 2022, the Company recorded goodwill of $0.7 million as determined to be the amount in excess of the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the acquisition. The goodwill recorded for the Ameba Acquisition was allocated to the Content Production and Distribution reportable segment.

 

As a result of the Wow Acquisition during the second quarter of 2022, the Company recorded goodwill of $21.4 million as determined to be the amount in excess of the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the acquisition. The goodwill recorded for the Wow Acquisition was allocated to the Content Production and Distribution reportable segment.

As Beacon Communications and Wow are incorporated as Canadian companies with CAD being their functional currency, goodwill will change each period due to currency exchange differences.

The Company will perform its annual review of goodwill during the fourth quarter of 2022. There were no events or changes in circumstances that would indicate an impairment in goodwill during the six months ended June 30, 2022.

 

 2034 

 

The following table summarizes the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment (in thousands):

Schedule of Goodwill         
  Content Production & Distribution  Media Advisory & Advertising Services  Total 
Goodwill as of December 31, 2021 $10,366  $4,861  $15,227 
Acquisition of Ameba  673   0   673 
Acquisition of Wow  21,398   0   21,398 
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment  (558)  (20)  (578)
Goodwill as of June 30, 2022 $31,879  $4,841  $36,720 

 

Note 9:11: Deferred Revenue

 

As of June 30, 20212022 and December 31, 2020,2021, the Company had total short term and long term deferred revenue of $3,957,93718.0 million and $4,432,3773.9, million, respectively. Included in the deferred revenue balance as of June 30, 2022 is $13.1 million the Company assumed in the Wow Acquisition. The deferred revenue balance assumed represents cash received from customers for productions in progress. Revenue is fully recognized upon production completion. Deferred revenue also includes both (i) variable fee contracts with licensees and customers in which the Company had collected advances and minimum guarantees against future royalties and (ii) fixed fee contracts. The Company recognizes revenue related to these contracts when all revenue recognition criteria have been met. Included in the deferred revenue balance as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 is the $3,394,967 which is the remaining balance from the total $3,489,583 advance against future royalty that Sony paid to the Company for both the foreign and domestic distribution rights.

 

Note 10:12: Accrued Expenses, Salaries and Wages – CurrentSupplemental Financial Statement Information

 

AsOther Income (Expense), Net

Components of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company has the following current accrued liabilities:

Schedule of other accrued liabilities      
  

June 30,

2021

  

December 31,

2020

 
Other Accrued Expenses (a) $151,345  $408,459 
Accrued Salaries and Wages (b)  470,240   428,922 
Total Accrued Liabilities – Current $621,585  $837,381 

(a) Primarily represents accrued interest and legal fees.
(b) Represents accrued salaries and wages and accrued vacation payable to employees as of June 30, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020.

Note 11:other income (expense), net are summarized as follows Senior Secured Convertible Notes(in thousands):

 

On March 11, 2020, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “SPA”) with certain accredited investors (each an “Investor” and collectively, the “Investors”) pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell and issue (1) Senior Secured Convertible Notes to the Investors in the aggregate principal amount of $13,750,000 (each, a “Note” and collectively, the “2020 Convertible Notes”) and $11,000,000 funding amount (reflecting an original issue discount of $2,750,000) and (2) warrants to purchase 65,476,190 shares of the Company’s common stock exercisable for a period of five years at an initial exercise price of $0.26 per share (each a “Warrant” and collectively, the “Warrants”), for consideration consisting of (i) a cash payment of $7,000,000, and (ii) full recourse cash secured promissory notes payable by the Investors to the Company (each, an “Investor Note” and collectively, the “Investor Notes”) in the principal amount of $4,000,000 (the “Investor Notes Principal”) (collectively, the “Financing”). Andy Heyward, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, participated as an Investor and invested $1,000,000 in connection with the Financing, all of which was paid at the closing and not pursuant to an Investor Note. The Special Equities Group, LLC, a division of Bradley Woods & Co. LTD, acted as placement agent and received warrants to purchase 6,547,619 shares at an exercise price of $0.26 per share (the “Placement Agent Warrants”).

The closing of the sale and issuance of the 2020 Convertible Notes, the Warrants and the Placement Agent Warrants occurred on March 17, 2020 (the “Closing Date”). The maturity date of the 2020 Convertible Notes was September 30, 2021 and the maturity date of the Investor Notes was March 11, 2060.

The Company held a stockholder meeting to approve the issuance of shares of common stock issuable under the 2020 Convertible Notes and pursuant to the terms of the SPA for the purposes of compliance with the stockholder approval rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market (“Stockholder Approval”).

Schedule of Other Operating Cost and Expense, by Component            
  Three Months Ended  

Six Months Ended

 
  June 30, 2022  June 30, 2021  June 30, 2022  June 30, 2021 
             
Gain (Loss) on Warrant Revaluation (a) $227  $119  $269  $(317)
Loss on Foreign Exchange (b)  (1,073)  (5)  (1,262)  (7)
Loss on Marketable Securities Investments (c)  (44)  0   (123)  0 
Gain (Loss) on Revaluation of Equity Investment in YFE(d)  (2,494)  0   2,901   0 
Interest Income (e)  253   75   501   122 
Warrant Incentive Expense (f)  0   0   0   (69,139)
Interest Expense (g)  (418)  (9)  (473)  (18)
Net Other Income (Expense) $(3,549) $180  $1,813  $(69,359)

 

 

 

 2135 

 

 

(a)The gain (loss) on warrant revaluation is related to the change in fair value of outstanding warrants that were determined to be derivative liabilities attached to previously issued and converted convertible notes.
(b)For the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 loss on foreign exchange primarily relates to the foreign exchange loss on the investment in YFE’s equity securities accounted for under the fair value option. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 loss on foreign exchange related to foreign currency denominated monetary transactions.
(c)The Company started investing in marketable securities during the three months ended June 30, 2021. The net realized loss on marketable securities recognized during the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 reflects the loss in the investments in available-for-sale securities that will not be recovered due to prepayments of principals on certain mortgage-backed securities. The Company did not incur any realized losses on marketable securities during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021.
(d)The gain (loss) on revaluation of the equity investment in YFE is the change in fair value recognized on the Company’s investments in YFE accounted for using the fair value option. The gain (loss) is a result of the change in YFE’s stock price at the end of the current reporting period.
(e)Interest Income received during the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 primarily consists of cash interest received on the investments in marketable securities, net amortization of premiums.
(f)The Warrant Incentive Expense is related to the fair value of new warrants that were issued in 2021 to certain existing warrant holders in exchange for previously issued outstanding warrants.
(g)Interest expense during the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 primarily consists of $0.2 million of interest incurred on the Company’s margin loan collateralized by its marketable security investments and $0.3 million of interest incurred on its production facilities loan and bank indebtedness assumed as part of the Wow Acquisition.

In addition, pursuant to

Note 14: Bank Indebtedness and Production Facilities

Revolving Demand Facility

Draws under the terms of$5.0 million CAD revolving demand facility can be made in Canadian or US dollars at the SPA, the 2020 Convertible Notes and the Warrants, the Company agreed that the following will apply or become effective only following Stockholder Approval: (1) the conversion price of the 2020 Convertible Notes shall be reduced to $0.21 per share and may be further reduced to any amount and for any period of time deemed appropriate by the board of directorsoption of the Company (the “Boardby way of Directors”), (2)bank prime rate loans, Canadian Bankers’ Acceptances, USD LIBOR, or letters of credit and can be repaid at any time without penalty and without notice and are generally repayable on demand. Canadian or US dollar bank prime borrowings bear interest at a rate equal to bank prime plus 2.00% per annum. For other draws under the exercise price ofrevolving facility, the Warrants shall be immediately reducedrespective loans bear interest at a rate equal to $0.21 per share and may be further reduced to any amount and for any period of time deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors, (3) the 2020 Convertible Notes and Warrants shall each have full ratchet anti-dilution protection for subsequent financings (subject to certain exceptions), (4) existing warrant holders that are participating in the Financing (representing warrants to purchase an aggregate of 8,715,229 shares of Company common stock) will have their existing warrants’ exercise prices reduced to $0.21 and (5) the investors shall have a most favored nations right which provides that if the Company enters into a subsequent financing, then the Investors (together with their affiliates) at their sole discretion shall have the ability to exchange their 2020 Convertible Notes on a $1 for $1 basis into securities issued in the new transaction. Additionally, in the event that any warrantsCanadian Bankers’ Acceptances or options (or any similar security or right) issued in a subsequent financing include any terms more favorable to the holders thereof (less favorable to the Company) than the terms of the Warrants, the Warrants shall be automatically amended to include such more favorable terms. On March 16, 2020, the holders of the August 2018 Secured Convertible Notes were repaid in full including any outstanding interest. 

On May 15, 2020, the Company received the necessary Stockholder Approval in connection with the Nasdaq proposals described above. As a result, the Conversion Price of the 2020 Convertible Notes and the exercise price of the Warrants were each reduced to $0.21. In addition, existing warrant holders that participated in the Financing (representing warrants to purchase an aggregate of 9,172,463 shares of Common Stock) also had their existing warrants’ exercise prices reduced to $0.21.

On June 23, 2020, the Company received $3,600,000, net of expenses, from the payment of the Investor Notes Principal.

Between June 19 and June 23, 2020, the Convertible Notes were converted and repaid through the issuance of 65,476,190 shares of common stock.

Note 12: Production Loan Facility

On August 8, 2016, Llama Productions LLC (“Llama”) closed a $5,275,000 multiple draw-down, secured, non-recourse, non-revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) with Bank Leumi USA (the “Lender”) to produce its animated series Llama Llama, (the “Series”) which is configured as fifteen half-hour episodes comprised of thirty 11-minute programs that were delivered to Netflix in fall 2017. The Facility is secured by the license fees the Company will receive from Netflix for the delivery of the Series as well as the Company’s copyright in the Series. The Facility has a term of 40 months and has an interest rate of either Prime plus 1% or one, three, or six-monthUSD LIBOR plus 3.25%. As a condition of the loan agreement with Bank Leumi, the Company deposited $1,000,000 into a cash account to be used solely to produce the Series. Additionally, the Facility contains certain standard affirmative and negative non-financial covenants such as maintaining certain levels of production insurance and providing standard financial reports.3.75% per annum. As of June 30, 2020,2022, the Company had an outstanding balance of $2.7 million USD on the revolving demand facility, included as Bank Indebtedness within current liabilities on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet.

As of June 30, 2022, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.all covenants under the revolving demand facility.

On September 28, 2018, Llama entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (the “Loan and Security Agreement”) with the Lender, pursuant to which the Lender agreed to make a secured loan in an aggregate amount not to exceed $4,231,989 to Llama (the “Loan”). The proceeds of the Loan will be used to pay the majority of the expenses of producing, completing and delivering two 22-minute episodes and sixteen 11- minute episodes of the second season of the animated series

Llama LlamaEquipment Lease Line to be initially exhibited on Netflix. To secure payment of the Loan, Llama has granted to the Lender a continuing security interest in and against, generally, all of its tangible and intangible assets, which includes all seasons of the Llama Llama animated series.

 

UnderEach transaction under the Loan$8.0 million CAD equipment lease line has specific financing terms in respect of the leased equipment such as term, finance amount, rate, and Security Agreement, Llama can request revolving loan advances under (a)payment terms. The finance rates for these equipment leases range from 4%- 4.5% with remaining lease terms of 17-31 months as of the Prime Rate Loan facilityWow Acquisition date. The Company has recorded right of use assets and (b) the LIBOR Loan facility, each as further described in the Loan and Security Agreement attached as an exhibit hereto. Prime Rate Loan advances shall bear interest, on the outstanding balance thereof, at a fluctuating per annum rate equal to 1.0% plus the Prime Rate (as such term is defined in the Loan and Security Agreement), provided that in no event shall the interest rate applicable to Prime Rate Loans be less than 4.0% per annum. LIBOR Loan advances shall bear interest, on the outstanding balance thereof,lease liabilities for the period commencing on the funding date and ending on the date which is one (1)leased equipment acquired in respect of these draws. The Company has drawn down a total of $7.9 million CAD ($6.1 million USD), three (3) or six (6) months thereafter, at a per annum rate equal to 3.25% plus the LIBOR determined for the applicable Interest Period (as such terms are defined in the Loan and Security Agreement), provided that in no event shall the interest rate applicable to LIBOR Loans be less than 3.25% per annum. The Maturity Date of the Prime Rate Loan facility and LIBOR Loan facility was June 30, 2021. Interest rates on advances under the Loan and Security Agreement averaged 4.25%with an outstanding balance as of June 30, 2020.2022 of $2.6 million CAD ($2.0 million USD), net of repayments, included within current and noncurrent Lease Liabilities on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet.

 

Treasury Risk Management Facility

Advances under the treasury risk management facility are subject to market rates as determined by the lender’s treasury department or derivatives group at the time of the drawdown request. The maximum term for foreign exchange forward contracts and interest rate swaps is one year.

 

As of June 30, 2022, there were no outstanding amounts drawn under the treasury risk management facility.

Interim Financing Facilities

The Company’s interim financing facilities for specific productions bear interest at rates ranging from bank prime plus 1.25% - 1.75% per annum. The interim production financing facilities are generally repayable on demand and are generally secured by a combination of federal and provincial tax credits, other government incentives, production service agreements and license agreements. As of June 30, 2022, the Company had an outstanding balance of $19.2 million USD recorded as Production Facilities, net within current liabilities on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet.

 2236 

 

In addition, on September 28, 2018, Llama and the Lender entered into Amendment No. 2 to the

Note 15: Margin Loan and Security Agreement, effective as of August 27, 2018, by and between Llama and the Lender (the “Amendment”). Pursuant to the Amendment, the original Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of August 8, 2016 and amended as of November 7, 2017 (the “Original Loan and Security Agreement”), was amended to (i) reduce the loan commitment thereunder to $1,768,010, and (ii) include the Llama Llama season two obligations under the Loan and Security Agreement as obligations under the Original Loan and Security Agreement.

 

As of June 30, 2021,2022, the Company had grossan outstanding borrowing under the facilitybalance in its margin loan account of $274,36561.1 . Asmillion, an increase of $54.7 million as compared to December 31, 2020,2021. The Company borrowed an additional $59.0 million from its investment margin account during the six months ended June 30, 2022 and repaid $4.5 million with cash received from sales and/or redemptions of its marketable securities. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, the borrowed amounts were used to finance the Company’s additional investments in YFE and the closing of the acquisitions of Ameba and WOW, in each case pledging certain of its marketable securities as collateral. During the three months ended the additional borrowings of $3.2 million related to the Companies final obligated purchase of YFE shares and transaction costs related to the Wow Acquisition. The interest rate for these investment margin account borrowings fluctuates based on the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.65% with interest only payable monthly. The weighted average interest rate was 1.23% on an average margin loan balance of $55.7 million during the three months ended June 30, 2022. The weighted average interest rate was 0.98% on an average margin loan of $34.6 million balance during the six months ended June 30, 2022. The Company had gross outstanding borrowing under the facilityincurred interest expense of $1,099,713201,160 .during the six months ended June 30, 2022. The outstandinginvestment margin account borrowings do not mature but are payable on demand as the custodian can issue a margin call at any time, therefore the margin loan is recorded as a current liability on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance was repaid on July 14, 2021.sheets.

Note 13: Disputed Trade Payable

As part of the merger in 2013, the Company assumed certain liabilities from a previous member of A Squared which has claimed certain liabilities totaling $925,000. The Company disputes the basis for this liability. As of December 31, 2017, the Company believed that the statute of limitations applicable to the assertion of any legal claim relating to the collection of these liabilities has expired and therefore believes this liability is not owed.

Note 14: Payroll Protection Program Loan

On April 30, 2020, the Company received loan proceeds in the amount of $366,267 under the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) which was established as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act and is administered through the Small Business Administration (“SBA”). The Company repaid the loan, including interest of $3,452 on April 28, 2021.

 

Note 15:16: Stockholders’ Equity

 

Common Stock

 

As of June 30, 2021,2022, the total number of authorized shares of Common Stockcommon stock was 400,000,000.

On March 22, 2020, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with certain long-standing investors (the “Investors”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue and sell, in a registered direct offering by the Company directly to the Investors (the “Registered Offering”), an aggregate of 4,000,000 shares of common stock at an offering price of $0.2568 per share for gross proceeds of approximately $1.0 million before deducting offering expenses. The Registered Offering closed on March 25, 2020.

 

As of June 30, 20212022, and December 31, 2020,2021, there were 300,791,335317,235,116 and 258,438,514303,379,122 shares of common stock outstanding, respectively.

  

On January 6, 2021,February 24, 2022, the Company issued 25,00036,196 shares of the Company’s common stock valued at $1.4065,515 per share for marketing services.which were held in escrow as part of the ChizComm acquisition.

 

On January 21, 2021,March 2, 2022, the Company issued 136,986350,000 shares of the Company’s common stock valued at $1.460.3 per sharemillion to a consultant for marketingadvisory services.

 

On February 1, 2021,April 7, 2022, the Company issued 1,932,16310,365,823 shares of the Company’s common stock valued at $1.7810.8 per sharemillion related to the Wow Acquisition, as partial consideration forpart of the ChizComm acquisition.purchase price. Also included as part of the Wow Acquisition, the Company has issued 691,262 shares, valued at $0.7 million, which will be exchanged at a future redemption date upon tender of ExchangeCo (as defined below) shares as specified in the agreement. See additional information on the ExchangeCo shares below under “Preferred Stock.”

 

On February 4, 2021,May 31, 2022, the Company issued 48,495736,667 shares of the Company’s common stock valued at $1.810.4 per share as partial considerationmillion to a nonemployee for the ChizComm acquisition.productions services.

 

On May 14, 2021,During the six months ended June 30, 2022, the Company issued 469,6771,676,046 shares of the Company’s common stock valued at $1.551.4 per share for production services.million representing delivery of vested RSUs.

 

23

Preferred Stock

 

The Company has 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock authorized with a par value of $0.001 per share. The Board of Directors is authorized, subject to any limitations prescribed by law, without further vote or action by our stockholders, to issue from time-to-time shares of preferred stock in one or more series. Each series of preferred stock will have such number of shares, designations, preferences, voting powers, qualifications and special or relative rights or privileges as shall be determined by our Board of Directors, which may include, among others, dividend rights, voting rights, liquidation preferences, conversion rights and preemptive rights.

 

There were no

37

In connection with the Company’s acquisition of Wow, certain eligible Canadian shareholders, noteholders and optionholders of Wow elected to receive the Exchangeable Shares in the capital of the Wow Exchange Co. Inc. (“ExchangeCo”) instead of shares of preferredthe Company’s common stock outstandingto which they were otherwise entitled.

The shares of ExchangeCo are exchangeable into shares of the Company’s common stock in accordance with their terms. Holders of the ExchangeCo shares are entitled to defined voting rights (the “Voting Rights”) in the Company pursuant to a voting and exchange trust agreement (the “Voting Agreement”) dated April 6, 2022 between the Company, ExchangeCo, 1329258 B.C. Ltd. and Computershare Trust Company of Canada (the “Voting Trustee”). The Voting Trustee holds a single share of Series B Preferred Stock in the capital of the Company (the “Special Voting Share”), which grants the Voting Trustee that number of votes at the meetings of the Company’s shareholders as is equal to the number of shares of the Company’s common stock that at such time have not been delivered pursuant to the tender of ExchangeCo shares. The Voting Trustee is required to exercise each vote attached to the Special Voting Share only as directed by the relevant holder of the underlying Genuis Shares and, in the absence of any instructions, will not exercise voting rights with respect to the applicable shares.

As of June 30, 20212022 and December 31, 2020.

2021, there were 0 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock outstanding. As of June 30, 2022 there was 1 share of Series B Preferred Stock outstanding.

  

Note 16:17: Stock Options

 

On September 18, 2015, the Company adopted the Genius Brands International, Inc. 2015 Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”). The total number of shares that can be issued under the 2015 Plan is2,167,667 shares.

 

On September 1, 2020, the Company adopted the Genius Brands International, Inc. 2020 Incentive Plan (the “2020 Plan”). On August 4, 2020, the Board of Directors voted to adopt the 2020 Plan. The shares available for issuance under the 2020 Plan was approved by stockholders on August 27, 2020. The 2020 Plan as approved by the stockholders increased the maximum number of shares available for issuance up to an aggregate of 32,167,667 shares of common stock.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2021,2022, the Company granted options to purchase 520,000875,000 shares of common stock to employees with a fair market value of $603,750. The options were granted on March 17, 2022, with a three-year vesting period and granted to eacha five-year term.

As part of the members ofWow Acquisition, the Board of Directors 20,000Company granted replacement options to purchase1,733,100 shares of the Company’s common stock with an option priceto Wow employees who would continue to provide services to the Company. 676,415 options to purchase common stock were also granted to certain departing Wow shareholders to replace their previously vested Wow options. These options were cancelled after 30 days of the grant date if not exercised. The fair market value of $3.061.5 per share. million was determined utilizing assumptions as of the replacement date of April 6, 2022 and were valued using the BSM option pricing model. The number of shares granted was determined by using an exchange ratio calculated by a third party based on the intrinsic value of the Wow common stock purchased as part of the acquisition and the value of the Company’s common stock as of the agreement date. The vesting terms of the replacement options remained the same as the Wow options for which they were exchanged. All shares that replaced previously vested Wow shares were included as part of the purchase price based on the calculated fair value on the acquisition date of $1.2 million for 1,967,528 shares. The remaining options to vest with a fair value of $0.3 million will be expensed over the remaining requisite period. The options vest on January 27, 2022 and have a five-year term.expire within 3 years from the replacement option grant date or the original Wow option, whichever is greater.

38

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2021,2022, the Company granted options to purchase 253,636 shares of common stock to employees that fully vest on January 24, 2024 and have a five-year term. The Company also granted 20,000500,000 options to purchase shares of common stock to a former employee of Wow, as a new memberemployee of the BoardCompany after the acquisition date. The options vest evenly over three years and expire 10 years from the grant date of Directors that vest on June 24, 2022 and have a five-year term. The shares have an option price of $1.98 per share.23, 2022.

24

 

The table below outlinesfair value of the weighted average assumptions for options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021:2022 was calculated using the BSM option pricing model based on the following assumptions:

Schedule of assumptions used      
  March 31, 2021  June 30, 2021 
Exercise Price $3.06  $1.98 
Dividend Yield  0%   0% 
Volatility  143%   101% 
Risk-free interest rate  0.41%   0.90% 
Expected life of options  5.0 years   5.0 years 

Schedule of assumptions used            
  3/17/2022 Options  4/6/22 Replacement Options  6/23/22 Options 
Exercise Price $0.90  $0.51-$1.66  $0.78 
Dividend Yield  0%   0%   0% 
Volatility  104%   114%-123%   113% 
Risk-free interest rate  0.41%   2.67%-2.70%   3.14% 
Expected life of options  5.0 years   3.0-4.3 years   5.0 years 

 

The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s stock option planactivity during the six months ended June 30, 2021: 2022:

Schedule of stock option activity         
  Number of Shares  Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life  Weighted- Average Exercise Price 
Outstanding at December 31, 2020  9,116,176   1.69  $1.69 
Granted  933,636   4.70  $2.74 
Exercised       $ 
Forfeited  150,000   4.26  $2.82 
Expired       $ 
Outstanding at June 30, 2021  9,899,812   8.55  $1.76 
             
Unvested at June 30, 2021  3,280,303      $2.32 
Vested and exercisable June 30, 2021  6,619,509      $1.48 
Schedule of stock option activity         
  Number of Shares  Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life  Weighted- Average Exercise Price 
Outstanding at December 31, 2021  10,197,312   7.96  $1.75 
Granted  3,784,515   4.33  $1.11 
Exercised  0     $0 
Forfeited/Cancelled  (1,026,915)  3.30  $1.54 
Expired  0     $0 
Outstanding at June 30, 2022  12,954,912   6.88  $1.55 
             
Unvested at June 30, 2022  3,775,901   6.48  $1.43 
Vested and exercisable at June 30, 2022  9,179,011   7.05  $1.61 

 

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company recognized $762,3410.4 million and $1,920,9650.8, million, respectively, in share-based compensation expense related to stock options. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2020,2022 and 2021, the Company recognized $328,4970.8 million and $352,3111.9, million, respectively, in share-based compensation expense.expense related to stock options. The unrecognized share-based compensation asexpense related to stock options at June 30, 2022 of $1.8 million will be recognized through the second quarter of 2025 based on the remaining vesting periods, assuming the options are not cancelled or forfeited. As of June 30, 20212022 there was $3,098,651159,311 and will be recognized over a weighted average remaining contractual life of 7.62 years. The outstanding shares as of June 30, 2021 have an aggregatedaggregate intrinsic value of $0.related to outstanding unvested options. The weighted average fair valuesvalue per option granted forduring the sixthree months ended June 30, 20212022 was determined to be $2.360.64.

39

  

Note 17:18: Restricted Stock Units

 

On December 7, 2020,During the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company granted 9,075,000300,000 shares of Restricted Stock Units (RSU’s)RSUs to a nonemployee with a fair market value of $12,614,250268,500 to certain employees and officers. Of such RSU’s, 7,500,000 were issued to Andy Heyward, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and were to vest in four equal installments on the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of December 7, 2020, subject to his continued employment (the “service-based awards”). The CEO also received an additional 7,500,000 RSU’s that vested in four equal installmentsRSUs were granted on the first, second, thirdMarch 17, 2022, with a three-year vesting period and fourth anniversaries of December 7, 2020, based on achievement of certain performance goals (the “performance-based awards”), which have not been established at the time the CEO and the Company entered into the arrangement, and subject to his continued employment. As the performance conditions have not been established for the performance-based awards, a grant date was not yet established.five-year term.

 

On February 1, 2021,During the three months ended June 30, 2022, the Company issuedgranted 53,763469,677 shares of RSU’sfully vested RSUs to a nonemployee for production services with a fair market value of $74,193286,806. The RSUs were granted on May 10, 2022 with a five-year term and recorded as part of capitalized production costs.

 

On June 23, 2021, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors amended the service-based awards granted to the CEO, such that 3,750,000 of such RSUs shall continue to vest in four equal installments on the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of December 7, 2020, subject to his continued employment and the remaining 3,750,000 RSU’s shall be modified to vest based on performance or market conditions. The previously issued 7,500,000 performance-based awards, along with the 3,750,000 modified service-based awards, shall vest as follows:  (i) 3,750,000 RSUs vest when the Company’s common stock closing sale price equals or exceeds $3.00 per share or the Company’s market capitalization equals or exceeds $903,000,000 for 20 consecutive trading days; (ii) 3,750,000 RSUs vest when the Company’s common stock closing sale price equals or exceeds $3.50 per share or the Company’s market capitalization equals or exceeds $1,053,500,000 for 20 consecutive trading days, and (iii) 3,750,000 RSUs vest when the Company’s common stock closing sale price equals or exceeds $3.75 per share or the Company’s market capitalization equals or exceeds $1,128,750,000 for 20 consecutive trading days (the “market conditions”). In addition to the stock price and market capitalization vesting conditions set forth above, such 11,250,000 RSUs may also vest in four equal installments on the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of December 7, 2020, based on achievement of certain operating performance-based vesting conditions established by the Compensation Committee on June 23, 2021 and subject to his continued employment, adjusted pro-ratably for vesting pursuant to the market conditions. As a result of these modifications, the RSUs subject to the market conditions were valued at $15,649,700 with a derived service period of 12 months, using a Monte-Carlo simulation model. This resulted in a $221,665 increase in stock-based compensation forDuring the three months ended June 30, 2021.

On June 24, 2021,2022, the Company issuedalso granted 213,636500,000 sharesRSUs to a former employee of RSU’sWow, as a new employee of the Company after the acquisition date, with a fair market value of $422,999390,000. The RSUs were granted on June 23, 2022, with a three-year vesting period and a five-year term.

25

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s restricted stock issuanceRSU activity during the six months ended December 31, 2020:June 30, 2022:

Schedule of restricted stock units            
 Restricted Stock Units Weighted-
Average
Grant Date Fair Value
Per Share
  Restricted Stock Units  

Weighted-

Average Remaining Contractual Life

 

Weighted-

Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share

 
Unvested at December 31, 2020  9,075,000  $1.39 
Unvested at December 31, 2021  15,383,234   4.34  $1.40 
Granted  267,399  $1.86   1,269,677   4.84  $0.74 
Vested    $   (3,371,311)  4.10  $1.29 
Forfeited    $ 
Unvested at June 30, 2021  9,342,399  $1.40 
Forfeited/Cancelled  0     $0 
Unvested at June 30, 2022  13,281,600   3.88  $1.36 

 

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company recognized $2,231,8333.8 million and $3,646,3560.8, million, respectively, in share-based compensation expense related to RSU awards. The unvestedRSUs. During the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company recognized $7.9 million and $1.9 million, respectively, in share-based compensation as ofexpense related to RSUs. The unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to RSUs at June 30, 2021 is2022 of $19,334,5192.9 whichmillion, will be recognized through the fourthsecond quarter of 20242025 based on the remaining vesting periods, assuming the underlying grants are not cancelled or forfeited.

 

Note 18:19: Warrants

 

The Company has warrants outstanding to purchase up to 45,511,965 shares of the Company’s common stock as of June 30, 20212022, and December 31, 2020.

On January 22, 2020, the Company entered into2021, with a private transaction (the “Private Transaction”) pursuant to a Warrant Exercise Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the holdertotal value of the Company’s existing warrants (the “Original Warrants”). The Original Warrants were originally issued on October 3, 2017, to purchase$74.2 million, an aggregate of 500,000 shares of common stock, at an exercise price of $3.90 per share and were to expire in October 2022.

Pursuant to the Agreement, the holder of the Original Warrants and the Company agreed that such Original Warrant holder would exercise its Original Warrants in full and the Company would amend the Original Warrants to reduce the exercise price thereof to $0.34 (the average closing price of the common stock (as reflected on Nasdaq.com) for the five trading days immediately preceding the signing of the Agreement) (the “Amended Exercise Price”). The Company received approximately $170,000 from the exercise of the Original Warrants.

The placement agent received warrants to purchase 50,000 shares at an exercise price of $0.34 per share.

Pursuant to the SPA described in Note 11, the Company issued to the note holders warrants to purchase 65,476,191 shares of common stock, exercisable for a period of 5 five years at an initial exercise price of $0.261.86 per share.and average term of 5.5 years.

 

 

 

 2640 

 

 

The placement agent receivedAs of June 30, 2022, 892,857 liability classified derivative warrants to purchase 6,547,619 shares at an exercise price of $0.26 per share. The fair values of derivative warrants attached to 2020 Convertible Notesthe Company’s common stock remained outstanding and Notes conversion option were determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton model with standard valuation inputs. The valuation inputs as of March 17, 2020 included expected volatility of 89%, and annual interest rate of 0.66%. The warrants were determined to be liability classified and adjusted to fair value as ofare revalued each reporting period. As of June 30, 2021,2022, the warrants to purchase 892,857 shares were outstanding and re-valuedrevalued at $1,513,883,$0.6 million, resulting in a net increasedecrease of $0.3 million in liability of $316,814, as compared to December 31, 2020.2021. The change in value is recorded in the Warrant Revaluation Expense line item within Net Other Income (Expense) on the condensed consolidated statement of operations. The valuation inputs as of June 30, 20212022 included an expected volatility of 103%,128% and an annual interest rate of 0.61%2.97%.

 

On January 28, 2021, the Company entered into letter agreements (the “Letter Agreements”) with certain existing institutional and accredited investors to exercise certain outstanding warrants (the “Existing Warrants”) to purchase up to an aggregate of 39,740,500 shares of the Company’s common stock at their original exercise price of $1.55 per share (the “Exercise”). The Company received approximately $61.6 million in gross proceeds. The Special Equities Group, a division of Bradley Woods & Co. Ltd., acted asdid not have any warrant solicitation agent and received a cash fee of $4,286,844 million. In consideration foractivity during the exercise of the Existing Warrants for cash, the exercising holders will receive new unregistered warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 39,740,500 shares of common stock (the “New Warrants”) at an exercise price of $2.37 per share and with an exercise period of five years from the initial issuance date. Pursuant to the Letter Agreements, the New Warrants are substantially in the form of the Existing Warrants (except for customary legends and other language typical for an unregistered warrant, including the ability for the holder of the New Warrant to make a cashless exercise if no resale registration statement covering the common stock underlying the New Warrants is effective after six months), will be exercisable immediately, and will have a term of exercise of five years, The Company registered the resale of the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the New Warrants. The valuation inputs at January 28, 2021 included expected volatility of 144%, and annual interest rate of 0.42%. The fair value of these warrants was determined to be $69,138,527 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which was recorded as a warrant incentive expense and included in the calculation of the Net Loss per Common Share, based on the following assumptions: 

Schedule of assumptions for warrant activity    
Exercise Price $2.37 
Dividend Yield  0% 
Volatility  144% 
Risk-free interest rate  0.42% 
Expected life of options  5.0 years 

The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s outstanding warrants during thethree or six months ended June 30, 2021: 2022.

Schedule of warrant activity            
  Warrants Outstanding Number of Shares  

Exercise Prices

Per Share

  Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life  Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share 
Balance at December 31, 2020  45,511,965  $0.21 - 5.30   5.19 years  $1.55 
Warrants Granted  39,740,500  $2.37   4.58 years  $2.37 
Warrants Exercised  39,740,500  $1.55   4.76 years  $1.55 
Warrants Expired    $     $ 
Balance at June 30, 2021  45,511,965  $0.21 - 5.30   4.91 years   $2.27 
                 
Exercisable December 31, 2020  7,176,620  $0.76 - 6.00   3.77 years  $2.52 
Exercisable June 30, 2021  44,511,965  $0.21 - 5.30   4.77 years  $2.29 

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Note 19:20: Income Taxes

 

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification TopicASC 740, Income Taxes (“TopicASC 740”), which requires the recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets at currently enacted tax rates for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. A valuation allowance is recognized to reduce the net deferred tax asset to an amount that is more likely than not to be realized.

 

TopicASC 740 provides guidance on the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in a company’s financial statements. ASC 740 requires a company to determine whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination based upon the technical merits of the position. If the more-likely-than-not threshold is met, a company must measure the tax position to determine the amount to recognize in the financial statements.

 

The Company includes interest and penalties arising from the underpayment of income taxes in the statements of operation in the provision for income taxes. As of June 30, 2021,2022 and December 31, 2020,2021, the Company had 0no accrued interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions.

 

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and in the statestates of California, and Massachusetts and New Jersey.Jersey and will start filing in New York. The Company is currently subject to U.S. federal, state and local, or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities since inception of the Company.

 

Genius Brands International, Inc.The Company is subject to US income taxes on a stand-alone basis. Genius Brands International, Inc.The Company, the Beacon Media Group (formerly ChizComm) and ChizComm CanadaWow file separate stand-alone tax returns in each jurisdiction in which they operate. ChizComm Canada is a corporationBeacon Communications, Wow and Ameba are corporations operating in Canada and isare subject to Canadian income taxes on its stand-alone taxable income.

 

Note 20:21: Commitment and Contingencies

 

Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASC 842, Leases, using the modified retrospective transition method applied at the effective dateThe following is a schedule of the standard.

As of January 1, 2019, management recorded lease liability of $2,071,903, right-of-use asset of $2,153,747, accumulated amortization of $124,070, a reversal of previously recorded deferred rent of $37,920 and the increase in accumulated deficit of $4,306.

Asfuture minimum contractual obligations as of June 30, 2021, weighted-average lease term for operating leases equals to2022 72.72(in thousands) months. Weighted-average discount rate equals to 9.86%.:

Schedule of future minimum lease payments                     
  2022  2023  2024  2025  2026  Thereafter  Total 
Operating/Capital Leases $1,849  $3,285  $2,242  $1,808  $1,825  $6,385  $17,394 
Employment Contracts  3,283   2,189   794   427   0   0   6,693 
Consulting Contracts  1,656   503   0   0   0   0   2,159 
Debt  63,782   18,440   24   24   18   0   82,288 
  $70,570  $24,417  $3,060  $2,259  $1,843  $6,385  $108,534 

41

 

On February 6, 2018, the Company entered into an operating lease for 6,969 square feet of general office space at 131 South Rodeo Drive, Suite 250, Beverly Hills, CA 90212 pursuant to a 91-month lease that commenced on May 25, 2018. The Company pays rent of $364,130 annually, subject to annual escalations of 3.5%.

Effective January 21, 2019, the Company entered into a sublease for the 6,969 square feet of general office space located at 131 South Rodeo Drive, Suite 250, Beverly Hills, CA 90212 pursuant to an 83-month sublease that commenced on February 4, 2019. The subtenant paid the Company rent of $422,321 annually, subject to annual escalations of 3.5%. On September 11, 2020, the Company entered into a Surrender Agreement with the landlord which terminated the 131 South Rodeo Dr. lease agreement. As a result, the Company recorded a decrease in the Right of Use asset, accumulated amortization, and the lease liability of $2,142,863, $465,124 and $1,760,302 respectively. The termination of the lease resulted in a loss of $338,586. Simultaneously, as part of the Surrender Agreement the Sublease was terminated.Leases

 

On January 30, 2019, the Company entered into an operating lease for 5,838 square feet of general office space at 190 N. Canon Drive, Suite 400, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 pursuant to a 96-month lease that commenced on August 1, 2019. The Company pays rent of $392,316$0.4 million annually, subject to annual escalations of 3.5%.

 

On February 1, 2021, as part of the ChizComm Acquisition, the Company assumed an operating lease that was entered into on May 19, 2019 for 6,845 square feet of general office space located at 245 Fairview Mall Drive, Suites 202 and 301, Toronto, Ontario M2J 4T1 pursuant to a 84 monthan 84-month lease which commenced on October 1, 2019. The Company pays rent of $95,830 annually, subject to annual escalations 5% to 7%.

28

On February 1, 2021, Also, as part of the ChizComm Acquisition, the Company assumed an operating lease that was entered into on April 30, 2019 for 3,379 square feet of general office space located at One International Boulevard, 11th Floor, Mahawh, New Jersey pursuant to a 24-month lease which commencedended on May 1, 2019.2021. The Company pays rent of $74,338 annually.

 

On March 2, 2021, the Company entered into an operating lease for 4,765 square feet of general office space located at 1050 Wall Street West, Suite 665, Lyndhurst NJ, 07071 pursuant to an 89-month lease which is expected to commencecommenced on AugustOctober 1, 2021. The Company will pay $114,360pays rent of $0.1 million annually subject to annual escalations of 2.5%.

 

In addition,On April 6, 2022, as part of the Wow Acquisition, the Company has contractual commitmentsassumed an operating lease for employment agreements45,119 square feet of general office space located at 2025 West Broadway, Suite 200, Vancouver, B.C., V6J 1Z6. The right of use asset and lease liability were revalued on the acquisition date based on the remaining lease term of 117 months with payments of $81,769 per month, subject to escalations of 7% each of the third and fifth years. The lease liability and right of use asset were determined to be $6.6 million, utilizing a discount rate of 11.5%. As part of the assumed office lease, the Company also assumed a parking lease for 80 parking spaces. The parking lease was also revalued utilizing the 11.5% discount rate. With a remaining lease term of 117 months, paying $6,091 per month, the ROU asset and lease liability were determined to be $0.5 million as of the acquisition date.

Also, as part of the Wow Acquisition, the Company assumed various capital equipment leases, the majority of which are under Master Line of Credit Agreements with certain employees.banking institutions. As the rates were implicit in the leases, the Company determined that the carrying value of the leases as of the acquisition date equaled the fair value. As determined by utilizing the implicit rate in the leases that ranged from 3.7%- 14.5% with remaining lease terms of 10-33 months and monthly payments of $1,346-$57,362 as of the Wow Acquisition date. The remaining capital lease obligations of $3.5 million as of the acquisition date was included as part of the Company’s existing current and noncurrent lease liabilities on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet upon consolidation.

As of June 30, 2022, the weighted-average lease term for all of the Company’s operating and capital leases was 82 months and the weighted-average discount rate on the leases was 9.7%.

 

Rental expenses incurred for operating and capital leases during the three months ended June 30, 20212022 and June 30, 20202021 were $131,4030.4 million and $207,8390.1, million, respectively. Rental expenses incurred for operating and capital leases during the six months ended June 30, 20212022 and June 30, 20202021 were $243,7460.6 million and $415,6780.2, million, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company did not receive sub-lease income. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company received sub-lease income of $238,484.

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Other Funding Commitments

 

The followingCompany enters into various agreements associated with its individual properties. Some of these agreements call for the potential future payment of royalties or “profit” participations for either (i) the use of third party intellectual property, in which the Company is obligated to share net profits with the underlying rights holders on a schedulecertain basis as defined in the respective agreements or (ii) services rendered by animation studios, post-production studios, writers, directors, musicians or other creative talent for which the Company is obligated to share with these service providers a portion of future minimum contractual obligationsthe net profits of the properties on which they have rendered services, as of June 30, 2021, under the Company’s operating leases and employment agreements: defined in each respective agreement.

Schedule of future minimum lease payments                     
  2021  2022  2023  2024  2025  Thereafter  Total 
Operating Leases $227,931  $572,896  $556,152  $578,180  $596,844  $896,766  $3,428,769 
Employment Contracts  1,544,508   2,932,027   2,236,788   1,105,566   506,583      8,325,472 
Consulting Contracts  150,000   187,500               337,500 
  $1,922,439  $3,692,423  $2,792,940  $1,683,746  $1,103,427  $896,766  $12,091,741 

 

Note 21:22: Related Party Transactions

  

Pursuant to his employment agreements dated November 16, 2018 and November 16,December 7, 2020, Mr.Andy Heyward, the Company’s CEO, is entitled to an Executive Producer fee of $12,500 per halfone-half hour episode for each episode he provides services as an executive producer. The third identified series under this employment agreement is producerStan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten.. During the six months ended June 30, 2021, 11 half hours were delivered. Accordingly,2022, Mr. Heyward is owedearned $137,5000.6 which is includedmillion in Dueproducer fees. Mr. Heyward was also paid $55,000 as part of his quarterly discretionary bonus during each of the first and second quarters of 2022.

Pursuant to Related Party onhis employment agreement dated April 7, 2022, whereas Michael Hirsh was appointed as the CEO of Wow and its Frederator and Mainframe Studio subsidiaries, a member of the Company’s condensed consolidated Balance Sheet.Executive Committee and a member of the Company’s Board of Directors, is entitled to an Executive Producer fee of $12,400 per one-half hour for each episode of any audio-visual production produced by Wow and any of its subsidiaries during the term of his employment, up to 52 episodes per year. During the six months ended June 30, 2022, Mr. Hirsh did not yet earn any producer fees under the employment agreement.

 

On July 21, 2020, the Company entered into a merchandising and licensing agreement with Andy Heyward Animation Art (“AHAA”), whose principal is Andy Heyward, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.Heyward. The Company entered into a customary merchandise license agreement with AHAA for the use of characters and logos related to Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaires Club and Stan Lee’s Mighty 7 in connection with certain products to be sold by AHAA. The terms and conditions of such license are customary within the industry, and the Company earns an arm-length industry standard royalty on all sales made by AHAA utilizing the licensed content. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2021,2022, the Company earned $0 in royalties from this agreement.

 

AsOn September 30, 2021, the Company entered into a Loan Agreement and Promissory Note with POW! in the amount of $1,250,000, accruing simple interest at the annualized rate of 9%. The entire principal sum was required to be remitted to POW!’s client trust account of POW!’s legal counsel within 5 days of the effective date. The principal, plus interest must be repaid by no later than November 1, 2022. Within the Loan Agreement, it is stated that the proceeds of $1,000,000 are required to be used by POW! to settle the arbitration against Stan Lee Studios (aka Proxima Studios) and $250,000 shall be used to solely pay for the payment of legal costs and fees. The principal amount was transferred to POW! on October 12, 2021 and on or about November 4, 2021, POW and Proxima entered into a binding settlement agreement resolving all the claims made by Proxima. The loan has accrued interest of $52,442 as of June 30, 2021, Mr. Heyward is owed $1,506 for reimbursable expenses which are included in Due to2022 recorded with the principal balance within Note Receivable from Related Party on the Company’s condensed consolidated Balance Sheet.balance sheet. In addition, pursuant to its joint venture with POW! and formation of the entity Stan Lee Universe, LLC, the Company included within Note Receivable from Related Party, the amount owed to the Company related to the 50% non-controlling interest held by POW!.

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Note 22:23: Segment Reporting

 

The Company has determined that it operates in twoCompany’s CODM uses revenue and net earnings to evaluate the profitability and performance of each operating segment. All other financial information is reviewed by the CODM on a consolidated basis. The CODM does not evaluate the operating segments using asset information and it is therefore not disclosed. All expenses directly attributable to each reportable segment is included in operating results for each segment. However, the productionCODM does not evaluate the expenses by operating segment and, distribution of children’s content and to provide media and advertising services.therefore, it is not separately presented.

 

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The following table presents salesthe revenue and net earnings within ourthe Company’s two operating segments.segments for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands):

Schedule of Segment Reporting        
  Content Production & Distribution Media & Advertising Services  Total 
Total Revenue $1,681,756  $1,724,712  $3,406,469 
% of segment revenue  49%   51%   100% 
             
Total Assets $193,873,259  $7,346,495  $201,219,754 
% of segment assets  96%   4%   100% 

Segment information by revenues and net earnings                
  Three Months Ended  

 

Six Months Ended

 
  June 30, 2022  June 30, 2021  June 30, 2022  June 30, 2021 
Total Revenues:                
Content Production & Distribution $21,042  $1,371  $21,496  $1,682 
Media Advisory & Advertising Services  1,082   971   2,067   1,724 
Total Revenue $22,124  $2,342  $23,563  $3,406 
                 
Net Loss:                
Content Production & Distribution  (12,822)  (6,851)  (16,860)  (82,840)
Media Advisory & Advertising Services  (520)  (543)  (1,012)  (813)
Total Net Operating Loss $(13,342) $(7,394) $(17,872) $(83,653)

Geographic Information

The following table provides information about disaggregated revenue by geographic area for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands):

Schedule of segments by geographic area                
  Three Months Ended  

Six Months Ended

 
  June 30, 2022  June 30, 2021  June 30, 2022  June 30, 2021 
Total Revenues:                
United States $15,441  $1,880  $15,993  $2,616 
Canada  5,709   462   6,596   790 
United Kingdom  974   0   974   0 
Total Revenue $22,124  $2,342  $23,563  $3,406 

 

Note 23:24: Subsequent Events

 

On July 20, 2021, Mr. Heyward was paid7, 2022, the Company entered into an Equipment Master Lease Agreement with the Royal Bank of Canada, pursuant to which it opened a bonusline of $55,000.credit, in an amount not to exceed $1.35 million CAD, to purchase leases for equipment for general use in operations. The purchased leases will be accounted for as capital leases with a term of 36 months and a base index rate of 4.47%.

 

On July 20, 2021, the Company issued 176,101 shares of the Company’s common stock valued at $1.55 per share to a production company for services.

On August 5, 2021, Mr.15, 2022, Andy Heyward was paid $137,500$55,000 for accrued producer fees.

his second quarter discretionary bonus.

 

 

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

 

The following discussion and analysis of our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity and capital resources should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and related notes for the three and six months ended June 30, 20212022 and 2020.2021. Certain statements made or incorporated by reference in this report and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in our press releases and in statements made by or with the approval of authorized personnel constitute forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and are subject to the safe harbor created thereby. Forward-looking statements reflect intent, belief, current expectations, estimates or projections about, among other things, our industry, management’s beliefs, and future events and financial trends affecting us. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “may,” “will” and variations of these words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward looking statements. Although we believe the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, our actual results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. These differences can arise as a result of the risks described in the section entitled “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 31, 2021April 6, 2022 and elsewhere in this report, as well as other factors that may affect our business, results of operations, or financial condition. Forward-looking statements in this report speak only as of the date hereof, and forward lookingforward-looking statements in documents incorporated by reference speak only as of the date of those documents. Unless otherwise required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of these risks and uncertainties, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements contained in this report will, in fact, transpire.

 

Overview

 

The management’s discussionManagement’s Discussion and analysisAnalysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is based onintended to provide readers of our condensed consolidated financial statements which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United Statesperspectives of America. The preparationmanagement. This should allow the readers of these financialthis report to obtain a comprehensive understanding of our businesses, strategies, current trends, and future prospects. It should be noted that the MD&A contains forward-looking statements requires us to make certain estimatesthat involve risks and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions and conditions.uncertainties.

 

Our Business

 

Organization and Nature of Business

Genius Brands International, Inc. (“we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company”) is a publicly traded (NASDAQ:GNUS) global content and brand management company that creates, produces, licenses, and licensesbroadcasts, timeless and educational, multimedia content.animated content for children. Led by experienced industry personnel, we distribute content primarily on streaming platforms and television and we license our content in all formats as well asproperties for a broad range of consumer products based on our characters. We are a leading “work for hire” producer for many of the streaming outlets and IP holders. In the children'schildren’s media sector, our portfolio features “content with a purpose” for toddlers to tweens, which providesproviding enrichment as well as entertainment. New intellectual property titles include Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten producedOur programs along with Stan Lee’s Pow! Entertainment, and Oak Productions. Arnold Schwarzenegger lends his voice as the lead and is also an Executive Producer on the series. The show isthose programs we acquire and/or license, are being broadcast in the United States on our wholly-owned distribution outlet, advertisement supported video on demand (“AVOD”) service, Kartoon Channel!. Other newer series include, the preschool property Rainbow Rangers, which debuted in November 2018and our subscription video on Nickelodeondemand (“SVOD”) distribution outlets, Kartoon Channel! Kidaverse and which was renewed for a second seasonAmeba TV. These streaming services are available on Apple TV, Apple iOS, Android TV, Android mobile, Amazon Prime, Amazon Fire, Tubi, Roku, Comcast, Cox, Dish/Sling, Zumo, Pluto, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, as well as YouTube, among other popular platforms. Our in-house owned and preschool propertyproduced shows include Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Llama Llama which debuted on Netflixstarring Jennifer Garner, Rainbow Rangers, KC Pop Quiz, and the upcoming Shaq’s Garage starring Shaquille O’Neal, scheduled to debut in January 2018 and was renewed by Netflix for a second season.the fourth quarter of 2022. Our library titles include the award-winning Baby Genius, adventure comedy Thomas Edison'sEdison’s Secret Lab®Lab®, and Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaires Club, created with and starring iconic investor Warren Buffett, which is distributed across our Genius Brands Network on Comcast’s Xfinity on Demand, AppleTV, Roku, Amazon Fire, YouTube, Amazon Prime, Cox, Dish, Sling and Zumo, as well as Connected TV. In July 2020, we entered into a binding term sheet with POW, Inc. (“POW!”) in which we agreed to form an entity with POW! to exploit certain rights in intellectual property created by Stan Lee, as well as the name and likeness of Stan Lee. The entity is called “Stan Lee Universe, LLC”. POW! and the Company executed an Operating Agreement for the joint venture, effective as of June 1, 2021. This agreement enables us to assume the worldwide rights, in perpetuity, to the name, physical likeness, physical signature, live-action and animated motion picture, television, online, digital, publishing, comic book, merchandising and licensing rights to Stan Lee and over 100 original Stan Lee creations, from which Genius Brands plans to develop and license multiple properties each year. We are also in production on a new animated series starring Shaquille O’Neal called Shaq’s Garage.

In addition, we act as licensing agent for Penguin Young Readers, a division of Penguin Random House LLC which owns or controls the underlying rights to Llama Llama, leveraging our existing licensing infrastructure to expand this brand into new product categories, new retailers, and new territories.

Buffett.

 

 

 

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We license our programs to other services worldwide, in addition to the operation of our own channels, including but not limited to Netflix, HBO Max, Paramount+, Nickelodeon, and satellite, cable and terrestrial broadcasters around the world.

Through our recent investment in Germany’s Your Family Entertainment (“YFE”), a publicly traded company on the Frankfurt Exchange (RTV-Frankfurt), we have gained access to one of the largest animation catalogues in Europe with over 3,000 titles and a global distribution network which currently covers over 60 territories, worldwide and which we are currently in the process of rebranding as Kartoon Channel! Worldwide.

We recently acquired WOW Unlimited Media Inc. (“Wow”), and through that acquisition, we established an affiliate relationship with Mainframe Studios, which is one of the largest animation producers in the world. In addition, Wow owns Frederator Networks Inc. (“Frederator”) and its Channel Frederator Network, the largest animation focused multi-channel network on YouTube, with over 2,500 content creators and currently averages over 1 billion views per month.

We own a select amount of valuable IP, including among them a controlling interest in Stan Lee Universe (“SLU”), through which we control the name, likeness, signature, and all consumer product and IP rights to Stan Lee (the “Stan Lee Assets”). We plan to launch a Stan Lee Centennial program of merchandise set to coincide with Stan Lee’s 100th birthday on December 28, 2022.

We also own Beacon Media, the largest media buying service for children in North America. Beacon represents over 30 major toy companies, including Playmobile, Bandai Toys, Bazooka, Moose Toys and JAKKS Pacific.

In addition, we recently acquired the Canadian company Ameba TV (“Ameba”), which distributes a profitable SVOD channel for kids and is now expected to become the backbone of the newly launched SVOD channel of Kartoon Channel!, Kartoon Channel! Kidaverse.

The combination of ourselves, our investment in YFE, our acquired companies Wow, Ameba and Beacon Media provides us with world class animation production studios, a catalogue representing thousands of hours of premium global content for children, a broadcast system for delivering that content and an in-house Consumer Products Licensing infrastructure to fully exploit the content.

Environmental, Social and Governance Strategy

 

We are attempting to shape culture, social attitudes and societal outcomes with our animated content and consumer products that touch the lives of young people and their families. As a global content company that reaches millions of people, we aim to be a positive force in the world.

 

We are committed to advancing and strengthening our approach to environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) topics to help serve our partners, audiences, employees and shareholders — and to enhance our success as a business.

 

We are committed to responsible, ethical and inclusionary business practices as outlined below:

 

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Human Capital Management

As of June 30, 2022, we employed 817 full-time employees and 90 independent contractors.

 

We aim to build a culture that attracts and retains the best employees and a workplace where everyone feels welcome, safe and inspired. Our human capital management strategy is intended to address the following areas:

 

A Culture of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

 

We seek to foster a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion through a range of partnerships, collaborations, programs and initiatives, some of which are described below.

 

We strive to be an inclusionary workplace because we believe that it strengthens our business. In 2021, we created the role of Chief Diversity Officer. That role is responsible for both helping meet our hiring goals and reviewing the content we create.

·In 2021, we created the role of Chief Diversity Officer. That role is responsible for both helping meet our hiring goals and reviewing the content we create.
·Our board of directors is diverse: 33.3% female and with representation from people of color and the LBGTQ community.
·Our diverse workforce is 59% female.

 

Preventing Harassment and Discrimination

 

We have enacted policies addressing harassment, discrimination and other behaviors that could create a hostile workplace, some of which are described below.

 

·We make available to our employees, training on preventing sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation.
·We expect employees to report any violations of Company policies, including sexual harassment, they witness. Among other ways, employees can report incidents of harassment using our anonymous complaint and reporting hotline.

 

Social Impact and Corporate Social Responsibility

 

We believe that the content we produce, primarily directed at young people and their families, both reflects and influences how our young viewers perceive and understand important issues. We endeavor to earn our viewers’ trust through a variety of practices, and we are focused on using our platforms to create positive social impacts.

 

By way of just a few examples: in our show Rainbow Rangers, a diverse cast of girls works to save animals and protect the environment, while demonstrating the power of teamwork; in our Llama Llama series, we teach kindness and inclusion, and feature a differently abled character, which we have been told is appreciated by moms and kids who deal with physical challenges. In the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, we spread public service messages to keep our audiences safe and informed with animated shorts featuring the iconic voices from our series including Warren Buffett from The Secret Millionaires Club and Jennifer Garner, the voice of Mama Llama from the Llama Llama series.

 

Our mission statement says it all: “Content with a Purpose.” Social justice, caring about the environment and modeling appropriate and inclusionary behavior for kids has been part of our company for many years and we are constantly seeking ways to improve on what we have already been doing.

 

 

 

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Recent FinancingsAcquisition of Wow Unlimited Media Inc.

 

On January 28,April 6, 2022, we completed the acquisition of Wow. On October 26, 2021 weour wholly-owned subsidiary, 1326919 B.C. LTD., a corporation existing under the laws of the Province of British Columbia and Wow, entered into letter agreements (the “Letter Agreements”) with certain existing institutionalan Arrangement Agreement to effect a plan of arrangement under the arrangement provisions of Part 9, Division 5 of the Business Corporations Act. We purchased 100% of Wow’s issued and accredited investors to exercise certain outstanding warrants (the “Existing Warrants”) to purchase up to an aggregate of 39,740,500shares for $38.3 million in cash and 11,057,085 shares of our common stock.

Recent Investments

Following the initial equity investment in YFE during the fourth quarter of 2021, we participated in a mandatory tender offer for the remaining publicly traded shares held by YFE shareholders. Upon the expiration of the offer on February 14, 2022, we purchased an additional 2,637,717 shares of YFE at 2.00 EUROS per share or $5.7 million in the aggregate. On March 9, 2022, bonds held by YFE shareholders were converted into 2,574,000 shares of YFE common stock, 304,631 of which were purchased by us, at 2.00 EUROS per share or $0.6 million. On April 5, 2022, we exercised our subscription rights to purchase an additional 914,284 shares of YFE’s common stock at their original exercise price of $1.553.00 EUROS per share, (the “Exercise”). We received approximately $61.6or $2.7 million, increasing the number of YFE’s outstanding shares to 6,857,132 and our ownership in gross proceeds. The Special Equities Group, a divisionYFE to 49.2% as of Bradley Woods & Co. Ltd., acted as warrant solicitation agent and received a cash fee of approximately $4.3 million. In consideration for the exercise of the Existing Warrants for cash, the exercising holders received new unregistered warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 39,740,500 shares of common stock (the “New Warrants”) at an exercise price of $2.37 per share and with an exercise period of five years from the initial issuance date. Pursuant to the Letter Agreements, the New Warrants are substantially in the form of the Existing Warrants (except for customary legends and other language typical for an unregistered warrant, including the ability for the holder of the New Warrant to make a cashless exercise if no resale registration statement covering the common stock underlying the New Warrants is effective after six months), were exercisable immediately, and we were required to register the shares of common stock underlying the New Warrants for resale.June 30, 2022.

 

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

 

With respectWe continue to the ongoing and evolving coronavirus (“COVID-19”) outbreak, which was designated as a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020, COVID-19 has caused substantial disruption in international and U.S. economies and markets. COVID-19 has had an adverse impact on the entertainment industry and, if repercussions of COVID-19 are prolonged, could have a significant adverse impact onwork with our business, which could be material. The majority of ourstakeholders (including customers, employees, have been working remotely from home, with only a few individuals monitoring the office as needed. A safe return-to-work plan has been developed. We had announced a return to office date of September 7, 2021, for fully vaccinated employees. However, due to a recent surge in COVID-19 cases and the increased transmissibility ofCOVID-19 variants, there may be a further delay in returning, in-person, to the office. We have not experienced any disruption in our supply chain, nor have we experienced any negative impact from our animation production partners. However, shipping logistical issues and increased expenses due to COVID-19 may impact our consumer productsconsumers, suppliers, business partners and our projected advertising revenues. With regardlocal communities) to content distribution, we have observed demand increases for streaming entertainment services in 2021. If there is a further resurgence and the COVID-19 outbreak is prolonged, we may see a negative impact on our revenues.

Our management cannot atresponsibly address this point estimate the impact of COVID-19 on our business and no provision for COVID-19 is reflected in the accompanying financial statements.global pandemic. We will continue to actively monitor the situation and may take further actions that alterassess possible implications to our business operations as may be required by federal, state, local or foreign authorities, orand our stakeholders and will take appropriate actions in an effort to mitigate adverse consequences. We cannot assure you that we determinewill be successful in any such mitigation efforts. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to negatively impact our operations will depend on future developments which are inhighly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, including the best interestsduration of the pandemic, the emergence of new virus variants, new information which may emerge concerning the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, outbreaks occurring at any of our employees, customers, partnersfacilities, the actions taken to control the spread of COVID-19 or treat its impact, and stockholders. To date, we believe thatchanges in worldwide and U.S. economic conditions. Further deteriorations in economic conditions, as a result of the COVID-19 has not causedpandemic or otherwise, could lead to a further or prolonged decline in demand for our products and services and negatively impact our business. It may also impact financial markets and corporate credit markets which could adversely impact our access to financing or the terms of any such financing. We cannot at this time predict the extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its resulting economic impact, but it could have a material negative impactadverse effect on our business, includingfinancial position, results of operations and cash flows. To the effectsextent the COVID-19 pandemic adversely affects our business and financial results, it may also have the effect of heightening many of the other risks described in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in the 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 6, 2022, such as our customers, suppliersability to protect our information technology networks and infrastructure from unauthorized access, misuse, malware, phishing and other events that could have a security impact as a result of our remote working environment or vendors, or onotherwise. On March 15, 2022, we began implementing our financial results.“Return to Office” plan. We continue to be flexible with employee in-office requirements as we adjust to COVID-19 outbreaks and employee preferences for remote work.

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Results of Operations

 

Our summary results for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021 andare below.

Revenues

  Three Months Ended       
  June 30, 2022  June 30, 2021  Change  % Change 
  (in thousands, except percentages) 
Production Services Revenue $10,018  $  $10,018   –% 
Content Distribution  8,529   135   8,394   6,218% 
Licensing & Royalties  2,495   1,236   1,259   102% 
Media Advisory & Advertising Services  1,082   971   111   11% 
Total Revenue $22,124  $2,342  $19,782   845% 

Production Services revenue is generated specifically by Wow providing animation production services for the three months ended June 30, 2020 are below.

Revenues

  Three Months Ended       
  June 30, 2021  June 30, 2020  Change  % Change 
Licensing & Royalties $1,236,156  $162,759  $1,073,397   660 %
Media Advisory & Advertising Services  971,324      971,324   N/A 
Television & Home Entertainment  67,959   326,244   (258,285)  (79)%
Advertising Sales  66,102   70,357   (4,255)  (6)%
Product Sales  664   1,319   (655)  (50)%
Total Revenue $2,342,205  $560,679  $1,781,526   318 %

2022, since the acquisition of the Company at the start of the quarter.

 

Content Distribution revenue is generated from the distribution of our properties for broadcast on television, video-on-demand (“VOD”) or SVOD in domestic and international markets and the sale of DVDs for home entertainment through our partners. Content Distribution also includes our advertising sales generated on our digital networks, the Kartoon Channel! in the form of either flat rate promotions or advertising impressions served, SVOD revenues generated by Ameba and revenue generated by Frederator on its multi-channel network.

33

 

Fluctuations in Content Distribution revenue are based on the achievement of revenue recognition criteria such as the start of a license period and the delivery of the content or advertisement to the customer. Revenue related to our AVOD and SVOD, including advertising sales during the three months ended June 30, 2022, increased 6,218% as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2021, primarily due to the acquisition of Ameba, Wow and Frederator, increasing revenue by $7.7 million.

 

Licensing and& Royalties revenue includerevenues are generated by the items forin which we license the rights to our copyrights and trademarks of our brands and those of the brands for which we act as a licensing agent. DuringRevenue related to our licensing and royalties for the three months ended June 30, 20212022 increased 102% as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2020, Licensing and Royalties revenue increased $1,073,397 or 660%. The increase was primarily2021, due to proceeds received in conjunction withentering an agreement for the mutually agreed terminationlicensing of certain licensing rights.Stan Lee Assets.

 

Media Advisory & Advertising Services revenue is a combination of client retainer fee-based services and media commissions.commissions generated by our wholly-owned subsidiary, Beacon Media Group, which we acquired on February 1, 2021. The increase of $971,324 was a result of the ChizComm acquisition on February 1, 2021.

Television & Home Entertainment revenue is generated from distribution of our properties for broadcast on television, video-on-demand (“VOD”), or subscription video-on-demand (“SVOD”) in domestic and international markets and the sale of DVDs for home entertainment through our partners. Fluctuations in Television & Home Entertainment revenue occur period over period based on the achievement of revenue recognition criteria such as the start of a license period and the delivery of the content to the customer. During11% during the three months ended June 30, 20212022 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2020, Television & Home Entertainment revenue decreased $258,285, or 79%.2021 represents new customers acquired, net of churn, during the period.

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Expenses

  Three Months Ended       
  June 30, 2022  June 30, 2021  Change  % Change 
  (in thousands, except percentages)       
Marketing and Sales $972  $1,541  $(569)  (37)%
Direct Operating Costs  14,648   1,269   13,379   1,054% 
General and Administrative  15,105   7,106   7,999   113% 
Total Expenses $30,725  $9,916  $20,809   210% 

Marketing and Sales expenses consist primarily of advertising expenses and certain payments made to our marketing partners. Advertising expenses include promotional activities such as digital and television advertising. Marketing expenses also include payroll and related expenses for personnel that support marketing activities. The decrease was primarily due to the recognition of revenue related to the delivery of Rainbow Rangers Season 2 in 2020. There was no comparable delivery during the same period 2021.

Advertisingmarketing and sales are generated on the Kid Genius Cartoon Channel in the form of either flat rate promotions or advertising impressions served. Advertising sales decreased by $4,255 or 6%, duringexpenses for the three months ended June 30, 20212022 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2020. The decrease2021 was primarily due to reduced Ad impressions to drive an increase in market share and user growth.

Product sales are generated through Merch by Amazon and consist of on-demand printed t-shirt sales for the Llama Llama and Rainbow Rangers brands. Product sales decreased $655 or 50%, during the three months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2021.

Expenses

  Three Months Ended       
  June 30, 2021  June 30, 2020  Change  % Change 
Marketing and Sales $1,540,882  $128,556  $1,412,326   1,099 %
Direct Operating Costs  1,269,301   440,015   829,286   188 %
General and Administrative  7,106,151   2,368,834   4,737,317   200 %
Interest Expense  8,803   430,606   (421,803)  (98)%
Total $9,925,137  $3,368,011  $6,557,126   195 %

Marketing and sales expenses increased $1,412,326, or 1,099%, for the three months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2020, primarily due to an increasea decrease in marketing and advertising expenses incurred to promote Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten and the Kartoon Channel!.Channel.

 

Direct operating costs include costs

Amortization, including any impairments of our product sales, unamortizable post-production costs, film and television cost amortization expense,costs, makes up the majority of our Direct Operating Costs. Expenses directly associated with the acquisition, salaries and related expenses to the production services employees Mainframe and Frederator, licensing and production of content, such as participation expenseexpenses related to agreements with various animation studios, post-production studios, writers, directors, musicians or other creative talent with which we are obligated to share net profits of the properties on which they have rendered services. Duringservices and costs of our product sales make up the three months ended June 30, 2021, we recorded film and television cost amortization expenseremainder of $553,562 and participation expense of $704,949 compared to expenses of $292,362 and $370,803, respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2020.Direct Operating Costs. The increasesincrease in direct operating costs for the three months ended June 30, 20212022 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2020 is2021 was primarily due to increased amortizationthe consolidation of service salaries and participationchannel expenses related to revenues from the Rainbow Rangers property.Wow Acquisition.

 

General and administrativeAdministrative expenses primarily consist primarily of salaries, employee benefits,payroll and related expenses, share-based compensation related to stock options, insurances,our equity compensation plan, rent, depreciation of our property and equipment and amortization of our intangible assets, as well as other professional fees related to finance, accounting, legal and investor relations. Generalother general corporate expenses. The $8.0 million increase in general and administrative expenses for three months ended June 30, 2021 increased $4,737,317, or 200%, compared to the same period in 2020. This increase was primarily related to the acquisition of the ChizComm entities, increases in legal professional fees, share based compensation, rent expense and directors’ and officers’ insurance.

34

Interest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2021 decreased $421,803, or 98%,2022 as compared to the same periodthree months ended June 30, 2021 primarily consisted of a $4.5 million increase in 2020. This decrease was due tocosts associated with the repaymentacquisition of Wow and Frederator and an increase share-based compensation expense and the outstanding Senior Secured Convertible Notes in 2020.consolidation of Wow’s general and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2022.

 

Our summary results for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021 andare below.

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Revenues

  Six Months Ended       
  June 30, 2022  June 30, 2021  Change  % Change 
  (in thousands, except percentages)       
Production Services Revenue $10,018  $  $10,018   –% 
Content Distribution  8,942   275   8,667   3,152% 
Licensing & Royalties  2,536   1,407   1,129   80% 
Media Advisory & Advertising Services  2,067   1,724   343   20% 
Total Revenues $23,563  $3,406  $20,157   592% 

Production Services Revenue is generated specifically by Wow providing animation production services for the threesix months ended June 30, 20202022.

Content Distribution revenue is generated from the distribution of our properties for broadcast on television, video-on-demand (“VOD”) or subscription video-on-demand (“SVOD”) in domestic and international markets and the sale of DVDs for home entertainment through our partners. Content Distribution also includes our advertising sales generated on our digital network, the Kartoon Channel! in the form of either flat rate promotions or advertising impressions served, SVOD revenues generated by Ameba and revenue generated by Frederator on its multi-channel network.

Fluctuations in Content Distribution revenue are below.based on the achievement of revenue recognition criteria such as the start of a license period and the delivery of the content or advertisement to the customer. Revenue related to our AVOD and SVOD, including advertising sales for the six months ended June 30, 2022, increased 3,152% as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2021 primarily due to the acquisition of Ameba, Wow and Frederator, increasing revenue by $7.7 million.

Revenues

  Six Months Ended       
  June 30, 2021  June 30, 2020  Change  % Change 
Licensing & Royalties $1,406,616  $366,124  $1,040,492   284 %
Media Advisory & Advertising Services  1,724,712      1,724,712   N/A 
Television & Home Entertainment  151,430   378,461   (227,031)  (60)%
Advertising Sales  122,564   149,014   (26,450)  (18)%
Product Sales  1,146   1,819   (673)  (37)%
Total Revenue $3,406,468  $895,418  $2,511,050   280 %

 

Licensing and& Royalties revenue includerevenues are generated by the items forin which we license the rights to our copyrights and trademarks of our brands and those of the brands for which we act as a licensing agent. DuringRevenue related to our licensing and royalties for the six months ended June 30, 20212022 increased 80% as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2020, Licensing and Royalties revenue increased $1,040,492, or 284%. The increase was2021 primarily due to proceeds received in conjunction withentering an agreement for the mutually agreed terminationlicensing of certain licensing rights. On April 7, 2021, we finalized a Mutual Termination Agreement with Mattel, Inc., with regard to Rainbow Rangers property. The agreement allows us to contract with other companies for the design and manufacturing of Rainbow Rangers toys.Stan Lee Assets.

 

Media Advisory & Advertising Services revenue is a combination of client retainer fee-based services and media commissions.commissions generated by our wholly-owned subsidiary, Beacon Media Group, which we acquired on February 1, 2021. The increase of $1,724,712 was a result of the ChizComm acquisition on February 1, 2021.

Television & Home Entertainment revenue is generated from distribution of our properties for broadcast on television, VOD, or SVOD in domestic and international markets and the sale of DVDs for home entertainment through our partners. Fluctuations in Television & Home Entertainment revenue occur period over period based on the achievement20% represents an additional month of revenue recognition criteria such as the start of a license period and the delivery of the content to the customer. Duringrecognized during the six months ended June 30, 2022 as compared the six months ended June 30, 2021 and new customers acquired, net of churn during the period.

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Expenses

  Six Months Ended       
  June 30, 2022  June 30, 2021  Change  % Change 
  (in thousands, except percentages)       
Marketing and Sales $1,132  $2,143  $(1,011)  (47)%
Direct Operating Costs  14,992   1,518   13,474   888% 
General and Administrative  25,962   14,039   11,923   85% 
Total Expenses $42,086  $17,700  $24,386   138% 

Marketing and Sales expenses consist primarily of advertising expenses and certain payments made to our marketing partners. Advertising expenses include promotional activities such as digital and television advertising. Marketing expenses also include payroll and related expenses for personnel that support marketing activities. The decrease in marketing and sales expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2022 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2020, Television & Home Entertainment revenue decreased $227,031, or 60%. The decrease2021 was primarily due to the recognition of revenue related to the delivery of Rainbow Rangers Season 2 in 2020. There was no comparable delivery during the same period 2021.

Advertising sales are generated on the Kid Genius Cartoon Channel in the form of either flat rate promotions or advertising impressions served. Advertising sales decreased by $26,450 or 18%, during the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2020. Thea decrease was primarily due to reduced Ad impressions to drive an increase in market share and user growth.

Product sales are generated through Merch by Amazon and consist of on-demand printed t-shirt sales for the Llama Llama and Rainbow Rangers brands. Product sales decreased $673 or 37%, during the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2021.

Expenses

  Six Months Ended       
  June 30, 2021  June 30, 2020  Change  % Change 
Marketing and Sales $2,142,710  $241,256  $1,901,454   788% 
Direct Operating Costs  1,517,767   667,521   850,246   127% 
General and Administrative  14,039,979   4,131,416   9,908,563   240% 
Interest Expense  17,509   1,151,609   (1,134,100)  (98)% 
Total $17,717,965  $6,191,802  $11,526,163   186% 

35

Marketing and sales expenses increased $1,901,454, or 788%, for the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2020, primarily due to an increase in marketing and advertising expenses incurred to promote Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten and the Kartoon Channel!.Channel.

 

Direct operating costs include costsAmortization, including any impairments of our product sales, unamortizable post-production costs, film and television cost amortization expense,costs makes up the majority of our Direct Operating Costs. Expenses directly associated with the acquisition, salaries and related expenses to the production services of Mainframe and Frederator, licensing and production of content, such as participation expenseexpenses related to agreements with various animation studios, post-production studios, writers, directors, musicians or other creative talent with which we are obligated to share net profits of the properties on which they have rendered services. Duringservices and costs of our product sales make up the six months ended June 30, 2021, we recorded film and television cost amortization expenseremainder of $658,369 and participation expense of $704,949 compared to expenses of $292,362 and $370,803, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2020.Direct Operating Costs. The increasesincrease in direct operating costs for the six months ended June 30, 20212022 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2020 is2021 was primarily due to increased amortizationthe consolidation of service salaries and participationchannel expenses into our financial statements related to revenues from the Rainbow Rangers property.Wow Acquisition.

 

General and administrativeAdministrative expenses primarily consist primarily of salaries, employee benefits,payroll and related expenses, share-based compensation related to stock options, insurances,our equity compensation plan, rent, depreciation of our property and equipment and amortization of our intangible assets, as well as other professional fees related to finance, accounting, legal and investor relations. Generalother general corporate expenses. The $11.9 million increase in general and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2021 increased $9,908,563, or 240%,2022 as compared to the same period in 2020. This increase was primarily related to the acquisition of the ChizComm entities, increases in legal professional fees, share based compensation, rent expense and directors’ and officers’ insurance.

Interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2021 decreased $1,134,100, or 98%primarily consisted of a $4.5 million increase in costs associated with the acquisition of Wow and Frederator, a $4.2 million increase in share-based compensation expense, a $2.2 million increase related to an increase in salaries and wages, directors’ and officers’ insurance and the consolidation of Wow’s general and administration expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2022.

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Other Income (Expense), compared to the same period Net

Components of other income (expense), net are summarized as follows (in 2020. This decrease was due to the repayment of the outstanding Senior Secured Convertible Notes in 2020.thousands):

  Three Months Ended  

Six Months Ended

 
  June 30, 2022  June 30, 2021  June 30, 2022  June 30, 2021 
             
Gain (Loss) on Warrant Revaluation (a) $227  $119  $269  $(317)
Loss on Foreign Exchange (b)  (1,073)  (5)  (1,262)  (7)
Loss on Marketable Securities Investments (c)  (44)     (123)   
Gain (Loss) on Revaluation of Equity Investment in YFE(d)  (2,494)     2,901    
Interest Income (e)  253   75   501   122 
Warrant Incentive Expense (f)           (69,139)
Interest Expense (g)  (418)  (9)  (473)  (18)
Net Other Income (Expense) $(3,549) $180  $1,813  $(69,359)

(a)The gain (loss) on warrant revaluation is related to the change in fair value of outstanding warrants that were determined to be derivative liabilities attached to previously issued and converted convertible notes.
(b)For the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, loss on foreign exchange primarily relates to the foreign exchange loss on the investment in YFE’s equity securities accounted for under the fair value option. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, loss on foreign exchange related to foreign currency denominated monetary transactions.
(c)We started investing in marketable securities during the three months ended June 30, 2021. The net realized loss on marketable securities recognized during the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 reflects the loss in the investments in available-for-sale securities that will not be recovered due to prepayments of principals on certain mortgage-backed securities. We did not incur any realized losses on marketable securities during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021.
(d)The gain (loss) on revaluation of the equity investment in YFE is the change in fair value recognized on our investments in YFE accounted for using the fair value option. The gain (loss) is a result of the change in YFE’s stock price at the end of the current reporting period.
(e)Interest Income received during the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, primarily consists of cash interest received on the investments in marketable securities, net of amortization of premiums.
(f)The Warrant Incentive Expense is related to the fair value of new warrants that were issued in 2021 to certain existing warrant holders in exchange for previously issued outstanding warrants.
(g)Interest expense during the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 primarily consists of $0.2 million of interest incurred on our margin loan collateralized by our marketable security investments and $0.3 million of interest incurred on our production facilities loan and bank indebtedness assumed as part of the Wow Acquisition.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2021,2022, our cash, and cash equivalents and marketable security positions increasedrestricted cash decreased by $38,308,505, net. Cash$2.2 million. The decrease was primarily due to cash used in investment activities, inclusive of the Wow and cash equivalents wereAmeba acquisitions and the YFE investments, of $41.2 million, $17.7 million used to purchasefor operational activities, offset by $56.6 million of financing from the margin loan and production facilities and bank indebtedness assumed in the Wow Acquisition.

As of June 30, 2022, we held marketable securities with a fair value of $80,902,119$97.4 million as available-for-sale, a decrease of $15.1 million as compared to December 31, 2021. The available-for-sale securities, which consist principally of corporate and government debt securities, are also available as a source of liquidity. As our recent focus has been on expanding its business, excess cash and liquid investments have been utilized to pay our margin loan down.

We borrowed an additional $59.0 million from our investment margin account during the six months ended June 30, 2021.2022 and repaid $4.5 million with cash received from sales and/or redemptions of its marketable securities. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, the borrowed amounts were used to finance our additional investments in YFE and the closing of the acquisitions of Ameba and WOW, in each case pledging certain of our marketable securities as collateral. During the three months ended June 30, 2022, the additional borrowings of $3.2 million related to the Company’s final obligated purchase of YFE shares and additional transactional costs in the acquisition of Wow. The interest rate for these investment margin account borrowings fluctuates based on the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.65% with interest only payable monthly. The weighted average interest rate was 1.23% on an average margin loan balance of $55.7 million during the three months ended June 30, 2022. The weighted average interest rate was 0.98% on an average margin loan balance of $34.6 million during the six months ended June 30, 2022. We incurred interest expense of $201,160 during the six months ended June 30, 2022. The investment margin account borrowings do not mature but are payable on demand as the custodian can issue a margin call at any time, therefore the margin loan is recorded as a current liability on our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Upon the acquisition of Wow, we assumed certain credit facilities (the “Facilities”) with a Canadian bank. The Facilities are comprised of: (i) a $5.0 million CAD ($3.9 million USD) revolving demand facility, (ii) an $8.0 million CAD ($6.2 million USD) equipment lease line, (iii) a treasury risk management facility of up to $0.5 million CAD ($0.4 million USD) for foreign exchange forward contracts, and (iv) interim financing facilities for specific production titles.

The Facilities are guaranteed by us and the security reflects substantially all of our and our subsidiary guarantors tangible and intangible assets subject to permitted encumbrances, including a combination of federal and provincial tax credits, other government incentives, production service agreements and license agreements. The Facilities are generally repayable on demand and are subject to customary affirmative and negative covenants, default provisions, representations and warranties and other terms and conditions.

54

 

Working Capital

 

As of June 30, 2021,2022, we had current assets of $152,521,636,$150.3 million, including cash and cash equivalents of $58,372,335,$7.8 million and marketable securities of $97.4 million and our current liabilities of $15,507,100, resulting inwere $112.7 million. We had working capital of $137,014,536. As$37.6 million as of June 30, 2022 as compared to working capital of $115.1 million as of December 31, 2020, we had current assets2021. The decrease of $108,566,089, including cash and cash equivalents of $100,456,324, and current liabilities of $7,178,906, resulting in working capital of $101,387,183.

The increase of $35,627,353$77.5 million in working capital as compared to December 31, 2020,2021 was primarily due to anthe $54.7 million increase in our margin loan balance and a $21.8 million increase due to the our cashassumption of Wow’s current debt for interim production facilities and cash equivalents and marketable security position, offset bybank loans upon the change in net current assets and liabilities as a result of the acquisition of ChizComm.acquisition.

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2021,2022 we met our immediate cash requirements through existing cash balances. Additionally, we used equity and equity-linked instruments to pay for services and compensation. We have the ability to borrow against license contracts, production service contracts, or refundable tax credits receivable, entering into leases, the issuance of debentures, or the issuance of shares. The Company manages liquidity risk by continuously monitoring actual and forecasted cash flows, using lease financing and by maintaining revolving credit facilities. We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents balances and our investments in available for sale marketable securities are sufficient to support our operations for at least the next twelve months. To meet our short and long-term liquidity needs, we expect to use existing cash balances.

 

Comparison of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2021,2022 and the Six Months Ended June 30, 20202021

 

Our total cash, and cash equivalents were $58,372,335 and $54,382,775restricted cash as of June 30, 2022 and 2021 was $7.5 million and June 30, 2020,$58.4 million, respectively.

36

Comparison of Cash Flows

 

  Six Months Ended       
  June 30, 2021  June 30, 2020  Change  % Change 
Cash used in operations $(8,972,775) $(2,331,260) $(6,641,515)  (285) % 
Cash used in investing activities  (89,316,206)  (500)  (89,315,706)  N/A 
Cash provided by financing activities  56,204,992   56,409,414   (204,422)  (0.36) % 
(Decrease)/Increase in cash and cash equivalents $(42,083,989) $54,077,654  $(96,161,643)  177 % 
  Six Months Ended       
  June 30, 2022  June 30, 2021  Change  % Change 
  (in thousands, except percentages) 
Cash Used in Operating Activities $(17,672) $(8,841) $8,831   100% 
Cash Used in Investing Activities  (41,211)  (89,316)  (48,105)  (54)% 
Cash Provided by Financing Activities  56,593   56,073   520   1% 
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash  46      46   100% 
Increase/(Decrease) in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash $(2,244) $(42,084) $(39,840)  (95)% 

 

55

Operating Activities

        

Cash used in operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was $8,972,7752022 increased $8.8 million as compared to cash used in operating activities of $2,331,261 during the comparable period in the prior year.six months ended June 30, 2021. The increasechange in cash used in operating activities wasis primarily due to the increase in stock-based compensation expense, accounts receivable (primarilycash of $9.5 million used to pay down operating liabilities as compared to the prior period, primarily due to the ChizComm Acquisition) and film and television costs. These increases were partially offset by increasesincrease in accounts payable (primarily due toliabilities from the ChizComm acquisition).acquisition of Wow.

 

Investing Activities

 

Cash used in investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was $89,316,2062022 decreased $48.1 million as compared to a use of $500 forcash used during the six months ended June 30, 2020.2021. The increasedecrease in cash used for investing was primarily due to our investmentinvestments in marketable securities of $80,902,119. Investing activities also include$80.9 million and the cash payment to acquire ChizComm of $7.8 million during the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the cash used to acquire Wow and Ameba of $41.2 million, cash paid netfor our equity investment in YFE of cash acquired$9.5 million, offset by proceeds from marketable securities of $10.0 million during the ChizComm Acquisition of $7,788,877 which occurred on February 1, 2021.six months ended June 30, 2022.

 

Financing Activities

 

Cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was $56,204,9922022 increased by $0.5 million as compared to $56,409,414 of cash provided byduring the comparable period in 2020.six months ended June 30, 2021. The primary source of cash during the six months ended June 30, 20212022 was the net proceeds borrowed from our margin loan of $57,264,656$54.5 million and $2.5 million from production loans, compared to the primary source of cash during the six months ended June 30, 2021 of $57.3 million from the warrant exercise during January 2021. During

Material Cash Requirements

We have entered into arrangements that contractually obligate us to make payments that will affect our liquidity and cash flows in future periods. Our material cash requirements from known contractual and other obligations primarily relate to our debt and lease obligations and our employment and consulting contracts. The aggregate amount of future minimum purchase obligations under these agreements over the six months endedperiod of next five years is approximately $108.5 million as of June 30, 2020,2022, of which about $80.0 million, if the margin loan and interim production facilities are called, could be owed within one year. For additional information on our primary sourcescontractual commitments and timing of cash werefuture payments see Note 21 to the net sales of common shares for $44,755,672, net proceeds from the 2020 Convertible Notes of $6,098,000, the net proceeds of $5,819,319 from warrant exercises and $3,600,000 from the collection of the Investor Notes.condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Report on Form 10-Q.

 

Capital ExpendituresWe plan to utilize our liquidity (as described above) to fund our material cash requirements.

 

As of June 30, 2021,2022, we do not have any material$5.8 million in commitments for capital expenditures.expenditures, related to equipment leases.

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Critical Accounting Policies

 

The preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and operating results require our management to make judgments, assumptions and estimates that affect the amounts reported. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from these estimates, and such differences may be material.

 

Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q and in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of the 20202021 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in Part II, Item 7 of the 20202021 Annual Report on Form 10-K describe the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the ‘‘Exchange Act’’). Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based upon our evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective for the six months ended June 30, 20212022, in ensuring that information that we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange CommissionSEC rules and forms.

57

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changesDuring the six months ended June 30, 2022, we continued to execute upon our 2021 planned remediation actions as disclosed in Item 9A. of our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K which was filed with the SEC on April 6, 2022, which are all intended to strengthen our overall control environment. This includes hiring additional accounting personnel at our corporate headquarters and other locations. We are committed to maintaining a strong internal control environment and believe that these remediation efforts will represent significant improvements in our control environment. Our management will continue to monitor, implement, test and evaluate the relevance of our risk-based approach and the effectiveness of our internal controlcontrols and procedures over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2021, that have materially affected,on an ongoing basis and is committed to taking further action and implementing additional enhancements or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.improvements, as necessary and as funds allow.

  

Inherent Limitations over Internal Controls

 

Internal control over financial reporting cannot provide absolute assurance of achieving financial reporting objectives because of its inherent limitations, including the possibility of human error and circumvention by collusion or overriding of controls. Accordingly, even an effective internal control system may not prevent or detect material misstatements on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

 

 3858 

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

 

As of June 30, 2021,2022, there were no material pending legal proceedings to which we arethe Company is a party or as to which any of its property is subject other than described below.

On June 16, 2021, the Company was named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California styled A Parent Media Co. Inc. v. Genius Brands International, Inc., Case No. 2:21-CV-04897, alleging that the Company has infringed the plaintiff’s federally registered trademarks KIDOODLE.TV, KIDOODLE and KIDOODLETV by sponsoring Google Ads in which the plaintiff’s trademarks appeared. The Company has denied the plaintiff’s allegations and believes that in the event of a finding of liability any potential damages would be nominal. The case is in the early stages with an initial status conference scheduled for August 30, 2021, and it is likely that a close of discovery will be set in early 2022 with a trial date scheduled for mid-to-late 2022.

 

As previously disclosed, the Company, its Chief Executive Officer Andy Heyward, and its Chief Financial Officer Robert Denton, arewere named as defendants in a putative class action lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and styled In re Genius Brands International, Inc. Securities Litigation, Master File No. 2:20-cv-07457 DSF (RAOx). In a consolidated amended complaint filed February 1, 2021,Initially, the Lead Plaintiffs allegelead plaintiffs alleged generally that the defendants violated Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by making materially false or misleading statements regarding the Company’s business and business prospects, artificially inflating the Company’s stock price during an alleged class period running from March 11 through July 5, 2020.(the “Exchange Act”). Plaintiffs seeksought unspecified damages on behalf of the alleged class of persons who invested in our common stock during the alleged class period. On March 17,The defendants moved to dismiss lead plaintiffs’ amended complaint; and in a decision issued on August 30, 2021, the Court dismissed the amended complaint but granted lead plaintiffs a further opportunity to plead a claim.

On September 27, 2021, the lead plaintiffs filed a second amended complaint, naming the same defendants. The new complaint alleged that the Company made numerous false or misleading statements about the Company’s business and business prospects over an expanded alleged class period, which they say violated Section 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act. The lead plaintiffs again sought unspecified damages on behalf of the alleged class—persons who invested in the Company’s common stock during the newly alleged class period. In November 2021, defendants filed a motion to dismiss the second amended complaint. That motion is fully briefed, andOn July 15, 2022, the Court tookissued a decision dismissing the motion under submission without oral argumentsecond amended complaint in early July 2021. Weits entirety and with prejudice. On August 12, 2022, lead plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The Company cannot predict the outcome of the motionthat appeal or the timing of a decision from the Court. Pending resolution of the motion to dismiss, neither discovery nor other substantive proceedings are occurring or expected.on it.

 

Related to the securities class action, the Company’s directors, Chief Executive Officertogether with Messrs. Heyward and Chief Financial OfficerDenton have been named as defendants in several putative shareholderstockholder derivative lawsuits. As previously disclosed, these include a consolidated proceeding pending in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and styled In re Genius Brands Stockholder Derivative LitigationCase No. 2:20-cv-08277 DSF (RAOx); an action filed in the Los Angeles County Superior Court captioned Ly, etc. v. Heyward, et al.al., Case No. 20STCV44611; and an additional case pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada, styled Miceli, etc. v. Heyward, et al.al.Case No. 3:21-cv-00132-MMD-WGC. While the allegations and legal claims vary somewhat among the derivative actions, they all generally allege that the defendants breached fiduciary duties owed to the Company by, among other things, causing the Company to issue the supposedly false and misleading statements that underlie the securities lawsuit, purportedly exposing the Company to liability and damaging the Company in an unspecified amount.Company. By these derivative lawsuits, the plaintiffs seek no recovery from the Company. Instead, as a shareholderstockholder derivative action, the Company is named as Nominal Defendant; anda nominal defendant. The plaintiffs, all alleged stockholders of the Company, purport to sue on behalf and for the benefit of the Company. Pursuant to agreements among the parties, the courts in all of the derivative lawsuits have stayed proceedings pending the outcome of the motion to dismiss insecurities class action. The Company cannot predict the impact of the securities action.class action’s dismissal on the shareholder derivative lawsuits.

 

 On July 7, 2020, we received

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The Company is also a letter fromnominal defendant in an action filed January 11, 2022, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and styled Todd Augenbaum v. Anson Investments Master Fund LP, et al., Case No. 1:22-cv-00249 VM. The action, which again purports to be brought on behalf and for the benefit of the Company, seeks the recovery under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act of supposed short-swing profits allegedly realized by roughly a law firm allegingdozen persons and entities that rights Genius Brands had licensed from POW!, LLC, through itsparticipated as investors in certain of the Stan Lee Universe, LLC joint venture, had already been soldCompany’s private placements of securities in 2020. Plaintiff Augenbaum, who purports to another company, represented by that law firm. The law firm allegedbe a Company stockholder, filed his lawsuit after issuing a demand to the Company’s Board of Directors asking that the Company sue the investor defendants. The Company rejected the demand in late December 2021, and Mr. Augenbaum sued a few weeks later, as Section 16(b) permits him to do. No Company officer or director is inter alia, interferingamong the defendants. The defendant investors in the action requested and received court permission to file motions to dismiss the action, and motions were filed July 25, 2022, and plaintiff has opposed the motions. Briefing is scheduled to close on August 22, 2022. There is otherwise no current activity in the case. The Company cannot predict the outcome of the motions to dismiss, the timing of court action on the requests, or the outcome of the lawsuit more generally. While the Company again notes that plaintiff seeks no relief against the Company, several of the defendant investors have made demands on the Company that it indemnify their costs of defending the action, invoking provisions in the agreements by which the investors acquired Company securities.

The Company believes the indemnification demands lack merit; however, it is in discussions with investors who have made demands. The Company cannot predict the outcome of those discussions or the magnitude of any potential indemnification liability.

On January 18, 2022, the Company was named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York styled Harold Chizick and Jennifer Chizick v. Genius Brands International, Inc., ChizComm Ltd., Index No. 650278/2022, alleging: (1) breach of employment agreement, (2) breach of duty of good faith, (3) constructive dismissal, (4) indemnification, (5) violation of the Employment Standards Act 2000 of Ontario, and (6) defamation. On February 25, 2022, the Company filed a Motion to Dismiss on the ground that venue is improper. In response, Plaintiffs’ counsel has advised that they will be amending their contractual rights. This mattercomplaint to address the arguments in the Company’s venue motion. Plaintiffs filed their Amended Complaint on March 17, 2022, adding a claim for Reformation of the Plaintiffs’ Employment Agreements to address the Company’s lack of venue argument and a claim for Breach of Escrow Agreement regarding alleged release of shares held in escrow pursuant to the parties’ Purchase and Sale Agreement. On April 25, 2022, the Company filed a Motion for Partial Dismissal of the Plaintiffs’ Amended Complaint seeking (1) dismissal of Plaintiffs’ claims for Indemnification and Defamation and (2) a stay of Plaintiffs’ claim for Breach of Escrow Agreement pending the required arbitration of this claim. At the hearing on this Motion to Dismiss on June 14, 2022, the Company was referredsuccessful in having (1) the Indemnification claim dismissed with prejudice and (2) the claim for Breach of Escrow Agreement stayed pending arbitration of this claim before the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”). The Company’s Answer to our outside litigation counsel. We havethe Amended Complaint with these two claims dismissed and stayed respectively is due on August 11, 2022. No trial date has been informed thatset and discovery continues in the matter is being adjudicatedcase.

On June 3, 2022, Plaintiffs commenced their AAA arbitration proceeding regarding their claim for Breach of Escrow Agreement by filing their Arbitration Demand. The parties are presently in the process of selecting an arbitrationarbitrator in this proceeding.

On June 6, 2022, Plaintiffs filed a Request for Emergency Relief in the AAA proceeding seeking a mandatory injunction to release the Company shares held in escrow pending indemnification claims under the terms of the PSA. The Company opposed this Emergency Relief Request on multiple grounds (including, without limitation, the lack of any irreparable harm, the adequacy of money damages and that the arbitrator issued a gag order preventing further communicationsCompany’s indemnification claim applicable to the escrowed shares) and the hearing on this Emergency Relief Request occurred at the AAA offices in New York on June 24, 2022. The parties are still awaiting the ruling from Plaintiff to 3rd parties.the Emergency Arbitrator regarding this requested relief.

 

In all of the above-mentioned active proceedings, the Company has denied and continues to deny any wrongdoing and intends to defend the claims vigorously. The Company maintains a program of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that, subject to the insurers’ reservations of rights, has offset a portion of the costs of defending the securities class action litigation, and that the Company expects will afford coverage for some costs of the other shareholder litigation should any of those cases proceed.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.

 

ThereOther than as set forth below, there have been no material changes to the Risk Factors set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.2021.

Risks Related to our Common Stock

Our failure to meet the continued listing requirements of Nasdaq Capital Market could result in a delisting of our common stock.

If we fail to satisfy the continued listing requirements of Nasdaq Capital Market, such as minimum financial and other continued listing requirements and standards, including those regarding minimum stockholders’ equity, minimum share price, and certain corporate governance requirements, Nasdaq may take steps to delist our common stock. Such a delisting would likely have a negative effect on the price of our common stock and would impair your ability to sell or purchase our common stock when you wish to do so. In the event of a delisting, we would expect to take actions to restore our compliance with Nasdaq’s listing requirements, but we can provide no assurance that any such action taken by us would allow our common stock to become listed again, stabilize the market price or improve the liquidity of our common stock, prevent our common stock from dropping below the Nasdaq minimum bid price requirement, or prevent future non-compliance with Nasdaq’s listing requirements.

On March 4, 2022, we received written notice from the Listing Qualifications Department of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) notifying us that for the preceding 30 consecutive business days, our common stock did not maintain a minimum closing bid price of $1.00 per share (“Minimum Bid Price Requirement”) as required by Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2). The notice had no immediate effect on the listing or trading of our common stock, and our common stock will continue to trade on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “GNUS” at this time.

In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), we have a grace period of 180 calendar days, or until August 31, 2022, to regain compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2). Compliance will be achieved automatically and without further action when the closing bid price of our common stock is at or above $1.00 for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days at any time during the 180-day compliance period, in which case Nasdaq will notify us of our compliance and the matter will be closed.

If, however, we do not achieve compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement by August 31, 2022, we may be eligible for additional time to comply. In order to be eligible for such additional time, we will be required to meet the continued listing requirement for market value of publicly held shares and all other initial listing standards for The Nasdaq Capital Market, with the exception of the Minimum Bid Price Requirement, and we must notify Nasdaq in writing of its intention to cure the deficiency during the second compliance period. There can be no guarantee that we will regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement, that we will maintain compliance with other Nasdaq Listing Rules, or that we will be eligible for a second compliance period.

Risks Related to the Wow Acquisition

We may not realize all of the anticipated financial, marketing and operational benefits of the Wow Acquisition.

The benefits we expect to achieve as a result of the Wow Acquisition will depend, in part, on our ability to realize anticipated growth opportunities and cost synergies. Our success in realizing these growth opportunities and cost synergies, and the timing of this realization, depends on the successful integration of Wow’s business and operations with our business and operations. Even if we are able to integrate our business with Wow’s business successfully, this integration may not result in the realization of the full benefits of the growth opportunities and cost synergies we currently expect within the anticipated time frame or at all. For example, me may be unable to eliminate duplicative costs, achieve growth plans, or effectively increase market share exposure. Moreover, we anticipate that we will incur substantial expenses in connection with the integration of our business with Wow’s business. While we anticipate that certain expenses will be incurred, such expenses are difficult to estimate accurately, and may exceed current estimates.

 

 

 

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Accordingly, the benefits from the Wow Acquisition may be offset by costs incurred or delays in integrating the companies, which could cause our financial assumptions to be inaccurate.

Exchange Rate fluctuations could result in significant foreign currency gains and losses and affect our business results.

Because the results of Wow are reported in Canadian dollars, which we will then translate to U.S. dollars for inclusion in our consolidated financial statements, we will be exposed to more significant currency translation risk as a result of the Wow Acquisition. As a result, changes between the foreign exchange rates, in particular the Canadian dollar and the U.S. dollar, affect the amounts we record for our foreign assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and could have a negative effect on our financial results. We currently do not enter into hedging arrangements to minimize the impact of foreign currency fluctuations.

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

 

On May 14, 2021,February 18, 2022, the Company issued 469,677350,000 shares of the Company’s common stock valued at $1.55$0.89 per share to a consultant for productionadvisory services. SuchThe issuance of the shares of common stock was exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

On February 24, 2022, the Company issued 36,196 shares of the Company’s common stock valued at $1.81 per share, which were held in escrow as part of the ChizComm acquisition. The issuance of the shares of common stock was exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.

 

None.

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION.

 

On December 7, 2020, Andy Heyward, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, received an aggregate of 15,000,000 restricted stock units (“RSUs”), each representing a contingent right to receive one share of Company common stock, under the Company’s 2020 Incentive Plan, as amended. Of such RSUs, (i) 7,500,000 RSUs were to vest in four equal installments on the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of December 7, 2020, subject to his continued employment, and (ii) 7,500,000 RSUs vested in four equal installments on the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of December 7, 2020, based on achievement of certain performance goals and subject to his continued employment. On June 23, 2021, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors amended such RSU awards so that 3,750,000 of such RSUs shall continue to vest in four equal installments on the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of December 7, 2020, subject to his continued employment and the remaining 11,250,000 RSUs shall vest as follows: (i) 3,750,000 RSUs vest when the Company’s common stock closing sale price equals or exceeds $3.00 per share or the Company’s market capitalization equals or exceeds $903,000,000 for 20 consecutive trading days; (ii) 3,750,000 RSUs vest when the Company’s common stock closing sale price equals or exceeds $3.50 per share or the Company’s market capitalization equals or exceeds $1,053,500,000 for 20 consecutive trading days, and (iii) 3,750,000 RSUs vest when the Company’s common stock closing sale price equals or exceeds $3.75 per share or the Company’s market capitalization equals or exceeds $1,128,750,000 for 20 consecutive trading days. In addition to the stock price and market capitalization vesting conditions set forth above, such 11,250,000 RSUs may also vest in four equal installments on the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of December 7, 2020, based on achievement of certain operating performance-based vesting conditions established by the Compensation Committee and subject to his continued employment and also subject to pro rata adjustment for vesting pursuant to the stock price or market capitalization vesting conditions.None.

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS.

 

Exhibit

No.

Description
  
31.1*Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.Officer.
  
31.2*Section 302 Certification of Chief Financial Officer.Officer.
  
32.1**Section 906 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.Officer.
  
32.2**Section 906 Certification of Chief Financial Officer.Officer.
  
101.INS*Inline XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH*Inline XBRL Schema Document
101.CAL*Inline XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF*Inline XBRL Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB*Inline XBRL Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE*Inline XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document

____________________________ 

104*Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)Filed herewith

**Furnished herewith

 

* Filed herewith

** Furnished herewith

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 GENIUS BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
  
Date: August 16, 202117, 2022By:/s/ Andy Heyward
  

Andy Heyward

Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

   
   
Date: August 16, 202117, 2022By:/s/ Robert L Denton
  

Robert L. Denton

Chief Financial Officer

  (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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