Tag Archives: Llama Llama

Kartoon Channel! Worldwide expands global reach

Posted on by

Leveraging its strategic investment in Germany’s Your Family Entertainment (YFE) to expand the Kartoon Channel! global footprint, Genius Brands International has announced the launch of the new Kartoon Channel! Worldwide programming block, “Kartoon Genius,” across Latin America and the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region, reaching 67 countries.

This week, the Kartoon Genius two-hour, Monday – Friday programming block premieres across the MENA region on the pan-regional linear Pay TV channel, fully dubbed in Arabic and English. On March 7, the programming block debuted throughout Central & South America on 24/7 linear, offering content in Spanish and English.

The Kartoon Genius programming blocks offer first-run original content on these platforms and aims to deliver positive entertainment for children and families, underscored by safety and enrichment. Series on the programming block line-up include Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten, Llama Llama, Rainbow Rangers, Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaires Club, Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab, and more.

Managing Director of Kartoon Channel! Worldwide, Paul Robinson, says: “Positive and uplifting children’s entertainment is more in demand today than ever. Since announcing our commitment to launch the Kartoon Channel! internationally less than three months ago, we are off to a fantastic start with pan-regional launches within the next two weeks across The Middle East, North Africa, Central America and South America on the programme platforms through Genius Brands’ investment in YFE.

“The growth of the Kartoon Channel! over the past two years in the U.S., headed by Jon Ollwerther, has been tremendous.  Despite the global challenges, children’s entertainment is timeless and enduring. We are extremely excited about the many opportunities we have to bring the channel to the rest of the world and to build it into the preeminent entertainment destination for kids.”

Genius Brands International rolls out its Kartoon Channel! app to iOS as it looks to take on Netflix and Disney+

Posted on by

Genius Brands International has extended the launch of its new, free digital Kartoon Channel to iOS with a new dedicated Kartoon Channel! app available on Apple iOS. It follows it initial launch across multiple AVOD and OTT platforms last month.

Kartoon Channel! was launched onto the scene as a rival to the Netflix and Disney+ streaming platforms, to offer kids a library of content, including Genius Brands originals and acquired content including the likes of Babar, Angry Birds, Stan Lee’s Mighty7, Baby Genius, Llama Llama, and more.

It’s according to GBI that the Kartoon Channel! has already seen a ‘groundswell of growth’ since its launch on June 15th 2020.

Margaret Loesch, executive chairman of Kartoon Channel!, said: “There are great platforms available today for kids, such as Netflix and Disney+, however, they are pay platforms.”

Andy Heyward, Genius Brands Chairman and CEO, added: “There are two attributes that distinguish Kartoon Channel! from them. First, our Kartoon Channel! is free. When we launched this platform, we were very clear that we would be ‘like a Netflix for kids, but free’.

“In today’s times where families are challenged to make budgets work, having a high-quality free on-demand content service for kids is a huge point of value. The second, and no less important, our channel offers Curated Content. At a time when kids are home from school and camps are largely closed, we are bringing children content that is value-driven and enriching, and not just “empty viewing calories.”

The Kartoon Channel! and the new complementary iOS app offer access to a wide variety of family-friendly content, with more added daily, featuring Genius Brands originals and acquired content, including Babar, Angry Birds, Stan Lee’s Mighty7, Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab, Baby Einstein, Baby Genius, Llama Llama shorts, Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaires Club and more.

Additionally, Genius Brands is adding more family-friendly gaming content, including Minecraft’s Journey to the End and Fairy Horse Quest, Octodad, PixArk, and Big B Roblox Challenge, from Tankee. Genius Brands will also premiere on Kartoon Channel! the upcoming comedy-adventure series, Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten, currently in pre-production and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, on Kartoon Channel! in Q1 2021. Additionally, the Kartoon Channel! app features a camera mode with filter capabilities for hours of safe entertainment for young ones.  

Llama Llama joins MaskClub.com for cloth mask range in fight against Covid-19

Posted on by

Genius Brands International has partnered with the MaskClub.com subscription service run by the license apparel company, Trevco, to bring the cast of its popular Llama Llama series to the cloth mask market.

As part of the initiative, GBI will be donating a percentage of the proceeds to the Save the Children organisation, a group for which, Jennifer Garner, a starring voice in the Llama Llama series on Netflix, serves as an Ambassador on the Board of Trustees.

For every mask purchased, MaskClub is also donating a medical grade mask to First Responders Children’s Foundation for distribution to paramedics, emergency medical technicians, police officers, firefighters, and medical personnel treating Covid-19 patients.

The company launched by donating  by donating an initial 5,000 masks in April. All cloth masks featured on MaskClub.com are designed to be a protective covering for your face as advised by the CDC.

“When we learned from Trevco about the launch of Maskclub.com and all of the wonderful work they are doing on charity front to make a difference during this time, we knew we wanted to immediately get involved,” said Lloyd Mintz, senior vice president, global consumer products, Genius Brands. “We are honoured to have Llama Llama be a part of this initiative, and we look forward to donating to Save the Children in author Anna Dewdney’s memory.”

Trevor George, CEO of Trevco, added: “The past weeks have been a whirlwind. We are beyond grateful for the amount of attention and support we have received for Maskclub.com and we are so pleased to work with Genius Brands to add the tremendously popular Llama Llama brand to our offering.”

Genius Brands delves into IP portfolio to deliver public messaging on hygiene amid COVID-19 pandemic

Posted on by

In an effort to provide information to parents and children in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, Genius Brands International has produced a series of Public Service Announcements starring Warren Buffett and Jennifer Garner, to inform children about safe hygiene.

The series of announcements will feature brands from the company’s catalogue of properties, including Llama Llama,Warren Buffett’sSecret Millionaires Club, and Rainbow Rangers.

The seven PSAs focus on teaching children how to practice hand-washing and social distancing to help keep family, friends, and their community safe all presented in a manner that children can easily understand.

Warren Buffett, who co-created and stars in Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaires Club, and Jennfer Garner, who stars in Netflix’s Llama Llama, have lent their voices and donated their time to participate in the production of the PSAs. The PSAs will be distributed to Genius Brands’ media partners around the world, as well as on Genius Brands’ network of channels.

“I am proud to participate in these PSAs with Genius Brands to deliver the overarching message to children everywhere that the best investment they can make, is an investment in themselves and today that means safe hygiene,” said Buffett.

“Given where we are today, we recognise we had an opportunity and obligation to utilise our well recognised brands we have to deliver an extremely important message to parents and children, particularly those in vulnerable situations,” added Andy Heyward, chairman and CEO, Genius Brands.

“I am extremely grateful to Warren and Jennifer, for their generosity in working with us to develop this PSA campaign, as well as the many talents behind the scenes donating their time and effort to bring these to the marketplace in record time.”