With Over $100 Million Dollars in Annual Aggregated Media Spend, ChizComm is the Largest Purchaser of Children’s Media in North America
By Gary Symons, TLL Editor in Chief
The global brand management company Genius Brands International announced what it calls the “transformative acquisition” of ChizComm Ltd., a leading North American marketing and media agency, as well as its subsidiary ChizComm Beacon Media, a division involved in media research, planning and media buys.
ChizComm is the largest purchaser of children’s media across both traditional and digital platforms in North America, as well as an established leader in PR, media, and marketing within the kids/family media and consumer product sectors.
ChizComm was founded by Harold and Jennifer Chizick in 2013. With offices in New Jersey, Los Angeles, and Toronto, the company represents more than 30 major toy companies and some of the most powerful and iconic brands in the children and family media and toy industries.
ChizComm Beacon Media has consistently been ranked the largest media buyer within the Kids 2-11 age group, representing over 32% of total Gross Rating Points (GRPs).
ChizComm Beacon Media has gained more market share year-to-date, and now represents 34% of the total GRPs within the Kids 2-11 demographic.
Genius Brands says Chizcomm’s “unique purchasing power and extensive media relationships across networks, including Viacom, Warner Media, Disney, YouTube and other digital platforms, offer clients an unmatched competitive advantage and access to audiences of all ages.”
“Our strategy has been to accelerate the growth of Genius Brands through smart and accretive acquisitions,” stated Genius Brands’ Chairman & CEO Andy Heyward. “ChizComm achieves this goal and more, by driving revenue and generating immediate synergies and strategic opportunities to enhance the core businesses of Genius.”
Heyward says the management teams felt a synergy that would allow them to work together very well.
“ChizComm’s reputation, integrity and unparalleled passion for the industry is completely aligned with what we stand for,” Heyward explained. “Their team has very smartly built an incredible marketing engine with best-in-class ability to connect brands and consumers in a highly competitive market, and we see that as a powerful complement to our forward growth at Genius Brands, including Kartoon Channel.”
ChizComm has experienced impressive growth in a short time, driven by its comprehensive integrated marketing approach and a deep understanding of kids, youth, millennials and parents to help brands connect with audiences. The company drives growth for its clients by using a combination of PR, social media, influencer marketing, and paid media strategies.
That approach, says Heyward, positions Genius Brands to create synergies and fuel new opportunities with broadcast clients and toy companies, for innovative offerings, reach and engagement in a rapidly evolving landscape as well as fueling the growth of Kartoon! Channel.
As a part of the transaction, ChizComm Ltd and ChizComm Beacon Media will continue to operate as independent divisions of Genius Brands, under the leadership of Harold Chizick as CEO, Jennifer Chizick as COO, Donna MacNeil as President, and Kathleen Campisano as ChizComm Global CMO and GM of ChizComm Beacon Media.
“We are simply thrilled to find a partner in Genius Brands who shares our energy, enthusiasm and passion for the business of entertainment, media, licensing and consumer products,” said Harold Chizick, ChizComm CEO and Co-Founder. “Many of our clients are expanding into content development and licensing opportunities, so this partnership extends our capabilities to meet our clients’ evolving needs. This transaction also provides us a solid financial partner and additional resources to further accelerate our growth.”
Genius Brands International, Inc. trades on the Nasdaq under the symbol GNUS, and specializes in developing, producing, marketing and licensing branded children’s entertainment properties and consumer products for media and retail distribution. The Company’s portfolio includes the upcoming Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and in partnership with Alibaba; Rainbow Rangers for Nick Jr.; Llama Llama, starring Jennifer Garner, for Netflix; award-winning toddler brand Baby Genius; adventure comedy STEM series Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab; and entrepreneurship series Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaires Club, and the recently announced SHAQ’S GARAGE produced in association with Shaquille O’Neal and Authentic Brands Group.
The Company’s new Kartoon Channel! is available in over 100 million U.S. television households via a broad range of distribution platforms, including Comcast, Cox, DISH, Amazon Prime, Sling TV, Apple iOs, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and more.