UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
x | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2019
o | 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: 000-54389
GENIUS BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Nevada | 20-4118216 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of | (I.R.S. Employer | |
incorporation or organization) | Identification No.) | |
190 N. Canon Drive, 4th FL | ||
Beverly Hills, CA | 90210 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
310-273-4222
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered |
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share | GNUS | The 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 ☒
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: 14,426,823 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, were outstanding as of November 14, 2019.
GENIUS BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
FORM 10-Q
For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2019
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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Genius Brands International, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
As of September 30, 2019, and December 31, 2018
ASSETS | September 30, 2019 | December 31, 2018 | ||||||
(unaudited) | ||||||||
Current Assets: | ||||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents | $ | 633,561 | $ | 2,684,483 | ||||
Restricted Cash | – | 400,543 | ||||||
Accounts Receivable, net | 3,921,433 | 2,160,296 | ||||||
Other Receivable | 2,310 | 20,902 | ||||||
Inventory | 12,518 | 15,816 | ||||||
Prepaid and Other Assets | 441,474 | 297,542 | ||||||
Total Current Assets | 5,011,296 | 5,579,582 | ||||||
Property and Equipment, net | 74,387 | 75,634 | ||||||
Right Of Use Assets, net | 4,115,532 | – | ||||||
Film and Television Costs, net | 9,450,233 | 8,166,131 | ||||||
Lease Deposits | 368,001 | 325,000 | ||||||
Intangible Assets, net | 61,039 | 89,988 | ||||||
Goodwill | 10,365,806 | 10,365,806 | ||||||
Total Assets | $ | 29,446,294 | $ | 24,602,141 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
Current Liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts Payable | $ | 1,214,756 | $ | 285,563 | ||||
Accrued Expenses | 150,956 | 52,865 | ||||||
Participations Payable | 2,010,439 | 1,078,557 | ||||||
Deferred Revenue | 737,783 | 874,503 | ||||||
Senior Secured Convertible Notes, net | 3,050,312 | 1,831,847 | ||||||
Lease Liability | 518,314 | – | ||||||
Due To Related Parties | 933,596 | 346,759 | ||||||
Accrued Salaries and Wages | 242,419 | 137,825 | ||||||
Total Current Liabilities | 8,858,575 | 4,607,919 | ||||||
Long Term Liabilities: | ||||||||
Deferred Revenue | 4,193,832 | 4,051,253 | ||||||
Lease Liability | 3,683,115 | – | ||||||
Production Facility, net | 3,050,416 | 2,178,198 | ||||||
Disputed Trade Payable | 925,000 | 925,000 | ||||||
Total Liabilities | 20,710,938 | 11,762,370 | ||||||
Stockholders’ Equity | ||||||||
Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized 2,120 and 2,120 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively | 2 | 2 | ||||||
Common Stock, $0.001 par value, 233,333,334 shares authorized, 11,933,365 and 9,457,859 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively | 11,934 | 9,458 | ||||||
Additional Paid in Capital | 70,903,988 | 63,537,915 | ||||||
Accumulated Deficit | (62,175,450 | ) | (50,702,486 | ) | ||||
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | (5,118 | ) | (5,118 | ) | ||||
Total Stockholders’ Equity | 8,735,356 | 12,839,771 | ||||||
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | $ | 29,446,294 | $ | 24,602,141 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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Genius Brands International, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
September 30, 2019 | September 30, 2018 | September 30, 2019 | September 30, 2018 | |||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
Licensing & Royalties | $ | 174,261 | $ | 210,675 | $ | 674,107 | $ | 302,140 | ||||||||
Television & Home Entertainment | 3,147,411 | 196,519 | 4,292,972 | 234,474 | ||||||||||||
Advertising Sales | 147,034 | 115,628 | 184,716 | 154,563 | ||||||||||||
Product Sales | 290 | 353 | 2,396 | 1,622 | ||||||||||||
Total Revenues | 3,468,996 | 523,175 | 5,154,191 | 692,799 | ||||||||||||
Operating Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
Marketing and Sales | 97,541 | 92,946 | 405,751 | 334,302 | ||||||||||||
Direct Operating Costs | 2,841,358 | 476,199 | 3,929,187 | 1,206,147 | ||||||||||||
General and Administrative | 2,092,734 | 1,207,894 | 5,298,865 | 3,858,650 | ||||||||||||
Total Operating Expenses | 5,031,633 | 1,777,039 | 9,633,803 | 5,399,099 | ||||||||||||
Loss from Operations | (1,562,637 | ) | (1,253,864 | ) | (4,479,612 | ) | (4,706,300 | ) | ||||||||
Other Income (Expense): | ||||||||||||||||
Other Income | 1,294 | 9,489 | 17,081 | 9,769 | ||||||||||||
Loss on Extinguished Debt | (1,080,664 | ) | – | (4,432,819 | ) | – | ||||||||||
Other Income - Sub-Lease | 117,416 | – | 314,869 | – | ||||||||||||
Interest Expense | (30,642 | ) | (577,477 | ) | (697,386 | ) | (578,570 | ) | ||||||||
Net Other Income (Expense) | (992,596 | ) | (567,988 | ) | (4,798,255 | ) | (568,801 | ) | ||||||||
Loss Before Income Tax Expense | (2,555,233 | ) | (1,821,852 | ) | (9,277,867 | ) | (5,275,101 | ) | ||||||||
Income Tax Expense | – | – | – | – | ||||||||||||
Net Loss | (2,555,233 | ) | (1,821,852 | ) | (9,277,867 | ) | (5,275,101 | ) | ||||||||
Beneficial Conversion Feature on Preferred Stock | (1,686,667 | ) | (353,333 | ) | (2,008,907 | ) | (353,333 | ) | ||||||||
Net Loss Applicable to Common Shareholders | $ | (4,241,900 | ) | $ | (2,175,185 | ) | $ | (11,286,774 | ) | $ | (5,628,434 | ) | ||||
Net Loss per Common Share (Basic And Diluted) | $ | (0.38 | ) | $ | (0.24 | ) | $ | (1.07 | ) | $ | (0.66 | ) | ||||
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (Basic and Diluted) | 11,241,440 | 9,062,966 | 10,538,309 | 8,556,232 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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Genius Brands International, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
September 30, 2019 | September 30, 2018 | September 30, 2019 | September 30, 2018 | |||||||||||||
Net Loss | $ | (2,555,233 | ) | $ | (1,821,852 | ) | $ | (9,277,867 | ) | $ | (5,275,101 | ) | ||||
Beneficial Conversion Feature on Preferred Stock | (1,686,667 | ) | (353,333 | ) | (2,008,907 | ) | (353,333 | ) | ||||||||
Comprehensive Net Loss to Common Shareholders | $ | (4,241,900 | ) | $ | (2,175,185 | ) | $ | (11,286,774 | ) | $ | (5,628,434 | ) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
5 |
Genius Brands International, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018
(unaudited)
Common Stock | Preferred Stock | Additional Paid-In | Accumulated | Other Comprehensive | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Capital | Deficit | Loss | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2018 | 9,457,859 | $ | 9,458 | 2,120 | $ | 2 | $ | 63,537,915 | $ | (50,702,486 | ) | $ | (5,118 | ) | $ | 12,839,771 | ||||||||||||||||
Cumulative effect of adoption ASC 842 | – | – | – | – | – | (4,306 | ) | – | (4,306 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Warrants Issued As Part Of Debt Extinguishment | – | – | – | – | 1,287,962 | – | – | 1,287,962 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Value Of Beneficial Conversion Feature resulting from debt extinguishment | – | – | – | – | (213,700 | ) | – | – | (213,700 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Proceeds from Securities Purchase Agreement, Net | 945,894 | 946 | – | – | 1,756,606 | – | – | 1,757,552 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of Common Stock for Services | 28,965 | 29 | – | – | 71,939 | – | – | 71,968 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share Based Compensation | – | – | – | – | 35,749 | – | – | 35,749 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Value of Beneficial Conversion Feature | – | – | – | – | 322,240 | (322,240 | ) | – | – | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Loss | – | – | – | – | – | (5,007,482 | ) | – | (5,007,482 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, March 31, 2019 | 10,432,718 | 10,433 | 2,120 | 2 | 66,798,711 | (56,036,514 | ) | (5,118 | ) | 10,767,514 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of Common Stock for Services | 43,022 | 43 | – | – | 80,800 | – | – | 80,843 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share Based Compensation | – | – | – | – | 57,407 | – | – | 57,407 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Loss | – | – | – | – | – | (1,715,152 | ) | – | (1,715,152 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, June 30, 2019 | 10,475,740 | 10,476 | 2,120 | 2 | 66,936,918 | (57,751,666 | ) | (5,118 | ) | 9,190,612 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of Common Stock for Services | 511,731 | 512 | – | – | 423,776 | – | – | 424,288 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share Based Compensation | – | – | – | – | 49,263 | – | – | 49,263 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Value of Beneficial Conversion Feature | – | – | – | – | 1,686,667 | (1,686,667 | ) | – | – | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Warrants Issued As Part Of Debt Extinguishment | – | – | – | – | 957,867 | – | – | 957,867 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Proceeds From Warrant Exchange, net | 945,894 | 946 | – | – | 667,613 | – | – | 668,559 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Value of Warrant Inducement | – | – | – | – | 181,884 | (181,884 | ) | – | – | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Loss | – | – | – | – | – | (2,555,233 | ) | – | (2,555,233 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, September 30, 2019 | 11,933,365 | $ | 11,934 | 2,120 | $ | 2 | $ | 70,903,988 | $ | (62,175,450 | ) | $ | (5,118 | ) | $ | 8,735,356 |
6 |
Genius Brands International, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (continued)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018
(unaudited)
Common Stock | Preferred Stock | Additional Paid-In | Accumulated | Other Comprehensive | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Capital | Deficit | Loss | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2017 | 7,610,794 | $ | 7,611 | 3,530 | $ | 4 | $ | 56,588,846 | $ | (41,551,497 | ) | $ | (5,118 | ) | $ | 15,039,846 | ||||||||||||||||
Retained Earnings Adjustment (ASC 606) | – | – | – | – | – | 173,112 | – | 173,112 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of Common Stock in Registered Direct Offering, net | 592,000 | 592 | – | – | 1,595,749 | – | – | 1,596,341 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share Based Compensation | – | – | – | – | 47,852 | – | – | 47,852 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Loss | – | – | – | – | – | (1,263,464 | ) | – | (1,263,464 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, March 31, 2018 | 8,202,794 | 8,203 | 3,530 | 4 | 58,232,447 | (42,641,849 | ) | (5,118 | ) | 15,593,687 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Retained Earnings Adjustment (ASC 606) | – | – | – | – | – | 33,135 | – | 33,135 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Conversion of Preferred Shares | 470,001 | 470 | (1,410 | ) | (2 | ) | (468 | ) | – | – | – | |||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of Common Stock for Services | 277,508 | 277 | – | – | 779,723 | – | – | 780,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share Based Compensation | – | – | – | – | 20,870 | – | – | 20,870 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Loss | – | – | – | – | (2,189,783 | ) | – | (2,189,783 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, June 30, 2018 | 8,950,303 | 8,950 | 2,120 | 2 | 59,032,572 | (44,798,497 | ) | (5,118 | ) | 14,237,909 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of Common Stock for Services | 321,697 | 322 | – | – | 782,680 | – | – | 783,002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share Based Compensation | – | – | – | – | 44,682 | – | – | 44,682 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Value of Beneficial Conversion Feature | – | – | – | – | 353,333 | (353,333 | ) | – | – | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Value of Beneficial Conversion Feature On Secured Convertible Notes | – | – | – | – | 1,471,111 | – | – | 1,471,111 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Value of Beneficial Conversion Feature On Senior Secured Notes | – | – | – | – | 1,561,111 | – | – | 1,561,111 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Loss | – | – | – | – | – | (1,821,852 | ) | – | (1,821,852 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, September 30, 2018 | 9,272,000 | $ | 9,272 | 2,120 | $ | 2 | $ | 63,245,489 | $ | (46,973,682 | ) | $ | (5,118 | ) | $ | 16,275,963 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these audited financial statements.
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Genius Brands International, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018
(unaudited)
September 30, 2019 | September 30, 2018 | |||||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities: | ||||||||
Net Loss | $ | (9,277,867 | ) | $ | (5,275,101 | ) | ||
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Loss to Net Cash Used in Operating Activities: | ||||||||
Amortization of Film and Television Costs | 1,907,222 | 1,033,392 | ||||||
Depreciation and Amortization Expense | 216,410 | 69,530 | ||||||
Accretion of Discount on Secured Convertible Notes | 288,609 | 399,123 | ||||||
Bad Debt | – | 2,400 | ||||||
Stock Issued for Services | 119,798 | – | ||||||
Stock Compensation Expense | 142,420 | 113,405 | ||||||
Loss On Extinguished Debt | 4,432,819 | – | ||||||
Decrease (Increase) in Operating Assets: | ||||||||
Accounts Receivable, net | (1,761,137 | ) | 2,054,496 | |||||
Other Receivable | 18,592 | 256,872 | ||||||
Inventory, net | 3,298 | 1,407 | ||||||
Prepaid Expenses & Other Assets | (143,932 | ) | (204,437 | ) | ||||
Lease Deposits | (43,001 | ) | (325,000 | ) | ||||
Film and Television Costs, net | (2,324,023 | ) | (3,014,150 | ) | ||||
Increase (Decrease) in Operating Liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts Payable | 182,577 | (92,751 | ) | |||||
Accrued Salaries & Wages | 104,594 | (36,998 | ) | |||||
Deferred Revenue | 5,859 | (85,610 | ) | |||||
Participations Payable | 1,220,536 | 304,217 | ||||||
Due To Related Party | 134,800 | – | ||||||
Accrued Expenses | 136,010 | (687,503 | ) | |||||
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities | (4,636,416 | ) | (5,486,708 | ) | ||||
Cash Flows from Investing Activities: | ||||||||
Investment in Intangible Assets, net | – | (21,358 | ) | |||||
Investment in Property & Equipment | (26,976 | ) | (21,628 | ) | ||||
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities | (26,976 | ) | (42,986 | ) | ||||
Cash Flows from Financing Activities: | ||||||||
Payments on Lease liability | (115,567 | ) | – | |||||
Proceeds from Sale of Securities Purchase Agreement, Net | 1,757,552 | 1,596,341 | ||||||
Proceeds From Warrant Exchange | 668,558 | – | ||||||
Repayment of Secured Convertible Notes | (970,834 | ) | 4,186,054 | |||||
Repayment of Production Facility, Net | 872,218 | (2,676,748 | ) | |||||
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities | 2,211,927 | 3,105,647 | ||||||
Net Decrease in Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash | (2,451,465 | ) | (2,424,047 | ) | ||||
Beginning Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash | 3,085,026 | 7,498,073 | ||||||
Ending Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash | $ | 633,561 | $ | 5,074,026 | ||||
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information: | ||||||||
Cash Paid for Interest | $ | 435,129 | $ | 104,758 | ||||
Schedule of Non-Cash Financing and Investing Activities | ||||||||
Issuance of Common Stock for production services | $ | 457,301 | $ | 1,563,002 | ||||
Beneficial Conversion Feature | $ | 2,008,907 | $ | 353,333 | ||||
Capitalization of Operating Lease Right to Use Asset | $ | 2,245,093 | $ | – |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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Genius Brands International, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2019
(unaudited)
Note 1: Organization and Business
Organization and Nature of Business
Genius Brands International, Inc. (“we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company”) is a global content and brand management company that creates and licenses multimedia content. Led by experienced industry personnel, we distribute our content in all formats as well as a broad range of consumer products based on our characters. In the children's media sector, our portfolio features “content with a purpose” for toddlers to tweens, which provides enrichment as well as entertainment. New intellectual property titles include the preschool property Rainbow Rangers, which debuted in November 2018 on Nickelodeon and which was renewed for a second season and preschool property Llama Llama, which debuted on Netflix in January 2018 and was renewed by Netflix for a second season. Our library titles include the award winning Baby Genius, adventure comedy Thomas Edison's Secret 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. We are also developing an all-new animated series, Stan Lee's Superhero Kindergarten with Stan Lee's Pow! Entertainment.
In addition, we act as licensing agent for Penguin Young Readers, a division of Penguin Random House LLC who 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.
The Company commenced operations in 2006, assuming all the rights and obligations of its then Chief Executive Officer, under an Asset Purchase Agreement between the Company and Genius Products, Inc., in 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 reincorporated in Nevada and changed its name to Genius Brands International, Inc. In connection with the reincorporation, the Company changed its trading symbol to “GNUS.”
In 2013, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the “Merger Agreement”) with A Squared Entertainment LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“A Squared”), A Squared Holdings LLC, a California limited liability company and sole member of A Squared (the “Parent Member”) and A2E Acquisition LLC, its newly formed, wholly-owned Delaware subsidiary (“Acquisition Sub”). Upon closing of the transactions, A Squared, as the surviving entity, became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.
Liquidity
Historically, the Company has incurred net losses. For the three months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, the Company reported net losses of $2,555,233 and $1,821,852, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, the Company reported net losses of $9,277,867 and $5,275,101, respectively. The Company reported net cash used in operating activities of $4,636,416 and $5,486,708 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, and September 30, 2018, respectively. As of September 30, 2019, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $62,175,450 and total stockholders’ equity of $8,735,356. At September 30, 2019, the Company had current assets of $5,011,296, including cash and cash equivalents of $633,561 and current liabilities of $8,858,575. The Company had negative working capital of $3,847,279 as of September 30, 2019, compared to working capital of $971,663 as of December 31, 2018.
9 |
On February 19, 2019, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with a certain accredited investor pursuant to which it sold 945,894 shares of its common stock, par value $0.001 per share ( the “Common Stock”), and warrants to purchase up to 945,894 shares of Common Stock, or the registered warrants, to such investor (the “February 2019 Offering”). The Company received $1,757,552 of net proceeds from this offering. Each share of Common Stock was accompanied by a registered warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $2.12. Each share of Common Stock and accompanying registered warrant were sold at a combined purchase price of $2.12. The shares of Common Stock and registered warrants were purchased together and were issued separately and were immediately separable upon issuance. In a concurrent private placement, the Company also sold to the purchaser in the February 2019 Offering, unregistered warrants to purchase up to an additional 945,894 shares of our Common Stock.
Amendment, Waiver and Consent
In connection with the February 2019 Offering and concurrent private placement, the Company entered into an amendment, waiver and consent agreement, or the “February Amendment, Waiver and Consent Agreement,” with certain holders of its 10% Secured Convertible Notes which were issued pursuant to a securities purchase agreement, dated August 17, 2018, by and among the Company and the purchasers identified on the signature pages thereto, or the notes purchase agreement. Pursuant to the February Amendment, Waiver and Consent Agreement, such holders agreed to amend the notes purchase agreement, waive any applicable rights and remedies under the notes purchase agreement, and consent to the February 2019 Offering and concurrent private placement. In consideration for such February Amendment, Waiver and Consent Agreement, the Company agreed to issue all holders of its 10% Secured Convertible Notes warrants to purchase up to an aggregate amount of 1,800,000 shares of our Common Stock. Such warrants have an exercise price of $2.55 per share, will become exercisable commencing six months and one day from the date of issuance and will expire five (5) years from the date of issuance.
The issuance of the warrants resulted in a modification of debt in accordance with ASC 470 and is characterized as an extinguishment of debt in accordance with ASC-470-50-40. In accordance with ASC-470-50-40-2 the Company derecognized the existing debt as if it was extinguished and recorded the new debt, with the difference between the reacquisition price of the new debt and the net carrying amount of the extinguished debt, $2,064,193 being recorded as a loss on the extinguishment of debt.
On July 22, 2019, in connection with a proposed public offering of shares of Common Stock (the “August 2019 Offering”), the Company entered into an amendment, waiver and consent agreement (the “July Amendment, Waiver and Consent”) with certain holders constituting (i) a majority-in-interest of the holders of its Secured Convertible Notes and (ii) 51% in interest of the shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to a securities purchase agreement, dated as of January 8, 2018, by and among the Company and the purchasers identified on the signature pages thereto (the “January 2018 Purchase Agreement”). Pursuant to the July Amendment, Waiver and Consent, such holders agreed to amend the August 2018 Purchase Agreement, the January 2018 Purchase Agreement and the Secured Convertible Notes, waive any applicable rights and remedies under each of the August 2018 Purchase Agreement and the January 2018 Purchase Agreement, and consent to the August 2019 Offering in consideration for (i) a reduction in the conversion price of the Secured Convertible Notes from $2.50 per share to an amount equal to $1.515 and (ii) the issuance to the August 2018 Purchasers of new warrants to purchase the same number of shares of Common Stock that were issued to each August 2018 Purchaser pursuant to the August 2018 Purchase Agreement (for an aggregate of 1,800,000 shares of Common Stock to all August 2018 Purchasers) at an exercise price per share equal to $1.14 and will become exercisable commencing six (6) months and one day from the date of issuance and will expire (5) years from the date of issuance.
The issuance of the warrants resulted in a modification of debt in accordance with ASC 470 and is characterized as an extinguishment of debt in accordance with ASC-470-50-40. In accordance with ASC-470-50-40-2, the Company derecognized the existing debt as if it was extinguished and recorded the new debt. The difference between the reacquisition price of the debt including the fair value of the warrants issued and the net carrying amount of the extinguished debt amounted to $957,867. This amount was recorded as a loss on debt extinguishment.
On August 20, 2019, pursuant to the Secured Convertible Notes, the Company elected to make six equal monthly principal payments of $750,000. The first payment with interest was paid on August 23, 2019.
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On September 17, 2019, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), Andy Heyward, purchased $500,000 of the Secured Convertible Notes from another holder. The Company did not receive any proceeds from this transaction.
On September 18, 2019, the Company entered into a private transaction (the “Private Transaction”) pursuant to a Warrant Exercise Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the holder of the Company’s existing warrants (the “Original Warrants”). The Original Warrants were originally issued on February 19, 2019, to purchase an aggregate of 945,894 shares of Common Stock, at an exercise price of $2.12 per share and were to expire on February 19, 2020.
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 $0.76 (the “Amended Exercise Price”). The Company received $718,879 from the exercise of the Original Warrants before paying the placement agent fee of $50,321. The induced exercise resulted in the Company recognizing and recording an “imputed dividend” of $181,884. The amount was determined as the difference in warrants’ value due to the reduction in the exercise price. It was recorded by debiting Accumulated Deficit and crediting Additional Paid-In Capital.
As a result, the conversion price of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock decreased to $0.76.
On September 20, 2019, the Company and the holders of $1,958,334 of the Secured Convertible Notes, extended the maturity date of those Secured Convertible Notes until January 31, 2020. The Company also agreed to pay the 10% interest to the holders monthly instead of quarterly.
On September 20, 2019, the Company and the holders of $687,500 of the Secured Convertible Notes, extended the maturity date of those Secured Convertible Notes until August 20, 2021. The Company also agreed to pay the 10% interest to the holders monthly instead of quarterly.
The extension of maturity dates was characterized as a modification of debt in accordance with ASC-470-50-40. To account for the debt modification, the Company established a new effective interest rate that will amortize pre-modification debt to revised future cash flows. No gain or loss is recognized immediately due to the debt modification transaction.
Going Concern
The Company’s current assets are not sufficient to repay its outstanding Secured Convertible Notes and fund its planned operations, and accordingly, there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. If the Company defaults in its payment obligations under the Secured Convertible Notes and the indebtedness under the Secured Convertible Notes were to be accelerated, there can be no assurance that the Company’s assets would be sufficient to repay such indebtedness in full at such time or it may not be able to obtain debt or equity financing on favorable terms or if at all to repay the Secured Convertible Notes. As a result, the Company could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation.
Notice of Delisting or Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule or Standard; Transfer or Listing
On September 4, 2019, the Company received a notification letter from The Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) informing the Company that for the last 30 consecutive business days, the bid price of the Company’s Common Stock had closed below $1.00 per share, which is the minimum required closing bid price for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market pursuant to Listing Rule 5550(a)(2).
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This notice has no immediate effect on the Company's Nasdaq listing or trading of its Common Stock. In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), the Company has 180 calendar days, or until March 2, 2020, to regain compliance. To regain compliance, the closing bid price of the Company’s Common Stock must be at least $1.00 per share for a minimum of ten consecutive business days. If the Company does not regain compliance by March 2, 2020, the Company may be eligible for additional time to regain compliance or if the Company is otherwise not eligible, the Company may request a hearing before a Hearings Panel.
Note 2: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying 2019 and 2018 condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Genius Brands International, Inc., its wholly owned subsidiaries A Squared LLC, Llama Productions LLC and Rainbow Rangers Productions LLC, as well as its interest in Stan Lee Comics, LLC (“Stan Lee Comics”). All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 805 Business Combinations.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“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.
Financial Statement Reclassification
Certain account balances from prior periods have been reclassified in these condensed consolidated financial statements to conform to current period classifications.
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash
The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments with initial maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. As of September 30, 2019, Restricted Cash totaled $0. As of December 31, 2018, Restricted Cash totaled $400,543. Restricted Cash represents funds held in a cash account to be used solely for the production of Llama Llama as a condition of its loan agreement with Bank Leumi USA.
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Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Accounts receivable are presented on the consolidated balance sheets net of estimated uncollectible amounts. The Company assesses its accounts receivable balances on a quarterly basis to determine collectability and records an allowance for estimated uncollectible accounts in an amount approximating anticipated losses based on historical experience and future expectations. Individual uncollectible accounts are written off against the allowance when collection of the individual accounts appears doubtful. The Company had an allowance for doubtful accounts of $0 for each of the periods ended September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
Inventory
Inventory is stated at the lower of average cost or net realizable value and consist of finished goods such as DVDs, CDs and other products. A reserve for slow-moving and obsolete inventory is established for all inventory deemed potentially non-saleable. The current inventory is considered properly valued and saleable. The Company concluded that there was an appropriate reserve for slow moving and obsolete inventory of $26,097 at each of the periods ended September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
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 consolidated statement of operations.
Right of Use Leased Assets
In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, “Leases.” The standard requires lessees to recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from leases on the balance sheet. A lessee should recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The amendments should be applied at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach with earlier application permitted as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period.
In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842), Targeted Improvements, which allows for an additional optional transition method where comparative periods presented in the financial statements in the period of adoption will not be restated and instead those periods will be presented under existing guidance in accordance with ASC 840, Leases. Management used this optional transition method. 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.
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 purchase 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, we are required to estimate the fair market value of each of our reporting units, of which we have one. While we may use a variety of methods to estimate fair value for impairment testing, our primary method is discounted cash flows. We estimate future cash flows and allocations of certain assets using estimates for future growth rates and our judgment regarding the applicable discount rates. Changes to our judgments and estimates could result in a significantly different estimate of the fair market value of the reporting units, which could result in an impairment of goodwill or indefinite lived intangible assets in future periods.
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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 accounts for the proceeds from the issuance of convertible notes payable in accordance with FASB ASC 470-20 Debt with Conversion and Other Options. Pursuant to FASB ASC 470-20, the intrinsic value of the embedded conversion feature (beneficial conversion interest), which is in the money on the commitment date is included in the discount to debt and amortized to interest expense over the term of the note agreement. When the conversion option is not separated, the Company accounts for the entire convertible instrument including debt and the conversion feature as a liability.
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 Company’s stock, it is classified as an asset or liability recorded at fair value. If the instrument considered indexed to Company’s stock, the Company analyzes additional equity classification requirements per 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.
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.
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Revenue Recognition
On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the new accounting standard ASC 606 (Topic 606), Revenue from Contracts with Customers and all the related amendments (“new revenue standard”) using the modified retrospective method applied to those contracts which were not completed as of January 1, 2018. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under Topic 606.
Accordingly, the Company recorded a cumulative effect adjustment to Accumulated Deficit in the amount of $206,247. The impact to the Company’s financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 resulting from the adoption of Topic 606 as of January 1, 2018 was a reduction of revenue in the amounts of $26,184 and $162,551, respectively, and a corresponding reduction in costs in the amounts of $14,317 and $42,952, respectively, from the amounts reported. The amounts prior to adoption were not recognized pursuant to Topic 606 and would have been reported pursuant to Topic 605.
The Company has identified the following six material and distinct performance obligations:
· | License rights to exploit Functional Intellectual Property (Functional Intellectual Property or “Functional IP” is defined as intellectual property that has significant standalone functionality, such as the ability to be played or aired. Functional intellectual property derives a substantial portion of its utility from its significant standalone functionality.) |
· | License rights to exploit Symbolic Intellectual Property (Symbolic Intellectual Property 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.) |
· | 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.) |
· | 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 Network |
As a result of the change, beginning January 1, 2018, the Company began recognizing revenue related to licensed rights to exploit Functional IP in two ways. For minimum guarantees, the Company recognizes fixed revenue upon delivery of content and the start of the license period. 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 recognizing 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.
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The Company sells advertising on its Kid Genius channel in the form of either flat rate promotions or 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.
The Company recognizes revenue related to product sales when (i) the seller’s price is substantially fixed, (ii) shipment has occurred causing the buyer to be obligated to pay for product, (iii) the buyer has economic substance apart from the seller, and (iv) there is no significant obligation for future performance to directly bring about the resale of the product by the buyer.
Direct Operating Costs
Direct operating costs include costs of our product sales, non-capitalizable film costs, film and television cost amortization expense, and participation expense 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.
Share-Based Compensation
As required by FASB ASC 718 - Stock Compensation, the Company recognizes an expense related to the fair value of our share-based compensation awards, including stock options, using the Black-Scholes calculation as of the date of grant. The Company has elected to use the graded attribution method for awards which are in-substance, multiple awards based on the vesting schedule.
Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings (loss) per common share (“EPS”) is calculated by dividing net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders 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 shareholders 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.
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’s cash is maintained at three financial institutions and from time to time the balances for this account exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s (“FDIC”) insured amount. Balances on interest bearing deposits at banks in the United States are insured by the FDIC up to $250,000 per account. As of September 30, 2019, the Company had one account with a combined uninsured balance of $279,412. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had three accounts with a combined uninsured balance of $2,183,875.
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For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company had two customers whose total revenue each exceeded 10% of the total consolidated revenue. Those customers accounted for 94% and 78% of the total revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively. The Company had one customer that represented 85% of accounts receivable as of September 30, 2019. The Company had one customer who accounted for 98% of accounts receivable balance as of December 31, 2018.
Fair value of financial instruments
The carrying amounts of cash, receivables, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of the instruments. The carrying amount of the Production Loan Facility approximates fair value since the debt carries a variable interest rate that is tied to either the current Prime or LIBOR rates plus an applicable spread.
The Company adopted FASB ASC 820 as of January 1, 2008, for financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis. FASB ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with U.S. GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.
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 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 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). These tiers include:
· | Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets; | |
· | Level 2, defined as 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, defined as 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. |
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2017-04, “Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment,” which requires an entity to perform a one-step quantitative impairment test, whereby a goodwill impairment loss will be measured as the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying amount over its fair value (not to exceed the total goodwill allocated to that reporting unit). It eliminates Step 2 of the current two-step goodwill impairment test, under which a goodwill impairment loss is measured by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The standard is effective January 1, 2020, with early adoption as of January 1, 2017 permitted. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.
In July 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-11 addressing, among other matters, accounting for certain financial instruments. One of the amendments in this guidance intended to reduce the complexity associated with the issuer’s accounting for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity. Specifically, the Board determined that a down round feature (as defined) would no longer cause a freestanding equity-linked financial instrument (or an embedded conversion option) to be accounted for as a derivative liability at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in current earnings. ASU 2017-11 is effective for public business entities for fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company adopted ASU 2017-11 on January 1, 2019. The adoption of ASU 2017-11 did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements or cash flows.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (“ASU 2018-13”), which changes the fair value measurement disclosure requirements of ASC 820. The update removes some disclosures, modifies others, and adds some new disclosure requirements. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim period within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019 with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this guidance on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
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In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-07, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2018-07”), which supersedes ASC 505-05 and expands the scope of ASC 718 to include all share-based payment arranges related to the acquisition of goods and services from both nonemployees and employee. As a result, most of the guidance in ASC 718 associated with employee share-based payments, including most of its requirements related to classification and measurement, applies to nonemployee share-based payment arrangements. ASC 2018-07 is effective for all entities for fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company adopted ASU No. 2018-07 on January 1, 2019. The adoption of ASU 2018-07 did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements or cash flows.
In March 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-02, Entertainment-Films-Other Assets-Film Costs (Subtopic 926-20) and Entertainment-Broadcasters Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Subtopic 920-350). The update aligns the accounting for production costs of an episodic television series with the accounting for production costs of films by removing the content distinction for capitalization. The amendments also require that an entity reassess estimates of the use of a film in a film group and account for any changes prospectively. The amendments in this update require that an entity test a film or license agreement for program material within the scope of Subtopic 920-350 for impairment at a film group level when the film or license agreement is predominantly monetized with other films and/or license agreements. For public business entities, the amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this guidance on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Various other accounting pronouncements have been recently issued, most of which represented technical corrections to the accounting literature or were applicable to specific industries and are not expected to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
Note 3: Property and Equipment, Net
The Company has property and equipment as follows as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018:
September 30, 2019 | December 31, 2018 | |||||||
Furniture and Equipment | $ | 19,419 | $ | 12,385 | ||||
Computer Equipment | 144,643 | 138,883 | ||||||
Leasehold Improvements | 14,182 | – | ||||||
Software | 15,737 | 15,737 | ||||||
Property and Equipment, Gross | 193,981 | 167,005 | ||||||
Less Accumulated Depreciation | (119,594 | ) | (91,371 | ) | ||||
Property and Equipment, Net | $ | 74,387 | $ | 75,634 |
During the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, the Company recorded depreciation expense of $9,378 and $7,955, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, the Company recorded depreciation expense of $28,223 and $31,653, respectively.
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Note 4: Right Of Use Leased Asset
In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842), Targeted Improvements, which allows for an additional optional transition method where comparative periods presented in the financial statements in the period of adoption will not be restated and instead those periods will be presented under existing guidance in accordance with ASC 840, Leases. Management used this optional transition method. 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.
September 30, 2019 | ||||
Right Of Use Leased Assets | ||||
Office Lease Asset | $ | 4,387,955 | ||
Printer Lease Asset | 12,374 | |||
Right Of Use Asset, Gross | 4,400,329 | |||
Less Accumulated Amortization | ||||
Office Lease Accumulated Amortization | 278,066 | |||
Printer Lease Accumulated Amortization | 6,731 | |||
Accumulated Amortization | 284,797 | |||
Right Of Use Asset, Net | $ | 4,115,532 |
During the three months ended September 30, 2019, the Company recorded amortization expense of $70,020. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company recorded amortization expense of $159,238.
Note 5: Film and Television Costs, Net
As of September 30, 2019, the Company had net Film and Television Costs of $9,450,233, compared to $8,166,131 at December 31, 2018. The increase relates primarily to the production and development of Rainbow Rangers season 2 and Llama Llama Season 2, offset by the amortization of film costs associated with the revenue recognized for Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab, Llama Llama Seasons 1 and 2, and Rainbow Rangers season 1.
During the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, the Company recorded Film and Television Cost amortization expense of $1,285,237 and $268,425, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, the Company recorded Film and Television Cost amortization expense of $1,907,222 and $1,033,392, respectively.
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The following table highlights the activity in Film and Television Costs of September 30, 2019, and December 31, 2018:
Total | ||||
Film and Television Costs, Net as of December 31, 2017 | $ | 2,777,088 | ||
Cumulative Effect of Adoption of ASC 606 | (219,472 | ) | ||
Additions to Film and Television Costs | 6,644,728 | |||
Capitalized Interest | 43,510 | |||
Film Amortization Expense | (1,079,723 | ) | ||
Film and Television Costs, Net as of December 31, 2018 | 8,166,131 | |||
Additions to Film and Television Costs | 3,140,559 | |||
Capitalized Interest | 50,765 | |||
Film Amortization Expense | (1,907,222 | ) | ||
Film and Television Costs, Net as of September 30, 2019 | $ | 9,450,233 |
Note 6: Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net
Goodwill
In 2013, the Company recognized $10,365,806 in Goodwill, representing the excess of the fair value of the consideration for the Merger 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. Through September 30, 2019, the Company has not recognized any impairment to Goodwill.
Intangible Assets, Net
The Company had the following intangible assets as of September 30, 2019, and December 31, 2018:
September 30, 2019 | December 31, 2018 | |||||||
Trademarks (a) | $ | 129,831 | $ | 129,831 | ||||
Product Masters (a) | 64,676 | 64,676 | ||||||
Other Intangible Assets (a) | 272,528 | 272,529 | ||||||
Intangible Assets, Gross | 467,035 | 467,036 | ||||||
Less Accumulated Amortization (b) | (405,996 | ) | (377,048 | ) | ||||
Intangible Assets, Net | $ | 61,039 | $ | 89,988 |
(a) | Pursuant to FASB ASC 350-30-35, the Company reviews these intangible assets periodically to determine if the value should be retired or impaired due to recent events. Through September 30, 2019, the Company has not recognized any impairment expense related to these assets. | |
(b) | During the three months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, the Company recognized $9,456 and $9,560, respectively, in amortization expense related to the Trademarks, Product Masters, and Other Intangible Assets. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, the Company recognized $28,949 and $37,877, respectively, in amortization expense related to the Trademarks, Product Masters, and Other Intangible Assets. |
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Expected future intangible asset amortization as of September 30, 2019 is as follows:
Fiscal Year: | ||||||
2019 | $ | 9,456 | ||||
2020 | 37,835 | |||||
2021 | 9,698 | |||||
2022 | 1,861 | |||||
2023 | 1,465 | |||||
2024 | 724 | |||||
Total | $ | 61,039 |
Note 7: Deferred Revenue
As of September 30, 2019, and December 31, 2018, the Company had total short term and long term deferred revenue of $4,931,615 and $4,925,756, respectively. Deferred revenue 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 September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 is $3,371,312, 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 8: Accrued Liabilities – Current
As of September 30, 2019, and December 31, 2018, the Company has the following current accrued liabilities:
September 30, 2019 | December 31, 2018 | |||||||
Other Accrued Expenses (a) | $ | 150,956 | $ | 52,865 | ||||
Accrued Salaries and Wages (b) | 242,419 | 137,825 | ||||||
Total Accrued Liabilities – Current | $ | 393,375 | $ | 190,690 |
(a) | Represents accrued interest, insurance liability and lease deposit on sub-lease. | |
(b) | Represents accrued salaries and wages and accrued vacation payable to employees for 2019 and accrued vacation payable to employees in 2018 |
Note 9: Secured Convertible Notes
On August 17, 2018, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with certain investors (the “Investors”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell (i) an aggregate principal amount of $4.50 million in secured convertible notes, convertible into shares of our Common Stock, at a conversion price of $2.50 per share (the “Secured Convertible Notes”) and (ii) warrants to purchase 1,800,000 shares of our Common Stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per share (the “Warrants,” and, together with the Secured Convertible Notes, the “Securities”). The Company received approximately $4,500,000 in gross proceeds from the Offering.
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The Secured Convertible Notes are the Company’s senior secured obligations and are secured by certain tangible and intangible property of the Company as described in the Purchase Agreement. The Secured Convertible Notes matured on August 20, 2019. The Secured Convertible Notes bear interest at a rate of 10% per annum and are convertible at any time until a Secured Convertible Note is no longer outstanding, in whole or in part, at the option of the holders into shares of Common Stock at a conversion price of $2.50 per share. As further described below, pursuant to the July Amendment, Waiver and Consent (as defined below), the conversion price of the Secured Convertible Notes was reduced to an amount equal to $1.515 per share. The Secured Convertible Notes have a beneficial ownership limitation such that none of the Investors have the right to convert any portion of their Secured Convertible Notes if the Investor (together with its affiliates or any other persons acting together as a group with the Investor) would beneficially own in excess of 9.99% of the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of the Company’s Common Stock issuable upon conversion of such Secured Convertible Notes. In addition, the Secured Convertible Notes provide for a conversion cap, as amended by the July Amendment Waiver and Consent, such that the Company may not issue any shares of its Common Stock upon conversion of Secured Convertible Notes which would exceed the aggregate number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock it could issue upon conversion of the Secured Convertible Notes without breaching its obligations, if any, under Nasdaq Stock Market LLC rules and regulations, except that such limitation shall not apply in the event that the Company obtains the approval of its stockholders as required by the applicable rules of the then applicable trading market for issuances of shares of Common Stock upon conversion of the Secured Convertible Notes in excess of such amount.
The Secured Convertible Notes matured on August 20, 2019. The Company failed to meet certain conditions under the terms of the Secured Convertible Notes and is obligated to repay in cash the then outstanding principal amount of the Secured Convertible Notes in full by the six-month anniversary of the date of maturity. On August 20, 2019, pursuant to the Secured Convertible Notes, the Company elected to make six equal monthly principal payments of $750,000. The first payment with interest was paid on August 23, 2019. As further described below, holders of the Secured Convertible Notes agreed to extend the maturity date of the Secured Convertible Notes. Subject to certain equity conditions, we may force a conversion of the debt into equity. We may redeem the Secured Convertible Notes at any time prior to maturity.
The Secured Convertible Notes contain certain negative covenants, including prohibitions on the incurrence of indebtedness or liens. The Secured Convertible Notes also contain standard and customary events of default including, but not limited to, failure to make payments when due, failure to observe or perform covenants or agreements contained in the Secured Convertible Notes or the bankruptcy or insolvency of the Company or any of our subsidiaries. The Company was in compliance with these covenants as of September 30, 2019.
On the date of issuance, the Secured Convertible Notes were convertible into Common Stock at $2.50 per share, or at a conversion price below the closing market price of $2.55. This “discount” is considered a beneficial conversion feature for accounting purposes. The allocation of carrying basis between the Warrants issued and the Secured Convertible Notes was determined based on relative fair value. The discount of the initial conversion price from market related to the beneficial conversion feature of the debt was $1,561,111, and such amount was recorded as a reduction of debt and increase in additional paid-in capital. The discount will be amortized as additional interest over the term of the loan.
The Warrants entitle the holders to purchase 1,800,000 shares of Common Stock. The Warrants were not exercisable until after six months from the date of issuance and expire five and half years from the date of issuance. The Warrants have an exercise price of $3.00 per share. In the event of a “Fundamental Transaction” (as defined in the Warrants), the Investors have the right to receive the value of the Warrants as determined in accordance with the Black Scholes option pricing model. The Warrants are considered indexes to the Company’s own stock pursuant to ASC 815-40. The Warrants also met the additional equity classification requirements and accordingly are accounted for as part of the Company’s equity.
In conjunction with the February 2019 Offering and concurrent private placement, the Company entered into an amendment, waiver and consent agreement, or the “Amendment, Waiver and Consent Agreement,” with certain holders of its 10% Secured Convertible Notes due August 20, 2019, which were issued pursuant to a securities purchase agreement, dated August 17, 2018, by and among the Company and the purchasers identified on the signature pages thereto, or the notes purchase agreement. Pursuant to the Amendment, Waiver and Consent Agreement, such holders agreed to amend the notes purchase agreement, waive any applicable rights and remedies under the notes purchase agreement, and consent to the February 2019 Offering and concurrent private placement. In consideration for such Amendment, Waiver and Consent Agreement, the Company agreed to issue such holders warrants to purchase up to an aggregate amount of 1,800,000 shares of Common Stock. Such warrants have an exercise price of $2.55 per share, will become exercisable commencing six months and one day from the date of issuance and will expire five (5) years from the date of issuance.
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The issuance of the warrants resulted in a modification of debt in accordance with ASC 470 and is characterized as an extinguishment of debt in accordance with ASC-470-50-40. In accordance with ASC-470-50-40-2 the Company derecognized the existing debt as if it was extinguished and recorded the new debt, with the difference between the reacquisition price of the new debt and the net carrying amount of the extinguished debt, $2,064,193 being recorded as a loss on the extinguishment of debt.
In addition, the warrants were accounted for as equity instruments in accordance with ASC 815-40 and valued using the Black Scholes option pricing model. The fair value of $1,287,962 was recorded as part of the loss on extinguishment of debt.
On July 22, 2019, in connection with a proposed public offering of shares of Common Stock (the “August 2019 Offering”), the Company entered into an amendment, waiver and consent agreement (the “July Amendment, Waiver and Consent”) with certain holders constituting (i) a majority-in-interest of the holders of its Secured Convertible Notes and (ii) 51% in interest of the shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to a securities purchase agreement, dated as of January 8, 2018, by and among the Company and the purchasers identified on the signature pages thereto (the “January 2018 Purchase Agreement”). Pursuant to the July Amendment, Waiver and Consent, such holders agreed to amend the August 2018 Purchase Agreement, the January 2018 Purchase Agreement and the Secured Convertible Notes, waive any applicable rights and remedies under each of the August 2018 Purchase Agreement and the January 2018 Purchase Agreement, and consent to the August 2019 Offering in consideration for (i) a reduction in the conversion price of the Secured Convertible Notes from $2.50 per share to an amount equal to $1.515 and (ii) the issuance to the August 2018 Purchasers of new warrants to purchase the same number of shares of Common Stock that were issued to each August 2018 Purchaser pursuant to the August 2018 Purchase Agreement (for an aggregate of 1,800,000 shares of Common Stock to all August 2018 Purchasers) at an exercise price per share equal to $1.14 and will become exercisable commencing six (6) months and one day from the date of issuance and will expire five (5) years from the date of issuance.
The issuance of the new warrants resulted in a modification of debt in accordance with ASC 470 and is characterized as an extinguishment of debt in accordance with ASC-470-50-40. In accordance with ASC-470-50-40-2, the Company derecognized the existing debt as if it was extinguished and recorded the new debt. The difference between the reacquisition price of the debt including the fair value of the warrants issued and the net carrying amount of the extinguished debt amounted to $957,867. This amount was recorded as a loss on debt extinguishment.
In addition, the conversion option was accounted for as part of the debt’s carrying value in accordance with the bifurcation guidance per ASC 815 as it applies to the debt’s conversion feature. The conversion option was valued using the Black Scholes option pricing model. The fair value of $77,172 was recorded as part of the loss on extinguishment of debt. The conversion option will be amortized using the straight-line method over the remaining terms.
On August 20, 2019, pursuant to the Secured Convertible Notes, the Company elected to make six equal monthly principal payments of $750,000. The first payment with interest was paid on August 23, 2019.
On September 17, 2019, the Company’s CEO, Andy Heyward, purchased $500,000 of the Secured Convertible Notes from another holder. The Company did not receive any proceeds from this transaction.
On September 20, 2019, the Company and the holders of $1,958,334 of the Secured Convertible Notes, extended the maturity date of those Secured Convertible Notes until January 31, 2020. The Company also agreed to pay the 10% interest to the holders monthly instead of quarterly.
On September 20, 2019, the Company and the holders of $687,500 of the Secured Convertible Notes, extended the maturity date of those Secured Convertible Notes until August 20, 2021. The Company also agreed to pay the 10% interest to the holders monthly instead of quarterly.
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The remaining balance of $883,332 under the Secured Convertible Notes that were not extended will be paid in four monthly installments of $220,883. The September and October payments, including interest, have been paid.
Note 10: Production Loan Facility
On August 8, 2016, Llama Productions closed a $5,275,000 multiple draw-down, secured, non-recourse, non-revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) with Bank Leumi USA 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-month 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. As of September 30, 2019, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.
On September 28, 2018, Llama Productions LLC, a California limited liability company (“Llama”) and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (the “Loan and Security Agreement”) with Bank Leumi USA (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 Llama 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.
Under the Loan and Security Agreement, Llama can request revolving loan advances under (a) the Prime Rate Loan facility 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, for the period commencing on the funding date and ending on the date which is one (1), 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 is March 31, 2021. Interest rates on advances under the Loan and Security Agreement were between 5.75% and 6.14% for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019.
On August 16, 2019, the Loan was amended to reduce the total commitment by $400,000 to $3,831,989. In connection with the amendment, the $400,000 of cash held as collateral (recorded as Restricted Cash) was released to the Company.
As of September 30, 2019, the Company had gross outstanding borrowing under the facility of $3,182,985 against which financing costs of $132,569 were applied resulting in net borrowings of $3,050,416. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had gross outstanding borrowings under the facility of $2,241,759 against which financing costs of $63,561 were applied resulting in net borrowings of $2,178,198.
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Note 11: 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 believes 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 12: Stockholders’ Equity
Common Stock
The holders of the Company’s Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share. In addition, the holders of the Company’s Common Stock will be entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) out of legally available funds; however, the current policy of the Board is to retain earnings, if any, for operations and growth.
As of September 30, 2019, the total number of authorized shares of Common Stock was 233,333,334.
On January 8, 2018, the Company entered into the January 2018 Private Placement. Pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement, the Company issued to the Investors approximately 592,000 shares of Common Stock at a per share price of $3.00 and warrants to purchase approximately 592,000 shares of Common Stock. The warrants were immediately exercisable, will be exercisable for a period of five years from the closing date and have an exercise price of $3.00 per share. The closing of the sale of these securities under the Securities Purchase Agreement occurred on January 10, 2018.
On February 19, 2019, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with a certain accredited investor pursuant to which we sold 945,894 shares of Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 945,894 shares of our Common Stock, or the registered warrants, to such investor (the “February 2019 Offering”). The Company received $1,757,552 in net proceeds from this offering. Each share of Common Stock was accompanied by a registered warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $2.12. Each share of Common Stock and accompanying registered warrant were sold at a combined purchase price of $2.12. The shares of Common Stock and registered warrants were purchased together and were issued separately and were immediately separable upon issuance. In a concurrent private placement, the Company also sold to the purchaser in the February 2019 Offering, warrants to purchase up to 945,894 shares of our Common Stock, or the private warrants.
On September 18, 2019, the Company entered into a private transaction (the “Private Transaction”) pursuant to a Warrant Exercise Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the holder of the Company’s existing warrants (the “Original Warrants”). The Original Warrants were originally issued on February 19, 2019, to purchase an aggregate of 945,894 shares of Common Stock, at an exercise price of $2.12 per share and were to expire on February 19, 2020.
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 $0.76 (the “Amended Exercise Price”). The Company received $718,879 from the exercise of the Original Warrants before paying the placement agent fee of $50,321. The induced exercise resulted in the Company recognizing and recording an “imputed dividend” of $181,884. As a result, the conversion price of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock decreased to $0.76. This decrease resulted in a beneficial conversion feature of $706,667, which was recognized on September 18, 2019.
As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, there were 11,933,365 and 9,457,859 shares of Common Stock outstanding, respectively.
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Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
The Company has 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock authorized with a par value of $0.001 per share. The Board 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 the Board, which may include, among others, dividend rights, voting rights, liquidation preferences, conversion rights and preemptive rights.
As of both September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, there were 2,120 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock outstanding.
On May 12, 2014, the Board authorized the designation of a class of preferred stock as “Series A Convertible Preferred Stock.” On May 14, 2014, the Company filed the Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of the 0% Series A Convertible Preferred Stock with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada.
Each share of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible into shares of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, based on a conversion calculation equal to the Base Amount divided by the conversion price. The Base Amount is defined as the sum of (i) the aggregate stated value of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock to be converted and (ii) all unpaid dividends thereon. The stated value of each share of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock is $1,000 and the initial conversion price was $6.00 per share, subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits, dividends and recapitalizations. Additionally, in the event the Company issues shares of its Common Stock or common stock equivalents at a per share price that is lower than the conversion price then in effect, the conversion price shall be adjusted to such lower price, subject to certain exceptions. The Company is prohibited from effecting a conversion of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock to the extent that as a result of such conversion, the investor would beneficially own more than 9.99% in the aggregate of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s Common Stock, calculated immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon conversion of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock. The shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock possess no voting rights.
On May 14, 2014, the Company entered into securities purchase agreements with certain accredited investors pursuant to which the Company sold an aggregate of 6,000 shares of its then newly designated Series A Convertible Preferred Stock at a price of $1,000 per share for gross proceeds to us of $6,000,000. Related to the sale, the Company incurred offering costs of $620,085 resulting in net proceeds of $5,379,915. The transaction closed on May 15, 2014.
As the conversion price of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock on a converted basis was below the market price of the common shares on the closing date, this resulted in a beneficial conversion feature recorded as an “imputed” dividend of $2,010,000. In addition, during the fourth quarter of 2015, in connection with the 2015 Private Placement in which the Company’s Common Stock was sold at $3.00 per share, the conversion price of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock decreased to $3.00. This decrease resulted in an additional beneficial conversion feature of $3,383,850 recognized as of the time of the 2015 Private Placement.
On August 17, 2018, in connection with the Securities Purchase Agreement in which the Secured Convertible Notes are convertible into shares of the Company’s Common Stock at $2.50 per share. As a result, the conversion price of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock decreased to $2.50. This decrease resulted in a beneficial conversion feature of $353,333, which was recognized on August 17, 2018.
On February 19, 2019, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with a certain accredited investor pursuant to which the Company sold 945,894 shares of Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 945,894 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at $2.12 per share. As a result, the conversion price of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock decreased to $2.12. This decrease resulted in a beneficial conversion feature of $322,240, which was recognized February 19, 2019.
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On July 22, 2019, in connection with a proposed public offering of shares of Common Stock, the Company entered into an amendment, waiver and consent agreement (the “July Amendment, Waiver and Consent”) with certain holders constituting (i) a majority-in-interest of the holders of its Secured Convertible Notes and (ii) 51% in interest of the shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to a securities purchase agreement, dated as of January 8, 2018, by and among the Company and the purchasers identified on the signature pages thereto (the “January 2018 Purchase Agreement”). Pursuant to the July Amendment, Waiver and Consent, such holders agreed to amend the August 2018 Purchase Agreement, the January 2018 Purchase Agreement and the Secured Convertible Notes, waive any applicable rights and remedies under each of the August 2018 Purchase Agreement and the January 2018 Purchase Agreement, and consent to the August 2019 Offering in consideration for (i) a reduction in the conversion price of the Secured Convertible Notes from $2.50 per share to an amount equal to $1.515 and (ii) the issuance to the August 2018 Purchasers of new warrants to purchase the same number of shares of Common Stock that were issued to each August 2018 Purchaser pursuant to the August 2018 Purchase Agreement (for an aggregate of 1,800,000 shares of Common Stock to all August 2018 Purchasers) at an exercise price per share equal to $1.14 and will become exercisable commencing six (6) months and one day from the date of issuance and will expire five (5) years from the date of issuance. As a result, the conversion price of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock decreased to $1.14. This decrease resulted in a beneficial conversion feature of $980,000, which was recognized on July 22, 2019.
On September 18, 2019, the Company entered into a private transaction (the “Private Transaction”) pursuant to a Warrant Exercise Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the holder of the Company’s existing warrants (the “Original Warrants”). The Original Warrants were originally issued on February 19, 2019, to purchase an aggregate of 945,894 shares of Common Stock, at an exercise price of $2.12 per share and were to expire on February 19, 2020.
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 $0.76 (the “Amended Exercise Price”). The Company received $718,879 from the exercise of the Original Warrants before paying the placement agent fee of $50,321. The induced exercise resulted in the Company recognizing and recording an “imputed dividend” of $181,884. As a result, the conversion price of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock decreased to $0.76. This decrease resulted in a beneficial conversion feature of $706,667, which was recognized on September 18, 2019.
In the future, issuance of Common Stock or the grant of any rights to purchase our Common Stock or other securities convertible into our Common Stock for a per share price less than the then existing conversion price of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock would result in an adjustment to the then current conversion price of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock. This reduction would give rise to a beneficial conversion feature recorded as an “imputed” dividend.
Note 13: Stock Options
On September 18, 2015, the Company adopted the Genius Brands International, Inc. 2015 Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”). The 2015 Plan was approved by our stockholders in September 2015. The 2015 Plan as approved by the stockholders authorized the issuance up to an aggregate of 150,000 shares of Common Stock. On December 14, 2015, the Board of Directors voted to amend the 2015 Plan to increase the total number of shares that can be issued under the 2015 Plan by 1,293,334 from 150,000 shares to 1,443,334 shares. The increase in shares available for issuance under the 2015 Plan was approved by stockholders on February 3, 2016. On May 18, 2017, the Board of Directors voted to amend the 2015 Plan to increase the total number of shares that can be issued under the 2015 Plan by 223,333 shares from 1,443,334 shares to an aggregate of 1,667,667 shares. The increase in shares available for issuance under the 2015 Plan was approved by the stockholders on July 25, 2017. On September 6, 2018, the Board of Directors voted to amend the 2015 Plan to increase the total number of shares that can be issued under the 2015 Plan by 500,000 shares from 1,667,667 shares to an aggregate of 2,167,667 shares. The increase in shares available for issuance under the 2015 Plan was approved by the Company’s stockholders on October 2, 2018.
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The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s stock option plan during the nine months ended September 30, 2019:
Options Outstanding Number of Shares | Exercise Price per Share | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life | Aggregate Intrinsic Value | Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share | ||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2018 | 1,259,415 | $ | 2.09 -12.00 | 2.50 years | $ | – | $ | 7.39 | ||||||||||||
Options Granted | 81,000 | $ | 1.99 | 3.0 years | $ | – | $ | 1.99 | ||||||||||||
Options Exercised | – | – | – | – | – | |||||||||||||||
Options Cancelled | 40,793 | $ | 1.99-2.70 | 4.92 | – | 4.39 | ||||||||||||||
Options Expired | – | – | – | – | – | |||||||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2019 | 1,299,622 | $ | 2.09 -12.00 | 1.64 years | $ | – | $ | 7.23 | ||||||||||||
Exercisable December 31, 2018 | 1,070,869 | $ | 2.70 - 9.00 | 2.96 years | $ | – | $ | 7.44 | ||||||||||||
Exercisable September 30, 2019 | 1,131,172 | $ | 2.82 - 9.00 | 1.31 years | $ | – | $ | 8.00 |
During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company granted options to purchase 81,000 shares of Common Stock to certain officers and employees. These stock options vest on December 31, 2019. The fair value of these options was determined to be $117,797 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model based on the following assumptions:
Exercise Price | $ | 1.99 | ||
Dividend Yield | 0% | |||
Volatility | 125% | |||
Risk-free interest rate | 2.44% | |||
Expected life of options | 3 years |
During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company recognized $142,420 in share-based compensation expense. The unvested share-based compensation as of September 30, 2019 was $192,434, which will be recognized through the second quarter of 2021 assuming the underlying grants are not cancelled or forfeited.
Note 14: Warrants
The Company has warrants outstanding to purchase up to 10,345,281 and 5,899,389 shares as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.
In connection with the sale of the Company’s Series A Convertible Preferred Stock in May 2014, Chardan Capital Markets LLC (“Chardan”) acted as sole placement agent in consideration for which it received a cash fee of $535,000 and a warrant to purchase up to 100,002 shares of the Company’s Common Stock. These warrants are exercisable immediately, have an exercise price of $6.00 per share, and have a five-year term.
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In connection with the 2015 Private Placement, the Company issued to accredited investors the Original Warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 1,443,362 shares of Common Stock for a purchase price of $3.00 per share. The Original Warrants are exercisable into shares of Common Stock for a period of five (5) years from issuance at an initial exercise price of $3.30 per share, subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits, dividends and recapitalizations. The Original Warrants are exercisable immediately. The Company is prohibited from effecting an exercise of the warrants to the extent that as a result of such exercise, the holder would beneficially own more than 4.99% (subject to increase up to 9.99% upon 61 days’ notice) in the aggregate of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock, calculated immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the warrant.
In connection with the 2015 Private Placement, Chardan acted as sole placement agent in consideration for which it received a cash fee of $300,000 and a warrant to purchase up to 141,668 shares of the Company’s Common Stock. These warrants are exercisable immediately, have an exercise price of $3.60 per share, and have a five-year term.
On February 9, 2017, the Company entered into the Private Transaction pursuant to the Warrant Exercise Agreement with certain holders of the Original Warrants. Pursuant to the Warrant Exercise Agreement, the holders of the Original Warrants and the Company agreed that such Original Warrant holders would exercise their Original Warrants in full, and the Company would issue to each such holder new warrants, with the new warrants being identical to the Original Warrants except that the termination date of such new warrants is February 10, 2022 (the “Reload Warrants”). In addition, depending on the number of Original Warrants exercised by all holders of the Original Warrants, the Company also agreed to issue to the holders another new warrant, identical to the Original Warrant except that the exercise price of such warrant is $5.30 and such warrant is not exercisable until August 10, 2017 (the “Market Price Warrants” and together with the Reload Warrants, the “New Warrants”).
The Company received gross proceeds of $3,866,573 from the exercise of the Original Warrants and issued Reload Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 799,991 shares of the Company’s Common Stock and Market Price Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 371,699 shares of the Company’s Common Stock. In association with the Private Transaction, the Company recorded warrant exchange expense of $1,402,174 representing the difference in the fair market value of the Original Warrants and the New Warrants, as an adjustment to additional paid-in-capital.
Chardan acted as financial advisor on the Private Transaction in consideration for which Chardan received $363,617 and Chardan and its designees were New Warrants for 115,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock.
On October 3, 2017, the Company sold, in a registered direct offering, 1,647,691 shares of Common Stock at an offering price of $3.90 per share and, in a concurrent private placement, warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,647,691 shares of Common Stock for gross proceeds of approximately $6,425,995 before deducting the placement agent fee and related offering expenses.
On January 10, 2018, the Company issued warrants for 592,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock in connection with the January 2018 Private Placement. The warrants were issued to the parties who purchased the Company’s Common Stock, as well as to Chardan and its designees who acted as placement agents of the deal. The warrants expire in five years and were exercisable immediately at an exercise price of $3.00 per share.
On August 17, 2018, the Company issued warrants for 1,800,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock in conjunction with the August 17, 2018 Securities Purchase Agreement. The warrants were issued to the parties who purchased the Company’s Secured Convertible Notes. The Warrants are not exercisable until after six months from the date of issuance and expire five and half years from the date of issuance. The Warrants have an exercise price of $3.00 per share. In the event of a “Fundamental Transaction” (as defined in the Warrants), the Investors have the right to receive the value of the Warrants as determined in accordance with the Black Scholes option pricing model. The Warrants are considered indexed to the Company’s own stock pursuant to ASC 815-40. The Warrants also met additional equity classification requirements and accordingly are accounted for as part of Company’s equity.
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On February 19, 2019, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with a certain accredited investor pursuant to which we sold 945,894 shares of Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 945,894 shares of our Common Stock, or the registered warrants, to such investor (the “February 2019 Offering”). The Company received $1,757,552 in net proceeds from this offering. Each share of Common Stock was accompanied by a registered warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $2.12. Each share of Common Stock and accompanying registered warrant were sold at a combined purchase price of $2.12. The shares of Common Stock and registered warrants were purchased together and were issued separately and were immediately separable upon issuance. In a concurrent private placement, the Company also sold to the purchaser in the February 2019 Offering, warrants to purchase up to 945,894 shares of our Common Stock, or the private warrants.
In connection with the February 2019 Offering and concurrent private placement, we entered into an amendment, waiver and consent agreement, or the “Amendment, Waiver and Consent Agreement,” with certain holders of our 10% Secured Convertible Notes, which were issued pursuant to a securities purchase agreement, dated August 17, 2018, by and among the Company and the purchasers identified on the signature pages thereto, or the notes purchase agreement. Pursuant to the Amendment, Waiver and Consent Agreement, such holders agreed to amend the notes purchase agreement, waive any applicable rights and remedies under the notes purchase agreement, and consent to the February 2019 Offering and concurrent private placement. In consideration for such Amendment, Waiver and Consent Agreement, we agreed to issue such holders warrants to purchase up to an aggregate amount of 1,800,000 shares of our Common Stock. Such warrants have an exercise price of $2.55 per share, will become exercisable commencing six months and one day from the date of issuance and will expire five (5) years from the date of issuance.
The allocation of carrying basis between the Warrants issued and the Secured Convertible Notes was determined based on relative valuation. The carrying basis attributable to the Warrants to acquire Common Stock was $1,287,962 and was calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
On July 22, 2019, the Company entered into an amendment, waiver and consent agreement (the “Amendment, Waiver and Consent”) with certain holders constituting (i) a majority-in-interest of the holders of our 10% Secured Convertible Notes due August 20, 2019 (the “Notes”), which were issued pursuant to a securities purchase agreement, dated as of August 17, 2018 and as amended on February 14, 2019, by and among the Company and the purchasers identified on the signature pages thereto (the “August 2018 Purchase Agreement”) and (ii) 51% in interest of the shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to a securities purchase agreement, dated as of January 8, 2018, by and among the Company and the purchasers identified on the signature pages thereto (the “January 2018 Purchase Agreement”). Pursuant to the Amendment, Waiver and Consent, such holders have agreed to (i) amend the definition of “Exempt Issuance” in each of the August 2018 Purchase Agreement and January 2018 Purchase Agreement to include an agreement to issue or announce the issuance or proposed issuance of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents (as that term is defined in each of the August 2018 Purchase Agreement and January 2018 Purchase Agreement) in a public offering for an effective per share purchase price of Common Stock of less than $2.50 (the “Offering”), (ii) waive any applicable rights and remedies under the August 2018 Purchase Agreement and January 2018 Purchase Agreement, and (iii) consent to the Offering. In consideration for the Amendment, Waiver and Consent, the Company agreed to reduce the conversion price of the Notes from $2.50 per share of Common Stock to $1.515 (the “Note Amendment”) and issue all of the purchasers under the August 2018 Purchase Agreement warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 1,800,000 shares of our Common Stock (the “Waiver Warrants”). The Waiver Warrants will have an exercise price of $1.14 per share, will become exercisable commencing six months and one day from the date of issuance and will expire five (5) years from the date of issuance.
On September 18, 2019, the Company entered into a private transaction (the “Private Transaction”) pursuant to a Warrant Exercise Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the holder of the Company’s existing warrants (the “Original Warrants”). The Original Warrants were originally issued on February 19, 2019, to purchase an aggregate of 945,894 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $2.12 per share and were to expire on February 19, 2020.
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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 $0.76. The Company received $718,879 from the exercise of the Original Warrants before paying the placement agent fee of $50,321. The induced exercise resulted in the Company recognizing and recording an “imputed dividend” of $181,884.
The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s outstanding warrants during the nine months ended September 30, 2019:
Warrants Outstanding Number of Shares | Exercise Price per Share | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life | Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share | Aggregate Intrinsic Value |
||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2018 | 5,899,389 | $ | 3.30 – 6.00 | 3.74 years | $ | 3.35 | $ | – | ||||||||||||
Warrants Granted | 5.491,788 | $ | 1.14 – 2.55 | 4.89 years | $ | 3.00 | $ | – | ||||||||||||
Warrants Exercised | 945,894 | $ | 0.76 | – | $ | 0.76 | $ | – | ||||||||||||
Warrants Expired | 100,002 | $ | 6.00 | – | $ | 6.00 | $ | – | ||||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2019 | 10,345,281 | $ | 1.14 – 5.30 | 3.86 years | $ | 2.80 | $ | – | ||||||||||||
$ | ||||||||||||||||||||
Exercisable December 31, 2018 | 5,899,389 | $ | 3.30 – 6.00 | 3.74 years | $ | 3.53 | $ | – | ||||||||||||
Exercisable September 30, 2019 | 8,545,281 | $ | 2.12 – 5.30 | 3.55 years | $ | 3.15 | $ | – |
Note 15: Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 740 Income Taxes (“Topic 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.
Topic 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 consolidated statements of operation in the provision for income taxes. As of September 30, 2019, and December 31, 2018, the Company had no accrued interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions.
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and in the state of California and Massachusetts. 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.
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Note 16: Commitment and Contingencies
In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, “Leases.” The standard requires lessees to recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from leases on the balance sheet. For practically all leases, a lessee should recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018.
In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842), Targeted Improvements, which allows for an additional optional transition method where comparative periods presented in the financial statements in the period of adoption will not be restated and instead those periods will be presented under existing guidance in accordance with ASC 840, Leases. Management will use this optional transition method. 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.
As of September 30, 2019, weighted-average lease term for operating leases equals to 86 months. Weighted-average discount rate equals to 10.30%.
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. We pay rent of $364,130 annually, subject to annual escalations of 3.5%.
On December 28, 2018, the Company entered into a lease for 5,765 square feet of general office space at 8383 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 412, Beverly Hills, CA 90211 pursuant to a 6-month lease that commenced January 28, 2019. We paid rent of $24,501 monthly through August 31, 2019.
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 will pay us rent of $422,321 annually, subject to annual escalations of 3.5%.
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, 4th FL, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 pursuant to a 96-month lease that commenced on September 1, 2019. We pay rent of $392,316 annually, subject to annual escalations of 3.5%.
In addition, the Company has contractual commitments for employment agreements of certain employees.
Rental expenses incurred for operating leases during the three months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018 were $210,062 and $130,173, respectively. Rental expenses incurred for operating leases during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018 were $531,519 and $241,578, respectively. During the three months ended September 30, 2019, we received sub-lease income of $117,416. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, we received sub-lease income of $314,869.
The following is a schedule of future minimum contractual obligations as of September 30, 2019, under the Company’s operating leases and employment agreements:
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Thereafter | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating Leases | 136,257 | 652,764 | 744,056 | 840,125 | 871,679 | 904,423 | 1,871,252 | 6,020,556 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Employment Contracts | 56,250 | 393,595 | 322,950 | 322,950 | 282,581 | – | – | 1,378,326 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 192,507 | 1,046,359 | 1,067,006 | 1,163,075 | 1,154,260 | 904,423 | 1,871,252 | 7,398,882 |
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Note 17: Related Party Transactions
On April 21, 2016, 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. 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. No amounts were earned during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, under this agreement.
On October 1, 2016, Llama Productions LLC entered into an animation production services agreement with Mr. Heyward for services as a producer for which he is to receive $186,000 through the course of production of the Company’s animated series Llama Llama. From October 1, 2016 through December 31, 2017, Mr. Heyward has been paid $186,000.
On August 31, 2018, Llama Productions LLC entered into an animation production services agreement with Mr. Heyward for services as a producer for which he is to receive $124,000 through the course of production of the Company’s animated series Llama Llama Season 2. As of September 30, 2019, Mr. Heyward was paid $124,000.
Pursuant to his employment agreement dated November 16, 2018, Mr. Heyward is entitled to an Executive Producer fee of $12,400 per half hour episode for each episode he provides services as an executive producer. The first identified series under this employment agreement is Rainbow Rangers. As of September 30, 2019, twenty-six half hours had been delivered and accordingly Mr. Heyward is owed $322,400, which is included in the Due To Related Parties line item on our consolidated balance sheet.
Pursuant to his employment agreement dated November 16, 2018, Mr. Heyward is entitled to an Executive Producer fee of $12,400 per half hour episode for each episode he provides services as an executive producer. The second identified series under this employment agreement is the twenty-six half hour episodes of Rainbow Rangers: Season 2. During the three months ended September 30, 2019, 10 episodes had been delivered and accordingly Mr. Heyward is owed $62,000, which is included in the Due To Related Parties line item on our consolidated balance sheet
On July 25, 2016, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with Foothill Entertainment, Inc. (“Foothill”), an entity whose Chairman is Gregory Payne, our former corporate secretary. The Company has engaged Foothill Entertainment, Inc. for a term of six months to assist in the distribution and commercial exploitation of its audiovisual content as well as for the preparation and attendance on behalf of the Company at the MIPJR and MIPCOM markets in Cannes. The agreement continues on a month-to-month basis following the initial term. Foothill receives $12,500 per month for these services. Subsequent to the end of the period, the consulting agreement with Foothill was terminated effective January 31, 2018.
As of December 31, 2017, Mr. Payne, individually and via his ownership position in Foothill, owed to the Company $5,558 for expenditures made during the fourth quarter of 2017 related to the Brand Licensing Europe (“BLE”) and MIPCOM tradeshows. In addition, during the fourth quarter of 2017, Foothill acted as an agent on the Company’s behalf in licensing certain of our animated programs to certain broadcast networks for which Foothill owed to the Company $7,517 in license fees to be paid by the broadcaster to Foothill. Subsequent to the end of the period, the Company received a payment of $7,517 from Foothill as satisfaction of the open licensing invoice. Additionally, on February 28, 2018, Mr. Payne and the Company entered into an agreement whereby, among other things, Mr. Payne was entitled to be reimbursed for 100% of his expenses incurred at the BLE and MIPCOM tradeshows resulting in the Company owing $827 to Mr. Payne. As of December 31, 2018, no amounts are due to or from Mr. Payne or Foothill.
On September 17, 2019, Mr. Heyward purchased $500,000 of the Secured Convertible Notes from another holder. The Company did not receive any proceeds from this transaction.
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As of September 30, 2019, Andy Heyward is owed $47,963 for reimbursable expenses which are included in the Due To Related Parties line item on our condensed consolidated balance sheet
As of September 30, 2019, $1,233 of accrued interest on the Secured Convertible Notes is included in the Due To Related Parties line item on our condensed consolidated balance sheet.
Note 18: Subsequent Events
Pursuant to FASB ASC 855, Management has evaluated all events and transactions that occurred from September 30, 2019 through the date of issuance of these financial statements. During this period, we did not have any significant subsequent events, except as disclosed below:
Stock Purchase Agreement
On October 2, 2019, the Company and Mr. Heyward entered into a stock purchase agreement (the “Stock Purchase Agreement”) pursuant to which Mr. Heyward agreed to purchase 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock, in a private placement for an aggregate purchase price of $760,000, or $0.76 per share (the “Private Placement”). The Private Placement closed on October 3, 2019. The shares issued in the Private Placement were offered and sold in reliance upon an exemption from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and/or Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act.
Conversion of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
On October 4, 2019, 100 shares of the Company’s Series A Convertible Preferred Stock were converted into 131,579 shares of the Company’s Common Stock.
On October 17, 2019, 100 shares of the Company’s Series A Convertible Preferred Stock were converted into 131,579 shares of the Company’s Common Stock.
On October 22, 2019, 25 shares of the Company’s Series A Convertible Preferred Stock were converted into 32,895 shares of the Company’s Common Stock.
Stock Issued For Services
On October 18, 2019, in exchange for freelance animation services, the Company issued a total of 534,247 shares of Common Stock to a vendor
Securities Purchase Agreement
On October 28, 2019, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with a certain investor named therein (the “Investor”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue and sell, in a registered direct offering by the Company directly to the Investor (the “Registered Offering”), an aggregate of 663,158 shares (the “Shares”) of Common Stock, at an offering price of $0.76 per share for gross proceeds of approximately $504,000 before deducting the placement agent fee and related offering expenses. The placement agent received a cash fee of $35,280 and warrants to purchase 46,421 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.836 per share.
The Shares were offered by the Company pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-214805), which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on November 25, 2016 and was declared effective by the Commission on December 19, 2016 (the “Registration Statement”).
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Concurrent Private Placement
In a concurrent private placement (the “Private Placement” and together with the Registered Offering, the “Offerings”), the Company agreed to issue to the Investor who participated in the Registered Offering warrants (the “Warrants” and collectively with the Shares, the “Securities”) exercisable for one share of Common Stock for an aggregate of 477,474 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.76 per share. Each Warrant will be immediately exercisable on the date of its issuance and will expire five years from the date it becomes exercisable. Subject to limited exceptions, a holder of a Warrant will not have the right to exercise any portion of its warrants if the holder, together with its affiliates, would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise (the “Beneficial Ownership Limitation”); provided, however, that upon 61 days’ prior notice to the Company, the holder may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, provided further that in no event shall the Beneficial Ownership Limitation exceed 9.99%.
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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 nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018. 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 April 1, 2019 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 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 discussion and analysis is based on our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make certain estimates 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.
Our Business
Genius Brands International, Inc. (“we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company”) is a global content and brand management company that creates and licenses multimedia content. Led by experienced industry personnel, we distribute our content in all formats as well as a broad range of consumer products based on our characters. In the children's media sector, our portfolio features “content with a purpose” for toddlers to tweens, which provides enrichment as well as entertainment. New intellectual property titles include the preschool property Rainbow Rangers, which debuted in November 2018 on Nickelodeon and which was renewed for a second season and preschool property Llama Llama, which debuted on Netflix in January 2018 and was renewed by Netflix for a second season. Our library titles include the award winning Baby Genius, adventure comedy Thomas Edison's Secret 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. We are also developing an all-new animated series, Stan Lee's Superhero Kindergarten with Stan Lee's Pow! Entertainment.
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In addition, we act as licensing agent for Penguin Young Readers, a division of Penguin Random House LLC who 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.
Secured Convertible Notes
On August 17, 2018, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “August 2018 Purchase Agreement”) with certain investors (the “August 2018 Purchasers”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell (i) an aggregate principal amount of $4.50 million in secured convertible notes, convertible into shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), at an initial conversion price of $2.50 per share (the “Secured Convertible Notes”) and (ii) warrants to purchase 1,800,000 shares of our Common Stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per share. We received $4,186,054 in net proceeds from the offering.
The Secured Convertible Notes are our senior secured obligations and are secured by certain tangible and intangible property of the Company as described in the August 2018 Purchase Agreement. The Secured Convertible Notes matured on August 20, 2019. The Secured Convertible Notes bear interest at a rate of 10% per annum and are convertible at any time until a Secured Convertible Note is no longer outstanding, in whole or in part, at the option of the holders into shares of Common Stock at a conversion price of $2.50 per share. As further described below, pursuant to the July Amendment, Waiver and Consent (as defined below), the conversion price of the Secured Convertible Notes was reduced to an amount equal to $1.515 per share. The Secured Convertible Notes have a beneficial ownership limitation such that none of the Investors have the right to convert any portion of their Secured Convertible Notes if the Investor (together with its affiliates or any other persons acting together as a group with the Investor) would beneficially own in excess of 9.99% of the number of shares of our Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of our Common Stock issuable upon conversion of such Secured Convertible Notes. In addition, the Secured Convertible Notes provide for a conversion cap, as amended by the July Amendment, Waiver and Consent, such that we may not issue any shares of our Common Stock upon conversion of Secured Convertible Notes which would exceed the aggregate number of shares of our Common Stock we could issue upon conversion of the Secured Convertible Notes without breaching our obligations, if any, under Nasdaq Stock Market LLC rules and regulations, except that such limitation shall not apply in the event that we obtain the approval of our stockholders as required by the applicable rules of the then applicable trading market for issuances of shares of Common Stock upon conversion of the Secured Convertible Notes in excess of such amount.
The Secured Convertible Notes matured on August 20, 2019. The Company failed to meet certain conditions under the terms of the Secured Convertible Notes and is obligated to repay in cash the then outstanding principal amount of the Secured Convertible Notes in full by the six-month anniversary of the date of maturity. On August 20, 2019, pursuant to the Secured Convertible Notes, the Company elected to make six equal monthly principal payments of $750,000. The first payment with interest was paid on August 23, 2019. As further described below, holders of the Secured Convertible Notes agreed to extend the maturity date of the Secured Convertible Notes. Subject to certain equity conditions, we may force a conversion of the debt into equity. We may redeem the Secured Convertible Notes at any time prior to maturity.
We currently do not have enough cash and cash equivalents to repay the Secured Convertible Notes in full in cash. If not earlier converted, we will need to obtain additional financing or refinance the Secured Convertible Notes prior to the date when all principal payments are due. On September 20, 2019, the Company and holders of $1,958,334 and $687,500 of the Secured Convertible Notes agreed to extend the maturity of those Secured Convertible Notes until January 31, 2020 and August 20, 2021, respectively. The Company also agreed to pay the 10% interest to the holders monthly instead of quarterly. There can be no assurance that we will enter into any additional agreements with such holders of the Secured Convertible Notes. If we do not reach any agreement to further extend the maturity date of some or all of the Secured Convertible Notes, we may not be able to repay the amounts due under the Secured Convertible Notes and will be in default. If we default in our payment obligations under the Secured Convertible Notes and the indebtedness under the Secured Convertible Notes were to be accelerated, there can be no assurance that our assets would be sufficient to repay such indebtedness in full at such time or we may not be able to obtain debt or equity financing on favorable terms or if at all to repay the Secured Convertible Notes. As a result, we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation.
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February 2019 Sale of Common Stock and Warrants
On February 14, 2019, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with a certain accredited investor pursuant to which we sold 945,894 shares of Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 945,894 shares of our Common Stock, or the registered warrants, to such investor (the “February 2019 Offering”). The Company received $1,757,552 in net proceeds from this offering. Each share of Common Stock was accompanied by a registered warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $2.12. Each share of Common Stock and accompanying registered warrant were sold at a combined purchase price of $2.12. The shares of Common Stock and registered warrants were purchased together and were issued separately and were immediately separable upon issuance. In a concurrent private placement, we also sold to the purchaser in the February 2019 Offering, unregistered warrants to purchase up to an additional 945,894 shares of our Common Stock.
February Amendment, Waiver and Consent
In connection with the February 2019 Offering and concurrent private placement, we entered into an amendment, waiver and consent agreement, or the “February Amendment, Waiver and Consent Agreement,” with certain holders of our Secured Convertible Notes. Pursuant to the February Amendment, Waiver and Consent Agreement, such holders agreed to amend the August 2018 Purchase Agreement, waive any applicable rights and remedies thereunder, and consent to the February 2019 Offering and concurrent private placement. In consideration for such February Amendment, Waiver and Consent Agreement, we agreed to issue such holders warrants to purchase up to an aggregate amount of 1,800,000 shares of our Common Stock. Such warrants have an exercise price of $2.55 per share, will become exercisable commencing six months and one day from the date of issuance and will expire five (5) years from the date of issuance.
July Amendment, Waiver and Consent
On July 22, 2019, in connection with a proposed public offering of Common Stock (the “August 2019 Offering”), we entered into an amendment, waiver and consent agreement (the “July Amendment, Waiver and Consent”) with certain holders constituting (i) a majority-in-interest of the holders of our Secured Convertible Notes and (ii) 51% in interest of the shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to a securities purchase agreement, dated as of January 8, 2018, by and among the Company and the purchasers identified on the signature pages thereto (the “January 2018 Purchase Agreement”). Pursuant to the July Amendment, Waiver and Consent, such holders agreed to amend the August 2018 Purchase Agreement, the January 2018 Purchase Agreement and the Secured Convertible Notes, waive any applicable rights and remedies under each of the August 2018 Purchase Agreement and the January 2018 Purchase Agreement, and consent to the August 2019 Offering in consideration for (i) a reduction in the conversion price of the Secured Convertible Notes from $2.50 per share to an amount equal to $1.515 and (ii) the issuance to the August 2018 Purchasers of new warrants to purchase the same number of shares of Common Stock that were issued to each August 2018 Purchaser pursuant to the August 2018 Purchase Agreement (for an aggregate of 1,800,000 shares of Common Stock to all August 2018 Purchasers) at an exercise price per share equal to $1.14 and will become exercisable commencing six (6) months and one day from the date of issuance and will expire five (5) years from the date of issuance.
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock Price Adjustment
In connection with the issuance of the warrants described above, the conversion price of our outstanding Series A Convertible Preferred Stock was reduced from $2.12 to $1.14.
On September 18, 2019, the Company entered into a private transaction (the “Private Transaction”) pursuant to a Warrant Exercise Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the holder of the Company’s existing warrants (the “Original Warrants”). The Original Warrants were originally issued on February 19, 2019, to purchase an aggregate of 945,894 shares of Common Stock, at an exercise price of $2.12 per share and were to expire on February 19, 2020.
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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 $0.76 (the “Amended Exercise Price”). The Company received $718,879 from the exercise of the Original Warrants before paying the placement agent fee of $50,321. The induced exercise resulted in the Company recognizing and recording an “imputed dividend” of $181,884. As a result, the conversion price of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock decreased to $0.76.
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock Conversions
On October 4, 2019, 100 shares of the Company’s Series A Convertible Preferred Stock were converted into 131,579 shares of the Company’s Common Stock.
On October 17, 2019, 100 shares of the Company’s Series A Convertible Preferred Stock were converted into 131,579 shares of the Company’s Common Stock.
On October 22, 2019, 25 shares of the Company’s Series A Convertible Preferred Stock were converted into 32,895 shares of the Company’s Common Stock.
Stock Purchase Agreement
On October 2, 2019, the Company and Andy Heyward, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, entered into a stock purchase agreement (the “Stock Purchase Agreement”) pursuant to which Mr. Heyward agreed to purchase 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock, in a private placement for an aggregate purchase price of $760,000, or $0.76 per share (the “Private Placement”). The Private Placement closed on October 3, 2019.
Stock Issued For Services
On October 18, 2019, in exchange for freelance animation services, the Company issued a total of 534,247 shares of Common Stock to a vendor.
Securities Purchase Agreement
On October 28, 2019, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with a certain investor named therein (the “Investor”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue and sell, in a registered direct offering by the Company directly to the Investor (the “Registered Offering”), an aggregate of 663,158 shares (the “Shares”) of Common Stock, at an offering price of $0.76 per share for gross proceeds of approximately $504,000 before deducting the placement agent fee and related offering expenses.
The Shares were offered by the Company pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-214805), which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on November 25, 2016 and was declared effective by the Commission on December 19, 2016 (the “Registration Statement”).
In a concurrent private placement (the “Private Placement” and together with the Registered Offering, the “Offerings”), the Company agreed to issue to the Investor who participated in the Registered Offering warrants (the “Warrants” and collectively with the Shares, the “Securities”) exercisable for one share of Common Stock for an aggregate of 477,474 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.76 per share. Each Warrant will be immediately exercisable on the date of its issuance and will expire five years from the date it becomes exercisable. Subject to limited exceptions, a holder of a Warrant will not have the right to exercise any portion of its warrants if the holder, together with its affiliates, would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise (the “Beneficial Ownership Limitation”); provided, however, that upon 61 days’ prior notice to the Company, the holder may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, provided further that in no event shall the Beneficial Ownership Limitation exceed 9.99%.
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Results of Operations
Our summary results for the three months ended September 30, 2019, and the three months ended September 30, 2018 are below.
Revenues
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
September 30, 2019 | September 30, 2018 | Change | % Change | |||||||||||||
Licensing & Royalties | $ | 174,261 | 210,675 | $ | (36,414 | ) | (17)% | |||||||||
Television & Home Entertainment | 3,147,411 | 196,519 | 2,950,892 | 1502% | ||||||||||||
Advertising Sales | 147,034 | 115,628 | 31,406 | 27% | ||||||||||||
Product Sales | 290 | 353 | (63 | ) | (18)% | |||||||||||
Total Revenue | $ | 3,468,996 | $ | 523,175 | $ | 2,945,821 | 563% |
Licensing and royalty revenue include items for 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. During the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018, this category decreased $36,414 or 17%.
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 achievement of revenue recognition criteria such as the start of a license period and the delivery of the content to the customer. During the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018, Television & Home Entertainment revenue increased $2,950,892 or 1,502%, primarily due to the revenue generated from the delivery of Llama Llama Season 2 to Netflix in September.
Advertising sales are generated on the Kid Genius Cartoon Channel in the form of either flat rate promotions or advertising impressions served. Advertising sales increased by $31,406 or 27%, during the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018. The increase is due to our continued efforts to grow this revenue stream of our business.
Expenses
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
September 30, 2019 | September 30, 2018 | Change | % Change | |||||||||||||
Marketing and Sales | $ | 97,541 | $ | 92,946 | 4,595 | 5% | ||||||||||
Direct Operating Costs | 2,841,358 | 476,199 | 2,365,159 | 497% | ||||||||||||
General and Administrative | 2,092,734 | 1,207,894 | 884,840 | 73% | ||||||||||||
Interest Expense | 30,642 | 577,477 | (546,835 | ) | (95)% | |||||||||||
Total | $ | 5,062,275 | $ | 2,354,516 | 2,707,759 | 115% |
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Marketing and sales expenses increased $4,595, or 5%, for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018 primarily due to an increase in marketing and advertising expenses to promote the Rainbow Rangers property.
Direct operating costs include costs of our product sales, unamortizable post-production costs, film and television cost amortization expense, and participation expense 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. Direct operating costs for the three months ended September 30, 2019 increased $2,365,159, or 497%, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018. During the three months ended September 30, 2019, we recorded film and television cost amortization expense of $1,285,237 and participation expense of $1,022,229 compared to expenses of $268,425 and $168,621, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2018. The increases in film amortization and participation expenses were primarily related to the Llama Llama Season 2 property. We also incurred $523,000 of distribution costs related to dubbing Llama Llama Season 2 in foreign languages.
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries, employee benefits, share-based compensation related to stock options, insurances, rent, depreciation and amortization as well as other professional fees related to finance, accounting, legal and investor relations. General and administrative expenses for three months ended September 30, 2019 increased $884,840, or 73%, compared to the same period in 2018. This increase was primarily related to increases in salaries and related expenses, legal rent, consulting, and investor relations expenses. Rent expense includes rent for two offices, which is offset by sublease income received, which is included in other income and expenses
Interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2019 decreased $546,835, or 95%, compared to the same period in 2018. This decrease is due to the interest expense related to the $4,500,000 of Secured Convertible Notes issued August 2018. Interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2018 included interest and the amortization of the debt issue costs, the amortization of the debt discount related to the $4,500,000 of Secured Convertible Notes issued in August 2018, which were expensed in the first quarter of 2019. Therefore, there was no amortization of these costs in the three months ended September 30, 2019.
Our summary results for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, and the nine months ended September 30, 2018 are below.
Revenues
Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
September 30, 2019 | September 30, 2018 | Change | % Change | |||||||||||||
Licensing & Royalties | $ | 674,107 | $ | 302,140 | $ | 371,967 | 123% | |||||||||
Television & Home Entertainment | 4,292,972 | 234,474 | 4,058,498 | 1731% | ||||||||||||
Advertising Sales | 184,716 | 154,563 | 30,153 | 20% | ||||||||||||
Product Sales | 2,396 | 1,622 | 774 | 48% | ||||||||||||
Total Revenue | $ | 5,154,191 | $ | 692,799 | $ | 4,461,392 | 644% |
Licensing and royalty revenue include items for 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. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018, this category increased $371,967, or 123%, primarily due to the revenue generated from Rainbow Rangers and Llama Llama properties.
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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 achievement of revenue recognition criteria such as the start of a license period and the delivery of the content to the customer. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018, Television & Home Entertainment revenue increased $4,058,498, or 1,731%, primarily due to the revenue generated from the delivery of Llama Llama Season 2 to Netflix, delivery of Rainbow Rangers Season 1 to Viacom and deliveries to international territories.
Advertising sales are generated on the Kid Genius Cartoon Channel in the form of either flat rate promotions or advertising impressions served. Advertising sales increased by $30,153, or 20%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The increase is due to our continued efforts to grow this revenue stream of our business.
Expenses
Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
September 30, 2019 | September 30, 2018 | Change | % Change | |||||||||||||
Marketing and Sales | $ | 405,751 | $ | 334,302 | 71,449 | 21% | ||||||||||
Direct Operating Costs | 3,929,187 | 1,206,147 | 2,723,040 | 226% | ||||||||||||
General and Administrative | 5,298,865 | 3,858,650 | 1,440,215 | 37% | ||||||||||||
Interest Expense | 697,386 | 578,570 | 118,816 | 21% | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 10,331,189 | $ | 5,977,669 | 4,353,520 | 73% |
Marketing and sales expenses increased $71,499, or 21%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018 primarily due to an increase in marketing and advertising expenses to promote the Rainbow Rangers property.
Direct operating costs include costs of our product sales, unamortizable post-production costs, film and television cost amortization expense, and participation expense 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. Direct operating costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 increased $2,723,040, or 226%, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, we recorded film and television cost amortization expense of $1,907,222 and participation expense of $1,457,315 compared to September 30, 2018 expenses of $1,033,392 and $183,434, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The increases in direct operating costs in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same period in the prior year reflect increases in film amortization and participation expenses related to increased revenues from the Llama Llama Season 2 property. We also incurred $523,000 of distribution costs related to dubbing Llama Llama Season 2 in foreign languages.
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries, employee benefits, share-based compensation related to stock options, insurances, rent, depreciation and amortization as well as other professional fees related to finance, accounting, legal and investor relations. General and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 increased $1,440,215, or 37%, compared to the same period in 2018. This increase was primarily related to increases in salaries and related expenses, legal fees, rent, consulting and investor relations expenses.
Interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 increased $118,816, or 21%, compared to the same period in 2018. This increase is due to the interest expense and the amortization of the debt issue costs; the amortization of the debt discount related to the $4,500,000 of Secured Convertible Notes issued in an August 2018 production loan.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Working Capital
As of September 30, 2019, we had current assets of $5,011,296, including cash and cash equivalents, of $633,561, and current liabilities of $8,858,575, resulting in negative working capital of $3,847,279, compared to working capital of $971,663 as of December 31, 2018. Our current assets are not sufficient to repay our outstanding Secured Convertible Notes and fund our planned operations, and accordingly, there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. If we default in our payment obligations under the Secured Convertible Notes and the indebtedness under the Secured Convertible Notes were to be accelerated, there can be no assurance that our assets would be sufficient to repay such indebtedness in full at such time or we may not be able to obtain debt or equity financing on favorable terms or if at all to repay the Secured Convertible Notes. As a result, we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation.
Decreases in working capital of $4,818,942 were primarily the result of a decrease in accounts receivable of $1,761,137, increases in accounts payable of $929,193, increase in participation payable of $931,882 and an increase in the carrying value of the Secured Convertible Notes of $1,218,465.
Comparison of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019, and the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
Our total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash was $633,561 and $5,074,026 at September 30, 2019, and September 30, 2018, respectively.
Comparison of Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
September 30, 2019 | September 30, 2018 | Change | % Change | |||||||||||||
Cash used in operations | $ | (4,636,416 | ) | $ | (5,486,708 | ) | $ | 850,292 | (15)% | |||||||
Cash used in investing activities | (26,976 | ) | (42,986 | ) | 16,010 | (37)% | ||||||||||
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 2,211,927 | 3,105,647 | (893,270 | ) | (28)% | |||||||||||
Increase (decrease) in cash | $ | (2,451,465 | ) | $ | (2,424,047 | ) | $ | (27,418 | ) | 1% |
During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, our primary sources of cash were the net proceeds from the sale of shares for $1,757,522, net proceeds from the warrant exercise, an increase in the production loan of $872,218, the collection of $399,750 from the Rainbow Rangers broadcast agreement, $168,352 in royalties received related to Psycho Bunny, and the collection of $280,750 from various Rainbow Rangers consumer products contracts.
Operating Activities
Cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was $4,636,416 as compared to cash used in operating activities of $5,486,708 during the comparable period in the prior year.
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Investing Activities
Cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was $26,976 as compared to a use of $42,986 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. Investing activities include the purchase of furniture and equipment in 2019 and the purchase of furniture and equipment and intangible assets in 2018.
Financing Activities
Cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was $4,211,927 as compared to $3,105,647 cash used in the comparable period in 2018. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the sources of cash generated from financing activities were the $1,757,552 in net proceeds from the sale of securities under a Securities Purchase Agreement, $668,558 in net proceeds from the warrant conversion and net borrowings of $872,218 under our production loans. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the sources of cash generated from financing activities were the $1,596,341 in net proceeds from the sale of securities under a Securities Purchase Agreement offset by payments made on the Llama Llama production loan of $2,676,748.
The Secured Convertible Notes matured on August 20, 2019. The Company failed to meet certain conditions under the terms of the Secured Convertible Notes and is obligated to repay in cash the then outstanding principal amount of the Secured Convertible Notes in full by the six-month anniversary of the date of maturity. On August 20, 2019, pursuant to the Secured Convertible Notes, the Company elected to make six equal monthly principal payments of $750,000. The first payment with interest was paid on August 23, 2019.
On September 20, 2019, the Company and the holders of $1,958,334 of the Secured Convertible Notes, extended the maturity date of those Secured Convertible Notes until January 31, 2020. The Company also agreed to pay the 10% interest to the holders monthly instead of quarterly.
On September 20, 2019, the Company and the holders of $687,500 of the Secured Convertible Notes, extended the maturity date of those Secured Convertible Notes until August 20, 2021. The Company also agreed to pay the 10% interest to the holders monthly instead of quarterly.
The remaining balance of $883,332 under the Secured Convertible Notes that were not extended will be paid in four monthly installments of $220,883. The September and October payments, including interest, have been paid.
Capital Expenditures
As of September 30, 2019, we do not have any material commitments for capital expenditures.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our accounting policies are described in the notes to the financial statements. Below is a summary of the critical accounting policies, among others, that management believes involve significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its financial statements.
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Genius Brands International, Inc., its wholly-owned subsidiaries A Squared and Llama Productions as well as its interest in Stan Lee Comics, LLC (“Stan Lee Comics”). All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
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Right of Use Leased Assets
In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, “Leases.” The standard requires lessees to recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from leases on the balance sheet. A lessee should recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The amendments should be applied at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach with earlier application permitted as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period.
In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842), Targeted Improvements, which allows for an additional optional transition method where comparative periods presented in the financial statements in the period of adoption will not be restated and instead those periods will be presented under existing guidance in accordance with ASC 840, Leases. Management used this optional transition method. 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.
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 purchase 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. We complete the annual goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment tests at the end of each fiscal year. To test for goodwill impairment, we are required to estimate the fair market value of each of our reporting units, of which we have one. While we may use a variety of methods to estimate fair value for impairment testing, our primary method is discounted cash flows. We estimate future cash flows and allocations of certain assets using estimates for future growth rates and our judgment regarding the applicable discount rates. Changes to our judgments and estimates could result in a significantly different estimate of the fair market value of the reporting units, which could result in an impairment of goodwill or indefinite lived intangible assets in future periods.
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. In accordance with FASB ASC 350 Intangible Assets, the costs of new product development and significant improvement to existing products are capitalized while routine and periodic alterations to existing products are expensed as incurred. Annual amortization of these intangible assets is computed based on the straight-line method over the remaining economic life of the asset.
Film and Television Costs
We capitalize 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. We expense all capitalized costs that exceed the initial market firm commitment revenue in the period of delivery of the episodes.
We capitalize 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. We evaluate 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, we develop 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.
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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 accounts for the proceeds from the issuance of convertible notes payable in accordance with FASB ASC 470-20 Debt with Conversion and Other Options. Pursuant to FASB ASC 470-20, the intrinsic value of the embedded conversion feature (beneficial conversion interest), which is in the money on the commitment date is included in the discount to debt and amortized to interest expense over the term of the note agreement. When the conversion option is not separated, the Company accounts for the entire convertible instrument including debt and the conversion feature as a liability.
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 Company’s stock, it is classified as an asset or liability recorded at fair value. If the instrument considered indexed to Company’s stock, the Company analyzes additional equity classification requirements per 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.
Revenue Recognition
On January 1, 2018, we adopted the new accounting standard ASC 606 (Topic 606), Revenue from Contracts with Customers and all the related amendments (“new revenue standard”) using the modified retrospective method applied to those contracts which were not completed as of January 1, 2018. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under Topic 606, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historic accounting under ASC 605, (Topic 605).
Accordingly, the Company recorded a cumulative effect adjustment to Accumulated Deficit in the amount of $206,247. The impact to the Company’s financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 resulting from the adoption of Topic 606 as of January 1, 2018 was a reduction of revenue in the amount $26,184 and $162,551, respectively, and a corresponding reduction in costs in the amount of $14,317 and $42,952, respectively, from the amounts reported. The amounts prior to adoption were not recognized pursuant to Topic 606 and would have been reported pursuant to Topic 605.
Changes to the opening balances in prepaid and other assets, film and television costs, total assets, accrued expenses, deferred revenue and total liabilities resulting from the adoption of the new guidance were as follows (thousands):
December 31, 2017 | Impact of Adoption | January 1, 2018 | ||||||||||
Prepaid and Other Assets | $ | 265 | $ | (15 | ) | $ | 250 | |||||
Film and Television Costs, net | 2,777 | (219 | ) | 2,558 | ||||||||
Total assets | 27,713 | (234 | ) | 27,479 | ||||||||
Accrued Expenses | 1,718 | 2 | 1,720 | |||||||||
Deferred Revenue | 5,085 | (409 | ) | 4,676 | ||||||||
Total liabilities | 12,673 | (407 | ) | 12,266 |
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We performed an analysis of our existing revenue contracts and completed our new revenue accounting policy documentation under the new standard. The Company has identified the following six material and distinct performance obligations:
· | License rights to exploit Functional Intellectual Property (Functional Intellectual Property or “Functional IP” is defined as intellectual property that has significant standalone functionality such as the ability to be played or aired. Functional intellectual property derives a substantial portion of its utility from its significant standalone functionality.) |
· | License rights to exploit Symbolic Intellectual Property (Symbolic Intellectual Property 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.) |
· | Options to renew or extend a contract at fixed terms. (While this performance obligation is not significant for our current contracts, it could become significant in the future.) |
· | Options on future seasons of content at fixed terms. (While this performance obligation is not significant for our 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 Network |
As a result of the change, beginning January 1, 2018, we began recognizing revenue related to licensed rights to exploit Functional IP in two ways. For minimum guarantees, we will recognize fixed revenue upon delivery of content and the start of the license period. For Functional IP contracts with a variable component, we will estimate 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. We began recognizing 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.
We sell advertising on our Kid Genius channel in the form of either flat rate promotions or impressions served. For flat rate promotions with a fixed term, we recognize revenue when all five revenue recognition criteria under FASB ASC 606 are met. For impressions served, we deliver 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 us on a monthly basis, and revenue is reported in the month the impressions are served.
We recognize revenue related to product sales when (i) the seller’s price is substantially fixed, (ii) shipment has occurred causing the buyer to be obligated to pay for product, (iii) the buyer has economic substance apart from the seller, and (iv) there is no significant obligation for future performance to directly bring about the resale of the product by the buyer.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“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 consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods.
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Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2017-04, “Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment,” which requires an entity to perform a one-step quantitative impairment test, whereby a goodwill impairment loss will be measured as the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying amount over its fair value (not to exceed the total goodwill allocated to that reporting unit). It eliminates Step 2 of the current two-step goodwill impairment test, under which a goodwill impairment loss is measured by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The standard is effective January 1, 2020, with early adoption as of January 1, 2017 permitted. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.
In July 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-11 addressing, among other matters, accounting for certain financial instruments. One of the amendments in this guidance intended to reduce the complexity associated with the issuer’s accounting for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity. Specifically, the Board determined that a down round feature (as defined) would no longer cause a freestanding equity-linked financial instrument (or an embedded conversion option) to be accounted for as a derivative liability at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in current earnings. ASU 2017-11 is effective for public business entities for fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company adopted ASU 2017-11 on January 1, 2019. The adoption of ASU 2017-11 did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements or cash flows.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (“ASU 2018-13”), which changes the fair value measurement disclosure requirements of ASC 820. The update removes some disclosures, modifies others, and adds some new disclosure requirements. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim period within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019 with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.
In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-07, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2018-07”), which supersedes ASC 505-05 and expands the scope of ASC 718 to include all share-based payment arranges related to the acquisition of goods and services from both nonemployees and employee. As a result, most of the guidance in ASC 718 associated with employee share-based payments, including most of its requirements related to classification and measurement, applies to nonemployee share-based payment arrangements. ASC 2018-07 is effective for all entities for fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company adopted ASU No. 2018-07 on January 1, 2019. The adoption of ASU 2018-07 did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements or condensed consolidated cash flows.
In March 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-02, Entertainment-Films-Other Assets-Film Costs (Subtopic 926-20) and Entertainment-Broadcasters Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Subtopic 920-350). The update aligns the accounting for production costs of an episodic television series with the accounting for production costs of films by removing the content distinction for capitalization. The amendments also require that an entity reassess estimates of the use of a film in a film group and account for any changes prospectively. The amendments in this update require that an entity test a film or license agreement for program material within the scope of Subtopic 920-350 for impairment at a film group level when the film or license agreement is predominantly monetized with other films and/or license agreements. For public business entities, the amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this guidance on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Various other accounting pronouncements have been recently issued, most of which represented technical corrections to the accounting literature or were applicable to specific industries and are not expected to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements.
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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 effective for the period ended September 30, 2019 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 Commission rules and forms.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2019, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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.
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As of September 30, 2019, there were no material pending legal proceedings to which we are a party or as to which any of its property is subject.
Other than as set forth below, there have been no material changes to our risk factors contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. For a further discussion of our Risk Factors, refer to the “Risk Factors” discussion contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.
RISKS RELATING TO OUR BUSINESS
If we fail to honor our obligations under our outstanding Secured Convertible Notes, our business and financial condition may be materially adversely affected.
On August 17, 2018, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with certain investors (the “Investors”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell (i) an aggregate principal amount of $4.50 million in secured convertible notes, convertible into shares of our Common Stock, at a conversion price of $2.50 per share (the “Secured Convertible Notes”) and (ii) warrants to purchase 1,800,000 shares of our Common Stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per share (the “Warrants,” and, together with the Secured Convertible Notes, the “Securities”). We received approximately $4,500,000 in gross proceeds from such offering.
We are obligated under our Secured Convertible Notes, which collectively had an outstanding unamortized book balance of approximately $3,050,416 as of September 30, 2019, and a total fair value upon issuance of $4,464,200. The Secured Convertible Notes accrue interest of 10% per annum. The Secured Convertible Notes, including interest accrued thereon, are convertible at any time until a Secured Convertible Note is no longer outstanding, in whole or in part, at the option of the holders into shares of our Common Stock at a conversion price of $1.515 per share. We are obligated to make periodic payments on such debt obligations to each noteholder. In addition, we have granted a security interest to the noteholders in all of our tangible and intangible personal property to secure our obligations under the Secured Convertible Notes.
The Secured Convertible Notes matured on August 20, 2019. We failed to meet certain conditions under the terms of the Secured Convertible Notes and are obligated to repay in cash the then outstanding principal amount of the Secured Convertible Notes in full by the six-month anniversary of the date of maturity. On August 20, 2019, pursuant to the Secured Convertible Notes, the Company elected to make six equal monthly principal payments of $750,000. The first payment with interest was paid on August 23, 2019.
On September 17, 2019, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Andy Heyward, purchased $500,000 of the Secured Convertible Notes from another holder. The Company did not receive any proceeds from this transaction.
On September 20, 2019, the Company and the holders of $1,958,334 of the Secured Convertible Notes, extended the maturity date of those Secured Convertible Notes until January 31, 2020. The Company also agreed to pay the 10% interest to the holders monthly instead of quarterly.
On September 20, 2019, the Company and the holders of $687,500 of the Secured Convertible Notes, extended the maturity date of those Secured Convertible Notes until August 20, 2021. The Company also agreed to pay the 10% interest to the holders monthly instead of quarterly.
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The remaining balance of $883,332 under the Secured Convertible Notes not extended will be paid in four monthly installments of $220,883. The September and October payments, including interest, have been paid.
We currently do not have enough cash and cash equivalents to repay the Secured Convertible Notes in full in cash. If not earlier converted, we will need to obtain additional financing or refinance the Secured Convertible Notes prior to the date when all principal payments are due. There can be no assurance that we will enter into any additional agreements with such holders of the Secured Convertible Notes. If we do not reach any agreement to further extend the maturity date of some or all of the Secured Convertible Notes, we may not be able to repay the amounts due under the Secured Convertible Notes and will be in default. If we default in our payment obligations under the Secured Convertible Notes and the indebtedness under the Secured Convertible Notes were to be accelerated, there can be no assurance that our assets would be sufficient to repay such indebtedness in full at such time or we may not be able to obtain debt or equity financing on favorable terms or if at all to repay the Secured Convertible Notes. As a result, we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation.
We cannot assure you that our original programming content will appeal to our distributors and viewers or that any of our original programming content will not be cancelled or removed from our distributors’ platforms.
Our business depends on the appeal of our content to distributors and viewers, which is difficult to predict. Our business depends in part upon viewer preferences and audience acceptance of our original programming content. These factors are difficult to predict and are subject to influences beyond our control, such as the quality and appeal of competing programming, general economic conditions and the availability of other entertainment activities. We may not be able to anticipate and react effectively to shifts in tastes and interests in markets. A change in viewer preferences could cause our original programming content to decline in popularity, which could jeopardize renewal of agreements with distributors. Low ratings or viewership for programming content produced by us may lead to the cancellation, removal or non-renewal of a program and can negatively affect future license fees for such program. If our original programming content does not gain the level of audience acceptance we expect, or if we are unable to maintain the popularity of our original programming, we may have a diminished negotiating position when dealing with distributors, which could reduce our revenue. We cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain the success of any of our current original programming content or generate sufficient demand and market acceptance for new original programming content in the future. This could materially adversely impact our business, financial condition, operating results, liquidity and prospects.
RISKS RELATING 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.
On September 4, 2019, the Company received a notification letter from The Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) informing the Company that for the last 30 consecutive business days, the bid price of the Company’s Common Stock had closed below $1.00 per share, which is the minimum required closing bid price for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market pursuant to Listing Rule 5550(a)(2).
This notice has no immediate effect on the Company's Nasdaq listing or trading of its Common Stock. In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), the Company has 180 calendar days, or until March 2, 2020, to regain compliance. To regain compliance, the closing bid price of the Company’s Common Stock must be at least $1.00 per share for a minimum of ten consecutive business days. If the Company does not regain compliance by March 2, 2020, the Company may be eligible for additional time to regain compliance or if the Company is otherwise not eligible, the Company may request a hearing before a Hearings Panel.
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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.
If our Common Stock becomes subject to the penny stock rules, it may be more difficult to sell our Common Stock.
The SEC has adopted rules that regulate broker-dealer practices in connection with transactions in penny stocks. Penny stocks are generally equity securities with a price of less than $5.00 (other than securities registered on certain national securities exchanges or authorized for quotation on certain automated quotation systems, provided that current price and volume information with respect to transactions in such securities is provided by the exchange or system). The OTC Bulletin Board does not meet such requirements and if the price of our Common Stock is less than $5.00 and our Common Stock is no longer listed on a national securities exchange such as Nasdaq, our stock may be deemed a penny stock. The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, at least two business days prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules, to deliver to the customer a standardized risk disclosure document containing specified information and to obtain from the customer a signed and date acknowledgment of receipt of that document. In addition, the penny stock rules require that prior to effecting any transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules, a broker-dealer must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive: (i) the purchaser’s written acknowledgment of the receipt of a risk disclosure statement; (ii) a written agreement to transactions involving penny stocks; and (iii) a signed and dated copy of a written suitability statement. These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the trading activity in the secondary market for our Common Stock, and therefore stockholders may have difficulty selling their shares.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.
On July 14, 2019, the Company issued 5,250 shares of Common Stock to a vendor for consulting services rendered. 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.
On July 16, 2019, the Company issued 25,000 shares of Common Stock to a vendor for consulting services rendered. 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.
On August 2, 2019, the Company issued 481,481 shares of Common Stock to a vendor for production services rendered. 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.
None.
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* Filed herewith
** Furnished herewith
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
GENIUS BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC. | ||
Date: November 14, 2019 | By: | /s/ Andy Heyward |
Andy Heyward Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | ||
Date: November 14, 2019 | By: | /s/ Robert L Denton |
Robert L. Denton Chief Financial Officer | ||
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
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