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1. The Company and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
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12 Months Ended |
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Dec. 31, 2012
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| Company And Significant Accounting Policies Policies | |
| Organization and Nature of Business |
Genius Brands International, Inc. (“we”, “us”, “our” or the “Company”), f/k/a Pacific Entertainment Corporation, creates and distributes music-based products which we believe are entertaining, educational and beneficial to the well-being of infants and young children under our brands, including Baby Genius. We create, market and sell children’s videos, music, books and other products in the United States by distribution at wholesale to retail stores and distributors, direct to consumers through various “deal for a day” sites and through digital platforms using intellectual property developed and owned by us. We license the use of our intellectual property, both domestically and internationally, to others to manufacture, market and sell products based on our characters and brand, whereby we receive advances and royalties. The Company also obtains rights to the content of other studios for distribution through our warehouse facility to our customers, for which we either pay royalty fees or earn distribution fees. We have licensing agreements with other companies under which we produce music-based products using their characters and brands and for which we pay a royalty.
The Company commenced operations in January 2006, assuming all of the rights and obligations of its Chief Executive Officer, Klaus Moeller, under an Asset Purchase Agreement between the Company and Genius Products, Inc., in which we obtained all rights, copyrights, and trademarks to the brands “Baby Genius,” “Little Genius,” “Kid Genius,” “123 Favorite Music” and “Wee Worship,” and all then existing productions under those titles. On October 17, 2011 and October 18, 2011, Genius Brands International, Inc., filed Articles of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada and with the Secretary of State of the State of California, respectively. As previously described on the Company’s Schedule 14C Information Statement, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 21, 2011, by filing the Articles of Merger, the Company (i) changed its domicile to Nevada from California, and (ii) changed its name to Genius Brands International, Inc. from Pacific Entertainment Corporation (the “Reincorporation”). Pursuant to the Articles of Merger, Pacific Entertainment Corporation, a California corporation, merged into Genius Brands International, Inc., a Nevada corporation that, prior to the Reincorporation, was the wholly owned subsidiary of Pacific Entertainment Corporation. Genius Brands International, the Nevada corporation, is the surviving corporation. In connection with the Reincorporation, on October 12, 2011, the Company filed an Issuer Company-Related Action Notification Form with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and on November 29, 2011 our trading symbol changed from “PENT” to “GNUS”..
On December 17, 2009, we signed an agreement with Battat Incorporated (“Battat”) whereby our brand was licensed to Battat for development and introduction to retail stores of a line of 24 toys in August 2009. The license granted Battat an exclusive license for the manufacture, marketing and distribution of a toy line based on the Baby Genius brand in the United States and Canada, and non-exclusive rights of distribution in other parts of the world. When it became clear that minimum sales requirements for 2011 would not be met, this license was terminated according to its terms in December 2010. At that time, we extended the sell-off period to allow Battat the right to continue to distribute the existing line of toys through late Spring 2011. The Company received the final royalty revenue from the Battat agreement in the first quarter of 2011.
On January 11, 2011, the Company signed a five-year, world-wide license agreement with Tollytots® for a new toy line to be distributed world-wide. As a result of the agreement, Tollytots® immediately began development on a comprehensive line of musical and early learning toys, incorporating the music, characters and themes associated with our Baby Genius series of videos and music CDs. The toy line covers a broad range of exclusive categories including learning and developmental toys, most plush toys, and musical toys which Tollytots® has the sole right to manufacture, market and distribute on a world-wide basis. It also allows Tollytots® a non-exclusive right to manufacture, market and distribute products in several non-exclusive categories, including board games, puzzles, electronic learning aids and amusement plush toys, where we may already have other licenses who produce similar products or may grant licenses for such products to new parties in addition to Tollytots®. We have received recoupable advances and will receive quarterly royalty payments in excess of the advances, if applicable, from sales of products developed under the agreement by Tollytots®. The Company will have rights to sell product developed under the license agreement directly via its website subject to availability of inventory from Tollytots®. The agreement provides for certain guaranteed minimum payments to the Company for each contract year. The agreement is subject to early termination by the Company in specified territories in the event minimum sales requirements in those territories have not been met in any contract year. Currently, Tollytots® has several toys developed for the line, including musical and early learning toys, and the toys were available for retail sales beginning in the third quarter of 2012.
We experienced a reduction in royalty revenue in 2011 and 2012 due to the gap between the cessation of sales by Battat in Spring 2011 and the commencement of sales of the Tollytots® line in Fall 2012. The new toy line did not produce additional royalty revenue in excess of the guaranteed minimum payments subsequent to its launch at retail in the third quarter of 2012 and there is no guarantee that it will produce additional revenue in the future.
The Company also obtains licenses for other select brands we feel we can market and sell through our distribution channels.
On September 20, 2010, the Company entered into a joint venture agreement with Dr. Shulamit Ritblatt to form Circle of Education, LLC (“COE”), a California limited liability company, for the purpose of creation and distribution of a curriculum to promote school readiness for children ages 2-5 years. The Company actively participated in a research study into the use of music-based curriculum through a major university for three years based on certain unregistered copyrights and trademarks, confidential information, designs, ideas, discoveries, inventions, processes, research results and work product it had developed. In March 2012, the Company and Dr. Ritblatt agreed to terminate the joint venture agreement. COE transferred equal right of ownership in the intellectual property developed as of the date of termination (“IP”) to each of the Company and Dr. Ritblatt, and in exchange for the rights to the IP, Dr. Ritblatt transferred her units of COE to the Company. Each party will have the right to continue development of the IP and products based on the IP with no further obligation to the other party. Subject to certain limitations for specific channels of distribution reserved for each party for a period of twelve months from the execution of the agreements, both parties have non-exclusive and non-restrictive rights to the use, sublicense or sale of the IP and products created based on the IP.
The Company has developed the Ready!Play!Learn!™ program based partially on the intellectual property discussed above, which we anticipate will be available for distribution in the second quarter of 2013. The program includes a curriculum book and music aimed at parents and caregivers of preschool aged children to assist them in preparing their children for kindergarten.
In 2012, the Company began development of an application based on our content and characters. The initial application includes digital video and music delivery, with games and puzzles based on our characters, which is scheduled to be available in the second quarter of 2013. Future enhancements include a variety of tools, including lesson plans, curriculum and songs designed to assist parents teach academic subjects and socialization skills to their children ages 2-5 years in preparation for attending kindergarten.
The Company launched a line of classic movies and television programs, “Pacific Entertainment Presents”. Initially consisting of seven titles, each focusing on a specific genre such as Horror, Western, SciFi, Action, Mystery, War, and Gangster, an additional six titles were added in late 2010 expanding the line with the Super Hero’s collection as well as Family Favorites. During 2011, the Company also signed distribution agreements with five studios whereby we sell their existing products through our channels of distribution. The agreements range in length from three to five years.
The Company’s Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These require the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses reported in the financial statements, as well as amounts included in the notes thereto, including discussion and disclosure of contingent liabilities. Although the Company uses its best estimates and judgments, actual results could differ from these estimates as future confirming events occur. |
| Liquidity |
Historically, the Company has incurred net losses. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $10,208,024 and a total stockholders’ deficit of $245,243. At December 31, 2012, the Company had current assets of $1,997,836, including cash $447,548, and current liabilities of $2,098,520, resulting in a working capital deficit of $100,684. For the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company reported a net loss of $2,067,609 and net cash used by operating activities of $935,323. Management believes that its increasing sales, cash provided by operations, together with funds available from deferred officers’ salaries, will be sufficient to fund planned operations for the next twelve months. However, there can be no assurance that operations and operating cash flows will continue at the current levels or improve in the near future. If the Company is unable to obtain profitable operations and positive operating cash flows sufficient to meet scheduled debt obligations, it may need to seek additional funding or be forced to scale back its development plans or to significantly reduce or terminate operations. |
| Use of Estimates |
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles 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. |
| Cash Equivalents |
The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments with initial maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. |
| Revenue Recognition |
Revenue Recognition - The Company recognized 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 as required by FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 605 - Revenue Recognition.
Revenues associated with the sale of products, are recorded when shipped to customers pursuant to approved customer purchase orders resulting in the transfer of title and risk of loss. Cost of sales, rebates and discounts are recorded at the time of revenue recognition or at each financial reporting date.
The Company’s licensing and royalty revenue represent variable payments based on net sales from brand licensees for content distribution rights. These license agreements are held in conjunction with third parties that are responsible for collecting fees due and remitting to the Company its share after expenses. Revenue from licensed products is recognized when realized or realizable based on royalty reporting received from licensees. |
| Shipping and Handling |
Shipping and Handling - The Company records shipping and handling expenses in the period in which they are incurred and are included in the Cost of Goods Sold. |
| Principles of Consolidation |
Principles of Consolidation - The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company, and its 100% owned subsidiary: Circle of Education LLC. All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. |
| Inventories |
Inventories - Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (average) or market 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 by management in the period in which it is determined to be 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 $57,305 and $42,309 established as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. |
| Property and Equipment |
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 5 to 39 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 dispositions of property and equipment are reflected in the statement of operations. |
| Intangible Assets |
Intangible Assets –Intangible Assets acquired, either individually or with a group of other assets, are initially recognized and measured based on fair value. In the acquisition of the assets from Genius Products, fair value was calculated using a discounted cash flow analysis of the revenue streams for the estimated life of the assets.
The Company develops new video, music, books and digital applications, in addition to adding content, improved animation and songs/features to their existing productions. 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. The Company begins amortization of new products when it is available for general release. Annual amortization cost of intangible assets are computed based on the straight-line method over the remaining economic life of the product, generally such deferred costs are amortized over five years.
The Company reviews all intangible assets periodically to determine if the value has been impaired by recent financial transactions using the discounted cash flow analysis of revenue stream for the estimated life of the assets. |
| Stock Based Compensation |
Stock Based Compensation - As required ASC 718 - Stock Compensation, the Company recognizes an expense related to the fair value of our stock-compensation awards, including stock options, using the Black-Scholes calculation as of the date of grant. |
| Income Taxes |
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. |
| Advertising Costs |
Advertising Costs- The Company’s marketing and sales costs are primarily related to advertising, trade shows, public relation fees and production and distribution of collateral materials. In accordance with ASC 720 regarding Advertising Costs, the Company expenses advertising costs in the period in which the expense is incurred. Marketing and Sales costs incurred by licensees are borne fully by the licensee and are not the responsibility of the Company. Advertising expense for the year ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 was $54,454 and $19,302, respectively. |
| Allowance for Sales Returns |
Allowance for Sales Returns - An Allowance for Sales Returns is estimated based on average sales during the previous year. Based on experience, sales growth, and our customer base, the Company concluded that the allowance for sales returns at December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 should be $53,000 and $84,000, respectively. |
| Concentration of Risk |
Concentration of Risk - The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are maintained at one financial institution and from time to time the balances for this account exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s (“FDIC’s”) insured amount. Balances on interest bearing deposits at banks in the United States are insured by the FDIC up to $250,000 per institution. The Dodd-Frank Deposit Insurance Provision provides that all funds in noninterest-bearing transaction accounts held at FDIC-insured depository institutions (“IDIs”) will be fully insured from December 31, 2010 through December 31, 2012. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, there were no uninsured balances.
For fiscal year 2012, the revenue from two customers comprised 43.8% and 17.7% of the Company’s total revenue. Those two accounts made up 0%, and 28.5% of the total accounts receivable balance at December 31, 2012, respectively. For fiscal year 2011, the revenue from one customer comprised 28.5% of the Company’s total revenue. This account made up 1.1% of the total accounts receivable balance at December 31, 2011. The major customers for the year ending December 31, 2012 are not necessarily the same as one of the major customers at December 31, 2011. There is significant financial risk associated with a dependence upon a small number of customers. The Company periodically assesses the financial strength of these customers and establishes allowances for any anticipated bad debt. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, no allowance for bad debt has been established for the major customers as these amounts are believed to be fully collectible. |
| Earnings Per Share |
Earnings Per Share - Basic earnings (loss) per common share (“EPS”) is calculated by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS is calculated by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares 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. The Company had stock options to purchase 15,845,000 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase 5,852,060 shares of common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2012. |
| Fair value of financial instruments |
Fair value of financial instruments - The carrying amounts of cash, receivables and accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of the instruments. |
| Litigation |
We are not a party to any legal or administrative proceedings, other than routine legal activities incidental to our business that we do not believe, individually or in the aggregate, would be likely to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. |