Genius Brands International Teams Up With Wendy's(R) to Bring Reading Fun to Young Children With Baby Genius(R) Board Books

QSR Program Part of Global Strategy to Extend Award-Winning Baby Genius(R) Brand

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 9, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Genius Brands International, Inc. (OTCQB:GNUS), developer and marketer of entertainment products including the award-winning Baby Genius® line of music and education-based products and characters, today announced a partnership with The Wendy's Company (Nasdaq:WEN). Wendy's® restaurants will offer Baby Genius® premiums for the under three age group in Wendy's Kids' Meals® over the next 12 months.

Beginning in February 2012, eight original Baby Genius® board books will be offered for young children as part of a year-long Wendy's Kids' Meal® promotional program slated for over 6,500 Wendy's® restaurants in the U.S. and Canada. Wendy's Kids' Meal® point-of-purchase displays and website will be branded with Baby Genius® characters and each of the millions of board books will include a special money saving coupon for a set of Baby Genius® DVDs.

The new partnership with Wendy's® is part of a year-long global marketing strategy to build awareness for the Baby Genius® brand in anticipation of the fall 2012 launch of a new line of Baby Genius® musical and early learning toys from JAKKS Pacific's Tollytots® division.

Featuring titles such as 1, 2, 3, Count With Me, Shapes at the Playground, Sounds of the Jungle and Colors in the Garden, among others, the books provide fundamental information essential to the early education of two and three year-old children. All of the titles will be published as both English and English/French bilingual editions.

The new Baby Genius® board books are written by Genius Brands International CCO Larry Balaban, who co-created the Baby Genius® brand over a decade ago. "I am thrilled that millions of parents and their children will have an opportunity to enjoy our characters and learn from the Baby Genius® board books from Wendy's," said Balaban.

About Genius Brands

Genius Brands International, Inc. is the developer and marketer of entertainment products including the award-winning Baby Genius® line of music and education-based products and characters. The Company is developing and marketing a growing line of Genius branded products that entertain and educate the whole family. Baby Genius® awards include: Mom's Choice Award, The National Parenting Center Seal of Approval, The Toy Insider Best Toddler Toys, Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products, NAPPA Honors Award, iParenting Excellent Product Award, Creative Child Preferred Choice Award, Latino DVD Awards, iParenting Media Award, Film Advisory Board Award of Excellence, Kids First! Quality Children's Media Endorsement, Parents Magazine 2002 "Video of the Year," and Best "Under 3" QSR Program 2004/2005 from Restaurant Magazine. Baby Genius® products are available at most major retailers and have international exposure in over 40 countries. For brand information please visit www.babygenius.com. For Company information please visit www.pacificentcorp.com.

Forward-looking statements

This release contains forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of Genius Brands International, Inc. All statements that address operating performance that the Company expects will occur in the future, including statements relating to operating results for fiscal 2011 and beyond, revenue growth, future profitability or statements expressing general optimism about future operating results, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current views and we cannot assure that anticipated results will be achieved. These statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including, among other things, uncertainties relating to the Company's success in judging consumer preferences, financing the Company's operations, entering into strategic partnerships, engaging management, seasonal and period-to-period fluctuations in sales, failure to increase market share or sales, inability to service outstanding debt obligations, dependence on a limited number of customers, increased production costs or delays in production of new products, intense competition within the industry, inability to protect intellectual property in the international market for our products, changes in market condition and other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available via the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and are encouraged to consider the risk factors that could affect actual results. The Company disclaims any intent to update forward-looking statements.

CONTACT: Investor Relations Contact:
         Mr. Andrew Haag
         Managing Partner
         IRTH Communications, LLC
         Tel:  +1-866-976-IRTH (4784)
         E-Mail: Andrew@irthcommunications.com
         Website: www.irthcommunications.com

         Media Contact:
         John Russel
         RUSSEL Public Relations
         Tel: +1-818-561-5072
         Cell: 818-516-8572
         E-Mail: JRussel@russelprla.com

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Source: Genius Brands International, Inc.