New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - August
21, 2020) - Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law
firm, reminds investors in Genius Brands International, Inc. ("Genius"
or the "Company") (NASDAQ: GNUS) of the October 19, 2020 deadline to
seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action
that has been filed against the Company.
If
you invested in Genius stock or options between March 17, 2020 and July
5, 2020 and would like to discuss your legal rights, click
here:www.faruqilaw.com/GNUS. There is no cost or obligation to you.
You
can also contact us by calling Richard Gonnello toll freeat
877-247-4292 or at 212-983-9330 or by sending an e-mail
torgonnello@faruqilaw.com.
CONTACT:FARUQI
& FARUQI, LLP685 Third Avenue, 26th FloorNew York, NY 10017Attn:
Richard Gonnello, Esq.rgonnello@faruqilaw.comTelephone: (877) 247-4292
or (212) 983-9330
The lawsuit has been filed
in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on
behalf of all those who purchased Genius securities between March 17,
2020 and July 5, 2020 (the "Class Period"). The case, Salvador Verdin
v. Genius Brands International, Inc. et al, No. 20-cv-07457 was filed on
August 18, 2020, and has been assigned to Judge Dean D. Pregerson.
The
lawsuit focuses on whether the Company and its executives violated
federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements
regarding: (1) Nickelodeon's purported broadcast expansion of Genius's
Rainbow Rangers cartoon; (2) subscription fees for the Kartoon Channel!;
and (3) the Company's growth potential and overall prospects as a
company. While the share price of Genius stock was artificially inflated
due to these misstatements, Genius registered for sale tens of millions
of shares, allowing certain longtime investors to cash out at the
expense of Plaintiff and the Class.
Specifically,
on June 5, 2020, following the massive hype and pump of Genius stock,
Hindenburg Research published a report titled "A Bagholder's Guide to
Why We Think
Genius Brands Will Be a $1.50
Stock Within a Month"
(the "Hindenburg Research Report" or "Report").
This report questioned the valuation of Genius and highlighted
inaccurate public statements made by Genius.
43. With respect to
Genius's Rainbow Rangers intellectual property, the Hindenburg Research
Report showed that Rainbow Rangers was actually airing nine times per
week,
rather than the 26-airings figure noted in Genius' press release.
Moreover, the episodes were not airing in favorable time slots and were,
instead, being broadcast daily at 3:49 a.m. and then twice additionally
on Sunday mornings at 6:00 a.m. and 6:30 a.m.
On
this news, Genius's stock fell from a closing price of $6.86 per share
on June 4, 2020 to $5.94 per share on June 5, 2020-a $0.92 or 12.41%
drop.
Then, on June 16, 2020 Genius
announced the slate of content for Kartoon Channel! and investors began
to realize that the Kartoon Channel! was not going to be the new Netflix
for Kids, and was just another app in a crowded space.
On
this news, Genius's stock fell from a closing price of $4.52 per share
on June 15, 2020 to $3.85 per share on June 16, 2020-a $0.67 or 14.82%
drop.
Then, on July 6, 2020, Genius issued
another exaggerated press release whereby Genius announced the creation
of a joint venture with POW! Entertainment regarding the intellectual
property that Stan Lee created after his time at Marvel Entertainment.
Defendant Heyward outrageously stated that "[t]he potential value in
this single asset, is greater than any IP anywhere in Hollywood." With
these exaggerated statements, investors realized that the gig was up and
that there was little substance behind the hype.
On
this news, Genius's stock fell from a closing price of $3.55 per share
on July 02, 2020 to $2.66 per share on July 06, 2020-a $0.89 or 25.07%
drop.
The court-appointed lead plaintiff is
the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by
the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and
oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of
the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through
counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an
absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not
affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not.
Faruqi
& Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding
Genius's conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former
employees, shareholders and others.
Attorney
Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi
& Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee or
predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome
the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications
will be treated in a confidential manner.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/62322