Harold and Jennifer Chizick say their vision did not align with that of Genius Brands International following ChizComm’s acquisition a year ago.
The founders of ChizComm and ChizComm Beacon Media, Harold and Jennifer Chizick, have issued a statement about their exit from Genius Brands, ChizComm and ChizComm Beacon Media. The pair parted company with the business just a year after their firm was acquired by GBI.
The statement reads: “We are extremely disappointed to be leaving Genius Brands and ChizComm after less than a year of being with Genius Brands. However, our vision on how to best grow the company does not align well with Genius Brands.
Last week, Genius Brands imposed organisational changes that reduced our role in the company and was a breach of our agreement with Genius Brands. Efforts to resolve this matter in an amicable fashion have been unsuccessful. We believe that we have been terminated on a without cause basis and now have no choice but to depart the company and explore options for how to recoup the considerable sums remaining due to us.
ChizComm staff is at the heart of everything we do. We want to thank this phenomenal team – past and present – that have contributed to building a great organization that prioritizes integrity, drive and passion. And to the ChizComm client base, it has been an honour working in partnership to unlock opportunities and drive growth. Stay tuned for what we do next.”
Harold and Jennifer founded ChizComm in 2013, a marketing communications and media buying agency in the lifestyle, family, entertainment, toy, and gaming spaces. Harold previously worked as a senior level executive at top tier organisations including Spin Master and Mega Brands, as well as serving on several Toy Industry Association committees and having spent six years as the official spokesperson for the Canadian Toy Association.
In February 2021, ChizComm and ChizComm Beacon Media were acquired by GBI. Harold served as CEO of both companies and Jennifer as COO of ChizComm. Additionally, Harold was named president of Marketing, Content Sales and Consumer Products for GBI.
In the past year working with Genius Brands, Harold secured a master toy partner for Rainbow Rangers, led the partnership to have Kartoon Channel! stream on Pluto TV, and led the marketing to deliver over 70m views on Stan Lee Superhero Kindergarten.
Genius Brands issued a statement that Harold Chizick and Jennifer Chizick, employees of the Company’s ChizComm subsidiary, have been terminated for cause, and said it believed this decision to be in the best interest of its shareholders and customers. The statement confirmed that business will continue as usual under current management.
