Cosmo DeNicola Companies News

Monday, November 25, 2019

Cosmo Cares launches New Website

Cosmo Cares a private, charitable foundation introduces its website: www.CosmoCares.com

Cosmo Cares is a private, charitable foundation rooted in the passion for advancing World Health, Cultural Diplomacy, Humanitarian Recognition and Conservation. An extension of Cosmo DeNicola Companies (CDC) – a privately held company with a diverse portfolio of businesses ranging from healthcare, technology, publishing, professional sports and entertainment.

“I am so proud to share our core values and hopefully inspire others to join us in making this world a better place for those less fortunate”, stated Cosmo Cares Program Director Morgan DeNicola. Cosmo Cares was founded in 2018 by Cosmo DeNicola with a mission to continue CDC’s legacy of doing good, while recognizing those who are equally committed to their core humanitarian passions. The organization’s founding principle is caring is an action, not just an emotion.

Monday, November 18, 2019

Vroom Vroom! Putting Kids on the Road to Health

A hospital can be a scary place for anyone. that’s why the team at Cosmo Cares decided to donate over 300 motorized and push vehicles to all the children’s hospitals that are members of the Children’s Hospitals Association.

The donated vehicles will provide children on their way to surgery or other medical procedures a positive, playful distraction to help ease the potential stress and anxiety they may experience while in the hospital.

“Reducing stress and bringing smiles to the faces of children and their parents, while in the hospital, gives us great joy,” stated Morgan DeNicola CC Program Director. Chairman Cosmo DeNicola added, “Our partnership with CHA, the National Voice for more than 220 children’s hospitals, ensures a successful mission and focus on the children’s well-being.”

Initial deliveries of the vehicles will commence in October with a final dedication at the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami during Super Bowl week. The program also includes the delivery, assembly and ongoing service to maintain the fleet.

Cosmo Cares is a private, charitable foundation rooted in the passion for advancing World Health, Cultural Diplomacy, Humanitarian Recognition and Conservation. An extension of Cosmo DeNicola Companies (CDC) – a private holding company with a diverse portfolio of businesses ranging from healthcare, technology, publishing, professional sports, and entertainment – Cosmo Cares was founded in 2018 by Cosmo DeNicola with a mission to continue CDC’s legacy of doing good, while recognizing those who are equally committed to their core humanitarian passions.

Learn more about Cosmo Cares and its recent initiatives by visiting www.cosmdenicola.com/caring

Friday, November 15, 2019

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment Reports Record Q3 2019 Revenue of $17.0 Million

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSSE), a growing media company building advertising-supported video-on-demand (AVOD) networks and a provider of video content for all screens, today announced its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2019.

Third Quarter 2019 Financial Highlights

Total revenue of $17.0 million, compared to $6.6 million in the year-ago period
Net loss of $13.3 million; with a net loss of $12.4 million before preferred dividends, compared to a net loss of $0.2 million in the year-ago period and a net income of $0.2 million before preferred dividends
Adjusted EBITDA was a loss of $0.4 million, compared to positive adjusted EBITDA of $3.4 million in the year-ago period
Online networks, which includes Crackle, Popcornflix and Pivotshare, generated $14.4 million in revenue compared to $1.8 million in the year-ago period

Recent Business Highlights

Crackle Plus delivers solid results in first full quarter
New Crackle original series, ‘Going From Broke’ drives unprecedented engagement
Launched Landmark Studio Group in partnership with entertainment industry veteran David Ozer
Foresight film library acquisition expands Screen Media library and enhances distribution capabilities

“Our record third quarter results show the early promise of our transformation of our company into a leading AVOD network operator,” said William J. Rouhana Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment. “Crackle Plus is performing as expected, and our new original series ‘Going From Broke’ provides initial evidence of our growing network reach and engagement potential. We are also reinventing our distribution and production business to support our networks under a capital-light model focused on innovative studio launches, library content acquisitions and sponsor-funded original productions. We already see significant positive business momentum in the fourth quarter, where we expect to see a combination of all our primary strategic pieces in place for the first time, setting the stage for potentially significant growth in 2020.”

Gross profit for the quarter ended September 30, 2019 was $3.2 million, or 19% of net revenue, compared to $4.0 million, or 62% of net revenue for the year-ago period. The reduction in the percentage of gross profit was a result of an increase in online networks revenue which has a lower gross profit percentage.

Operating loss for the quarter ended September 30, 2019 was $9.6 million compared to an operating income of $0.9 million for the year-ago period. The quarterly operating loss reflects certain non-cash or one-time expenses including $4.7 million in non-cash amortization, $1.6 million of transitional expenses related to the Crackle Plus joint venture, and $1.2 million in film library amortization. If such expenses were excluded from SG&A or cost of revenue, the company would have reported a quarterly operating loss of $2.1 million.

Net loss was $13.3 million, or $1.11 per share, compared to a net loss of $0.2 million, or $0.02 per share in the prior-year third quarter. Excluding preferred dividends, the net loss in the third quarter of 2019 would have been $12.4 million, or approximately $1.03 per share, compared to net income of $0.2 million, or $0.02 per share last year.

Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter ended September 30, 2019 was a loss of $0.4 million, compared to $3.4 million in the same period last year.

As of September 30, 2019, the company had $6.2 million of cash and cash equivalents compared to $7.2 million as of December 31, 2018, and outstanding debt of $16.0 million as of September 30, 2019 compared to $7.9 million as of December 31, 2018.

For a discussion of the financial measures presented herein which are not calculated or presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), see “Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below and the schedules to this press release for additional information and reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures.

The company presents non-GAAP measures such as Adjusted EBITDA and Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA to assist in an analysis of its business. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered an alternative to GAAP measures as an indicator of the company's operating performance.

Conference Call Information

Date, Time: Thursday, November 14, 2019, 4:30 p.m. ET.
Toll-free: (833) 832-5128
International: (484) 747-6583
Conference ID: 4392318
A live webcast is available at http://ir.cssentertainment.com/ under the “News & Events” tab

Conference Call Replay Information

Toll-free: (855) 859-2056
International: (404) 537-3406
Reference ID: 4392318

Friday, October 25, 2019

Jeff Bridges’ FX Pilot ‘Old Man’ Casts E.J. Bonilla, Leem Lubany

The FX drama pilot “The Old Man” starring Jeff Bridges has added two new cast members.

Variety has learned exclusively that both Leem Lubany and E.J. Bonilla have joined the project. In addition to Bridges, they join previously announced cast members John Lithgow, Amy Brenneman, and Alia Shawkat.

Based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Thomas Perry, the series centers on Dan Chase (Bridges), who absconded from the CIA decades ago and has been living off the grid since. When an assassin arrives and tries to take Chase out, the old operative learns that to ensure his future he now must reconcile his past.

Lubany will star as a younger version of Abbey Chase, the deceased spouse of Dan Chase. Thirty years prior to the events of the story, she shares in his double life, before tragedy strikes in the form of a debilitating disease. Bonilla will play Raymond Waters, a CIA operative who must join forces with FBI agent Harold Harper (Lithgow) in order to catch up with the fugitive Chase.

Lubany is no stranger to the espionage genre, having previously starred in the Audience Network series “Condor.” She is also set to star in the upcoming Channel 4 series “Baghdad Central.” On the film side, she made her onscreen debut in the film “Omar” from director Hany Abu-Assad, which was nominated for the Academy Award for best foreign language feature in 2014. She has also appeared in the films “Rock the Kasbah” and “Saint Judy.”

She is repped by UK agent Hannah Hodgkinson, manager Sandy Erickson, and attorney Dave Feldman.

Bonilla’s past TV credits include the Nat Geo series “The Long Road Home,” as well as shows like “Bull,” “Colony,” “Insecure,” Madam Secretary,” “Shameless,” and “Younger.” He also recently appeared in the films “Gemini Man” and “The Kitchen.”

He is repped by Innovative Artists and MKS&D Talent Management

Jon Steinberg and Robert Levine will pen the series adaptation in addition to serving as executive producers on the series. Warren Littlefield will also executive produce along with Jon Watts, Bridges, Dan Shotz, and David Schiff, with Watts also directing the pilot. Fox 21 Television Studios will produce in association with The Littlefield Company. Production on the pilot will begin this fall.

Original Article Found: https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/jeff-bridges-fx-pilot-old-man-casts-e-j-bonilla-leem-lubany-exclusive-1203382475/?fbclid=IwAR2CbJdQPUruKZnpSDCuJIZM5Z9T6yy--P7zs1m6gZzx8fS-5KG4i2NZuQY

Thursday, October 24, 2019

‘Going From Broke’ Exceeds One Million Views on Crackle in Just Five Days

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment Inc. (Nasdaq: CSSE), a growing media company building online video-on-demand ("VOD") networks that provide video content for all screens, today announced that the new Crackle Original, 'Going From Broke,' from executive producer Ashton Kutcher, Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment and Matador Content has driven more than one million views in just five days.

The new series, which debuted on the free, ad-supported Crackle service on October 17, puts a spotlight on an epidemic of huge proportions. As a nation, over 44 million Americans collectively owe a whopping $1.5 trillion in federal student loan debt, a number that grows each year and is second only to mortgage debt in America. Upon graduation, those entering the professional world face mounds of bills, a shrinking pool of employment opportunities, a lack of financial skills and a constant, crippling weight of oppression keeping them from reaching for their dreams.

Philippe Guelton, President, Crackle Plus, said, "We're delighted with this unprecedented viewer response to this new and timely unscripted series." He added, "The series is incredibly relevant and relatable and has clearly resonated with our millennial consumers. 'Going From Broke' kicks off a rich slate of new original series and exclusive movies at Crackle as we look to serve our audience with series that are unique, entertaining and inspiring."

In the new series, Chegg CEO Dan Rosensweig and financial expert Danetha Doe, go one on one with young people living in pricey Los Angeles, which they thought would be The City of Dreams, to change their habits and gain financial confidence and become CEO of their own lives. Although they all come from different backgrounds and circumstances, the participants have one thing in common-- extreme debt.

Host Dan Rosensweig said, "It's clear, based on the incredible engagement with the show, that there is a strong need for content and support around personal finance. I am proud to be a part of 'Going From Broke' and, more importantly, a part of bringing solutions to hard working young people who are trying to improve their lives and financial situations."

'Going From Broke' is executive produced by Ashton Kutcher, William J. Rouhana, Jr. and Michael Winter for Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment. For Matador Content, Todd Lubin, Jay Peterson, Joel Relampagos and Jerry Carita also serve as executive producers.

Crackle is available on all top streaming platforms, connected TVs, game consoles, Crackle mobile apps (iOs, Android) and at Crackle.com. Follow #GoingFromBroke on Crackle's Facebook and Twitter pages. Visit goingfrombroke.com for more information about the series.

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment Launches Landmark Studio Group with Industry Veteran David Ozer

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSSE), a growing media company building online video-on-demand ("VOD") networks that provide video content for all screens, today announced the launch of Landmark Studio Group ("Landmark") in partnership with 30-year entertainment industry veteran, David Ozer.

Landmark, which will be headquartered in New York with offices in Los Angeles, is a fully integrated entertainment company focused on ownership, development, and production of quality entertainment franchises. Ozer will serve as Landmark's chief executive officer. In addition to Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Cole Strategic Partners has committed funding to Landmark.

Landmark will develop, produce, distribute and own all of the intellectual property (IP) it creates, building a valuable library. The studio will be independent, having the ability to sell its content to any network or platform, while also developing and producing original content for Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment's recently acquired Crackle, a leading ad-supported VOD ("AVOD") network. Landmark will control all worldwide rights and will distribute through Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment's Screen Media division.

Landmark has several television and film projects in development, including:
THE FIX - A scripted drama series that explores the most explosive story of sports corruption in a generation based on the book by Declan Hill. The Fix is written by David Dilley and produced by Calamity Jane's Ellen Pompeo and Laura Holstein.

THE HISTORY OF GANGSTER RAP - A documentary series based on the bestselling book by Soren Baker, who serves as producer along with Jorge Hinojosa and Ice-T, and features Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube and many others.

SAFEHAVEN - Directed by Brad Turner (Homeland, 24), Safehaven, a supernatural horror series based on the graphic novel about a female comic book artist whose drawings come alive to haunt her. Safehaven is produced by Turner, Thomas Vitale (Pandora), Jessica Petelle (V-Wars, Hawaii Five-0), James Seale (30 Below), Kevin Duncan and Michael Bay's 451 Media.
Landmark will also be producing various stand-up comedy specials and animated series.

"All of us at Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment are thrilled to be in business with David Ozer. He has the ability and talent to turn Landmark into a high-volume content production operation that we anticipate will provide an additional revenue stream for our company while mitigating production risk," said William J. Rouhana Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment. "We expect Landmark to provide valuable original content to Crackle and the other six AVOD networks that are part of our Crackle Plus subsidiary, as well as our other Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment divisions."

"It's incredible what Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment is creating in the AVOD space, and I'm excited to launch Landmark as an important studio operation for tomorrow's media consumers," said Ozer. "With the support of Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, we are poised to become a significant player in the global content marketplace."

"We are thrilled to join forces with Bill and David to launch Landmark, which we anticipate will become a major force in the entertainment industry," said Simon Misselbrook, president of Cole Strategic Partners.

As chief executive officer of the newly formed studio, Ozer will spearhead its content development and production operations. During his time at IDW Entertainment as founding president from 2013-2018, he oversaw the independent mini-studio's overall operations and focused on developing, producing, and distributing content that appeals to a broad global audience. Ozer is credited with the independent mini-studio's expansion, and the success of its two most prominent series, overseeing the development and production of three seasons of Wynonna Earp for Syfy, and two seasons of Dirk Gently for BBC America. He also oversaw the development of Locke & Key and V-Wars for Netflix. Ozer has also held executive level positions at multinational media corporations, including executive vice president of television at Starz Media; senior vice president of domestic television at RHI Entertainment; head of worldwide distribution at Sonar; senior vice president of sales at DIC Entertainment and vice president of sales at Sony Pictures Television.

Monday, October 7, 2019

Amtech to Attend 2019 CorrExpo in Denver

The leading software and technology company for the packaging industry, Amtech Software, will be attending Tappi’s 2019 CorrExpo Conference taking place October 14-16 in Denver, Colorado.

Amtech will be showcasing their completely integrated ERP and Scheduling solutions which provides a new alternative for organizations who would prefer to partner with one vendor in an integrated environment. They will also be spotlighting their precise engineering automation solutions and controls that helps plants improve quality, production, plant-floor communication, and overall performance.

Amtech has been invited to participate as a member of “Artificial Intelligence in Corrugated” panel hosted by Chris Harris from WPR Services on Tuesday, October 15^th from 10:30am-11:30am during CorrExpo. Participating as a panel member, Scott Kimlinger, Executive Director of Engineering Services for Amtech Software states, “AI technology is impacting the entire world around us and there are many opportunities for the corrugated industry to leverage it and reap it’s many benefits”.

For more information about Amtech’s EnCore ERP System, Smart Factory Solutions Scheduling Suite, and Automation Controls Engineering Solutions contact:

Darren Artillio at dartillio@amtechsoftware.com or visit Amtech at www.amtechsoftware.com.

Friday, October 4, 2019

Amtech Announces “Amtech Academy”

Packaging industry leading software and technology company, Amtech Software announces the formation of “Amtech Academy”.

“Within the packaging industry there is a great opportunity to mentor rising talent that will boost the success of the corrugated packaging industry into the future. That is why we created Amtech Academy. With this program selected candidates are trained and mentored within the walls of Amtech and out in the field working with our packaging customers to build experience within the corrugated packaging industry. As we continually invest in our software, we are also investing in the people that create the software, train on our applications, and consult with our customers helping improve their business processes. We hope to help sustain and grow this industry for generations to come”, stated Marc Kobren, Vice President of Operations with Amtech Software.

For more information about Amtech’s EnCore ERP System, Smart Factory Solutions Scheduling Suite, and Automation Controls Engineering Solutions contact:

Darren Artillio at dartillio@amtechsoftware.com or visit us at www.amtechsoftware.com.

Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Amtech Releases User Conference Agenda

Packaging industry leading software and technology company, Amtech Software has released the agenda for the bi-annual Amtech User Conference being held in Orlando, FL, May 17-20, 2020.

The 2020 User Conference agenda includes educational break-out sessions, focused small-group training, and one-on-ones with Amtech’s subject matter experts. The conference will be covering subjects such as creating digital storefronts, implementing lean workflows, price lists vs. quotes, optimizing logistics, closing the books, identifying and managing controllable waste, implementing plant automation strategies, integrating scheduling, and so much more. In addition to the educational sessions, attendees can participate in networking events and a private event hosted at Epcot Center.

“As we designed this agenda, we had one goal in mind: to add value to our users complete experience. We want our users to be able to return from the conference with useful information that can be immediately applied to improve their operational and business success”, said Michael DeNicola, Director of Customer Engagement.

For more information about Amtech’s EnCore ERP System, Smart Factory Solutions Scheduling Suite, and Automation Controls Engineering Solutions contact: Darren Artillio at dartillio@amtechsoftware.com or visit us at www.amtechsoftware.com.

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Nikki M. James, Grace Gummer, and More to Lead Tony Kushner's A Bright Room Called Day

The Public Theater has announced complete casting and an extension for the upcoming revival of Tony Kushner's A Bright Room Called Day, directed by Oskar Eustis. Performances are set to run in the Anspacher Theater from October 29-December 15 (beyond the originally planned closing date of December 8), with an official press opening on November 19.

The cast includes Michael Esper (Vealtninc Husz), Grace Gummer (Paulinka Erdnuss), Nikki M. James (Agnes Eggling), Crystal Lucas-Perry (Zillah), Nadine Malouf (Rosa Malek), Mark Margolis (Gottfried Swetts), Michael Urie (Gregor Bazwald), and Max Woertendyke (Emil Traum), joining the previously announced Linda Emond (Annabella Gotchling), Jonathan Hadary (Xillah), and Estelle Parsons (Die Älte).

The play is described as follows: "Tony Kushner, the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, reunites with longtime collaborator and Public Theater Artistic Director Oskar Eustis in a scorching new version of his first play, the prescient 1985 masterwork suggesting the possibility of the Reagan counter-revolution eventually giving rise to American fascism. Agnes, an actress in Weimar Germany, and her cadre of passionate, progressive friends, are torn between protest, escape, and survival as the world they knew crumbles around them. Her story is interrupted by an American woman enraged by the cruelty of the Reagan administration, and a new character, grappling with the anxiety, distraction, hope, and hopelessness of an artist facing the once unthinkable rise of authoritarianism in modern America. Funny, brilliant, and devastating, this new production of A Bright Room Called Day revisits an epic work that takes a piercing look at the vulnerability of American democracy, and demands to know: when the devil takes up residence in your country…will you act?"

The creative team will feature scenic design by David Rockwell, co-costume design by Susan Hilferty and Sarita Fellows, lighting design by John Torres, sound design by Bray Poor, and projection design by Lucy Mackinnon.

Original article found at: https://www.theatermania.com/off-broadway/news/a-bright-room-called-day-public-theater-cast_89804.html