Cosmo DeNicola Companies News

Wednesday, August 8, 2018

The Humpty Dumpty Institute announces Morgan DeNicola to join the Board as an Associate Director

The Board of Directors of the Humpty Dumpty Institute is pleased to announce that Ms. Morgan DeNicola will join the Board as an Associate Director. HDI Chairman Al Khalafalla said that Ms. DeNicola’s commitment to the work of the Institute has been exemplary. Ms. DeNicola has served as HDI’s Youth Representative to the United Nations for the last two years and accompanied U.S. Congressional Delegations to Africa and the United Nations. In February 2017, Ms. DeNicola was a leader of U.S. Congressional Staff Delegation to Malawi. There she visited the Amitofo Care Centre (ACC), alongside other HDI board members. The level of poverty kicked off a fundraising initiative for Morgan, called the Cosmo Cares Mobile Healthcare Van. This van was donated by Cosmo DeNicola Companies to the ACC and will provide needed medical services to remote villages in Lesotho, Africa.

Dr. Khalafalla added that Morgan DeNicola’s dedication to humanitarian endeavors as well as her activities in promoting HDI’s activities worldwide should be recognized and that is why he proposed to the Board naming Ms. DeNicola as its first Associate Director.

A Philadelphia Native, Morgan DeNicola currently works as the Humanitarian Program Manager for Cosmo DeNicola Companies based out of Fort Washington, Pennsylvania. Cosmo DeNicola Companies is a portfolio of businesses ranging from technology, healthcare, publishing, professional football and Hollywood talent management. Morgan’s role within Cosmo Cares incorporates her three passions of World Health, Humanitarian Recognition and Cultural Diplomacy. She feels it is important to do good while recognizing those who are equally committed.

In addition, Morgan been an intricate team member of the Steinberg DeNicola Humanitarian Awards, which recognize Professional Athletes for the work they do in their community. She is also active in the dissemination of the Cosmo DeNicola Companies Scientific Scholarship at the annual American Thoracic Society Conference, which recognizes applicants that make outstanding contributions to science in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). She also currently stands as an active member of the Elmwood Zoo, located in Norristown, Pennsylvania.

Other causes Morgan commits time to include Ronald McDonald House, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Local holiday food and toy drives and the Romero House in Philadelphia, which takes in refugee minors.

Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment to Host Second Quarter Conference Call on August 14, 2018

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq:CSSE), a growing media company with online video on-demand networks that provides positive and entertaining video content for all screens, today announced it will host a conference call and live webcast to discuss the results of second quarter ended June 30, 2018.

Conference Call Information

To participate in this event, dial in approximately 5 to 10 minutes before the beginning of the call.

Date, Time: Tuesday, August 14, 2018, 4:30 p.m. ET.
Toll-free: (833) 832-5128
International: (484) 747-6583
Conference ID: 3565988
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: 3565988

Monday, July 30, 2018

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment Announces Special Cash Dividend of $0.45 per Common Share

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSSE), a growing media company with online video on-demand networks that provides positive and entertaining video content for all screens, today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a one-time, special dividend in the amount of $0.45 per share on its common stock, to be paid on August 10, 2018 to the stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 6, 2018.

"As we approach the first anniversary of our IPO, we decided to look at ways we could enhance the return to our shareholders," said William J. Rouhana, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer. "We believe that our stock buyback program has been helpful in this effort but due to volume and price limitations we have not been able to buy shares at the pace we had hoped." As of July 24, 2018, the company has repurchased 74,235 shares of common stock since the $5 million program was authorized on March 27, 2018.

"With most of the amount we allocated to the buyback still available, we decided to return this capital to our existing shareholders in the form of a special dividend that approximates the authorization remaining under our share repurchase program," continued Rouhana.

"Our balance sheet remains strong, our business plan is on track, our Popcornflix AVOD business continues to create substantial value and we have ample access to non-dilutive capital should a need arise as we pursue new growth opportunities," Scott W. Seaton, vice chairman said. "We have been pleased in our discussions with possible acquisition targets to learn that they are very interested in our Series A Preferred shares as acquisition currency. Using the Series A Preferred shares will free up capital that we had planned to use for these acquisitions."

"We will continue to regularly review ways to increase near-term shareholder value as we simultaneously implement our long-term business plan," said Rouhana.

Friday, July 20, 2018

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment Announces Production of New Series 'The Fixer'

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc. ("CSS Entertainment") (Nasdaq:CSSE), a growing media company with online video on-demand ("VOD") networks that provide positive and entertaining video content for all screens, today announced the production launch of its new series The Fixer, which will be executive produced by actor and investor Ashton Kutcher. The show is aimed at helping millennials overcome their financial struggles and the issues that cause them.

Following CSS Entertainment's business model of signing sponsorships prior to producing a series, The Fixer will have several lead sponsors, including Acorns and Handy.com. The Fixer is the first CSS Entertainment series to have multiple major sponsors. In another first, two of these sponsors are also portfolio companies of Sound Ventures, Kutcher's venture fund. "Incorporating some of my portfolio companies into a TV series and creating short-form video to accompany the series is a great marketing tool for these companies that is organic and has massive reach," said Kutcher.

A show like The Fixer is extremely topical and relevant in today's economy. Kutcher noted there are over 44 million Americans today with student debt totaling over $1.4 trillion. "These millennials have just spent a fortune on their education and have to find a way to pay back their immense debts while also making a living," he said. "Their inexperience with personal finance has led to overspending, a lack of financial planning, and a lack of knowledge that puts these kids in terrible financial situations. It is important not only to help them learn how to pay off their loans, but also to lay the groundwork for them to achieve success without being held back by legacy financial concerns."

"We have to close the savings gap, get people investing early and often, and raise financial literacy levels. Millennials are facing new generational challenges. They have stressful and complicated financial burdens that many don't know how to resolve," said Noah Kerner, chief executive officer of Acorns. "Our mission at Acorns is to look after the financial best interests of the up-and-coming, so we build tools that put the power of wealth-making into everyone's hands. We hope this show will get more people talking about these issues and introduce our solutions to anyone who can benefit from them."

The series will consist of ten 30-minute episodes and will be hosted by Dan Rosensweig, chief executive officer of Chegg, Inc. "At Chegg, we are dedicated to helping lessen the financial burden on students and recent graduates and removing obstacles that stand in the way of their education and financial success," Rosensweig said, noting that financial issues aren't always black and white and can extend beyond loans and overspending. "There tend to be other underlying issues behind student's financial problems. In the series, we dig deep to uncover the underlying issues that are impacting millions of students," said Rosensweig.

"We are excited to begin production on The Fixer," stated William J. Rouhana, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of CSS Entertainment. "This series gets us to 20 out of our total goal of 60 half-hours of TV episodes that we expect to create this year. This is also the first time one of our series will have multiple lead sponsors, each of which bring unique and innovative ideas to the series. Pairing millennials with a 'fixer' who introduces them to resources and companies that can help, like our sponsors, will provide a crash course in money management. We are aiming to lessen the burden and stress and give millennials the tools they need to take control of their lives and their finances."

"We are thrilled to support a show like The Fixer. As the leading platform for home services such as house cleaning, with operations across the country, we believe in creating meaningful, flexible income opportunities that help our Handy professionals achieve their financial goals on their own schedules," said Umang Dua, chief operating officer at Handy.

Thursday, July 19, 2018

Morgan DeNicola Joins Elmwood Park Zoo board

While a love of animals is not a prerequisite for sitting on the board of Elmwood Park Zoo, it sure seems to be a recurring theme among those who do.

Two new board members will be taking their respective seats at the table this month, and we sat down and had a conversation with each of them.

“We’re very excited to have these two new board members joining the Elmwood Park Zoo family,” said Executive Director and CEO Albert Zone. “Their appreciation for what we do here, and their individual skill sets are going to make an immediate impact on the board. We’re very lucky to have them both coming joining us.”

Morgan DeNicola, who lives in south Philly, is the humanitarian program manager for Cosmo DeNicola Companies, (CDC).

CDC is a holding company for a variety of businesses, ranging from technology, heathcare, publishing, professional football, and Hollywood talent management.

“We’ve known Al (Zone) and his family for a few years now,” DeNicola said. “I’ve always loved being around animals. Anything that has to do with animals and conservation is very appealing to me, so when the opportunity came up to serve on the board I didn’t want to pass it up,” DeNicola said.

“I’ve been able to work with an NGO (non-governmental organizations) called The Humpty Dumpty Institute that works with the United Nations. I’ve had the pleasure of accompanying a congressional delegation to Africa. We had a conversation with the Malawi government about the Amitofo Charity Center, an organization run by Buddhist monks that help orphaned children all around Africa.”

The Amitofo Charity Center helps children who have lost both parents and try ensure the children receive an incredible education, security, stability and spiritual guidance. Morgan DeNicola is looking forward to her return to Africa to ensure the delivery of a Mobile Medical Van the Cosmo DeNicola Companies are supplying to the ACC Center, this medical van will not only supply the children of the orphanage with basic medical care but also the remote villages surrounding the Amitofo Charity Center.

“I feel like Elmwood Park Zoo is more about the educating the community and the enrichment of the animals, which is something that I can definitely support and put my motivation and passion behind,” said Morgan.

Jim Cohn, who lives in Plymouth Meeting, is president and owner of Mid-Atlantic Events magazine, which he launched a little more than 30 years ago.

“I’ve been involved with other organizations and when I started looking at what I had done in the past I wanted to change things up,” Cohn began. “When I met Al, he had some visions for the growth of the zoo. I saw a lot of excitement there. I like Al’s energy with the zoo, I thought maybe I’d be able to add to it.

“I look at the zoo as a wild place to throw around ideas,” Cohn continued. “We talked about a Safari Chic event, and I thought, that sounds like a lot of fun. Zoobile was an event where people were dress pretty elaborately, they took over the whole zoo in Philadelphia. There were all kinds of events along the walk way.

“Now the biggest event in Philly is Diner en blanc. They get a lot of press. I thought there’s nothing like that in Montgomery County. Beast of a Feast (Elmwood Park Zoo’s annual fundraiser) is pretty big, but I thought there could be something in addition to it.

“I said to Al one evening, what if you colored some of the areas, one could be in blue, one in red. Someone could say, hey I’m over in red. You could put all of the deserts over in the blue area, and they could use something blue in them. For the zoo, if they’re standing up at the top when they come in, they could see all of the different colored areas.

For Safari Chic, they would wear some safari outfits. I looked at Al that night and he was dressed to the nines. I thought I why weren’t other people.”

Cohn said his love of animals started when he was a young boy. He had dogs growing up, and he has three dogs now, one a feral dog that had been running wild throughout his neighborhood. He said the dog would follow his dogs when they were out walking, but no one could catch her. ‘Bonnie’ was being fed by neighbors, so she was sticking around. One cold winter day Cohn opened the door to let her come in, and after a while, she finally stayed.

“I’d like to see more companies come into the zoo and do more private events. I think that area of the zoo is very attractive. I’d like to be able to help out on that level,” said Cohn. “If a group has an event there they have the extra advantage of being able to walk around the zoo, something they don’t get from a boring hotel ballroom.”

Original article found at: http://montco.today/2018/07/elmwood-park-zoo-announces-two-new-board-members/

Thursday, June 28, 2018

BIZEQUITY SELECTED AS ENTREPRENEURS SUBMISSION PLATFORM FOR THE E360 AWARDS GIVEN TO THE BEST PRIVATE BUSINESSES IN THE U.S.

BizEquity, the world's leading online provider of business valuation data and online services, has been selected to provide the application platform for Entrepreneur Magazine’s e360 awards.

The partnership will harness BizEquity’s innovative big data platform and sophisticated algorithms to help identify winners for the Entrepreneur360 awards, which recognize the most entrepreneurial companies in America.

Using a proprietary algorithm and other advanced analytics to assess applicants’ quantitative and qualitative data, the awards spotlight top performers in the four major pillars of entrepreneurship: leadership, innovation, culture, impact and growth. Now in its fourth year, the awards have attracted more than 20,000 nominations from 50 states across America.

Mike Carter, CEO, BizEquity commented: “Entrepreneur is the leading voice for America’s innovators. We are proud to be partnering with this great media company as their big data platform for e360. BizEquity democratized business valuation knowledge for entrepreneurs around the world and now we are the platform behind naming the best businesses. We were one of the top 360 companies in the U.S. two of the last three years, now we are honored to be the system behind ranking the best businesses in the U.S.

Bill Shaw, President of Entrepreneur Media, Inc commented: “Our partnership with BizEquity makes the application process for e360 simple and streamlined, which is essential given that our submission volumes have growth exponentially year on year. The companies that win this prestigious award are among the finest businesses in the U.S. We are proud to partner with Mike and the BizEquity team on this strategic big data initiative that helps businesses across America win.”

Entrepreneurs can submit to be considered one of the top 360 companies in the U.S. by going

to: https://e360advisors.bizequity.com/apply

Thursday, June 28, 2018

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment Announces Pricing of $15 Million of Series A Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock Offering

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc. ("CSS Entertainment") (Nasdaq:CSSE), a growing media company building online video on-demand ("VOD") networks that provide positive and entertaining video content for all screens, today announced that its Registration Statement on Form S-1 (SEC File No. 333-225603) was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The closing of the offering of 600,000 shares of CSS Entertainment's Series A Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock ("Series A Preferred Stock") is expected to occur on or about June 29, 2018. Each share of Series A Preferred Stock will be sold at a public offering price of $25.00. The shares are expected to be traded on Nasdaq under the symbol "CSSEP." The shares will not be convertible into or exchangeable for any of the company's other securities. CSS Entertainment expects the offering will result in gross proceeds of approximately $15 million.

The underwriters have been granted a 30-day option to purchase up to 90,000 additional shares of Series A Preferred Stock from the Company, exercisable in whole or in part, solely to cover over-allotments, at the public offering price less the underwriting discount.

The company intends to use the net proceeds from this offering for accretive merger and acquisition opportunities and general corporate purposes.

Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., a subsidiary of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services, is acting as sole book-running manager of the offering. The Benchmark Company and Northland Capital Markets are acting as co-managers.

A registration statement relating to the Series A Preferred Stock was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 26, 2018. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

The offering is being made only by means of a prospectus, copies of which may be obtained from any of the underwriters, including the offices of:

Ladenburg Thalmann & Co.
Attn: Syndicate Department
277 Park Avenue, 26th Floor
New York, NY 10172
212-409-2000
Email: prospectus@ladenburg.com

The Benchmark Company, LLC
Attn: Prospectus Department
150 E 58th Street, 17th floor
New York, NY 10155
212-312-6700
Email: prospectus@benchmarkcompany.com

Northland Capital Markets
Attn: Heidi Fletcher
150 South Fifth Street, Suite 3300
Minneapolis, MN 55402
800-851-2920
Email: hfletcher@northlandcapitalmarkets.com

Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Online business valuation startup signs contract with TD Bank

BizEquity, a Wayne-based fintech startup that offers online business valuation services, has landed its first top 10 U.S. bank client.

TD Bank (NYSE: TD) of Cherry Hill said it has signed a contract to offer the valuation tool free of charge to its small and midsize business clientele across its Maine to Florida footprint.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed but BizEquity Founder and CEO Michael Carter said TD pays an annual fee to BizEquity for the right to provide the product to its customers free of charge.

The tool provides fair market, enterprise and liquidation values calculated in real time — Carter says as soon as 10 minutes — and based on current market factors. BizEquity will deliver detailed reports with valuation information and key industry performance indicators to TD Bank relationship managers, who then share it with the business owner.

Chris Giamo, head of TD’s commercial bank, said in an interview that with the economy booming, there is fierce competition that requires banks to differentiate themselves.

“Most entrepreneurs and family-owned businesses don’t have access to this type of service,” Giamo said. “So this can be a big help with things like tax planning, strategic and succession planning and analyzing funding and acquisition opportunities.”

Giamo said TD has about 500,000 business customers with annual revenues of $500 million or less in annual revenue that would be a sweet spot for BizEquity.

Carter formed BizEquity in 2010 and the company recently has begun to break even as the business strategy has been more focused on achieving 100 percent annual revenue growth. The company is investing in development, engineering and customer acquisition.

“I don’t want to slow down the growth,” Carter said. “It took seven years for SalesForce to become profitable. We’ll get there.”

Carter demurred when asked about annual revenue numbers but did say it is “somewhere in the mid-seven figures.”

BizEquity now has offices in London, Singapore and New Delhi, India. It uses financial service companies large and small, including locals such as Brinker Capital, Envestnet, Univest, MassMutual and Penn Mutual, to distribute the product.

Last September, BizEquity announced that it had joined with The Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones on the launch of a new valuation tool called ‘the WSJ Pro Business Valuator’ aimed at WSJ customers who are private equity investors, merger and acquisition advisers and entrepreneurs.

But the relationship with TD is important because it is the first major bank to contract to use the service. Carter pointed out that the deal with TD is not exclusive and could lead to more big banks becoming clients.

“Like I said, any chance you have to differentiate yourself from the competition is important,” Giamo said. “So the fact that we are the first to offer this gives us an advantage, even if others begin to offer it as well.”

Carter said three members of BizEquity’s advisory board had relationships at TD, which then vetted the product with some of its small business customers before agreeing to a contract.

Moving forward, Carter said BizEquity is working on an enhanced product that not only provides valuation but also suggests how to optimize the business moving forward.

Safeguard Scientifics founder Pete Musser has served as Carter’s mentor and BizEquity has co-headquarters at the Musser Group’s offices on Devon Park Drive in Wayne as well as 123 South Broad Street in Center City. Carter expects to move into new offices on the same Wayne campus within a year or so to accommodate planned growth.

TD Bank is a subsidiary of Toronto-based TD Bank Group. It is the second-largest bank based in the Philadelphia region by deposits.

Original article found at: https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2018/06/27/online-business-valuation-startup-signs-contract.html

Friday, June 15, 2018

EY announces Cosmo DeNicola of Cosmo DeNicola Companies named Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2018 Award winner in Greater Philadelphia

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 14 – EY today announced that Cosmo DeNicola of Cosmo DeNicola Companies, a holdings company based in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, received the Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2018 Award in the family Business category in the Greater Philadelphia region. The award recognizes entrepreneurs who are excelling in areas such as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Cosmo was selected by an independent panel of judges, and the award was presented at a special gala event at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia.

“I am so proud to accept this award on behalf of my family and all the teams and people that made it possible,” stated Cosmo DeNicola.

Since 1986, EY has honored entrepreneurs whose ingenuity, spirit of innovation and discipline have driven their companies’ success, transformed their industries and made a positive impact on their communities. Now in its 32nd year, the program has honored the inspirational leadership of such entrepreneurs as:

Howard Schultz of Starbucks Corporation
Pierre Omidyar of eBay, Inc.
Jodi Berg of Vitamix
Robert Unanue of Goya Foods
Reid Hoffman and Jeff Weiner of LinkedIn
Andreas Bechtolsheim and Jayshree Ullal of Arista Networks
Hamdi Ulukaya of Chobani
James Park of Fitbit
W. “Bill” Marriott, Jr. of Marriott International, Inc.
Lonnie Moulder and Mary Lynne Hedley, PhD, of TESARO, Inc.

As a Greater Philadelphia award winner, Cosmo is now eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2018 national program. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner, will be announced at the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards gala in Palm Springs, California, on November 10, 2018. The awards are the culminating event of the Strategic Growth Forum^TM, the nation’s most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.

Sponsors

Founded and produced by EY, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are nationally sponsored in the US by SAP America, Merrill Corporation and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

In Greater Philadelphia, sponsors also include PNC Bank, Pine Hill Group, Murray Devine & Company, SolomonEdwardsGroup, Ballard Spahr LLP, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, Pepper Hamilton LLP, Simkiss & Block and Philadelphia Business Journal.

About Entrepreneur Of The Year®

Entrepreneur Of The Year®, founded by EY, is the world’s most prestigious business awards program for entrepreneurs, chosen from an independent panel of judges including entrepreneurs and prominent leaders from business, finance, and the local community. The program makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global awards program of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 145 cities in more than 60 countries. ey.com/eoy

About EY’s Growth Markets Network

EY’s worldwide Growth Markets Network is dedicated to serving the changing needs of high-growth companies. For more than 30 years, we’ve helped many of the world’s most dynamic and ambitious companies grow into market leaders. Whether working with international mid-cap companies or early stage, venture-backed businesses, our professionals draw upon their extensive experience, insight and global resources to help your business succeed. For more information, please visit us at ey.com/sgm or follow news on Twitter @EY_Growth.

About EY

EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

This news release has been issued by Ernst & Young LLP, a member of the global EY organization that provides services to clients in the US.

For more information, please visit ey.com.

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Soul Players Visit the Hope Partnership for Education Students

Players on the Philadelphia Soul visited the students at the Hope Partnership for Education middle school where they spent time with the students inspiring and motivating them. The Hope Partnership for Education is is an independent middle school and adult education center endorsed by and founded in the tradition of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus and the Sisters of Mercy with the goal of breaking the cycle of poverty through education.

The school is located in one of the most impoverished zip codes in Philadelphia. Median household income for a family of four is below the federal poverty level. The neighborhood conditions are very difficult. Fewer than 35% of adults living in the area have a high school diploma. The school provides academic, social and spiritual guidance to the children of low-income families as well as an active adult education program for those individuals seeking to obtain a GED. Staff at the school also provide a program that supports the children through their high school graduation.

In its fifteenth year of history, the middle school has graduated many students, all of whom have gone on to a four year high school and over 95% of whom have received their high school diploma, and 50% of whom have gone on to a two or four year college.

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Ashley Gennett

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