Cosmo DeNicola Companies News


Friday, September 10, 2021

Patrick Mahomes continues to invest in the Kansas City Community

Kansas City, MO - Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes continues to invest in the Kansas City community that has welcomed him and his family with open arms. In addition to his partial ownership stake in the Kansas City Royals, Mahomes became a part owner of Sporting KC on July 27, 2021. 

Mahomes is also a part of the investor led franchise group that unveiled its plans on August 10, 2021, to expand the Whataburger franchise into the Kansas and Missouri region.

We are incredibly proud of the Patrick's accomplishments on the field, in the community, as a family man and businessman. 

Friday, September 10, 2021

HDI is Pleased to Announce That Film Program Alumnus Jamil Alvi Was Awarded a Master’s Degree from the Prestigious Erasmus Mundus Association

New York, NY - The Humpty Dumpty Institute has a program for emerging international filmmakers. In 2016, with a grant from U.S. Embassy Pakistan, HDI worked with a diverse group of Pakistani filmmakers. Under the direction of award-winning HDI Film Consultant Bill Megalos and in collaboration with Foundation for Arts Culture and Education (FACE), HDI organized intensive training in Hollywood for the 15 Pakistani filmmakers, including a program at the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television. Several of the students have gone on to produce critically acclaimed films and professional success. The latest is Mr. Jamil Alvi.  Jamil has just been awarded a Master’s Degree in Cinematography from the prestigious Erasmus Mundus program. This program was created by the European Commission and is designed for the most promising young international filmmakers and allows them to study Baltic Film, Media, Arts, and Communication School of Tallinn University, Estonia, (BFM), The University of Theatre and Film Arts, Budapest, Hungary (SZFE), and the National Film School at the Institute of Art, Design, and Technology, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin, Ireland (IADT).

 

Monday, July 19, 2021

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment Expands International Plans by Acquiring Crackle International Trademarks From Sony Pictures

COS COB, CT – Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSSE), one of the largest operators of streaming advertising-supported video-on-demand (AVOD) networks, today announced the acquisition of Crackle international trademarks from CPE Holdings, Inc (“Sony Pictures”) in over 50 countries covering Australia, Asia, Europe, and South America.

 

“We are accelerating our growth by making a big commitment to offer our AVOD networks worldwide,” said William J. Rouhana Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment. “We already owned the international trademarks to our Popcornflix and Chicken Soup for the Soul networks as well as the trademarks for the U.S. and Canada for Crackle. By acquiring the international trademarks for Crackle, we are now in a position to offer all three of our primary networks across the globe. We have already begun discussions with international broadcasters and other media companies regarding these plans.”

 

Monday, July 19, 2021

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment Announces Pricing of $75 Million Public Offering of Common Stock

COS COB, CT – Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc. (the “Company”, Nasdaq: CSSE), a leading operator of streaming advertising-supported video-on-demand (AVOD) networks, today announced the pricing of an underwritten public offering of 1,875,000 shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $40.00 per share. The gross proceeds of the offering to the Company are expected to be $75 million, before deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and other estimated offering expenses. In addition, the Company granted the underwriters a thirty-day option to purchase up to an additional 281,250 shares of common stock at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions.

The closing of the offering is expected to occur on or about July 7, 2021, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

Guggenheim Securities and Needham & Company are acting as joint bookrunning managers. Northland Capital Markets, D.A. Davidson & Co., The Benchmark Company, Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., and Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC are acting as co-managers.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the offering for working capital and general corporate purposes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 



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Monday, July 19, 2021

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment Announces Proposed Public Offering of Common Stock

COS COB, CT – Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc. (the “Company”, Nasdaq: CSSE), a leading operator of streaming advertising-supported video-on-demand (AVOD) networks, today announced that it intends to offer and sell shares of its common stock in an underwritten public offering. All of the shares to be sold in the offering will be offered by the Company. The offering is subject to market conditions and there can be no assurance as to whether or when the offering may be completed, or as to the actual size or terms of the offering. In addition, the Company intends to grant the underwriters a thirty-day option to purchase up to an additional 15 percent of shares of its common stock offered in the public offering.

Guggenheim Securities and Needham & Company are acting as joint book-running managers for this offering.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the offering for working capital and general corporate purposes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 



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Tuesday, May 4, 2021

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment’s Crackle Plus Announces New Slate of Original Programming

Upcoming Slate of Original Content Includes New Sports Docu-series ‘Promiseland’ and ‘Vince Carter: Legacy’, Featuring Respectively Ja Morant and Vince Carter, and The Unscripted Show ‘Inside the Black Box’, Which Explores the Role Race Plays In The Entertainment Industry

 

Publishing Megabrand ‘Chicken Soup for The Soul’ To Bring Its Original Mission Of “Changing the World One Story at The Time” To A New Streaming Network In The Fall

 

COS COB, CT – Crackle Plus, a Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSSE) company and one of the largest operators of streaming advertising-supported video-on-demand (AVOD) networks, made multiple announcements today during its NewFronts presentation, including a diverse new slate of original and exclusive programming, and the launch of a new Chicken Soup for the Soul AVOD network.

 

Crackle Plus has more than doubled its content offerings on its AVOD networks Crackle and Popcornflix, and added over 200 hours of original and exclusive programming in the past year.

 

As part of Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Crackle Plus uniquely sources its original content from sister companies Screen Media Ventures, a leading content distribution company, Landmark Studio Group, a production company of premium scripted and unscripted content, and recently announced Halcyon Television led by industry veteran David Ellender.

 

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, also recently announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire the film and television assets of Sonar Entertainment, Inc. (Sonar). The Sonar library includes 700 movies and 1800 TV episodes which have earned a total of 446 Emmy Nominations, 104 Emmy Awards and 15 Golden Globes. The Sonar assets will expand Crackle Plus original television content offering and position the company to launch additional AVOD networks as well as provide a faster path to growing its international presence.

 

The combination of movie exclusives and original unscripted content propelled Crackle to one of its best years ever. Exclusive AVOD titles Crown Vic, Grand Isle and Elliott: The Littlest Reindeer were popular amongst Crackle viewers, delivering #1 titles for the streaming service. Standout inspiring unscripted series included Road to Race Day, On Point, Anything is Possible: The Serge Ibaka Story and Bucket List.

 

“Crackle has been pioneering original programming on AVOD for nearly a decade,” said Jeff Meier, head of programming for Crackle Plus. “We’ve always believed in the combined power of originals and a strong, diverse library of content that keep viewers coming back for more.”

 

With original unscripted programming, sports docu-series and exclusive feature films, Crackle has built a deep pipeline of unique, diverse and inspiring new content to entertain and empower its viewers.  At NewFronts, Crackle Plus shared its plans to develop and produce new and returning original series and feature films with diverse storylines and audiences in mind. These include:

 

Unscripted and documentaries

 

Following award-winning original series, Going From Broke, critically-acclaimed film After the Murder of Albert Lima and electrifying docu-series Playing with Power: The Nintendo Story, Crackle returns with a diverse slate of unscripted shows and documentaries for 2021:

 

Going From Broke

Season two of Going From Broke is executive produced by Ashton Kutcher and Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment. Premiering Thursday, May 20, co-hosts Dan Rosensweig, CEO of Chegg, and Tonya Rapley, entrepreneur, help people facing extreme debt overcome crippling financial struggles to become CEOs of their own lives.

 

Riding Phat

Riding Phat follows the hectic entrepreneurial journey of the Phat Scooter company as they strive to become the nation’s top electric scooter company by designing, building, and delivering eye-catching scooters to fun-seeking pro athletes and celebrity clients including NASCAR great Michael Waltrip, NFL legend Tedy Bruschi, and NBA Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins.

 

The Uncommon History of Very Common Things

Did you know that scissors were invented by Leonardo da Vinci? That high heels date back to Ancient Egypt? And what do chocolate bars have to do with the invention of the microwave oven? Each half-hour episode of The Uncommon History of Very Common Things examines the unknown, sometimes shocking, often irreverent, and always entertaining history of the everyday items that make up our lives.

 

Inside the Black Box

Created and hosted by beloved acting coach Tracey Moore and Emmy-winning actor Joe Morton, Inside the Black Box spotlights the world’s greatest Black artists within the entertainment industry. From actors, producers and directors to writers and musicians, the series features A-list guests like Sherri Shepherd, Kerry Washington and Tamara Tunie. Each episode is filled with revealing conversations on trials and triumphs, performance workshops, and honest discussions about being Black in Hollywood.

 

Sports Docu-series

 

On Point, Crackle’s most-watched series of 2020, and Bucket List hosted by Brian “The Boz” Bosworth, evidenced the strong demand for sports docu-series. 2021 premieres include:

 

Vince Carter: Legacy

Vince Carter: Legacy explores the fantastic highs and unsettling lows of 8-time All-Star and slam dunk champion, Vince Carter, as he looks back on his record-breaking 22-season professional basketball career.

 

Promiseland

The visceral, intimate and all-access coming of age story of 2020 NBA rookie sensation Ja Morant follows him from the eve of his NBA debut, through his Rookie of the Year crowning and shares the amazing experiences of his debut season.

 

The Green Wave

The Green Wave tells the incredible true comeback story of the Summerville High School basketball team after their coach, Louis Mulkey, a dedicated firefighter, dies in a catastrophic fire.

 

The Machine

After a century of excellence, Long Beach Poly, the most storied sports high school in American history, finds itself backed into a wall. The underfunded public school is struggling to maintain dominance in a field that contains million dollar private school programs with players recruited from all across the states. The series follows players and coaches as they set out to prove that Long Beach Poly is still a force to be reckoned with.

 

Feature films

 

Crackle Plus also announced exclusive AVOD streaming rights to premium feature films, including:

 

Happy Happy Joy Joy: The Ren and Stimpy Story starring Jim Ballantine and Ed Bell

Skyfire starring Jason Isaacs, Bee Rogers, and Alice Rietveld

The Jesus Rolls starring John Turturro and Bobby Cannavale

Bel Canto starring Julianne Moore and Ken Watanabe

Colonia starring Emma Watson and Daniel Brühl

Senior Moment starring William Shatner and Jean Smart

Trigger Point starring Barry Pepper and Laura Vandervoort

Eat Wheaties starring Tony Hale, Alan Tudyk and Elisha Cuthbert

Cagefighter starring Gina Gershon and Brenna Coates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 



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Monday, May 3, 2021

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment Forms Halcyon Television Led by David Ellender

COS COB, CT – Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSSE), one of the leading operators of streaming advertising-supported video-on-demand (AVOD) networks, today announced at the 2021 NewFronts the formation of Halcyon Television. The company will launch Halcyon Television, a high-end premium scripted television studio led by David Ellender as CEO upon the closing of the Sonar asset acquisition that was announced on April 9th, 2020. The closing on the 1,300 title television and film library, scripted development portfolio and the existing TV series drama production is expected to occur in the near future.

 

“The formation of Halcyon Television will help accelerate our company’s strategy to build the leading independent AVOD network in three ways. It will expand our original content development pipeline with high-end content, increase our IP rights ownership and provide a faster path to growing our international TV production and distribution activities,” said William J. Rouhana Jr, CEO of Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment.   

 

Halcyon Television has a robust drama development pipeline of more than 20 projects embracing library based and original IP sourced in the U.S. and Europe. Halcyon Television will focus on development, financing and production in the U.S. as well as forging creative partnerships in Europe with financing backed by the company and distribution by Halcyon Television’s sister affiliate Screen Media.

 

“We look forward to building a valued asset library for the company and creating a new vision for the future of TV while continuing the company’s mission of positive entertainment that lifts the human spirit,” said David Ellender, CEO of Halcyon Television. 

 

Joining Mr. Ellender at Halcyon Television will be Matt Loze as President - Scripted Entertainment,  as the first of a number of executives from Sonar who will be brought to Halcyon Television. Mr. Loze added, “Halcyon Television seems a fitting name to highlight a new commitment to supporting artist's visions in telling moving stories that resonate globally.” 

 

In addition to aggressively building from IP and library assets, the shared vision of Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment and Halcyon Television is to build a nimble and flexible company that will be additive strategically and creatively for partners across the fast-changing TV landscape.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 



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Thursday, April 8, 2021

CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL ENTERTAINMENT’S SCREEN MEDIA RELEASES OFFICIAL TRAILER TO STREET GANG: HOW WE GOT TO SESAME STREET

THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED DOCUMENTARY WILL OPEN IN THEATERS ON APRIL 23, 2021 AND ON DEMAND MAY 7, 2021

TRAILER CAN BE VIEWED HERE

New York – Screen Media, a Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment (Nasdaq: CSSE) company, today released the first official footage of the critically acclaimed documentary, STREET GANG: HOW WE GOT TO SESAME STREET. The trailer can be viewed here.

Directed by Marilyn Agrelo (Mad Hot Ballroom) and produced by Trevor Crafts (Experimenter 2015) and Ellen Scherer Crafts, the documentary chronicles the improbable origins and expansion of the groundbreaking show that not only changed children’s television programming, but had real-world effects on equality, education, and representation worldwide. The film is inspired by Michael Davis’ New York Times best-selling book of the same name.

After world premiering at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, STREET GANG: HOW WE GOT TO SESAME STREET will be released in theaters on April 23, 2021 and on video-on-demand platforms on May 7, 2021.

 Inspired by the activism of the late 1960s, socially conscious television executive Joan Ganz Cooney and Sesame Workshop co-founder Lloyd Morrisett conducted a revolutionary experiment: to harness the burgeoning power of television and create an educational, impactful, uplifting and entertaining show that could reach children nationwide, especially those living in urban areas. Cooney recruited trailblazing Muppets creator Jim Henson and acclaimed children’s television writer and director Jon Stone to craft the iconic and beloved world of “Sesame Street.”

STREET GANG: HOW WE GOT TO SESAME STREET reintroduces this visionary “gang” of mission-driven artists, writers, and educators that audaciously interpreted radical changes in society and created one of most influential and impactful television programs in history.

With more than 20 interviews with original writers, cast, and crew, and never-before-seen behind the scenes footage, STREET GANG is told from the inside with humor and emotion, weaving together personal narratives and eyewitness accounts. The film explores the original mission of the “gang” that created this cultural phenomenon, now spanning more than 50 years and reaching more than 150 countries.

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment and Screen Media present in association with HBO Documentary Films, a Macrocosm Entertainment production, and in association with the Exchange, Bondit Media Capital, and Citizen Skull Productions. It is directed by Marilyn Agrelo; produced by, Trevor Crafts, p.g.a, Ellen Scherer Crafts p.g.a; with producer Lisa Diamond p.g.a,; executive producers, Brian O’Shea, Nat McCormick, Matthew Helderman, Luke Taylor, Mark Myers, Heather Kenyon; co-executive producer, Michael Davis; editor, Ben Gold. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 



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Thursday, April 8, 2021

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment Reports Q4 and Full Year 2020 Results

Record results and significant operational progress in 2020 set the stage for a strong 2021

 

COS COB, CT – Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSSE), one of the largest operators of streaming advertising-supported video-on-demand (AVOD) networks, today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2020.

 

“The fourth quarter capped off a very successful 2020 as we continued to deliver growth in original and exclusive content on Crackle Plus and expanded our distribution to drive viewership growth into the future,” said William J. Rouhana Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment. “Our strong 2020 results set the stage for what is shaping up to be a year of transformational growth in 2021. Our Distribution and Production business grew over 200% year-over-year and Crackle has seen strong viewership increases in the first quarter with continued increases in viewership of our original and exclusive content.”

 

“We are positioning Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment as a pure play AVOD network operator with a rich trove of content assets, differentiated production capabilities, a deep pipeline of exciting new original and exclusive content, and viewership that we expect to continue growing throughout the year as our new distribution touchpoints deliver results. We are building momentum toward our goal of creating the best AVOD experience.”

 

Fourth Quarter 2020 Financial Summary

 

  • Gross revenue of $20.2 million, compared to $20.0 million in the third quarter of 2020, and $24.8 million in the year-ago period.
  • Online Networks, which include Crackle and Popcornflix, gross revenue of $10.8 million, up 35% from $8.0 million in the third quarter of 2020, and compared to $15.9 million in the year-ago period. Gross revenue included intercompany revenue share payments of $1.7 million, $1.3 million, and $1.0 million, respectively. On a comparable basis, after the deduction of $5.6 million of revenue from the since-shuttered Playstation Vue, the year-over-year gross revenue grew from $10.1 million to $10.8 million, an increase of 7%.
  • Distribution and Production revenue of $11.1 million compared to $13.3 million in the third quarter of 2020, and $9.9 million in the year-ago period.
  • Net loss of $10.1 million compared to a net loss of $13.0 million in the third quarter of 2020, and a net loss of $12.4 million in the year-ago period; $8.9 million net loss before preferred dividends, compared to $12.1 million net loss in the third quarter 2020, and $11.4 million net loss before preferred dividends in the year-ago period.
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $2.8 million, compared to $4.2 million in the third quarter 2020, and $5.9 million in the year-ago period.

 

Full Year 2020 Financial Summary

 

  • Record gross revenue of $68.2 million, compared to $56.6 million in 2019.
  • Online networks generated $35.3 million in gross revenue compared to $41.7 million in 2019. Gross revenue included intercompany revenue share payments of $5.2 million and $1.7 million, respectively. On a comparable basis, after the deduction of $0.3 million and $15.9 million of revenue from the since-shuttered Playstation Vue, the year-over-year gross revenue grew from $25.8 million to $35.0 million, an increase of 36%.
  • Distribution & Production gross revenue was $38.0 million in revenue compared to $16.6 million in 2019.
  • Net loss of $44.6 million compared to $35.0 million in 2019; $40.4 million net loss before preferred dividends, compared to $31.7 million net loss before preferred dividends in 2019.
  • Adjusted EBITDA was $11.8 million, compared to $6.0 million in 2019.

 

Recent Business Highlights

 

  • Continued to expand pipeline of Original & Exclusive content which represented nearly 20.0% of ad impressions for the fourth quarter and 18.5% for full year 2020.
  • Increased distribution of Crackle Plus AVOD networks to 41 touchpoints and expanding this initiative with plans to reach a total of 64 consumer touchpoints.
  • Signed agreement for Crackle-branded button to be included on approximately 2.5 million VIZIO SmartCast TV remotes in 2021.
  • Obtained 100% ownership of Crackle Plus from Sony Pictures Television, strengthening relationship and positioning company for further growth.
  • Strengthened balance sheet and enhanced liquidity with additional equity and long-term debt without covenants.

 

Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $14.2 million, or 21% of net revenue, compared to $14.9 million, or 27% of net revenue in 2019.

 

Operating loss for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $44.3 million compared to an operating loss of $26.1 million in in 2019.

 

Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $44.6 million, or $3.62 per share, compared to a net loss of $35.0 million, or $2.92 per share, in the prior year. Excluding preferred dividends, the net loss in 2020 was $40.4 million, or $3.29 per share, compared to net loss of $31.7 million, or $2.64 per share, in the prior year.

 

Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $11.8 million, compared to $6.0 million in 2019.

 

As of December 31, 2020, the company had $14.7 million of cash and cash equivalents compared to $6.4 million at December 31, 2019, and outstanding debt of $33.6 million as of December 31, 2020 compared to $20.0 million as of December 31, 2019.

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 



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Thursday, April 8, 2021

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment Announces Accelerated and Expanded Distribution Rollout of Crackle Plus Networks

Crackle Plus Networks Available at 41 Distribution Touchpoints with an Additional 23 Contracted

 

COS COB, CT – Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSSE), one of the largest operators of streaming advertising-supported video-on-demand (“AVOD”) networks, today reported that it has increased its distribution of its Crackle Plus AVOD networks to 41 touchpoints, above its prior target, and now is expanding this initiative with plans to reach a total of 64 consumer touchpoints.

 

The Crackle Plus networks, including Crackle and Popcornflix, are available on a variety of platforms and services as both linear and VOD offerings. Crackle Plus networks are always free and offer a wide selection of hit movies, TV series, and original and exclusive programming. Expansion of Crackle Plus’s distribution is a key part of the Company’s broader marketing strategy to drive more viewers to its original and exclusive content.

 

“Our company has found that distribution has proven to drive increased viewership of our networks, and can bring up to hundreds of thousands of new viewers over time. From leading digital platforms to major cable providers and smart TV manufacturers, we are adding partners that we expect to drive new viewers to our Crackle and Popcornflix networks. As a result, we have reset our goal to now target 64 total touchpoints by the end of this year,” said William J. Rouhana, chief executive officer of Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment. “We are seeing encouraging early results from our overall efforts to increase viewership, including a significant increase in viewership of our Crackle network in February over January of this year.”

 

“Our aim is to make our free movie and TV content available to all viewers on all available platforms, including streaming devices, game consoles, connected TVs and FAST networks. As we add new distribution touchpoints and develop both new AVOD and linear channel offerings, we continue to make it easier for consumers to find us,” said Philippe Guelton, president of Crackle Plus. “In doing so, we are capturing a growing audience of unique, hard-to-reach consumers for our advertising partners.”

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 



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