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Genius Brands Announces Partnership with FatRedCouch

Release of master app for ‘Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab’ to coincide with the premiere of the new animated series on U.S. public television stations later this year.

Beverly Hills, CA -- Genius Brands International, Inc., a global brand management company dedicated to providing entertaining and enriching ‘content with a purpose’ for toddlers to tweens, announced a partnership with FatRedCouch, Inc. on the production of apps for GBI’s new animated children’s series, Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab.

GBI and FatRedCouch will introduce a master app for Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab to coincide with the premiere of the new animated series on U.S. public television stations later this year.  The master app will feature a self-contained play environment offering multiple activities and games utilizing animation footage from the series.  The app will be available on iOS and Android platforms initially through channel partners, including Apple, Google, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble (for Nook).

“Kids today expect a dynamic, interactive way to ‘play’ their favorite shows on a variety of devices,” said GBI’s President of Global Consumer Products Stone Newman. “The Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab master app will take viewers deeper into the Secret Lab, showing kids how fun science can be by immersing them in a digital world where they can interact with the characters and be a part of this secret world themselves. FatRedCouch is the perfect partner to help us extend this experience into other formats.”

“We’re thrilled to have been selected by Genius Brands International as their partner on developing apps for this innovative, imaginative and educational new series,” added FatRedCouch Founder and CEO Nicole Lundeen.  “We are full STEAM ahead with publishing educational and entertaining interactive content that encourages self-learning, and creativity, with good humor. Thomas Edison Secret Lab is a perfect addition to our library of content as we share the vision of the GBI team in delivering ‘content with a purpose.’  We have several exciting experiences planned to enhance the elements comprised in Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab and look forward to developing additional new apps integrating our Digital + Durable strategy in supporting the extension of this enterprising new brand.”

Thomas Edison Secret Lab follows Angie, a 12-year-old prodigy and her young science club who accidentally discover a ‘tricked out’ dream lab equipped with gizmos and gadgets, including two of Edison’s very last inventions: a hologram that brings Mr. Edison himself “to life,” and a virtual reality machine that lets them go anywhere.  There is even has a wacky (and slightly nervous) robot called Von Bolt that Edison left behind, who becomes part of every adventure.

Produced in association with Georgia Public Broadcasting and distributed to U.S. public television stations by American Public Television (APT), each of the 26 half-hour episodes which comprise the Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab series features comedy, adventure and hijinks, as well as demonstrates that innovation can foster creativity, imagination, a can-do spirit and positive entrepreneurism.

Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab is a fully immersive multi-media property, including an interactive website, digital applications, toys, games, electronics, in-school curriculum and more in development.

Thomas Edison is voiced by American singer, songwriter and Berklee College of Music Professor Livingston Taylor. Emmy-nominated writer Steve Banks (SpongeBob Square Pants) wrote the pilot episode; Grant Moran (Word Girl, New Adventures of the Magic School Bus) and Betsy McGowan (Senior VP Kids' WB!, co-creator Camp Lakebottom) are co-story editors; Emmy Award-winning Michael Maliani (Madeline, Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego) serves as co-producer and director; Kevin O’Donnell is the series co-creator; and Emmy Award-winning Mark Young (All Dogs Go to Heaven 2, Tutenstein) serves as co-producer.  An academic team led by Professor Emeritus Don Roberts of Stanford and Dorothy Singer of Yale have overseen the development of the series as well as the episodic content to ensure it meets E/I (educational and informational) standards.

Source: Genius Brands Entertainment, Inc.

Jennifer Wolfe's picture

Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.