Genius Brands Hires Head of CP & Retail Development

Genius Brands International has appointed Cindy Elfenbein as VP of global consumer products and retail development, a newly created position.

Elfenbein will work with retailers and licensees to build comprehensive global consumer product programs and retail initiatives for each of the company’s properties, including Rainbow Rangers, Llama Llama, Baby Genius, Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab and Secret Millionaires Club. She will report to Lloyd Mintz, Genius Brands’ senior VP of global consumer products.

Most recently, Elfenbein served as VP of retail business development at ZAG. Earlier in her career, she was executive director of retail development at SANRIO. She has also held senior management roles at Sony Pictures Entertainment, MGA Entertainment, DIC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Consumer Products.

Mintz commented: “Cindy has broad experience in the retail and licensing community, [having] overseen dozens of high-profile retail sales programs across multiple channels of distribution. We’re excited to have her on board to help elevate our brands and develop them into long-term franchises. With two major properties, Rainbow Rangers and Llama Llama, heading to market in late 2018-19, Cindy’s out-of-the box thinking will allow us to build sustainable partnerships, tap into new and emerging channels of distribution, and grow our business globally.”

“I am thrilled to be collaborating with the team at Genius Brands on the expansion of their lP library into retail, and equally excited to be working again with CEO Andy Heyward,” added Elfenbein. “This is a tremendous opportunity to work with two of the most amazing and fresh properties to emerge in a long time that have all the makings of becoming breakout hits.”