Genius Brands Introduces Kartoon Classroom!, New Exec Appointments

Jon Ollwerther of Kartoon Classroom! | Source: Genius Brands/The Toy Book

Genius Brands International is already extending its Kartoon Channel! brand.

The company launched Kartoon Classroom! as a stand-alone segment of the Kartoon Channel! which is already available in more than 100 million households following its launch in June.

Jon Ollwerther, who joined Genius Brands from Measure last year has been appointed to oversee the operations of Kartoon Channel! and Kartoon Classroom! in the new role of general manager and executive vice president of global business development. Additionally, Disney vet Lou Fazio has joined the Kartoon business as a senior advisor.

“At Kartoon Channel!, our calling is to entertain and inform,” says Margaret Loesch, executive chairman. “Kartoon Classroom! is the next natural step in that growth, offering unique value for parents and kids.”

The first Kartoon Classroom! original series is KC! Pop Quiz, a trivia show being developed under the supervision of Kartoon Channel! Chief Content Officer David Neuman.

Kartoon Classroom! will showcase STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) content from Genius Brands and third party creators.

About the author

James Zahn

James Zahn, AKA The Rock Father, is Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book, a Senior Editor at The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider, and Editor of The Toy Report, The Toy Book‘s weekly industry newsletter. As a pop culture and toy industry expert, Zahn has appeared as a panelist and guest at events including Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) Wizard World Chicago, and the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy. Zahn has more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment, retail, and publishing industries, and is frequently called upon to offer expert commentary for publications such as Forbes, Marketwatch, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, USA Today, Reuters, the Washington Post, and more. James has appeared on History Channel’s Modern Marvels, was interviewed by Larry King and Anderson Cooper, and has been seen on Yahoo! Finance, CNN, CNBC, FOX Business, NBC, ABC, CBS, WGN, The CW, and more. Zahn joined the Adventure Media & Events family in 2016, initially serving as a member of the Parent Advisory Board after penning articles for the Netflix Stream Team, Fandango Family, PBS KIDS, Sprout Parents (now Universal Kids), PopSugar, and Chicago Parent. He eventually joined the company full time as a Senior Editor and moved up the ranks to Deputy Editor and Editor-in-Chief.