SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Genius Products, Inc. (OTCBB:GNPI) today announced the appointment of Brad Ball to its board of directors. Mr. Ball brings to the Company over 30 years of senior executive marketing and advertising experience at leading companies including Warner Bros. and McDonald’s Corporation. Mr. Ball joined James G. Ellis and Herbert Hardt as one of the company’s independent directors.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome Brad to our board of directors,” commented Stephen K. Bannon, Chairman of Genius Products, Inc. “His extensive film and digital branded entertainment experience, combined with his strong industry contacts and reputation, will be a great asset to Genius. We look forward to his guidance as chair of the nomination committee and member of both the audit and compensation committees of the board as we continue to expand our position as one of the fastest growing independent home-entertainment distribution companies.”

“We believe Brad Ball’s business acumen and background will provide our management team valuable insight and guidance as we strategically expand our position in the entertainment industry through the introduction of new brands and content provider partnerships across the four verticals of sports, faith/family, lifestyle and independent film product segments,” said Trevor Drinkwater, president and CEO of Genius Products, Inc. “Brad has personally been involved with the leading film and branded entertainment companies throughout the world and we look forward to benefiting from that experience.”

Mr. Ball currently serves as a Senior Partner with Dallas based Moroch Partners, one of the top 20 U.S. independent advertising agencies. Mr. Ball’s responsibilities include developing marketing strategies for Moroch’s blue-chip client base and leading the expansion of the agency’s competencies in digital, branded entertainment and emerging platform arenas and the opening of its Burbank, California office. Prior to joining Moroch, Mr. Ball was the principal and owner of Ball Entertainment Group, a branded entertainment agency based in Los Angeles, focusing on the convergence of traditional advertising and new media with film and theatrical entertainment properties. His clients included TIME Inc., NASCAR, IMAX, Conversion Works, Headplay, Blue Label Interactive, Executive Producer on Deep Sea 3D IMAX.

"I am excited to join the board of directors of such a dynamic and rapidly growing entertainment company,” said Brad Ball. “I am very impressed with the premier partnerships Genius has recently forged, including ESPN, Discovery Kids, RHI and, of course, The Weinstein Company. I believe my expertise will complement an already very strong, independent board of directors.”

Mr. Ball served as President of Warner Bros. Domestic Theatrical Marketing. While at Warner Bros., he directed all areas of film marketing for Warner Bros.’ North American operations and the release of over 90 films, including “You’ve Got Mail,” “The Matrix” and “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” He also served as Chairman of the Time Warner Marketing Council, integrating all divisions of Warner Bros. in cross divisional marketing efforts to maximize efforts resulting from the AOL – Time Warner merger. Further, Ball was a key player in Warner Bros. first entry into “original” IMAX content, spearheading production and corporate sponsorship for the film “NASCAR 3D, the IMAX Experience.”

Before joining Warner Bros., Mr. Ball worked as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for McDonald’s Corporation’s domestic business. During his tenure at McDonald’s, he directed U.S. marketing plans for over 10,000 restaurants, 2,800 franchisees and their multiple agency system. His contributions included being co-architect of the Disney and McDonald’s global alliance, the Atlanta Olympics campaign, numerous Super Bowl spots and the launch of McDonald’s famous branding campaign - “Did Somebody Say McDonald’s?”

Mr. Ball began his distinguished career at Davis, Johnson, Mogul and Colombatto, a Los Angeles-based advertising agency. Having started on the account service side, he worked his way up to agency management and eventually was named partner. Under his guidance, the regional shop grew to six offices and $150 million in billings with a blue-chip client list including McDonald’s, Toyota, Ralph’s Grocery, Knott’s Berry Farm, ABC, and many others.

About Genius Products

Genius Products, Inc. (OTCBB:GNPI), along with The Weinstein Company, jointly owns Genius Products, LLC, a leading independent home-entertainment distribution company that produces, licenses, and distributes a valuable library of motion pictures, television programming, family, lifestyle and trend entertainment on DVD and other emerging platforms through its expansive network of retailers throughout the U.S. Genius handles the distribution, marketing and sales for such brands as WWE®, Asia Extreme(TM), Baby Genius®, Dragon Dynasty™, Dimension Films, ESPN®, IFC®, NBC News®, Sundance Channel Home Entertainment®, Wellspring™, RHI Entertainment and The Weinstein Company®. Genius Products, Inc. is the managing member of Genius Products, LLC, in which it holds a 30% equity interest.