New Moniker Reflects Division's Best-In-Class Capabilities, Harnessing the Power of Pop Culture Across Video Games, Consumer Products, TV/Film and Publishing

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / January 3, 2024 / Dolphin Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ:DLPN), a leading entertainment marketing and premium content production company, along with its PR powerhouse subsidiary 42West, has announced the rebranding of award-winning independent PR agency Bender/Helper Impact (BHI) to Fandoms & Franchises (F&F). Dolphin Entertainment had acquired the company in 2021, making it the fourth division of 42West.

Embedded in some of the largest and most beloved fan communities, the division's experienced practitioners focus on generating the most authentic communications impact for clients such as Funko, Loungefly, Mondo, Mattel TV, Mattel Games, Toho, Apple TV+, Netflix, BioWorld's Atsuko and Heroes & Villains, FunPlus, Wildlife Studios, and many others. F&F's clients have the good fortune of utilizing a creative team that has first-hand knowledge of its primary target audience, adding a meaningful nuance to each campaign's ideation, approach, and storytelling capabilities.

F&F has led several award-winning campaigns in 2023. Two of its video game clients were recognized as Top Publishers (FunPlus and Devsisters) by PocketGamer, and in television, Tonko House's "Oni: Thunder God's Tale" won a Children and Family Entertainment Emmy for Best TV/Media Limited Series, while Netflix's "The Cuphead Show" won for Best Music, TV/Media.

"Fandoms & Franchises' expertise in managing communications for the largest of franchises, and their presence at all of the major fan conventions, speaks to the team's market-leading position," said Amanda Lundberg, CEO of 42West. "I am proud of how they skillfully enhance 42West's programs in film, television and with creators, hyper-focusing on vertical and new audiences."

"With first-hand experience driving strategy, Fandoms & Franchises creates campaigns and narratives that are derived from an authentic perspective, prioritizing passion and lifestyle," said Division President Shawna Lynch. "We are excited about this rebranding as it more accurately reflects the skills and capabilities of the team."

About 42West
42West, a subsidiary of Dolphin Entertainment, is one of the entertainment industry's leading full-service public-relations firms. With offices in New York and Los Angeles, 42West has four divisions: Talent, Strategic Communications, Entertainment Marketing, and Fandoms & Franchises (formerly known as BHI), the award-winning firm's gaming, consumer products and publishing practice. The agency has developed and executed marketing and publicity strategies for hundreds of movies and television shows as well as countless actors, filmmakers, recording artists, personalities and authors. In addition, 42West provides strategic counsel to a wide variety of high-profile individuals and corporate clients-ranging from movie and pop stars to major studios, charitable organizations, and media conglomerates-looking to raise, reposition, or rehabilitate their public profiles.

About Dolphin Entertainment, Inc.
Dolphin Entertainment is a prominent independent entertainment marketing and production company. Through its subsidiaries, 42West, The Door, and Shore Fire Media, the company offers expert strategic marketing and publicity services to top brands in the film, television, music, gaming, and hospitality industries. All three PR firms have consistently ranked among the top 50 PR firms in the United States. Viewpoint Creative and The Digital Dept. complement these efforts with complete creative branding and production capabilities, as well as social media and influencer marketing services. Dolphin's most recent acquisition, Special Projects, provides talent booking services and event production for high-end clients in the media, entertainment, and fashion industries. Dolphin's legacy content production business, founded by Emmy-nominated CEO Bill O'Dowd, has produced multiple feature films and award-winning digital series. Dolphin has also entered into a multi-year agreement with IMAX to co-produce feature documentaries. To learn more, visit: https://www.dolphinentertainment.com.

This press release contains 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. These forward-looking statements may address, among other things, Dolphin Entertainment Inc.'s offering of common stock as well as expected financial and operational results and the related assumptions underlying its expected results. These forward-looking statements are distinguished by the use of words such as "will," "would," "anticipate," "expect," "believe," "designed," "plan," or "intend," the negative of these terms, and similar references to future periods. These views involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and, accordingly, Dolphin Entertainment's actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in its forward-looking statements. Dolphin Entertainment's forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date of this press release. Factors or events Dolphin Entertainment cannot predict, including those described in the risk factors contained in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, may cause its actual results to differ from those expressed in forward-looking statements. Although Dolphin Entertainment believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be achieved, and Dolphin Entertainment undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

CONTACT:
James Carbonara/HAYDEN IR
james@haydenir.com

SOURCE: Dolphin Entertainment, Inc.