Exhibit 10.3


 


AMENDED AND RESTATED


EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


 


This Amended and Restated
Employment Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of this 7th day of November, 2020 (the “Effective
Date”), by and between Genius Brands International, Inc., a company formed under the laws of the State of Nevada, with
its principal place of business at 301 N. Canon Drive, #305, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 (the “Company”), and Robert
Denton, residing at 1342 E Canterwood Circle, Sandy, Utah 84093 (“Executive”).


 


W I T N E S S E T H:


 


WHEREAS, the
Company and Executive entered into that certain Employment Agreement (the “Original Agreement”), effective as
of April 18, 2018;


 


WHEREAS, the
Company and Executive each desire to amend and restate the terms of the Original Agreement and enter into this Agreement, which
supersedes and replaces the Original Agreement from and following the Effective Date;


 


NOW, THEREFORE,
in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants contained herein, each of the Company and Executive hereby agree to amend
and restate the Original Agreement as set forth herein, and further agree as follows:


 


1.                 
Employment. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Company hereby offers and the Executive
hereby accepts continued employment, effective as of the Effective Date.


 


2.                 
Term. Subject to earlier termination as hereafter provided, the Executive shall be employed hereunder for a term commencing
on the Effective Date and ending one (1) year thereafter, there shall be an option for two (2) additional one (1) year terms subject
to the written agreement of the parties; it being agreed, however, that neither party is obligated to agree to an extension. The
term of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement, including any mutually agreed upon extension, is hereafter referred
to as “the term of this Agreement” or “the term hereof.” The date of termination of the Executive’s
employment hereunder is hereinafter referred to as the “Date of Termination.”


 


3.                 
Duties and Rights. Executive shall be employed as an executive of the Company with the title of “Chief Financial
Officer”. In such capacity, Executive’s duties shall include oversight of all financial matters relating to the Company,
subject to the control and direction of the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the Company to which Executive
shall report. During the term of this Agreement, Executive shall devote all of his business time and efforts to the affairs of
the Company and its Subsidiaries. Executive shall use his best efforts to perform all such services diligently and to the best
of his ability and will at all times use his best efforts to enhance the business of the Company. Notwithstanding anything herein
to the contrary, nothing herein shall prohibit Executive from reasonable participation in community, charitable and industry related
organization activities provided such participation does not materially interfere with the performance of Executives duties hereunder.


 


 


 


 






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4.                 
Compensation, Benefits and Relocation. As compensation for all services performed by the Executive under this Agreement
and subject to performance of the Executive’s duties and obligations to the Company and its Affiliates, pursuant to this
Agreement:


 


4.1             
Base Salary. During the term hereof, the Company shall pay the Executive a base salary at the rate of $300,000 per
year. Such base salary, as described in the previous sentence, is hereafter referred to as the “Base Salary.”


 


4.2             
Bonus Compensation.


 


4.2.1       
During the term hereof, the Executive shall be eligible to receive a cash bonus in the amount of $50,000 (the “Renewal
Bonus”) for each twelve (12)-month period during the term of this Agreement, payable within sixty (60) days following
the Effective Date and each anniversary thereof during the term, subject to Executive’s continued employment in good standing,
as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, on the applicable payment date. Executive’s eligibility to receive the
Renewal Bonus shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, Executive’s eligibility to receive the Discretionary Bonus mentioned
below.


 


4.2.2       
During the term hereof, the Executive shall be eligible to receive a bonus (the “Discretionary Bonus”)
for each fiscal year, prorated for any period of service less than one year, as provided herein. The amount and timing of the Discretionary
Bonus, if any, shall be determined by the Company, in its sole discretion, based on the Executive’s performance (including
but not limited to Executive’s performance against revenue and profit targets) and that of the Company and its Affiliates
and such other criteria as the Compensation Committee may consider in its sole discretion. The Discretionary Bonus shall be paid
by the Company to the Executive annually promptly after determination that the relevant targets have been met but in all events
prior to December 31 of the year following the year to which the applicable Discretionary Bonus relates, it being understood that
the attainment of any financial targets associated with any bonus shall not be determined until following the completion of the
Company’s annual audit and public announcement of such results and shall be paid promptly following the Company’s announcement
of earnings. Whenever any Discretionary Bonus payable to the Executive is stated in this Agreement to be prorated for any period
of service less than a full year, such Discretionary Bonus shall be prorated by multiplying (x) the amount of the Discretionary
Bonus otherwise payable for the applicable fiscal year in accordance with this Section 4.2 by (y) a fraction, the denominator
of which shall be 365 and the numerator of which shall be the number of days during the applicable fiscal year for which the Executive
was employed by the Company. Any compensation paid to the Executive as Discretionary Bonus shall be in addition to the Base Salary,
as well as participation in any other incentive, stock option, stock purchase, profit sharing, deferred compensation, bonus compensation
or severance plan, program or arrangement which the Company or any of its Affiliates may adopt or continue from time to time for
which the Executive is eligible, each as in accordance with any subscription agreement, stock option plan, and stock option agreement
identified, from time to time.


 


4.3             
Equity-Based Awards. As soon as reasonably practicable, but in all events within thirty (30) days, following the
Effective Date, Executive shall be granted an award of stock options and an award of restricted stock units pursuant to the incentive
unit grant agreements set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto.


 


4.4             
Expenses. It is recognized that Executive in the performance of his duties hereunder may be required to expend reasonable
sums for travel and for entertainment of various persons, including representatives of companies with whom the Company has or might
expect to have business relations. During the term hereof, the Company shall either advance funds to Executive or reimburse Executive
for reasonable business expenses incurred by him in connection with the performance of his duties hereunder, provided Executive
properly accounts therefor in accordance with the Company’s policies and procedures.


 


 


 


 






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4.5             
Benefits. During the term hereof, Executive shall be eligible to participate in the benefits and perquisites programs
(including, without limitation, health, welfare profit sharing, deferred compensation, and severance programs) made available to
senior executives from time to time, in each case in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan, program, policy and arrangement
in effect from time to time. The Company shall not, however, by reason of this Section 4.5, be obligated to institute, maintain,
or refrain from changing, amending, or discontinuing any such plan or policy, so long as such changes are similarly applicable
to similarly situated senior executives generally. Executive shall be entitled to receive from the Company during the term 15 paid
time off days accruing annually as well as six (6) sick days annually, subject to the then existing paid time off policy of the
Company.[1]


 


4.6             
Clawback Rights. All amounts paid to Executive by the Company (other than Executive’s Base Salary and reimbursement
of expenses pursuant to paragraph 4.3, 4.4, and 4.5 hereof) during the term of this Agreement and any time thereafter and
any and all stock based compensation (including the equity-based awards set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto) granted during
the term hereof and any time thereafter (collectively, the “Clawback Benefits”) shall be subject to “Clawback
Rights” as follows: during the period that the Executive is employed by the Company and upon the termination or expiration
of the Executive’s employment and for a period of three (3) years thereafter, if any of the following events occurs, Executive
agrees to repay or surrender to the Company the Clawback Benefits as set forth below:


 


(a)              
if the Company restates (a “Restatement”) any published financial statement that has been filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission covering any period commencing after the Effective Date of this Agreement from which
any Clawback Benefits to Executive shall have been determined (such restatement resulting from material non-compliance of the Company
with any financial reporting requirement under the federal securities laws and shall not include a restatement of financial results
resulting from subsequent changes in accounting pronouncements or requirements which were not in effect on the date the financial
statements were originally prepared), then the Executive agrees to immediately repay or surrender upon demand by the Company any
Clawback Benefits which were determined by reference to any Company international sales department financial results reflected
in financial statements which were later restated, to the extent the Clawback Benefits amounts paid exceed the Clawback Benefits
amounts that would have been paid, based on the Restatement of the Company’s financial statements. All Clawback Benefits
amounts resulting from such Restatements shall be retroactively adjusted by the Compensation Committee to take into account the
relevant restated financial information and if any excess portion of the Clawback Benefits resulting from such restated information
is not so repaid or surrendered by the Executive within ninety (90) days of the revised calculation being provided to the Executive
by the Company following a publicly announced Restatement, the Company shall have the right to take any and all action to effectuate
such adjustment.


 


(b)              
If any material breach of any agreement by Executive relating to confidentiality, non-competition, non-raid of employees,
or non-solicitation of vendors or customers (including, without limitation, Sections 7 or 8 hereof) or if any material breach
of Company policy or procedures which causes material harm to the Company occurs, as determined by a final judgment from a court
of competent jurisdiction, then the Executive agrees to repay or surrender any Clawback Benefits upon demand by the Company and
if not so repaid or surrendered within ninety (90) days of such demand, the Company shall have the right to take any and all action
to effectuate such adjustment.


The amount of Clawback Benefits to be repaid
or surrendered to the Company shall be determined by the Compensation Committee and applicable law, rules and regulations. All
determinations by the Compensation Committee with respect to the Clawback Rights shall be final and binding on the Company and
Executive. The parties acknowledge it is their intention that the foregoing Clawback Rights as relates to Restatements conform
in all respects to the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd
Frank Act”) and requires recovery of all “incentive-based” compensation, pursuant to the provisions of the
Dodd Frank Act and any and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect. Accordingly, the terms
and provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed automatically amended from time to time to assure compliance with the Dodd Frank
Act and such rules and regulation as hereafter may be adopted and in effect.


 


 


 


 






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5.                 
Termination of Employment and Severance Benefits. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2 hereof, the Executive’s
employment hereunder shall terminate prior to the expiration of the term of this Agreement under the following circumstances:


 


5.1             
Retirement or Death. In the event of the Executive’s retirement or death during the term hereof, the Executive’s
employment hereunder shall immediately and automatically terminate. In the event of the Executive’s retirement after the
age of sixty-five or death during the term hereof, the Company shall pay to the Executive (or in the case of death, the Executive’s
designated beneficiary or, if no beneficiary has been designated by the Executive, to his estate) (i) any Base Salary and accrued
vacation earned but unpaid through the date of such retirement or death, (ii) any Discretionary Bonus for the fiscal year preceding
that in which such retirement or death occurs that was granted but has not yet been paid, payable at such time as discretionary
bonuses are payable to similarly situated Company employees but in all events prior to December 31 of the year in which the termination
occurs, and (iii) reimbursement for any reasonable expenses of the types specified in Section 4.3 incurred with respect to
periods prior to date of such retirement or death.


 


5.2             
Disability.


 


5.2.1       
The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder, upon notice to the Executive, in the event
that the Executive becomes disabled during his employment hereunder through any illness, injury, accident or condition of either
a physical or psychological nature and, as a result, in the opinion of the President based upon the advice of a physician chosen
by the Company, Executive is unable to perform substantially all of his duties and responsibilities hereunder for thirty (30) consecutive
days or an aggregate of sixty (60) days during any period of one hundred and eighty two (182) consecutive calendar days.


 


5.2.2       
The Company may designate another employee to act in the Executive’s place during any period of the Executive’s
disability. Notwithstanding any such designation, while he is employed by the Company and has not yet become eligible for disability
income benefits under any disability income plan maintained by the Company, the Executive shall continue to receive the Base Salary
in accordance with Section 4.1 and to receive benefits in accordance with Section 4.5, to the extent permitted by the
then-current terms of the applicable benefit plans. Upon becoming so eligible, and until the termination of his employment because
of disability, the Company shall pay to the Executive, at its regular pay periods, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the
Executive’s monthly base compensation in effect at the time of eligibility (i.e. 1/12th of the Base Salary) over the amounts
of disability income benefits that the Executive is otherwise eligible to receive. Upon termination of the Executive’s employment
because of disability, the Company shall pay to the Executive (i) any Base Salary earned but unpaid through the Date of Termination,
(ii) any Discretionary Bonus for the fiscal year preceding the year of termination that was earned but unpaid, payable at such
time as discretionary bonuses are payable to similarly situated Company employees but in all events prior to December 31 of the
year in which the termination occurs, and (iii) reimbursement of any reasonable expenses incurred by him in the performance of
his duties hereunder in accordance with the customary policies of the Company. During the 2 month period (or the remaining months
of the Term if less than 6 months) following the termination of the Executive’s employment because of disability, the Company
shall pay the Executive, at its regular pay periods, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Executive’s monthly base
compensation in effect at the time of termination (i.e. 1/12th of the Base Salary) over the amounts of disability income benefits
that the Executive is otherwise eligible to receive pursuant to the above-referenced disability income plan in respect of such
period (“Disability Payments”), provided that the Executive signs an Employee Release as defined in Section 6.1
below.


 


5.2.3       
Except as provided in Section 5.2.2, while the Executive is receiving Disability Payments, the Executive shall
not be entitled to receive any Base Salary under Section 4.1 or Renewal Bonus or Discretionary Bonus payments under Section 4.2,
but the Executive shall continue to participate in benefit plans of the Company in accordance with Section 4.5 and the terms
of such plans, until the termination of his employment. During the two month period from the date of eligibility for Disability
Payments or termination of employment under this Section 5.2, the Company shall continue to contribute to the cost of the
Executive’s participation in one of the group medical plans of the Company, in the same percentage as the Company was contributing
at the time of termination of the Executive’s employment, provided that the Executive is entitled to continue such participation
under applicable law and plan terms.


 


 


 


 






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5.2.4       
If any question shall arise as to whether during any period the Executive is disabled through any illness, injury,
accident or condition of either a physical or psychological nature so as to be unable to perform substantially all of his duties
and responsibilities hereunder, the Executive may, and at the request of the Company shall, submit to a medical examination by
a physician selected by the Company to whom the Executive or his duly appointed guardian, if any, has no reasonable objection to
determine whether the Executive is so disabled and such determination shall for the purposes of this Agreement be conclusive of
the issue. If such question shall arise and the Executive shall fail to submit to such medical examination, the Company’s
determination of the issue shall be binding on the Executive.


 


5.3             
By the Company for Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder for Cause at any time
upon notice to the Executive setting forth in reasonable detail the nature of such Cause. The following events or conditions shall
constitute “Cause” for termination: (i) the willful and continued failure of the Executive to perform substantially
his duties and responsibilities for the Company (other than any such failure resulting from Executive’s death or Disability)
after a written demand by the CEO for substantial performance is delivered to the Executive by the Company, which specifically
identifies the manner in which the CEO believes that the Executive has not substantially performed his duties and responsibilities,
which willful and continued failure is not cured by the Executive within thirty (30) days of his receipt of such written demand;
(ii) the material breach by the Executive of any material provision of this Agreement, if such breach results in a material adverse
effect on the Company or its Subsidiaries and if the breach is not cured by the Executive within thirty (30) days of his receipt
of such written demand therefore (for the avoidance of doubt, the violation of Section 8.1, 8.3 and 8.5 of this Agreement
shall be considered an immediate material breach of a material provision of this Agreement and not subject to the foregoing notice
or cure provisions); (iii) the commission of fraud, embezzlement or theft by the Executive; (iv) the conviction of the Executive
of, or plea by the Executive of nolo contendre to, any felony or any other crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude.


 


Upon the giving of notice
of termination of the Executive’s employment hereunder for Cause, the Company shall have no further obligation or liability
to the Executive hereunder, other than for payment of any Base Salary earned but unpaid through the Date of Termination. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Executive shall not be entitled to receive any Discretionary Bonus amounts which
have not been paid prior to the Date of Termination hereunder for Cause.


 


5.4             
Post-Agreement Employment. In the event the Executive remains in the employ of the Company or any of its Affiliates
following termination of this Agreement, by the expiration of the term hereof or otherwise, then such employment shall be at will.


 


6.                 
Effect of Termination. The provisions of this Section 6 shall apply in the event of termination, whether such termination
is due to the expiration of the term hereof, is pursuant to Section 5, or otherwise.


 


6.1             
Payment in Full. Payment by the Company of any Base Salary, Discretionary Bonus or other specified amounts which
are due the Executive under the applicable termination provision of Section 5 shall constitute the entire obligation hereunder
of the Company and its Affiliates to the Executive. Any obligation of the Company to provide the Executive Disability Payments,
or Discretionary Bonus payments under this Agreement is expressly conditioned, however, upon the Executive signing a release of
claims provided by the Company (the “Employee Release”) within twenty-one days, or, in the event that such termination
of employment is “in connection with an exit incentive or other employment termination program” (as such phrase is
defined in the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended), the date that is forty-five (45) days, following the
date on which he gives or receives, as applicable, notice of termination of employment and upon the Executive not revoking the
Employee Release thereafter. The obligations of the Company to the Executive under Sections 5.2 or 5.4 hereof are also expressly
conditioned upon the Executive’s continued full performance of his obligations under Sections 7 and 8 hereof. The Executive
agrees that if he violates any term of Sections 7 and/or 8 at any time, he shall have no entitlement to Disability Payments
under Sections 5.2 or 5.4, and that he will promptly reimburse the Company on demand for all monies previously paid to him
or on his behalf prior to the date of such violation under Sections 5.2 or 5.4 of this Agreement. The Executive recognizes
that, except as expressly provided in Section 5, no compensation is earned after termination of employment.


 


 


 


 






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6.2             
Termination of Benefits. Except for medical insurance coverage continued pursuant to Section 5.2 hereof, the
continuation of any benefits pursuant to Section 5.4 hereof and any right of continuation of health coverage at the Executive’s
cost to the extent provided by Sections 601 through 608 of ERISA, benefits shall terminate pursuant to the terms of the applicable
benefit plans based on the date of termination of the Executive’s employment without regard to any continuation of Base Salary
or other payments to the Executive following termination of his employment.


 


6.3             
Survival of Certain Provisions. Provisions of this Agreement shall survive any termination if so provided herein
or if necessary or desirable to accomplish the purpose of other surviving provisions, including without limitation the obligations
of the Executive under Sections 7 and 8 hereof.


 


7.                 
Confidential Information; Intellectual Property.


 


7.1             
Confidentiality. The Executive acknowledges that the Company and its Affiliates continually develop Confidential
Information, that the Executive may develop Confidential Information for the Company or its Affiliates and that the Executive may
learn of Confidential Information during the course of employment. The Executive acknowledges the importance to the Company and
its Affiliates of protecting their Confidential Information and other legitimate interests, and agrees that all Confidential Information
which he creates or to which he has access as a result of employment with or service as a director of the Company and its Affiliates
is and shall remain the sole and exclusive property of the Company and its Affiliates. The Executive will comply with the policies
and procedures of the Company and its Affiliates for protecting Confidential Information and shall never use or disclose to any
Person (except as required by applicable law or for the proper performance of his duties and responsibilities to the Company and
its Affiliates) any Confidential Information obtained by the Executive incident to his employment with or service as a director
of the Company or any of its Affiliates. The Executive understands that this restriction shall continue to apply after his employment
terminates, regardless of the reason for such termination.


 


7.1.1       
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 7.1:


 


		(a)	Executive shall not be prevented from, nor shall Executive be criminally or civilly liable under
any federal or state trade secret law for, making a disclosure of trade secrets or other Confidential Information that is: (i)
made (x) in confidence to a federal, state or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, and
(y) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of applicable law; (ii) made in a complaint or other
document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal; or (iii) protected under the whistleblower
provisions of applicable law; and



 


		(b)	in the event Executive files a lawsuit for retaliation by the Company for Executive’s reporting
of a suspected violation of law, Executive may (i) disclose a trade secret to Executive’s attorney and (ii) use the trade
secret information in the court proceeding related to such lawsuit, in each case, if Executive (x) files any document containing
such trade secret under seal; and (y) does not otherwise disclose such trade secret, except pursuant to court order.



 





 


 


 






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7.2             
Return of Documents. All documents, records, files, audio tapes, videotapes and any other media, however stored,
of whatever kind and description relating to the business, present or otherwise, of the Company or its Affiliates and any copies,
in whole or in part, thereof (the “Documents”), whether or not prepared by the Executive, shall be the sole
and exclusive property of the Company and its Affiliates. The Executive shall not copy any Documents or remove any Documents from
the premises of the Company or its Affiliates, except as required for the proper performance of regular duties for the Company
or as expressly authorized in writing by the Board or its designee. The Executive agrees to return to the Company and its Affiliates
at the time his employment terminates, and at such other times as may be specified by the Company or its Affiliates, all Documents
and other property of the Company and its Affiliates then in his possession or control. The Executive agrees that, if a Document
is on electronic media (e.g. a hard disk), upon the request of any duly authorized officer of the Company or its Affiliates, he
will disclose all passwords necessary or desirable to enable the Company to obtain access to the Documents.


 


7.3             
Materials. Executive agrees that all ideas, plans and materials prepared by Executive in the course of his employment
by the Company (collectively, the “Materials”) during the term of this Agreement will be considered works-made-for-hire
and shall be the Company’s sole and exclusive property. In the event that the Materials are not copyrightable subject matter
or for any reason are deemed not to be works-made-for-hire, then, and in such event, by this Agreement, Executive hereby assigns
all right, title and interest to said Materials to the Company and agrees to execute all documents required to evidence such assignment.
Without limiting the foregoing, it is specifically understood and agreed that Executive will retain no ownership rights whatsoever
in or to the Materials. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive understands that the provisions of this Section 7 requiring
the assignment of Materials to the Company do not apply to any invention or Materials which qualifies fully under the provisions
of California Labor Code Section 2870. Executive will advise the Company promptly in writing of any inventions or Materials
that he believes meet the criteria in Labor Code Section 2870.


 


8.                 
Restricted Activities.


 


8.1             
Agreement not to Compete with the Company during the Term of this Agreement. The Executive agrees that, during his
employment, he will not, directly or indirectly, own, manage, operate, control, or participate in any manner in the ownership,
management, operation or control of, or be connected as an officer, employee, partner, director, principal, consultant, agent or
otherwise with, or have any financial interest in (except for a publicly traded company where he owns no more than 5% of the outstanding
stock of such company), or aid or assist anyone else in the conduct of, any business, venture or activity which competes with the
Business of the Company or its Subsidiaries (as defined below). Except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Agreement, the
Executive further agrees that, during his employment with the Company, he will not enter into any transaction, on his own behalf
or that of a third party with any of the Company’s Affiliates, without full disclosure to, and receipt of prior written consent
from, the CEO. The parties agree for the purposes of this agreement that Atlys, Inc. is not deemed to be a competitor.


 


8.2             
Agreement not to Unfairly Compete with the Company after the Term of this Agreement. The Executive acknowledges that
access to Confidential Information and to the Company’s and its Affiliates’ customers would give the Executive an unfair
competitive advantage, were the Executive to leave employment and use any of the Company’s Confidential Information to unfairly
compete with the Company or its Affiliates, and that he is therefore being granted access to Confidential Information and the customers
of the Company and its Affiliates in reliance on his agreement hereunder. The Executive therefore agrees that for a period of twelve
(12) months following the date his employment with the Company is terminated (the “Non-Competition Period”),
he will not utilize any of the Company’s Confidential Information to unfairly compete in any fashion with the Company or
its Subsidiaries with respect to the Business of the Company or its Subsidiaries. For purposes of this Section 8, the “Business
of the Company or its Subsidiaries” shall mean (a) production and/or distribution of animated or live-action television
programming (and/or any musical composition intended to be included therein), or any element thereof, within or without the United
States as currently being conducted or planned to be conducted by the Company, and (b) any business activity that is conducted
or is actively being planned to be conducted by the Company or by any of its Subsidiaries at or within the twelve month period
immediately preceding the Date of Termination, which business is expected to be material to the Company. The Executive acknowledges
that the restrictions contained in Section 8 are sufficiently limited so as not to restrain him from engaging in a lawful
profession, trade or business of any kind.


 


 


 


 






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8.3             
Agreement Not to Solicit Customers during the Term of this Agreement. The Executive agrees that during his employment
hereunder, he will not, on behalf of any person or entity other than the Company and its Affiliates, directly or indirectly, solicit
or encourage any customer or vendor of the Company or its Subsidiaries to terminate or diminish their relationships with any of
them or violate any agreement with or duty to the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries.


 


8.4             
Agreement Not to Solicit Customers after the Term of this Agreement. The Executive acknowledges that access to Confidential
Information and to the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ customers would give the Executive an unfair competitive advantage
were the Executive to leave employment and begin competing with the Company or its Subsidiaries, and he is therefore being granted
access to Confidential Information and the customers of the Company and its Subsidiaries in reliance on his agreement hereunder.
The Executive agrees that for a period of twelve (12) months following the Date of Termination (the “Non-Solicitation
Period”), he will not, directly or indirectly, use or rely in any way upon any Confidential Information of the Company
or its Subsidiaries to recruit, solicit, or otherwise seek to induce any customer or vendor of the Company or its Subsidiaries
to terminate or diminish their relationship with or violate any agreement with or duty to the Company or its Subsidiaries.


 


8.5             
Agreement Not to Solicit Employees or Other Service Providers. The Executive agrees that during his employment hereunder
and for a period of twelve (12) months following the Date of Termination, he will not, directly or indirectly, (a) recruit, solicit,
or otherwise seek to induce any employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries to terminate their employment or violate any agreement
with or duty to the Company or its Subsidiaries, or (b) recruit, solicit, or otherwise seek to induce any individual providing
services to the Company or its Subsidiaries as an independent contractor, consultant, or through any other relationship to terminate
or diminish their relationships with the Company or its Subsidiaries.


 


9.                 
Enforcement of Covenants. The Executive acknowledges that he has carefully read and considered all the terms and conditions
of this Agreement, including without limitation the restraints imposed upon him pursuant to Sections 7 and 8 hereof. The Executive
agrees that said restraints are necessary for the reasonable and proper protection of the Company and its Affiliates and that each
and every one of the restraints is reasonable in respect to subject matter, length of time and geographic area. The Executive further
acknowledges that, were he to breach any of the covenants or agreements contained in Sections 7 or 8 hereof, the damage to
the Company and its Affiliates could be irreparable. The Executive therefore agrees that the Company shall be entitled to seek
preliminary and permanent injunctive relief against any breach or threatened breach by the Executive of any of said covenants or
agreements. The Company’s Affiliates shall also have the right to enforce all of the Employee’s obligations to such
Affiliates hereunder, including without limitation pursuant to Sections 7 and 8 hereof, and each of such Affiliates shall
otherwise be a third party beneficiary of this Agreement. The parties further agree that in the event that any provision of Section 7
or 8 hereof shall be determined by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable by reason of its being extended over
too great a time, too large a geographic area or too great a range of activities, such provision shall be deemed to be modified
to permit its enforcement to the maximum extent permitted by law.


 


10.             
Conflicting Agreements. The Executive hereby represents and warrants that the execution of this Agreement and the performance
of his obligations hereunder will not breach or be in conflict with any other agreement to which or by which the Executive is a
party or is bound and that the Executive is not now subject to any covenants against competition or solicitation or similar covenants,
a court order or any other obligations that would affect the performance of his obligations hereunder. The Executive will not disclose
to or use on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries any proprietary information of a third party without such party’s
consent.


 


 


 


 






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11.             
Definitions. Words or phrases which are initially capitalized or are within quotation marks shall have the meanings
provided in this Section 11 and as provided elsewhere herein. For purposes of this Agreement, the following definitions apply:


 


11.1         
“Affiliate” shall mean, with respect to any specified Person, (a) any other Person which directly or
indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person
(for the purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,”
“controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, means the possession,
directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through
the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise) and (b) with respect to any natural Person, any member of the
immediate family of such natural Person.


 


11.2         
“Confidential Information” means any and all information of the Company and its Affiliates that is not
generally known by others with whom any of them compete or do business, or with whom any of them plan to compete or do business,
and any and all information the disclosure of which would otherwise be adverse to the interests of the Company or any of its Affiliates.
Confidential Information includes without limitation such information relating to (i) the products and services sold or offered
by the Company or any of its Affiliates, technical data, methods and processes of the Company, (ii) the costs, sources of supply,
financial performance and marketing activities and strategic plans of the Company and its Affiliates, (iii) the identity and special
needs of the customers of the Company and its Affiliates and (iv) the people and organizations with whom the Company and its Affiliates
have business relationships and those relationships. Confidential Information also includes information that the Company or any
of its Affiliates may receive or has received belonging to others with any understanding, express or implied, that it would not
be disclosed. Confidential Information shall not include any information that is, or becomes generally available to the public,
unless such availability occurs as a result of the Executive’s breach of any portion of this Agreement or any other obligation
the Executive owes to the Company.


 


11.3         
“ERISA” means the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or any successor statute, and
the rules and regulations thereunder, and, in the case of any referenced section thereof, any successor section thereto, collectively
and as from time to time amended and in effect.


 


11.4         
“Intellectual Property” means any invention, formula, pattern, compilation, program, device, method,
technique or process (whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright statutes) conceived, made, or first actually reduced
to practice by the Executive (whether alone or jointly with others) during the Executive’s employment by the Company; provided,
however, that Intellectual Property does not include any invention (i) that is developed on the Executive’s own time, without
using the equipment, supplies, facilities or trade secret information of the Company or any of its Affiliates, unless such invention
relates at the time of conception or reduction to practice of the invention (a) to the business of the Company, (b) to the business
of an Affiliate of the Company for whom the Executive has performed services, (c) to the actual or demonstrably anticipated research
or development of the Company or any of its Affiliates, provided that, in the case of an Affiliate of the Company, the Executive
has, or reasonably would be expected to have, knowledge of such research or development as a result of his employment or (d) results
from any work performed by the Executive for the Company or any of the Affiliates; or (ii) that the Executive may otherwise not
be required to assign to the Company under applicable California law.


 


11.5         
“Person” means an individual, a corporation, an association, a partnership, a limited liability company,
an estate, a trust and any other entity or organization, other than the Company or any of its Affiliates.


 


 


 


 






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11.6         
“Subsidiary” means any corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity with respect
to a specified Person (or a Subsidiary thereof) owns a majority of the common stock, partnership interests or other equity interests
or has the power to vote or direct the voting of sufficient securities to elect a majority of the directors.


 


12.             
Withholding. All payments made by the Company under this Agreement shall be reduced by any tax or other amounts required
to be withheld by the Company under applicable law or withheld by the Company at the request of the Executive.


 


13.             
Section 409A.


 


The provisions of this
Agreement are intended to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)
and any final regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (“Section 409A”) and shall be construed in
a manner consistent with the requirements for avoiding taxes or penalties under Section 409A. The Company and Executive agree
to work together in good faith to consider amendments to this Agreement and to take such reasonable actions which are necessary,
appropriate or desirable to avoid imposition of any additional tax or income recognition prior to actual payment to Executive under
Section 409A.


 


To the extent that
Executive will be reimbursed for costs and expenses or in-kind benefits, except as otherwise permitted by Section 409A, (a)
the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, (b) the amount of
expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits, provided during any taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible
for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other taxable year; provided that the foregoing clause (b) shall
not be violated with regard to expenses reimbursed under any arrangement covered by Section 105(b) of the Code solely because
such expenses are subject to a limit related to the period the arrangement is in effect and (c) such payments shall be made on
or before the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which you incurred the expense.


 


A termination of employment
shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts or
benefits upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination constitutes a “Separation from Service”
within the meaning of Section 409A and, for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement references to a “termination,”
“termination of employment” or like terms shall mean Separation from Service.


 


Each installment payable
hereunder shall constitute a separate payment for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b), including Treasury
Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii). Each payment that is made within the terms of the “short-term deferral”
rule set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) is intended to meet the “short-term deferral” rule.
Each other payment is intended to be a payment upon an involuntary termination from service and payable pursuant to Treasury Regulation
Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii), et. seq., to the maximum extent permitted by that regulation, with any amount that is not exempt
from Code Section 409A being subject to Code Section 409A.


 


Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary in this Agreement, if Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A at
the time of Executive’s termination, then only that portion of the severance and benefits payable to Executive pursuant to
this Agreement, if any, and any other severance payments or separation benefits which may be considered deferred compensation under
Section 409A (together, the “Deferred Compensation Separation Benefits”), which (when considered together)
do not exceed the Section 409A Limit (as defined herein) may be made within the first six (6) months following Executive’s
termination of employment in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit. Any portion of the Deferred
Compensation Separation Benefits in excess of the Section 409A Limit otherwise due to Executive on or within the six (6) month
period following Executive’s termination will accrue during such six (6) month period and will become payable in one lump
sum cash payment on the date six (6) months and one (1) day following the date of Executive’s termination of employment.
All subsequent Deferred Compensation Separation Benefits, if any, will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable
to each payment or benefit. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if Executive dies following termination but prior
to the six (6) month anniversary of Executive’s termination date, then any payments delayed in accordance with this paragraph
will be payable in a lump sum as soon as administratively practicable after the date of Executive’s death and all other Deferred
Compensation Separation Benefits will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit.


 


 


 


 






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For purposes of this
Agreement, “Section 409A Limit” will mean a sum equal (x) to the amounts payable prior to March 15 following
the year in which Executive terminations plus (y) the lesser of two (2) times: (i) Executive’s annualized compensation
based upon the annual rate of pay paid to Executive during the Company’s taxable year preceding the Company’s taxable
year of Executive’s termination of employment as determined under Treasury Regulation 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii)(A)(1) and any IRS
guidance issued with respect thereto; or (ii) the maximum amount that may be taken into account under a qualified plan pursuant
to Section 401(a)(17) of the Code for the year in which Executive’s employment is terminated.


If any payment provided to Executive pursuant
to this Agreement is subject to adverse tax consequences under Code Section 409A, then Company shall make such additional
payments to Executive (“409A Gross Up Payments”) as are necessary to provide Executive with enough funds to
pay the additional taxes, interest, and penalties imposed by Code section 409A (collectively, the “409A Tax”),
as well as any additional taxes, including but not limited to additional 409A Tax, attributable to or resulting from the payment
of the 409A Gross Up payments, with the end result that Executive shall be in the same position with respect to his tax liability
as he would have been in if no 409A Tax had ever been imposed; provided, however, that the Company’s obligation to make payments
under this Section 15 shall be limited to an amount equal to three times the 409A Tax (not including for this purpose 409A
Tax attributable to the payment of any portion of the 409A Gross Up Payment). The Company shall make any payments required by this
paragraph no later than the last day of Executive’s taxable year next following the Executive’s taxable year in which
the 409A Tax is remitted to the taxing authority.


 


14.             
Miscellaneous.


 


14.1         
Assignment. Neither the Company nor the Executive may make any assignment of this Agreement or any interest herein,
by operation of law or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the other; provided, however, that the Company may assign
its rights and obligations under this Agreement without the consent of the Executive (a) in the event that the Company shall hereafter
affect a reorganization, consolidate with, or merge into, one of its Affiliates or any other Person or transfer all or substantially
all of its properties or assets to one of its Affiliates or any other Person, in which event such Affiliate or Person shall be
deemed the “Company” for all purposes of this Agreement, or (b) to any senior lender to the Company or any Subsidiary
thereof as collateral security. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and the Executive,
and their respective successors, executors, administrators, heirs and permitted assigns.


 


14.2         
Severability. If any portion or provision of this Agreement shall to any extent be declared illegal or unenforceable
by a court of competent jurisdiction, then the application of such provision in such circumstances shall be deemed modified to
permit its enforcement to the maximum extent permitted by law, and both the application of such portion or provision in circumstances
other than those as to which it is so declared illegal or unenforceable and the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected
thereby, and each portion and provision of this Agreement shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.


 


14.3         
Waiver; Amendment. No waiver of any provision hereof shall be effective unless made in writing and signed by the
waiving party. The failure of either party to require the performance of any term or obligation of this Agreement, or the waiver
by either party of any breach of this Agreement, shall not prevent any subsequent enforcement of such term or obligation or be
deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument signed by the
Executive and any expressly authorized representative of the Company.


 


14.4         
Notices. Any and all notices, requests, demands and other communications provided for by this Agreement shall be
in writing and shall be effective when delivered in person or deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, registered
or certified, and addressed (a) in the case of the Executive, to his last address on record with the Company, or (b) in the
case of the Company, at its principal place of business and to the attention of the Board; or to such other address as either party
may specify by notice to the other actually received.


 


 


 


 






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14.5         
Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including the exhibits hereto, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties
and supersedes all prior communications, agreements and understandings, written or oral, with the Company or any of its Affiliates,
with respect to the terms and conditions of the Executive’s employment, including the Original Agreement. For the avoidance
of doubt, the parties acknowledge that this Agreement supersedes and replaces the Original Agreement in its entirety. In entering
into this Agreement, Executive expressly represents, acknowledges and agrees that Executive has received all salary, bonuses, benefits,
payments, and other compensation for all services provided by the Company through the Effective Date and, as of the Effective Date,
Employee has no further or future rights to any payments or benefits pursuant to the Original Agreement.


 


14.6         
Headings. The headings and captions in this Agreement are for convenience only and in no way define or describe the
scope or content of any provision of this Agreement.


 


14.7         
Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original and
all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.


 


14.8         
Governing Law. This Agreement, with the exception of Section 8, shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the domestic substantive laws of The State of California without giving effect to any choice or conflict of laws provision
or rule that would cause the application of the domestic substantive laws of any other jurisdiction.


 


IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
this Agreement has been executed by the Company, by its duly authorized representative, and by the Executive, as of the date first
above written.


 





	 	THE COMPANY:
	 	 
	 	GENIUS BRAND INTERNATIONAL, INC.
	 	 
	 	By: /s/ Andy Heyward                            
	 	Name: Andy Heyward
	 	Title: CEO
	 	 
	 	THE EXECUTIVE:
	 	 
	 	/s/ Robert L. Denton                         
	 	Robert L. Denton
	 	 
	 	 
	 	 



 


 


 


 


 






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