---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001683168-22-004724"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "TOON"
cik: "0001355848"
company_name: "Kartoon Studios, Inc."
filed_at: "2022-06-30T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-24T21:56:20.001020+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.4
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.4
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Genius Brands appoints Michael Hirsh and Stefan Piëch to Board of Directors

## Summary
- Board size increased to nine; Michael Hirsh (CEO Mainframe Studios) and Stefan Piëch (CEO Your Family Entertainment AG) appointed effective June 23, 2022.
- Hirsh granted options for 500,000 shares at $0.78 exercise price and 500,000 RSUs, both vesting over three years.
- Piëch had prior consulting role, receiving 300,000 RSUs in Dec 2021 and $12,500 monthly stipend; now entitled to standard non-employee director compensation.
- Piëch sold 3M YFE shares to Genius Brands in Dec 2021; Genius Brands later increased YFE ownership to 48.2%.
- No arrangements or family relationships with other directors; no disclosure required under Item 404(a) except as noted.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001683168-22-004724
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: TOON
- cik: 0001355848
- company_name: Kartoon Studios, Inc.
- filed_at: 2022-06-30T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.4
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.4
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1355848/000168316822004724/0001683168-22-004724-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1355848/000168316822004724/genius_8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001683168-22-004724
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001683168-22-004724.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001683168-22-004724.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Stefan Piëch was appointed as Director at Kartoon Studios, Inc..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Director
  source text: On June 23, 2022, the board of directors (the “Board”) of Genius Brands International, Inc. (the “Company”) increased the size of the Board to nine members and appointed Michael Hirsh and Stefan Piëch to serve as members of the Board, effective immediately.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1355848/000168316822004724/0001683168-22-004724-index.htm
- Executive change
  Michael Hirsh was appointed as Director at Kartoon Studios, Inc..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Director
  source text: On June 23, 2022, the board of directors (the “Board”) of Genius Brands International, Inc. (the “Company”) increased the size of the Board to nine members and appointed Michael Hirsh and Stefan Piëch to serve as members of the Board, effective immediately.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1355848/000168316822004724/0001683168-22-004724-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.