PLANTATION, Fla., Jan. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation (NASDAQ: AENT), the world’s largest distributor of vinyl records and a leading curator of physical entertainment products and collectibles, today announced the appointment of Jeffrey Smith as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Alliance Authentic™, the company’s newly launched premium platform for authenticated, numbered, investment-grade vinyl collectibles. Smith joins Alliance Authentic following a ...

Core Viewpoint - Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation has appointed Jeffrey Smith as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for its newly launched premium platform, Alliance Authentic, which focuses on authenticated, investment-grade vinyl collectibles [1][8]. Company Overview - Alliance Entertainment is the largest distributor of vinyl records and a key player in the physical entertainment products and collectibles market [1][10]. - The company offers over 340,000 unique in-stock SKUs, including more than 57,300 exclusive titles across various media formats, serving over 35,000 retail locations [10]. Leadership Appointment - Jeffrey Smith joins Alliance Authentic after a successful tenure at Discogs, where he significantly enhanced the platform's marketing and revenue growth [2][4]. - Smith's experience includes founding a marketing agency and leading marketing strategies for major and independent record labels [5]. Strategic Goals for Alliance Authentic - As Senior Vice President, Smith will develop and execute a global growth strategy for Alliance Authentic, focusing on direct-to-consumer sales, peer-to-peer marketplace, and retail partnerships [6]. - The platform aims to create a credible marketplace for authenticated vinyl collectibles, emphasizing authenticity and trust [7][8]. Market Positioning - Alliance Authentic is positioned as a premium collectible platform dedicated to preserving entertainment history through certified and individually numbered collectibles sourced directly from music labels and studios [9].

PLANTATION, Fla., Jan. 06, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation (NASDAQ: AENT), the world’s largest distributor of vinyl records and a leading curator of physical entertainment products and collectibles, today announced the official launch of Alliance Authentic™, a new premium platform built to create authentic, certified, investment-grade vinyl collectibles and a trusted marketplace where collectors can buy, sell, and trade them globally. Alliance Authentic allows fans and co ...

Alliance Entertainment Conference Call Summary Company Overview - **Company**: Alliance Entertainment (NasdaqCM:AENT) - **Industry**: Entertainment product distribution, including movies, music, video games, toys, and collectibles - **Key Operations**: Distribution center in Shepherdsville, Kentucky, with over 325,000 SKUs and approximately 871,000 sq ft of warehouse space, generating over $1 billion in revenue annually [4][5] Financial Performance - **Record Quarter**: The company reported a record-breaking quarter, with significant growth across all categories [2] - **Revenue**: Consistent revenue around $1.1 billion for the trailing 12 months [7] - **Earnings Per Share (EPS)**: Increased from $0.09 in fiscal year 2024 to $0.30 in fiscal year 2025, with a trailing 12-month EPS of $0.38 [8] - **Adjusted EBITDA**: Grew significantly, with a margin increase from 11.2% to 14.6% year-over-year, driven by higher gross profit from new product lines [37] Strategic Initiatives - **HubSpot Implementation**: Transitioning to HubSpot to enhance revenue and sales efficiency without increasing headcount [3] - **New Partnerships**: Added Virgin Music Group and secured exclusive agreements with Paramount Pictures and MGM (Amazon) for home entertainment distribution [14][15] - **Collectibles Growth**: Focus on collectibles, particularly vinyl, with plans to enhance offerings through the Alliance Authentic platform [10][42] Market Position and Competitive Landscape - **Key Competitors**: Competed against Warner Home Video and Studio Distribution Services for the MGM contract [34] - **Market Strategy**: Positioned as a leading distributor in the collectibles value chain, with a focus on exclusive distribution and licensing agreements [10][13] Operational Highlights - **Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Sales**: DTC now contributes approximately 37% of net revenue, with plans to maintain similar margins as B2B sales [39] - **Inventory Management**: Anticipated inventory increase ahead of the holiday season, with a historical turnover rate of seven times per year [53] - **Debt Management**: Focus on reducing debt while pursuing acquisitions, leveraging a low-cost line of credit [54][55] Future Outlook - **Growth Projections**: Aiming for Handmade by Robots to reach $100 million in revenue over the next three years, contributing an estimated $40 million to EBITDA [47] - **Licensing Expansion**: Anticipated additional revenue from new licensing agreements, including a projected $40 million from the Amazon MGM deal [49] - **Technological Advancements**: Introduction of Nstate technology for product authentication to combat counterfeiting, enhancing product value and consumer trust [21][26] Additional Insights - **Employee Ownership**: High insider ownership at approximately 78%, fostering a vested interest in company performance [26] - **Board Composition**: Strong board with independent directors to ensure governance and oversight [29] This summary encapsulates the key points from the Alliance Entertainment conference call, highlighting the company's performance, strategic initiatives, market position, and future outlook.

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue grew 11% year over year to $254 million, driven by strong demand across physical media, collectibles, and direct-to-consumer channels [5][13] - Adjusted EBITDA increased to $12.2 million from $3.4 million a year ago, a 259% improvement, with a margin of 4.8% [5][14] - Gross margin expanded 340 basis points to 14.6%, up from 11.2% in the prior year [5][14] - Net income rose to $4.9 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, compared to $0.4 million or $0.01 per share in the prior year [14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Handmade by Robots brand continues to scale rapidly, contributing to the collectibles strategy [6] - The collectibles segment is seeing exceptional sell-through and expanded retail placement [5] - Direct-to-consumer sales now contribute 37% of total net revenue, highlighting the growth in this channel [17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a 59% year-over-year increase in physical movie sales in the first quarter, largely attributed to the Paramount licensing agreement [23] - Vinyl sales are experiencing strong demand, driven by new releases and reissues from popular artists [44] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on expanding its exclusive content base and creating long-term value for shareholders [7] - Strategic M&A priorities remain active, with a focus on opportunities that extend licensing relationships and enhance e-commerce capabilities [25] - The company is advancing its AI-powered sales transformation to improve efficiency and lead prioritization [6][57] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in sustaining strong margin performance, citing operational investments and a dedicated team [66] - The company is optimistic about the holiday season, anticipating strong consumer demand across various product categories [59] Other Important Information - The company ended the quarter with $3.2 million in cash, inventory of $121.7 million, and debt of $66 million, reflecting improved financial flexibility [9] - A new five-year, $120 million senior secured revolving credit facility was established, reducing borrowing costs and enhancing liquidity [9] Q&A Session Summary Question: Could physical media outperform this holiday season? - Management noted strong sales across entertainment categories, with collectors excited about their collections [29] Question: How did Taylor Swift's album perform compared to her last? - Management indicated that while they fulfilled a lot for the album, it was not booked in the reported quarter, but overall demand for vinyl remains strong [30][31] Question: What are the thoughts on exclusive deals with other studios? - Management is actively pursuing new opportunities with various studios to maximize physical media sales [35] Question: Will Handmade by Robots have a significant impact in the near term? - Management expects Handmade by Robots to ramp up but does not anticipate a major financial impact until fiscal 2027 or 2028 [42] Question: What factors are driving vinyl sales? - Continuous consumer demand and new releases from popular artists are contributing to strong vinyl sales [44] Question: How significant is the Paramount licensing agreement? - The Paramount agreement has been a key driver of growth, with strong sales in collectible formats like Steelbook [48]

Financial Performance Highlights - Alliance Entertainment's EBITDA soared to $122 million in Q1 FY26, a 259% year-over-year increase from $34 million[11] - Net income increased significantly from $04 million to $49 million[41, 137] - Adjusted EBITDA increased from $34 million to $122 million, a 258% increase year-over-year[43, 134] - Gross Margin increased by 340 basis points to 146%[133] Revenue and Sales - Alliance Entertainment drives over $1 billion in annual revenue across diverse categories[22] - Revenue for the twelve months ended September 30, 2025, was $1088 million[25] - Q1 FY26 revenue increased to $254 million from $229 million in Q1 FY25[32] - Direct-to-consumer (DTC) contributes 37% of Alliance Entertainment's net revenue[58] Balance Sheet - Inventory rose from $1028 million to $1217 million, reflecting holiday build[30, 135] - The Revolving Credit Facility, Net balance improved from $88 million to $56 million year-over-year[135] Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships - Alliance Entertainment has signed an exclusive multi-year Home Video and Digital Rights License Agreement with The Horror Section Inc[11] - Alliance Entertainment is the Category Advisor for Walmart's video category[63] - Exclusive distribution and licensing agreements drive annual sales exceeding $365 million[68]

Core Insights - Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation reported a strong financial performance for the fiscal first quarter ended September 30, 2025, with net revenues increasing by 11% year-over-year to $254 million, driven by growth in physical media and collectibles [1][2][12] - The company achieved a significant increase in adjusted EBITDA, which rose 259% to $12.2 million, reflecting improved profitability and operational efficiency [1][2][17] - The integration of AI tools is yielding early productivity gains, enhancing sales enablement and operational workflows as the company prepares for the holiday season [2][6][11] Financial Performance - Net income for the quarter was $4.9 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, compared to $0.4 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, in the same period last year [2][17] - Gross profit increased by 46% to $37.2 million, with gross margin expanding by 340 basis points to 14.6% [2][12] - Adjusted EBITDA margin improved by 330 basis points to 4.8%, indicating effective cost management and a shift towards higher-margin content [2][8] Revenue Breakdown - Physical media sales surged by 59% year-over-year to $84 million, bolstered by an exclusive distribution agreement with Paramount Pictures and strong demand for premium formats [2][5] - Vinyl sales increased by 8% to $75.8 million, reflecting ongoing consumer interest in collector-grade releases [2][5] - Collectibles revenue grew by 32% to $6.4 million, driven by the success of the Handmade by Robots™ brand and exclusive licensed merchandise [2][5] Operational Efficiency - Distribution and fulfillment expenses remained stable at 3.9% of net revenue, showcasing operational efficiency through warehouse automation [2][8] - Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses slightly increased to 5.9% of net revenue, reflecting targeted investments in technology and infrastructure [2][8] Balance Sheet and Liquidity - The company ended the quarter with $3.2 million in cash and $53.2 million in working capital, indicating strong liquidity management [2][10] - Inventory rose to $121.7 million to support holiday demand, while accounts payable totaled $173.8 million [2][10] - Interest expense decreased by 17% year-over-year, attributed to a lower average revolver balance and improved rates [2][10] Strategic Outlook - The company is focused on sustaining profitability and cash generation while scaling AI adoption to enhance productivity across various functions [11] - Alliance Entertainment is well-positioned to capture market share in growth categories and deliver long-term value for shareholders through disciplined execution and exclusive content partnerships [7][11]

Core Insights - Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation is a leading distributor and omnichannel fulfillment partner in the entertainment and pop culture collectibles industry, offering over 340,000 unique SKUs to more than 35,000 retail and e-commerce storefronts [1][3]. Company Overview - Alliance Entertainment (NASDAQ: AENT) specializes in distributing physical media, including over 57,300 exclusive titles across various formats such as compact discs, vinyl LPs, DVDs, Blu-rays, and video games [3]. - The company also provides a wide range of licensed merchandise, toys, retro gaming products, and collectibles, enhancing its position in the market [3]. - Alliance's collectibles portfolio features products like Handmade by Robots™, which includes stylized vinyl figures of licensed characters from popular entertainment franchises [3]. - The company leverages its operational expertise, exclusive licensing partnerships, and scalable infrastructure to serve top entertainment brands and retailers [3]. Upcoming Events - Alliance Entertainment will participate in The ThinkEquity Conference on October 30, 2025, at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York, where CEO Jeff Walker will present at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time [2]. - Management will also conduct one-on-one investor meetings throughout the day, providing opportunities for interested investors to engage directly [2].

Core Insights - Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation successfully launched Taylor Swift's album "The Life of a Showgirl," shipping over 330,000 units across vinyl and CD formats to various retail and e-commerce channels [1][5] Company Performance - The Consumer Direct Fulfillment (CDF) program was a standout feature, with nearly 70% of shipments delivered directly to consumers, most processed within a 48-hour window before the release date [2] - The company demonstrated its capability in omnichannel distribution, ensuring timely deliveries while adhering to high-security protocols [2][5] Operational Excellence - Alliance's infrastructure allowed for quick and secure scaling across all sales channels, showcasing the effectiveness of its end-to-end logistics during the album release [3] - The company implemented enhanced security measures at its distribution center to prevent leaks and ensure the integrity of the release [3][4] - The strategic warehouse location in Shepherdsville, KY, and the commitment of nearly 700 employee owners contributed to the efficient execution of the launch [4] Industry Position - Alliance Entertainment is recognized as a reliable distributor in the entertainment and pop culture collectibles industry, trusted by top-tier partners for executing complex, high-volume releases [5][6] - The company offers the largest selection of physical media in the market, with over 340,000 unique SKUs, including exclusive titles across various formats [6]

Core Insights - Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation (AENT) is a leading distributor and omnichannel fulfillment partner in the entertainment and pop culture collectibles industry, offering over 340,000 unique SKUs to more than 35,000 retail and e-commerce storefronts [1][3] Company Overview - Alliance Entertainment provides a vast selection of physical media, including over 57,300 exclusive titles across various formats such as compact discs, vinyl LPs, DVDs, Blu-rays, and video games [3] - The company also offers licensed merchandise, toys, retro gaming products, and collectibles, enhancing its position in the collectibles market [3] - Alliance's collectibles portfolio includes the Handmade by Robots™ line, featuring stylized vinyl figures of licensed characters from popular entertainment franchises [3] - The company leverages operational expertise, exclusive licensing partnerships, and a scalable infrastructure to serve top entertainment brands and retailers [3] Upcoming Events - Bruce Ogilvie, Executive Chairman, and Jeff Walker, CEO of Alliance Entertainment, will present at Noble Capital Markets' Emerging Growth Virtual Equity Conference on October 8, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time [1] - The presentation will include a fireside style Q&A session and scheduled 1x1 meetings for registered, qualified investors [1][2]