Adjusted EBITDA up 15% to $18.5M; Gross Margin expands 210 basis points to 12.8% Net Income increased to $9.4M, or $0.18 per share, compared to $7.1M, or $0.14 per share, in Q2 FY25 Strengthened balance sheet, ending quarter with $74.1M in working capital PLANTATION, Fla., Feb. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation (Nasdaq: AENT), a premier distributor, logistics provider, and omnichannel fulfillment partner to the entertainment and pop culture collectibles industry, supply ...

Core Insights - 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]. Leadership Appointment - Jeffrey Smith joins Alliance Authentic after a successful tenure at Discogs, where he significantly transformed the platform into a performance-driven commerce engine, enhancing revenue and global engagement [2][4]. - Smith is recognized as a respected leader in the vinyl ecosystem, with expertise in understanding collectors and building high-performance commerce platforms [3][4]. Strategic Goals for Alliance Authentic - As Senior Vice President, Smith will be responsible for executing a global growth strategy for Alliance Authentic, which includes direct-to-consumer sales, peer-to-peer marketplace, retail partnerships, and future category expansions [6][8]. - The platform aims to create a credible framework for owning records that hold personal and cultural significance, enhancing the overall experience of music collectors [7]. Company Overview - Alliance Authentic is dedicated to preserving entertainment history through authentic, certified, and individually numbered collectibles sourced directly from music labels and studios [9]. - Alliance Entertainment is a leading distributor in the collectibles industry, offering a vast selection of physical media and serving over 35,000 retail locations [10].

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].

Core Viewpoint - Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation has launched Alliance Authentic™, a premium platform for creating authentic, certified, investment-grade vinyl collectibles and a global marketplace for collectors to buy, sell, and trade these items [1][3]. Group 1: Product Offering - Alliance Authentic introduces The Ultimate Vinyl Collectible™, which consists of uncirculated vinyl records that are authenticated at the source, released as limited editions, digitally verified, and individually numbered [3][6]. - Each collectible is permanently encapsulated to preserve its condition and presentation, protecting it from handling and environmental exposure [13]. - The platform features premium presentation packaging, including gold-designated 1 editions, enhancing the ownership experience [14]. Group 2: Authenticity and Trust - The foundation of Alliance Authentic is built on authenticity and scarcity, ensuring that every collectible is sourced directly from music labels and authorized distributors [4][8]. - Each record is certified as uncirculated, meaning it has never been handled or played before encapsulation, which guarantees verified authenticity [9]. - The platform includes an embedded digital NFC chip that allows collectors to verify the authenticity and ownership history of their collectibles [15][16]. Group 3: Marketplace and Ecosystem - Alliance Authentic is designed as a complete collectible ecosystem, combining authenticated sourcing, preservation, individual numbering, and a peer-to-peer resale marketplace [7][17]. - The marketplace enables secure transactions, allowing collectors to buy, sell, and trade certified authentic vinyl directly on AllianceAuthentic.com [17]. - The platform aims to create a recurring, high-margin marketplace model through transaction commissions on secondary sales, aligning with leading collectible platforms [20]. Group 4: Strategic Fit - Alliance Authentic leverages Alliance Entertainment's extensive experience in vinyl distribution and relationships with music labels and distributors, providing unmatched sourcing credibility [19]. - The platform is expected to expand consumer access to collectibles through authorized retailers, enhancing its market presence [22].