Introduction
Andrew A. "Andy" Heyward (born February 19, 1949) is the former Chairman and CEO of DIC Entertainment (now part of DHX Media), an animation production company. He is currently CEO of Genius Brands International.
Early life
Heyward was born in New York City, New York, the son of Sylvia (née Block) and Louis M. "Deke" Heyward, who was Vice President of Development at leading Entertainment companies such as Four Star International, and Barry & Enright Productions, as well as Senior Vice President for leading cartoon company, Hanna-Barbera.
Professional life
Andy Heyward's upbringing was robust with access to the entertainment elite, including his first start as an assistant for legendary animator Joe Barbera of Hanna-Barbera on Yogi's All-Star Laff Olympics. In 1986, Heyward and other investors bought the DIC Enterprises from the Bertelsmann-owned RTL Group. Heyward's most successful years, while he was in charge of DIC, were prior to his Father's passing. Heyward eventually sold a majority interest in DIC to Capital Cities/ABC in 1993. In 2000 with two venture capital firms, Heyward re-purchased DIC Enterprises. On June 20, 2008, Heyward announced that he was selling DIC Entertainment to Cookie Jar Group.
In 2009, he founded A Squared Entertainment (A2) with his wife, Amy. In 2013 the company merged with Genius Brands to form Genius Brands International, with Heyward serving as CEO.