Ezydvd
Encyclopedia
EzyDVD, founded in Adelaide, Australia in 1999 by Jim Zavos, is Australia
's largest online and off-line specialist DVD
retailer. As of 2007 EzyDVD had 59 retail stores across Australia, around half being franchise
stores. The main headquarters and online distribution warehouse for the chain was located in Adelaide
, South Australia
until 2009 when the headquarters was moved to Sydney and the warehouse facility to Queensland.
In December 2008, EzyDVD entered into voluntary receivership due to unsustainable debt and trading losses.
In January 2009, EzyDVD was purchased by the Franchise Entertainment Group (FEG) in a deal believed to be worth around $10 million.
In 2005 Brazin Limited, at the time a company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, acquired 50% of EzyDVD. During 2006 Brazin's majority shareholder Brett Blundy purchased all outstanding shares in Brazin and folded Brazin into his private company BB Retail Capital. An indepent expert's report prepared by Deloitte and dated 1 December 2006 valued Brazin's 50% share of EzyDVD at between A$1.4M and A$1.9M, indicating that the value of 100% of EzyDVD at that time was in the range A$2.8M to A$3.6M.
The current health of the relationship between Mr Zavos and Mr Blundy is unclear. However, on 27 Feb 2007 a change in the owners' shareholdings of EzyDVD was registered, suggesting that Mr Zavos may have resumed full control of EzyDVD.
On 12 July 2007 the entrepreneurs' website smartcompany.com.au published an extensive interview with Mr Zavos. This interview highlighted Mr Zavos' plans for a very substantial expansion of the 'bricks and mortar' outlets commencing in 2007. The expansion will be delivered by converting existing independent video rental stores into franchised EzyDVD stores. These stores will combine both rental and DVD sales sections and be decked out in EzyDVD livery. No mention was made of Brazin, BB Retail Capital or Mr Blundy in the smartcompany article, suggesting that Mr Zavos is now very much in the driver's seat at EzyDVD.
In late September 2007, EzyDVD acquired a stake in ASX
listed video on demand
company ReelTime Media Ltd
In March 2008, EzyDVD announced it had appointed a new CEO, Mr Barry Taylor. Mr Zavos would remain involved in the business in a business development capacity. In July 2008, it was announced Mr Barry Taylor had resigned and that a new CEO, Mr Stefan Moro, had been appointed.
Also in 2008 an advisory board was formed by Mr Zavos. Mr Steven Trigg, CEO of Adelaide Crows Football Club was given a seat on the board.
In December 2008, EzyDVD entered into voluntary receivership due to unsustainable debt and trading losses.
In January 2009, EzyDVD was purchased by the Franchise Entertainment Group (FEG) who took on the brand name, franchise network, online business, stock, plant and equipment and the company-owned stores.
The EzyDVD Website (see external links) claims to be Australia's largest online DVD store, as well as purportedly being recognised as Australia's #1 DVD destination. It has a large library of all genres of DVD and Blu-ray Disc
, and boasts reputedly the largest forthcoming release list of any online retailer. The website's logo often changes according to a particular holiday or event (this originated on the Google
website), such as in the example on the right for Easter
. The site features new release information, a separate Blu-ray section, individual category pages, advance future release notification functionality, numerous specials, exclusive offers (including the company's exclusive Collector's Tin packaging), and regular "Beat the Bomb" time-limited specials.
).
.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
's largest online and off-line specialist DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
retailer. As of 2007 EzyDVD had 59 retail stores across Australia, around half being franchise
Franchising
Franchising is the practice of using another firm's successful business model. The word 'franchise' is of anglo-French derivation - from franc- meaning free, and is used both as a noun and as a verb....
stores. The main headquarters and online distribution warehouse for the chain was located in Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
, South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
until 2009 when the headquarters was moved to Sydney and the warehouse facility to Queensland.
In December 2008, EzyDVD entered into voluntary receivership due to unsustainable debt and trading losses.
In January 2009, EzyDVD was purchased by the Franchise Entertainment Group (FEG) in a deal believed to be worth around $10 million.
Business History
Founded in March 1999 by Jim Zavos, EzyDVD quickly grew to encompass over 70 retail stores around Australia with the main headquarters and online distribution warehouse located in Adelaide, South Australia.In 2005 Brazin Limited, at the time a company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, acquired 50% of EzyDVD. During 2006 Brazin's majority shareholder Brett Blundy purchased all outstanding shares in Brazin and folded Brazin into his private company BB Retail Capital. An indepent expert's report prepared by Deloitte and dated 1 December 2006 valued Brazin's 50% share of EzyDVD at between A$1.4M and A$1.9M, indicating that the value of 100% of EzyDVD at that time was in the range A$2.8M to A$3.6M.
The current health of the relationship between Mr Zavos and Mr Blundy is unclear. However, on 27 Feb 2007 a change in the owners' shareholdings of EzyDVD was registered, suggesting that Mr Zavos may have resumed full control of EzyDVD.
On 12 July 2007 the entrepreneurs' website smartcompany.com.au published an extensive interview with Mr Zavos. This interview highlighted Mr Zavos' plans for a very substantial expansion of the 'bricks and mortar' outlets commencing in 2007. The expansion will be delivered by converting existing independent video rental stores into franchised EzyDVD stores. These stores will combine both rental and DVD sales sections and be decked out in EzyDVD livery. No mention was made of Brazin, BB Retail Capital or Mr Blundy in the smartcompany article, suggesting that Mr Zavos is now very much in the driver's seat at EzyDVD.
In late September 2007, EzyDVD acquired a stake in ASX
ASX
ASX may refer to:* Australian Securities Exchange, the primary stock exchange of Australia* Advanced Stream Redirector, a computer file format listing Windows Media files * Armstrong Siddeley ASX, a British experimental turbojet* John F...
listed video on demand
Video on demand
Video on Demand or Audio and Video On Demand are systems which allow users to select and watch/listen to video or audio content on demand...
company ReelTime Media Ltd
Reeltime.tv
ReelTime Media Ltd or ReelTime.tv was an Internet-based video on demand and electronic sell-through provider located in Melbourne, Australia...
In March 2008, EzyDVD announced it had appointed a new CEO, Mr Barry Taylor. Mr Zavos would remain involved in the business in a business development capacity. In July 2008, it was announced Mr Barry Taylor had resigned and that a new CEO, Mr Stefan Moro, had been appointed.
Also in 2008 an advisory board was formed by Mr Zavos. Mr Steven Trigg, CEO of Adelaide Crows Football Club was given a seat on the board.
In December 2008, EzyDVD entered into voluntary receivership due to unsustainable debt and trading losses.
In January 2009, EzyDVD was purchased by the Franchise Entertainment Group (FEG) who took on the brand name, franchise network, online business, stock, plant and equipment and the company-owned stores.
Franchised Stores
EzyDVD, as stated on its website, has now franchised many of its stores to the public for sale. Some stores have done well being franchised but it has come apparent that most franchised stores are not making the sales they expected, and so some of these stores have now been closed due to trading losses. The bricks and mortor stores of Ezydvd are now few and far between with only 8 listed on the Ezydvd website and of these a number also pending closing their doors. FEG seems to be focusing their attention towards their online presence and is allowing the stores to close with little involvement.EzyDVD Website
Blu-ray Disc
Blu-ray Disc is an optical disc storage medium designed to supersede the DVD format. The plastic disc is 120 mm in diameter and 1.2 mm thick, the same size as DVDs and CDs. Blu-ray Discs contain 25 GB per layer, with dual layer discs being the norm for feature-length video discs...
, and boasts reputedly the largest forthcoming release list of any online retailer. The website's logo often changes according to a particular holiday or event (this originated on the Google
Google
Google Inc. is an American multinational public corporation invested in Internet search, cloud computing, and advertising technologies. Google hosts and develops a number of Internet-based services and products, and generates profit primarily from advertising through its AdWords program...
website), such as in the example on the right for Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
. The site features new release information, a separate Blu-ray section, individual category pages, advance future release notification functionality, numerous specials, exclusive offers (including the company's exclusive Collector's Tin packaging), and regular "Beat the Bomb" time-limited specials.
EzyGames
In 2007 EzyDVD started and launched its new online store, EzyGames. The site specialized in console games including Sony PlayStation PSP, PS2 & PS3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS and PC games. They also sold PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo consoles or hardware and accessories. The site was owned and operated by EzyDVD and was compatible with EzyDVD in that user accounts were the same for both sites. Following the company's purchase by FEG, the future of EzyGames is suspected for it to be merged into the EzyDVD.com.au website. This is hinted in the "coming soon" section allows for the filtering of formats to Blu-ray, etc., but now shows PSP, DS, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii and PC.EzyDVD
The original retail stores were typically in locations such as shopping centres (e.g.: Westfield ChatswoodWestfield Chatswood
Westfield Chatswood is a large shopping centre in the suburb of Chatswood in the North Shore area of Sydney. It is owned and managed by The Westfield Group. It originally opened in 1987 and was redeveloped in 1999 to incorporate a previously free standing Grace Bros store...
).
Ultimate
EzyDVD Ultimate outlets are larger stores that have more room for more specialist movies, such as those of the Arthouse or Foreign genre and new technology, including Blu-ray DiscBlu-ray Disc
Blu-ray Disc is an optical disc storage medium designed to supersede the DVD format. The plastic disc is 120 mm in diameter and 1.2 mm thick, the same size as DVDs and CDs. Blu-ray Discs contain 25 GB per layer, with dual layer discs being the norm for feature-length video discs...
.
Competitors
- JB Hi Fi
- SanitySanity (music store)Sanity is an Australian chain of music and entertainment stores, owned by Ray Itaoui, CEO. Sanity has over 155 outlets in Australia. The brand specialises in the sale of CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray video games and related merchandise and accessories.-History:...
- Virgin Megastores
- Blockbuster
- Video EzyVideo EzyVideo Ezy is Australia's largest video and DVD rental chain with over 550 stores within Australia as well as over 140 stores in New Zealand and 200 throughout South-East Asia. It was founded in 1983.- Competition :...
External links
- Official Website: EzyDVD
- Official Website: EzyGames
- "ezyDVD vs Online Trend" in-business.com, Issue No. 12 - September/October 2003