EzyDVD, founded in Adelaide, Australia in 1999 by Jim Zavos, is Australia's largest online specialist DVD retailer. In January 2009, EzyDVD was purchased by the Franchise Entertainment Group after the company entered voluntary receivership. In October 2010, Élan Media Partners acquired the rights to operate EzyDVD from the Franchise Entertainment Group.
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 independent 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. On 27 February 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 the Adelaide Crows Football Club, was given a seat on the board. In December 2008, EzyDVD entered into voluntary receivership due to trading losses. In January 2009, EzyDVD was purchased by the Franchise Entertainment Group who took on the brand name, franchise network, online business, stock, plant and equipment and the company-owned stores. In October 2010, Élan Media Partners acquired the rights to operate EzyDVD from the Franchise Entertainment Group.
EzyDVD website
The EzyDVD Website 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, Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray Disc, and boasts reputedly the largest forthcoming release list of any online retailer. The site features new release information, a separate Ultra HD Blu-ray section, individual category pages, advance future release notification functionality, numerous specials, exclusive offers, and regular "Beat the Bomb" time-limited specials.
EzyGames
In 2007 EzyDVD started and launched its new online store, EzyGames. The site specialised in console games including Sony PlayStationPSP, PS2 & PS3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS and PC games. They also sold PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo consoles 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. The EzyGames site was closed in 2009 and today customers are able to purchase PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, PSP, Nintendo DS, 3DS, Wii, Wii U and PC games from the EzyDVD site itself.
