EzyDVD

EzyDVD is an Australian specialist home video retailer offering DVD, Blu-ray, and Ultra HD Blu-ray discs for purchase. At its peak in the mid-2000s the company had over 70 retail stores around Australia, but is now exclusively an online retailer.

EzyDVD
TypePublic
IndustryRetail
Founded1999
Area served
Australia
Key people
Jim Zavos (founder)
ProductsDVD, Blu-ray, Ultra HD Blu-ray discs
ParentÉlan Media Partners
Websiteezydvd.com.au

History

EzyDVD was founded in March 1999 by Jim Zavos in Adelaide, South Australia. In the following years EzyDVD quickly grew to encompass over 70 retail stores around Australia with the main headquarters and online distribution warehouse located in Adelaide.

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 experts' 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 was to be delivered by converting existing independent video rental stores into franchised EzyDVD stores. These stores would have combined 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. However, by December 2008, EzyDVD entered into voluntary receivership due to trading losses.[1]

In January 2009, EzyDVD was purchased by the Franchise Entertainment Group (FEG), the parent company of Video Ezy and Blockbuster Australia, who took on the brand name, online business, stock, plant and equipment, as well as the 11 remaining company-owned stores and extended franchise network of 25 stores.[2][3] FEG intended to use the acquisition to expand their retail presence into major malls and shopping centres. Soon after however, EzyDVD's head office, warehouse and distribution facility in Torrensville closed, and by October 2013 only 3 branded stores remained in Launceston, Browns Plains and Elizabeth, with most of its sales now generated from its website.

In October 2010, Élan Media Partners, a company related to FEG, acquired the rights to operate EzyDVD's website and online business from the Franchise Entertainment Group.[4]

Business

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.[5] It has a large library of all genres of DVD, Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray Discs, 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 (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 specialised in video games including Sony PlayStation, PSP, PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS and PC games. They also sold PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo consoles and accessories. EzyDVD customers could use the same user account for both sites.

The EzyGames site was closed in 2009 and video games became available to purchase from the EzyDVD site itself. However as of February 2021 video games are no longer available for customers to buy on the EzyDVD website.

References
  1. "Tough times take toll on EzyDVD". The Australian. Retrieved 24 December 2008.
  2. "EzyDVD saved by Franchise Entertainment Group". Franchising. Archived from the original on 10 February 2009. Retrieved 23 January 2009.
  3. "EzyDVD bought from receivers by Franchise Entertainment Group". smartcompany. Retrieved 23 January 2009.
  4. "New name, new business opportunities as Stomp becomes Élan Media Partners" (PDF). Élan Media Partners. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 April 2012. Retrieved 2010-10-06.
  5. "EzyDVD Information". Archived from the original on 22 August 2009. Retrieved 6 August 2009.

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