PAWTUCKET, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 12, 2000--Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS - news) will showcase its vast library of children's and family entertainment properties at Licensing 2000 International in New York City from June 13-15 (Booth 3049). With world-class brands such as ACTION MAN, TONKA, MONOPOLY, TRANSFORMERS and FURBY, Hasbro's 3D Licensing, Promotions & Publishing Worldwide offers a new ``dimension'' through aggressive licensing programs and consumer promotions.
``Hasbro's incredible content portfolio provides us with tremendous opportunities to build our presence around the world,'' said Jane Ritson-Parsons, Senior Vice President and Managing Director for 3D Licensing, Promotions & Publishing Worldwide. ``Our brands are enjoyed by people of all ages and through licensing, promotions and publishing, we can expand the entertainment value they offer into a variety of product categories.''
3D Licensing, Promotions & Publishing Worldwide is part of the Hasbro Properties Group, which was created in May, 1999 to maximize Hasbro's intellectual property library in a wide range of entertainment-based categories. The group manages the company's licensing, publishing and promotions activities globally and has an excellent track record, including the MONOPOLY Game at McDonald's®, the restaurant chain's most successful adult-focused promotion; a licensing program for TONKA that has greatly increased the brand's presence at retail; and more than 180 licensees for ACTION MAN, which is making its debut in the U.S. this year.
Following is an overview of 3D Licensing, Promotions & Publishing Worldwide's programs that will be unveiled at Licensing 2000 International:
ACTION MAN
The ``greatest hero of them all'' - ACTION MAN - is on a very important mission in 2000 as Hasbro brings the #1 international boys property to the U.S. through a Saturday morning animated television series on Fox Kids Network, an adventure-packed toy line, licensed merchandise, and a multi-million dollar marketing campaign. ACTION MAN is already off to an awesome start in the U.S. - the series debuted on May 20 and scored number one in its time slot among boys 2-11 and boys 6-11!
Following a tremendously successful licensing program in Europe that includes more than 180 licensees and 1500 products, 3D Licensing, Promotions & Publishing Worldwide has launched its U.S. efforts. The group has signed on Unique Industries for paper goods, and Zak Designs for melamine tableware, and is aggressively pursuing licensees in other areas, including school supplies, apparel and accessories, sporting goods, bedding, publishing and consumer promotions.
ACTION MAN is a high-octane hero! At the recent Toy Fair, Hasbro introduced its U.S. ACTION MAN line of full size 12-inch action figures that feature hip, realistic mission gear that ACTION MAN employs for his larger than life, heart-pounding athletic adventures. This summer, Hasbro will distribute a direct-mail CD-ROM to two million boys aged four to 10. The cutting edge ACTION MAN CGI programming will then make its debut of weekly episodes on Fox Kids Network on Saturdays in Fall 2000. As the name says, action is what it's all about, and the adventurous missions never stop!
MONOPOLY
MONOPOLY is one of the industry's biggest success stories of the 20th century, with more than 80 licensees worldwide, and 3D Licensing, Promotions & Publishing Worldwide is focused on growing the brand's presence in key product categories. The MONOPOLY brand is a proven favorite in licensing and consumer promotions and boasts the most successful adult-focused promotion at McDonald's, now in its sixth year.
Giftware and collectibles has been an incredibly strong and growing category with more than 30 licensees. Department 56 is the newest licensee in this category and their MONOPOLY Brand City Lights(TM) collection was introduced in March. In addition, International Bullion has come on-board with a new collection of fashion watches for men, women and children, and USAopoly will grow their line of specialty edition games with seven new versions.
The MONOPOLY game has translated successfully into gaming machines and products through WMS Gaming, Mikohn and TeleCom Productions. WMS Gaming's MONOPOLY slot machine was named the most innovative new product in 1999 by Casino Journal, and TeleCom Productions has sold more than half a billion instant win lottery scratch tickets since their introduction in 1993.
TONKA
Children love construction and trucks, and no one does them better than TONKA! For more than 50 years, TONKA has put children in the driver's seat of real ``roll up your sleeves'' construction play. 3D Licensing's program has greatly increased the TONKA brand's presence on retail shelves. With products and vehicles from companies such as Funrise, Maisto and Processed Plastics, in addition to Hasbro's core TONKA line, the brand's market share in the truck category has more than doubled. The group has added several new licensees to this category, including Planet Toy, Manly Toy Quest and Grand Toys. In addition, 3D Licensing, Promotions & Publishing Worldwide has brought even more ``TONKA Tough'' fun to fans of all ages through fun children's products, including apparel and accessories by Isaac Morris, memory-stirring adult collectibles such as Hallmark holiday ornaments, and porcelain boxes from Midwest of Cannon Falls.
Additional properties from Hasbro's rich portfolio that are ripe for licensed merchandise will be presented by 3D Licensing, Promotions & Publishing Worldwide, including:
FURBY continues to tickle the funny bones of millions of children around the world through Tiger Electronics' expanding product line and 130 licensees worldwide that offer fun, whimsical merchandise. More than 15 million FURBY toys were sold in the U.S. in 1999 and the brand is poised for continued success.
Few icons have put smiles on the faces of generations of children the way MR. POTATO HEAD has. From a simple children's toy, to a guest at the White House and a Hollywood movie star, MR. POTATO HEAD has embedded himself in popular culture since his debut nearly 50 years ago.
Hasbro's rich portfolio provides endless possibilities and 3D Licensing, Promotions & Publishing Worldwide has enabled the fun and excitement to continue beyond traditional toys and games for brands such as G.I. JOE, CANDY LAND, TWISTER and SCRABBLE. Among the list of licensed merchandise is miniature pewter soldiers, T-shirts and inflatable furniture.
The bugs are back! What began as an ATARI video game in the 1980s has ``spawned'' enhanced versions by Hasbro Interactive and a new CG animated series on the Cartoon Network in 2001. CENTIPEDE, the adventures of a young hero who finds himself in a world in which fear is controlled by the most monstrous bug ever, will join the Cartoon Network's ``Toonami'' weekday afternoon action-adventure programming block featuring the best in Japanese and CG animation.
TRANSFORMERS is one of the most popular action brands ever and continues to morph kids into a world of fantasy and adventure through Hasbro's BEAST MACHINES toy line and Fox Kids Network's Saturday morning animated series, which has been renewed for a second season.
A brand new fable inspired by PLAYSKOOL's all-time classic GLOWORM nighttime pal, GLOWORLD will introduce young children to the adventures of the loveable characters who live in a place we can only dream about.
Hasbro is a worldwide leader in children's and family leisure time entertainment products and services, including the design, manufacture and marketing of games and toys ranging from traditional to high-tech. Both internationally and in the U.S., its PLAYSKOOL, KENNER, TONKA, ODDZON, SUPER SOAKER, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, TIGER, HASBRO INTERACTIVE, MICROPROSE, GALOOB and WIZARDS OF THE COAST brands and products provide the highest quality and most recognizable play experiences in the world.
Hasbro product names and brands are trademarks of Hasbro, Inc. Beast Wars and Transformers are manufactured under license from Takara Co., Ltd.(c)2000 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Hasbro, Inc.
Audrey Basso/Gary Serby, 401-727-5857/5582
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