Transformers Company News on Seibertron.com

Play.com G.I. Joe vs Transformers Statue Pre-Orders!

Date: Sunday, April 16th 2006 9:58am CDT
Categories: Toy News, Company News
Posted by: Calenatarion | Credit(s): shockwaveuk, Play.com

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Views: 29,501

Online shop Play.com from the United Kingdom have updated their website with some nice and interesting pre-orders!

Our own shockwaveuk contacted us about the following products:

To be released on July 10th 2006, Optimus Prime and Snake Eyes!
"Optimus Prime is shown in his imposing robot mode and is the greatest and wisest of all the Autobots.

In his hand crouches the lethal GI Joe, Snake Eyes. A martial art master, this noble assassin is unmatched in both armed and unarmed combat. Here he is shown ready to launch himself into battle and fight the evil forces of the Decepticons and Cobra on their own, vicious terms"

Stated for release on June 3rd 2006, The Baroness and Ravage!
The specifications indicate that this statue will be limited to only 1500 in the world!

And finally, some Star Wars Transformers pre-orders as well! Luke Skywalker (X-Wing), Chewbacca and Han Solo (Millenium Falcon), Darth Maul (Sith Infiltrator and Boba Fett (Slave 1)!

Not sure if you like these Star Wars - Transformers figures? Check some of them out by checking the SEIBERTRON.com Toy Galleries!

The Deal Is Done! IDW, New Licenceholder of Transformers Comics!

Date: Thursday, May 19th 2005 8:59am CDT
Categories: Comic Book News, Press Releases, Company News, Collector's Club News
Posted by: Raymond T. | Credit(s): www.transformersclub.com

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Views: 62,414

The Official Transformers Club has made it official. In an official press release, Hasbro announces that IDW Publishing will be releasing new comics for the Transformers brand. The follow is a direct quote from the press release;

PAWTUCKET, R.I. (May 19, 2005) – The Hasbro Properties Group (HPG), the intellectual property development arm of Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE: HAS), intends to license its popular TRANSFORMERS brand to IDW Publishing for the introduction of a new line of TRANSFORMERS comic books. Adding to the successful TRANSFORMERS comic book library that currently includes more than 30 titles, IDW will re-launch a much-anticipated new line of TRANSFORMERS comics. The first comic, a special introductory “0” issue, would debut in October 2005. The next comic in the series would debut in January 2006. The comic books are expected to include the classic Generation One (G1) storyline, as well as new plotlines and new series, and would be distributed to a wider audience through comic book outlets, trade bookstores and mass retailers.

“This year, the TRANSFORMERS property will gain greater exposure among both core supporters and new fans of the brand, as the comics are distributed at mass market for the first time,” said Tom Klusaritz, vice-president of global publishing for the Hasbro Properties Group. “We’re excited that IDW plans to publish the TRANSFORMERS comics, as well as expand upon the storyline by utilizing the best TRANSFORMERS writers and illustrators globally.”

IDW Publishing, the publishing arm of Idea and Design Works, LLC, is the comic book licensee of several popular shows, such as CSI (CBS), 24 (FOX), and ANGEL (Fox). IDW is also home to successful adaptations of comics based on the Konami videogames Metal Gear Solid and Castlevania, and movie adaptations from Dawn of the Dead to Shaun of the Dead. In both 2004 and 2005, they were awarded Diamond Comics’ Gem Award for “Publisher of the Year.” For the TRANSFORMERS series, IDW plans on using a mix of well-known and up-and-coming illustrators, inkers and writers to bring the property to new heights.

“The TRANSFORMERS brand is a great addition to IDW’s line of licensed comic books, and we look forward to expanding on an extremely successful property and returning TRANSFORMERS comics to a still-anxious marketplace,” said Ted Adams, President/Publisher of IDW Publishing.

The first TRANSFORMERS comic books were introduced to fans of the toy line more than two decades ago. In 2002, HPG re-launched the TRANSFORMERS comic book series.


MORE ABOUT TRANSFORMERS LICENSES IN 2005
TRANSFORMERS, a favorite among kids and collectors alike, has much to celebrate in 2005, starting with the brand’s leap to the big screen for its first, worldwide live-action film, slated for release in fall 2006. DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures will develop the movie, with Steven Spielberg as Executive Producer. The film will bridge all aspects of the TRANSFORMERS brand, from toys to licensed merchandise.

In addition to the pending IDW arrangement, TRANSFORMERS will be available in Readers Digest hard books and chapter books, as well as a series of Dorling Kindersley children’s books available in the United States. Fans in Europe can enjoy TRANSFORMERS books from Egmont, Red Bird, Titan, Edigamma and Panini.

The TRANSFORMERS brand will continue to expand in 2005 as Paramount Home Entertainment releases three DVDs. The first two, released in February, are “Transformers: Omega Supreme” and “Transformers: Shockblast Unleashed!.” The third DVD, yet untitled, will be released in September.


ABOUT IDW PUBLISHING

IDW PUBLISHING is a division of Idea + Design Works, LLC, a revolutionary creative service company with a wide range of clients. Among their best-selling titles are CBS’s CSI: Crime Scene Investigation; Konami’s Metal Gear Solid; and GrimJack: Killer Instinct. IDW has films in development at Sony Pictures, Dimension Films, and Paramount Pictures.


ABOUT THE HASBRO PROPERTIES GROUP

The Hasbro Properties Group (HPG), the intellectual property development arm of Hasbro, Inc., (NYSE:HAS), translates one of the industry’s richest portfolios of brands into a world of fun and excitement for children and adults globally. Through a host of publishing, lifestyle and entertainment platforms, HPG is able to surround fans worldwide with consumer products that expand Hasbro’s core brands, such as G.I. JOE, TRANSFORMERS, MY LITTLE PONY, DUEL MASTERS, MONOPOLY and CANDY LAND, beyond the toy and game aisle, creating rich lifestyle experiences.

Hasbro Announce Earnings for 2004

Date: Wednesday, January 12th 2005 12:07pm CST
Categories: Press Releases, Company News
Posted by: Alex Kingdom | Credit(s): TFormers.com

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Views: 50,438

Hasbro Inc. have published the following press release regarding thier Earnings for 2004. What this could mean for the Transformers lines is anyones guess.

Hasbro Provides Preliminary 2004 Results

PAWTUCKET, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 12, 2005--Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE: HAS) today announced that, based upon a preliminary projection of its full year results, it will report net revenue of approximately $3.0 billion compared to $3.1 billion last year. Based on this projected revenue decline, the Company expects diluted earnings per share to be approximately flat with last year's full year diluted earnings per share of $0.94. The 2003 earnings per share amount has been restated due to the required adoption of EITF 04-08 in the fourth quarter of 2004.

"Our top-line results are a reflection of a retail environment that was tougher in the fourth quarter than we expected, as well as a disappointing performance in parts of the U. S. Toys segment," said Alfred J. Verrecchia, Chief Executive Officer.

"However, as a result of our continued focus on managing expenses we expect to deliver earnings per share approximately flat with last year, despite the decline in revenue. Additionally, we took actions in the fourth quarter, primarily in the U. S. Toys segment, to reduce our expenses going forward and position us more favorably in the fastest growing areas of our business," Verrecchia concluded.

David Hargreaves, Chief Financial Officer commented further, "The balance sheet continues to strengthen and we will exceed our stated goal of delivering cash flow from operations, less capital expenditures, or free cash flow of $250 million. In addition, as a result of both higher cash on hand and lower debt, we will end the year with significant cash, net of debt - something we have not achieved since 1997."

The expected earnings per share results in 2004 include aggregate pre-tax charges of approximately $25 million related to the Company's licensing agreement with Disney, a non-cash charge related to a decline in the value of the Company's investment in Infogrames Entertainment SA and severance costs related to a reduction in headcount in December, primarily in the U.S. Toys segment. In 2003 the Company had pre-tax charges in the fourth quarter aggregating approximately $32 million, composed of severance payments related to the cessation of toy manufacturing operations at our Valencia, Spain facility and lease obligations and severance for employees of the Wizards of the Coast retail stores.

The Company will be providing its full year results on its web cast on Monday, February 7th at 9:00 a.m. EST. Investors and the media are invited to listen at http://www.hasbro.com (select "Corporate Info" from the home page, click on "Investor Information," and then click on the web cast microphone).

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, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, TIGER, and WIZARDS OF THE COAST brands and products provide the highest quality and most recognizable play experiences in the world.

Certain statements contained in this release contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include statements concerning our earnings, net revenues and free cash flow and may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "expect," "intend," "look forward," "may," "planned," "potential," "should," "will" and "would." Such forward-looking statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual actions or results may differ materially from those expected or anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Specific factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to: the Company's ability to manufacture, source and ship new and continuing products on a timely basis and the acceptance of those products by customers and consumers at prices that will be sufficient to profitably recover development, manufacturing, marketing, royalty and other costs of products; economic and public health conditions, including factors which impact the retail market or the Company's ability to manufacture and deliver products, higher fuel and commodity prices, higher transportation costs and potential transportation delays, currency fluctuations and government regulation and other conditions in the various markets in which the Company operates throughout the world; the concentration of the Company's customers; the inventory policies of retailers, including the concentration of the Company's revenues in the second half and fourth quarter of the year, together with increased reliance by retailers on quick response inventory management techniques, which increases the risk of underproduction of popular items, overproduction of less popular items and failure to achieve tight and compressed shipping schedules; work stoppages, slowdowns or strikes, which may impact the Company's ability to manufacture or deliver product; the bankruptcy or other lack of success of one of the Company's significant retailers which could negatively impact the Company's revenues or bad debt exposure; the impact of competition on revenues, margins and other aspects of the Company's business, including the ability to secure, maintain and renew popular licenses and the ability to attract and retain talented employees in a competitive environment; market conditions, third party actions or approvals and the impact of competition that could delay or increase the cost of implementation of the Company's consolidation programs or alter the Company's actions and reduce actual results; the risk that anticipated benefits of acquisitions may not occur or be delayed or reduced in their realization; and other risks and uncertainties as may be detailed from time to time in the Company's public announcements and SEC filings. The Company undertakes no obligation to make any revisions to the forward-looking statements contained in this release or to update them to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this release.

This presentation refers to a non-GAAP financial measure as defined under SEC rules, specifically free cash flow. Free cash flow represents cash flow from operations less capital expenditures. Management believes that free cash flow is one of the appropriate measures for evaluating the performance of the Company because it provides a measure of resources which may be available for strategic opportunities including, among others, to invest in the business, strengthen the balance sheet, and make strategic acquisitions. However, the Company has other demands on its free cash flow which are not reflected in this measure and it should not be assumed that all free cash flow is available for strategic opportunities. This measure should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, or superior to, net earnings, cash flow from operating activities or other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as more fully discussed in the Company's financial statements and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As used herein, "GAAP" refers to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States