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Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) arrived today at the International Licensing Expo in Las Vegas to showcase how many of its premier portfolio of global brands -- TRANSFORMERS, BATTLESHIP, NERF, LITTLEST PET SHOP, MY LITTLE PONY, PLAYSKOOL and MONOPOLY -- have become powerful lifestyle statements intricately woven into the fabric of consumers’ everyday lives. Anchored by innovative programs in fashion, entertainment, home goods and publishing, Hasbro-branded products can be found in nearly every room of consumers’ homes, where they engage and immerse themselves in Hasbro brand experiences on a daily basis any time, any place.
“Hasbro is driving innovation across all product categories and rapidly expanding and enhancing the way it approaches global licensing,” said Simon Waters, Senior Vice President, Global Brand Licensing and Publishing at Hasbro. “We’re collaboratively working with licensees and retailers to build broad, compelling programs across key areas such as fashion, home and publishing, bringing to market the richest Hasbro-branded lifestyle product portfolio in the company’s history.”
Consumers around the world are engaging with their favorite Hasbro properties that have deep meaning and connection in fresh, expressive ways via trailblazing licensing programs that re-invent, re-imagine, and re-ignite the Hasbro lifestyle brand experience.
Entertainment Central
Families worldwide have gathering places in their homes where they come together to spend quality time, often centered around forms of Hasbro-inspired entertainment across all major mediums from television and movies to digital gaming and publishing apps. Some of the latest activities families can rally around includehosting a double-feature TRANSFORMERS movie night with home DVDs, watching Daytime Emmy Award nominated programs such as TRANSFORMERS PRIME, FAMILY GAME NIGHT and PICTUREKA on The Hub, playing HASBRO FAMILY GAME NIGHT on the Wii from Electronic Arts, or reading a TONKA CHUCK & FRIENDS storybook app on the iPad from Ruckus Mobile Media. No matter the platform, Hasbro is continuing to deliver innovative and rich storytelling experiences that extend the branded play experience to new levels of immersion.
Personal Flair and Fashion
The tween/teen bedroom is all about showcasing personal interests and style. Fueled by its trend-forward fashion program, Hasbro has enlisted licensees worldwide to create unique and exclusive Hasbro branded apparel and accessory lines that resonate with this influential demographic. With hundreds of Hasbro-inspired t-shirts from Mad Engine, Uniqlo and Hybrid, there is a wide variety of hip and nostalgic wearable statements that suit the individual and can match any occasion and mood. A full line of accessories can also be found scattered throughout a tween/teen bedroom including “More Than Meets the Eye” TRANSFORMERS baseball caps from New Era and sunglasses from Oakley , as well as stylish LITTLEST PET SHOP bags by ATM Accessories. Completing Hasbro’s head-to-toe wardrobe for boys are co-branded NERF-Reebok sneakers. Elan Polo also offers a wide variety of NERF-branded footwear items for the mass market.
Room décor is another important facet of the tween/teen lifestyle. With a portfolio of incredibly rich brands that are meaningful to young adults – TRANSFORMERS, LITTLEST PET SHOP, NERF – Hasbro continues to strategically build out its home goods program with items ranging from bedding to rugs and wall decals, with treatments that map to the demographic.
No tween/teen bedroom is complete without electronics, peripherals and digital gaming and Hasbro delivers across the board. LITTLEST PET SHOP games on the Nintendo DS from Electronic Arts deliver hours of fun while a NERF alarm clock from KIDdesign keep things running on time and MP3 ear buds and portable speakers from PDP create the ultimate personal sound system. For those who like to “unplug” TRANSFORMERS comic books from IDW offer page-turning adventures.
Surrounded by Good Pals and Fun
Youngsters also enjoy sharing their bedroom space with their favorite Hasbro characters such as TONKA CHUCK & FRIENDS, MY LITTLE PONY and MR. POTATO HEAD. Hasbro’s home goods and fashion programs are front-and-center with favorites such as MY LITTLE PONY bedding from Crown Craft (agreement reached in principle, subject to the parties entering into a binding contract) and CANDY LAND rugs from Gertmenian. Dresser drawers are also packed with MY LITTLE PONY t-shirts from Carel, TRANSFORMERS pajamas by Sun City as well as TRANSFORMERS underwear and socks by Berkshire. Character-based MY LITTLE PONY Havaianas flip flops from Sao Paolo Alpargatas can also be found lined up in the closet. For busy little ones, Leap Year Publishing’s PLAYSKOOL-inspired learning and drawing programs help stock play areas with craft and activity tools.
Infusion of Fashion and Art
Hasbro’s fashion program has found its way into adult wardrobes in a big way through trend-right apparel and accessories that blend hip style and function. Mad Engine has created high-end BARREL OF MONKEYS, CLUE and MR. POTATO HEAD t-shirts that are worthy of hangers instead of drawers. A smart SCRABBLE wallet from Bio World adds a whimsical touch to women’s bags while Dad grabs his TRANSFORMERS skinned smartphone from Anzo U.S.A. as he heads off to work.
Family Headquarters
Across the globe, the kitchen serves as the headquarters of the home. From snacks to meals, homework and packing lunches – it all happens here.
TRANSFORMERS chocolate cookies and chocolate eggs from Nestle, washed down with milk served in a TRANSFORMERS insulated container from Thermos elicit big smiles around the school lunch table. For girls, toting lunch in a LITTLEST PET SHOP bag, also from Thermos, is always fresh and fun.
At the end of the school day, kids power through homework at the kitchen table where a bowl of SCRABBLE Jr. Cheez-Its from Kellogg’s just may be the perfect inspiration to tackle spelling exercises scribbling in notebooks carrying a TRANSFORMERS or LITTLEST PET SHOP brand graphic treatment from Innovative Designs. Mom also proudly displays the latest artwork that came home with the youngest on the fridge with edgy SCRABBLE magnets from Pottery Barn followed by cutting a TONKA CHUCK & FRIENDS cake by Bakery Craft for a surprise dessert.
Brushing, Beauty and Bubbles
Hasbro’s extensive global home goods program also extends to health and beauty products. From morning dental care with MY LITTLE PONY toothpaste from Church & Dwight Co. to evening clean-up with LITTLEST PET SHOP bubble bath from Accessory Zone and MY LITTLE PONY towels from Franco Manufacturing, Hasbro brands are plentiful in the smallest room of the house – the bathroom. For the tween/teen girls, CANDY LAND-branded lip balms and cosmetics by Boston America are “must have” primping tools before stepping out with friends to the mall, which is a welcome departure by the younger brother who has been waiting patiently and comfortably in his TRANSFORMERS bathrobe for his turn in the bathroom.
Fleet of Family Wheels
Hasbro-licensed “rides” run the gamut from the General Motors BUMBLEBEE Camaro that may be Dad’s pride and joy to TRANSFORMERS bikes from Dynacraft that are the envy of every boy in the neighborhood. Little guys can mimic Dad and cruise on a BUMBLEBEE electric ride-on car from Hunter Leisure while girls may opt to ride with their favorite pony friends on a MY LITTLE PONY ride-on. No matter the mode of transportation, Hasbro wheels turn heads when they roll out of the driveway and down the street.
Slooh, in collaboration with Google, to Broadcast Live Feed of Total Lunar Eclipse
NEW YORK, NY, June 15, 2011 — In an ongoing mission to share a live view of the universe, Slooh, the online Space Camera, in collaboration with Google will broadcast a live feed of today’s total lunar eclipse from Dubai, South Africa and Cyprus starting at 2:00 PM EDT/11:00 AM PDT.
Stargazers all over the world are invited to simultaneously watch the total lunar eclipse unfold in what is expected to be the largest audience ever assembled for a celestial event. The lunar eclipse will be broadcast in its entirety over a four-hour period, with the total eclipse of the moon to occur at 3:13pm EDT. The live feed can be accessed at Slooh’s Mission Interface on the web and also as a featured video stream on Google’s channel on YouTube.
Today’s coverage of the lunar eclipse builds on the announcement in October 2010 that used Slooh’s imagery in the sky layer of Google Earth. The digital images of celestial objects are captured by Slooh members with Slooh’s patented instant imaging technology and are automatically uploaded to Sky in Google Earth to share with the world. On December 20, 2010 Google and Slooh collaborated for the first time to broadcast a total lunar eclipse through Sky in Google Earth.
“Broadcasting the lunar eclipse online in collaboration with Google creates the power to touch all of humanity at once,” said Michael Paolucci, Founder of Slooh. “It’s an opportunity to celebrate our commonality, and appreciate a moment of global synchronicity. Internet technology makes this possible like never before in human history.”
Nationally renowned astronomer Bob Berman will host the four-hour spectacle with live audio narration starting at 2:00 PM EDT/11:00 AM PDT. He will be joined by several guests throughout the show, including Duncan Copp, a presenter for BBC and National Geographic and director-producer of many astronomy films and TV shows including “In the Shadow of the Moon”, an award-wining film about the Apollo astronauts. To listen to the audio narration and capture live photographic images of the lunar eclipse with the Slooh Space Camera, go to Slooh.com and sign up for a Slooh Commander membership.
Slooh is also announcing the launch of a new Android app for its eclipse coverage, making it the first time a live celestial event will be broadcast to a mobile device. The free app shows Android phone users major celestial happenings as they occur and delivers multiple live feeds of outer space directly to Android phones. Users can also capture and share their own space photos. The app is available for free download in the Android Market.
The total eclipse of the moon will begin at 2:00 PM EDT/11:00 AM PDT on June 15 and will only be visible to the naked eye throughout Africa, Europe and the Central Asia. Slooh and Google’s online broadcast of the eclipse will make viewing possible for people in North America and the rest of the world.
About Slooh
In December 2003, Slooh launched the first Space Camera available to the public. Slooh has served more than 300,000 missions to members all over the world who have taken more than 1.4 million photographs to date. Slooh’s patented instant imaging technology makes astronomical objects appear like Polaroid images over the course of 5-minute missions.
Hey, ever wanted to be a part of the creative side of Transformers and make some kind of official impact on our hobby? Well then maybe this is the right article for you, and it's all thanks to @SWIFTagent24 on Twittter!
Jagex, the UK based video game company behind the upcoming Transformers Universe MMO, has four positions open for jobs directly involved with the Transformers Universe project.
Just click the links to find out if you're the right man/woman for the job:
Don't live near a Toys 'R Us? Not concerned because you've used online retailers like RobotKingdom, Toy Arena or BigBadToyStore to purchase the figures exclusive to the store? It appears you may have to change your shopping habbits.
Skyfire of FullMetalHero has received an interesting note from Kapow Toys, a seller located in the United Kingdom who has often alerted the fandom to interesting turns in the marketplace.
Skyfire wrote:Site sponsor Kapow Toys has received word that Toys R Us exclusives will no longer be available at wholesale via China, in a move that is not unexpected Hasbro and Toys R Us have apparently knuckled down on wholesalers no longer allowing them to purchase these items and sell them on to the rest of the world.
Do not dispair folks, for there are a lot of really nice members of Seibertron.com who often have surplus stock nearby and can get them to you if you need it. Feel free to visit the Carbombya: Buy Sell Trade forum and make a new friend today!
- In TRANSFORMERS UNIVERSE players will be able to create and play as their own AUTOBOT or DECEPTICON, designing and customising the character to fit their game play style, combat preferences and appearance.
- After looking at the mechanics, the iconic TRANSFORMERS IP, and the TRANSFORMERS heritage Jagex distilled this into core themes which are present throughout the TRANSFORMERS universe: conflict, teamwork, and social regard (the AUTOBOTS caring for the humans)
- TRANSFORMERS UNIVERSE sits within the "Prime" timeline, along with the book Exodus, the War for Cybertron games and the Prime cartoon.
- The game will be released in 2012.
Here is the concept art which was released in this asset pack for your viewing enjoyment ...
The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that The Hub which is a Hasbro/Discovery venture changed the fees they charge for animated programing on the station.
The Hollywood Reporter wrote:The Hub launched in October and has so far not made a big splash in the ratings against established kids players, such as Nickelodeon or Cartoon Network. Discovery and Hasbro executives have repeatedly said that the former Discovery Kids channel, much like Discovery's venture network OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network, which has seen increasing investments from Discovery, will need time to find an audience.
The Hub pays license fees for content, and Hasbro Studios, which is owned by Hasbro, is a provider of "a significant amount of the content" that plays on The Hub, according to Drew Crum, analyst at Stifel, Nicolaus. Among the Hasbro Studios shows on the network are Transformers Prime, My Little Pony Friendship is Magic and G.I. Joe Renegades.
The Hub hasn't made as big a splash in the ratings as executives had hoped. Which may lead to weaker performing shows getting the lower fee. The rest of the article can be found by clicking here.
Itching to get your hands on those Transformers Kre-O sets? We just received this news from Hasbro regarding pre-orders. Want to see what Kre-O is all about? Check out our Kre-O gallery from BotCon 2011.
Hello TRANSFORMERS Fans!
Hasbro’s new KRE-O TRANSFORMERS construction sets are now available for pre-sell beginning today. From favorite characters and high quality materials to unique accessories and collectible Kreon figures, the KRE-O collection will excite builders of all ages. At launch the KRE-O brand will offer twelve building sets featuring popular TRANSFORMERS characters including OPTIMUS PRIME, BUMBLEBEE, MEGATRON, STARSCREAM, MIRAGE, SENTINEL PRIME, PROWL, SIDESWIPE, AUTOBOT JAZZ and AUTOBOT RATCHET. The following are some of the online retailers now accepting pre-sell orders:
Botcon 2011 Coverage: Hasbro Intellectual Property Panel
- Aaron Archer (Vice President of brand)
- Rik Alvarez (Creative Manager)
HASLAB
---------------------------------------
- Brand Stewards
- Oversee the continuity
- Work across multiple platforms
- Work with internal and external partners
- Archivist
(worked with Shout factory to come up with better subtitles for American market)
Work together with their retail partners by coming up with potential artwork of what an exclusive could look like. Showed artwork of the TRU trans series and the Kmart sets. Also works with the vehicles team
Hasbro refers to their Transformers "bible" as the "Binder of Revelation"
Helps other parts of Hasbro with names, colors, etc (for example, the "vehicle" segment of Hasbro that makes the Speed Stars vehicles).
The Vault book had a lot of content provided by this team.
What didn't make it into the Vault: Action Master Mirage, Action Master Smokescreen (new mold), Cliffjumper (new mold), AM Rumble, AM Blurr, 4th Decepticon Targmaster that was never released (jet, looks really cool), some G2 artwork (Breakdown, Dragstrip, Wildrider, Dead End), Beast Machines carded Megatron Megabolt, showed us the original deluxe class Classics Optimus Prime side-by-side with the Voyager version, Omega Supreme decoed as part of the GIJoe line, alluded to a bit of Hasbro/Takara history that they didn't even know about.
Talk about Exodus and new "Exiles" book, which continues where Exodus left off.
TRANSFORMERS EXILES
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- Story picks up where Exodus left off
- Story is set against the backdrop of the Autobots' Journey to find the Allspark
- Optimus Prime is the main character but there are lots of cameos
- Rediscover lost Transformers' colonies
- More Insight into the 13 will be revealed!
- Will introduce a new threat that will impact the greater Transformers Universe ...
Showed a new logo that looks like the Autobot and Decepticon logo with some blades on the bottom, but wouldn't
Brimstone reinvented as a "star seeker"
"Pirate" Cannonball returns!
Axer returns, plays a key role at end of Exiles
ART OF THE 13
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All 13 are "prototypes"
13 are representative of all types of Transformers
Showed art of Megatronus who becomes the Fallen
Alpha Trion (mentioned Covenant of Primus)
Liege Maximo (plays a key role in the story of the 13)
Nexus Prime (need to pick up Exiles to learn more about him)
Vector Prime (Watcher like character)
Sulles Prime (female, looks awesome, very different than other female Transformers - Makes the weapons for the 13)
MODERN CONTINUITY
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How do Exodus/Exiles and War for Cybertron video games connect into the Prime story
- Each platform has its own story needs in order to be dynamic and successful
- Not every detail will line up perfectly
- The visual stylings are different for several reasons
NETDRAGON
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- Online gaming experience for Chinese market
- Unique story with elements from modern continuity
- Art direction leans towards Prime with a G1 influence
- Some characters will have different designs compared to other entertainment
Showed some artwork of characters that have a unique look to the Netdragon MMO
Mentioned that we won't see a lot of this game, if any of it, outside of China
Platform based (?)
JAGEX
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- Massive multiplayer online gaming experience
- Browser based
- Online community
- Takes place in modern continuity
Black vehicle is Barricade as SUV
Showed Prowl, police car mode looks amazing - 2 door sports coupe with spoiler
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD
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Showed us a trailer
Michael Bay directed
"People at Universal are knocking it out!"
Resolution is 4 times that of the feature films
Opens spring 2012
We just received the following BotCon press release from Hasbro:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HASBRO CELEBRATES ITS TRANSFORMERS BRAND AS “ROBOTS IN DISGUISE” INVADE PASADENA FOR 17th ANNUAL TRANSFORMERS CONVENTION
TRANSFORMERS Fans From Around the World to Experience “MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE” Brand Exhibition Of The Epic Global Entertainment Franchise
PAWTUCKET, R.I. (May 31, 2011) – Thousands of fans from around the world will celebrate the enduring popularity of the iconic TRANSFORMERS brand from Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS), as the 2011 TRANSFORMERS fan convention known as “BOTCON” returns to Pasadena on June 4-5. Less than a month before the highly anticipated debut of the new Paramount Pictures film TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON, Hasbro, in partnership with The TRANSFORMERS Collectors’ Club, will be offering opportunities to engage in and learn about the TRANSFORMERS brand that can only be experienced at BOTCON.
Attendees will be able to preview upcoming and yet-to-be seen TRANSFORMERS toys from Hasbro’s 2011 product line, including movie toys and figures based on the TRANSFORMERS PRIME animated series as well as interact with TRANSFORMERS toy designers. BOTCON will also be fans’ first time to see, in person, Hasbro’s new KRE-O line of construction sets based on classic TRANSFORMERS characters and attendees will have the opportunity for a chance to win a limited amount of KRE-O TRANSFORMERS toys before they go on sale. Convention goers can also attend panel discussions and interactive workshops led by TRANSFORMERS experts, purchase exclusive TRANSFORMERS products sold only at this year’s convention and buy, sell or trade TRANSFORMERS toys from hundreds of dealers.
And, as previously announced on the official TRANSFORMERS Facebook page, Hasbro will be inducting film industry legends Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg—the director and executive producer of the blockbuster TRANSFORMERS film franchise—into its TRANSFORMERS Hall of Fame. The second annual TRANSFORMERS Hall of Fame ceremony will take place during BOTCON and TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON director, Michael Bay, will be present to accept his honor and share some special surprises with the audience.
To round out the TRANSFORMERS movie experience at BOTCON, Hasbro will be welcoming vehicles seen in the TRANSFORMERS film franchise from Paramount Pictures including OPTIMUS PRIME, BUMBLEBEE, SIDESWIPE, IRONHIDE and AUTOBOT RATCHET. The vehicles will be on display inside the Pasadena Convention Center throughout BOTCON.
As the TRANSFORMERS brand continues its meteoric rise as a premier entertainment brand, convention attendees will be able to experience the wide breadth of TRANSFORMERS entertainment including interactive exhibits and hands-on experiences by the brand’s video game, publishing and animation partners.
Activision will offer BOTCON attendees the opportunity to experience its TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON video game. The game thrusts players directly into an original, action-packed prologue storyline to experience the epic battles on Earth between the AUTOBOTS and DECEPTICONS that will shape the events of the summer’s most anticipated blockbuster film.
Electronic Arts (EA) will offer BOTCON attendees the opportunity to be among the first to experience TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON for the iPhone®, iPod touch® and iPadTM. The App, which will be available in the iTunes App Store in the coming weeks, is based on the upcoming TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON movie, features fast-paced action and explosive robot-based combat. Featuring a dozen levels, gamers can choose to play as one of the franchise’s most popular AUTOBOT characters, OPTIMUS PRIME or BUMBLEBEE, as they fight to defeat the nefarious DECEPTICONS.
The Hub, home of the new animated series TRANSFORMERS PRIME from Hasbro Studios, will offer an inside look at the popular series that just received six Daytime Emmy nominations. BOTCON will host two TRANSFORMERS PRIME panels including a live table read featuring the voice talent from the hit series as well as a Q&A with the producers. The Hub booth at BOTCON will also feature TRANSFORMERS themed photo opportunities, a prize wheel and a “larger than life” OPTIMUS PRIME statue. Members of the TRANSFORMERS PRIME creative team from Hasbro Studios will also be on hand during the convention to interact with attendees.
IDW Publishing will offer fans the opportunity to learn about the latest TRANSFORMERS comic books including exclusive TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON comics. BOTCON attendees can interact with the comics' artists and writers and get insider information about new and upcoming TRANSFORMERS series.
Jagex Games Studio will be giving convention attendees an exclusive first look at elements of its upcoming and highly anticipated browser based MMO video game for Western Markets based on the TRANSFORMERS brand. Visitors will be invited into the interactive exhibit to be some of the first to see early design and game elements of this much buzzed about online videogame.
“Interest in TRANSFORMERS is the highest it’s ever been,” said Greg Lombardo, TRANSFORMERS Senior Global Brand Director, Hasbro, Inc. “The live-action film TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON is getting a tremendous amount of advance buzz, and TRANSFORMERS PRIME is a huge hit with both longtime fans and a new generation of kids discovering the TRANSFORMERS brand for the first time. BOTCON is all about celebrating both of those groups—the lifelong fans and the new fans—and their love of the TRANSFORMERS brand.”
BOTCON is annually the largest annual official gathering of TRANSFORMERS fans in the world and is open to both TRANSFORMERS diehard and casual fans alike as well as families and children who enjoy the iconic “ROBOTS IN DISGUISE”. This year the convention will be held at the Pasadena Convention Center located at 300 East Green Street in Pasadena, Calif., and will be open to the public on June 4 – 5. Special activities are planned on June 3 for attendees who purchase multi-day packages.
BOTCON general admission sessions will be held on Saturday and Sunday, June 4 and 5. (On Saturday, doors are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; on Sunday, doors are open from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.). Special multi-day packages and exclusive TRANSFORMERS products are available on a limited basis. General admission for adults (13 & up) is $20 and for children (12 & under) is $10. Children ages 4 and under will be admitted for free. Additional information can be found at http://www.BotCon.com or by calling 817-448-9863.
First introduced in 1984 by Hasbro and Takara Tomy, the TRANSFORMERS brand has provided kids with hours of MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE fun with their action figures that convert from robot to vehicles and back again. Legions of kids around the world grew up creating fantastic adventures and battles set on both the planet CYBERTRON and Earth that featured the “good-guy” AUTOBOTS and the “bad-guy” DECEPTICONS. Since then, more than 7500 robots have been introduced in animated TV series, comic books and two live-action feature films. A third film, TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON, will be released on July 1, 2011, as the first 3D film in the franchise.
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