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Hasbro: Boys Summary
HASBRO STRENGTHENS ITS HOLD ON TOP SPOT IN BOYS ACTION TOYS
Powerhouse Brands -- Both Timeless and New -- Loved by Boys of All Ages
PAWTUCKET, RI, February 11, 2003 -- Hasbro, Inc., the premier name in boys action toys, is primed for a year filled with excitement and adventure. Leading the way in 2003 are strong, classic brands like G.I. JOE and TRANSFORMERS, thriving new brands with great momentum such as BEYBLADE and ZOIDS, and the launch of NAKNAK, a new way to play with action figures. Last year saw surging popularity for many of Hasbro's boys brands and this year, kids and collectors will be even more intrigued by Hasbro's new for 2003 action figures, vehicles, and more.
"Hasbro has consistently demonstrated a keen understanding of boys play patterns and what makes outstanding toys. If you look at classic brands like G.I. JOE, TRANSFORMERS and TONKA, you'll see a consistent reflection over time of what's important and engaging to boys in their play," says toy and children's lifestyle expert Chris Byrne, also know as The Toy GuyTM . "The same holds true for their latest hit, BEYBLADE, and bodes well for innovative concepts like the NAKNAK line."
"Hasbro really understands what today's boys like. That's why our core brands are experiencing continued popularity and our new brands have seen much success," said Greg Leeds, General Manager of Hasbro's boys toys division. "And with a great new brand like NAKNAK launching now, we're very optimistic about 2003."
Last year, the G.I. JOE brand re-introduced the G.I. JOE vs. COBRA theme, which was such a hit with kids that it continues this year with a new SPY TROOPS storyline. Kids will be introduced to the new SPY TROOPS fantasy -- an elite force of G.I. JOE members disguised as the enemy to stop COBRA from the inside -- through an action-packed product line. And, for the first time since the 1980s, Hasbro will introduce a new G.I. JOE animated movie! The 44-minute DVD movie, called "SPY TROOPS: The Movie," will be included with each NINJA SHOWDOWN 12-inch figure 2-pack and is sure to be a must-have this holiday season. Of course, a fleet of vehicles with brand new ACTION ATTACK electronic battle and engine sounds will also be available so kids can really get into the SPY TROOPS fantasy. Another important segment within the G.I. JOE brand is the authentic military collection. Kids will find big action play with new realistic heroes in uniforms like the NAVY SEALs COLLECTION, NAVY SEALs HUMVEE vehicle and more.
The re-introduction of the TRANSFORMERS ROBOTS IN DISGUISE and new TRANSFORMERS ARMADA themes have again captured kids' imaginations, as the TRANSFORMERS brand has for nearly 20 years. Kids and adult fans alike will be thrilled with the fall 2003 return of UNICRON, the most evil TRANSFORMERS character ever, in Hasbro's toy line and in new episodes of the animated program on Cartoon Network, "TRANSFORMERS ARMADA: THE UNICRON BATTLES." The toy version of UNICRON is a huge 16-inch robot -- one of the biggest TRANSFORMERS character ever created! UNICRON is a planet that changes into a robot, trying to take over control of all TRANSFORMERS. This most evil character can hold up to 24 MINI-CON figures, and has projectiles, light-up hands and eyes, traps and hiding places for MINI-CON figures and much more. Remember, if it doesn't say TRANSFORMERS, it's not ROBOTS IN DISGUISE!
In 2003, Hasbro introduces the vertical, clickable world of NAKNAK, the first-ever STACKING BATTLE figures. Now available at retail, NAKNAK combines creativity, coordination, competition, collectibility and coolness into one great brand. Kids' creativity will shine through while competing with others in captivating stacking contests called "NAKNAK Challenges," or engaging in a solo stacking challenge. NAKNAK figures have a distinctive clicking sound that is sure to make NAKNAK a household sound as well as a household word. Each NAKNAK character can be posed into 80 different positions and belongs to groups called NAKNAK CLIKS, such as ROBO-NAKS, HUMANAKS, ALIENAKS figures and more. Hasbro will introduce more than 90 different NAKNAK figures throughout 2003.
This year also sees the U.S. re-launch of MICRO MACHINES, introducing the combination of vehicle play and a micro scale world to an entirely new generation of kids. Nearly 15 years ago, the brand ignited a whole new category of miniature scale vehicles with its palm-sized universe of creative adventures. The new line of MICRO MACHINES vehicles and play sets lets kids create and direct their own heroic scenes, giving kids total control. The small scale puts the whole world into kids' view making it very accessible, enabling them to determine and direct ALL the action. The 2003 MICRO MACHINES line will deliver over 100 new vehicles and several new play sets throughout the year, giving kids lots of new big adventures on a micro-scale. All, playsets, roadways, and parts are connectible and interchangeable as part of the MICRO WORLD system, giving kids the ability to build seamless adventure worlds.
BEYBLADE was one of the hottest toys in 2002 and a global phenomenon that won over young fans and industry experts. More than two million BEYBLADE tops have been sold in the U.S. alone, making BEYBLADE the clear number-one, authentic high performance top. And, BEYBLADE was named "toy of the year" by the British Association of Toy Retailers. The action in 2003 gets even more exciting with new feature-based BEYBLADE tops coming out throughout the year, new deluxe launchers to enhance strategic play, and unique BEYSTADIUM arenas for new twists in the competition. There is even a revolutionary new remote controlled top to take BEYBLADE matches to a whole new level of challenge when battling for BEYBLADE supremacy!
In 2003, TONKA continues to build on its well-earned reputation with new vehicles and trucks for boys. Joining the TONKA's classic lineup of construction trucks made with steel are two new segments: TONKA TOWN and TEAM BUILDERS. Plus, the new RADIO CONTROL TONKA MIGHTY DUMP TRUCK was designed to put little boys in control of their wheels. Kids will also be able to experience TONKA TOUGH action on television with a special TONKA TOWN video, featuring two new exciting stories, that will be included exclusively in select TONKA TOWN products beginning this spring and all basic TONKA TOWN play sets in the fall.
Information on these and other Hasbro boys brands can be found at www.hasbro.com.
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.
Product names are subject to change.
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