TRANSFORMERS ROBOTS IN DISGUISE Returns! Hasbro Launches Product Line Based on Original '80s Theme; Fox Kids Series to Debut September 8th:
Hasbro, Inc. (ticker: HAS, exchange: New York Stock Exchange) News Release - 9/5/2001
TRANSFORMERS ROBOTS IN DISGUISE Returns! Hasbro Launches Product Line Based on Original '80s Theme; Fox Kids Series to Debut September 8th
PAWTUCKET, R.I., Sep 5, 2001 (ENTERTAINMENT WIRE) -- There are robots and then there are ROBOTS IN DISGUISE! Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS) is bringing back the original theme that launched TRANSFORMERS in the early 1980s through television programming on Fox Kids, which will debut this Saturday (8:00 AM/ET), and an exciting product line now available on store shelves that has resulted in strong sales.
"TRANSFORMERS captivated the imaginations of millions of kids from its very beginning nearly 20 years ago," said Brian Goldner, President of Hasbro's U.S. toy group. "Through fresh, innovative product and programming, we are confident that a whole new generation of kids will embrace the excitement of TRANSFORMERS ROBOTS IN DISGUISE."
"Hasbro has done an excellent job of relaunching TRANSFORMERS ROBOTS IN DISGUISE," said Jim Meyer, Senior Buyer of boys toys for KB Toys. "Sales of the new TRANSFORMERS line have been very strong since their debut in our stores last month."
"TRANSFORMERS pioneered the 'vehicle transformation' category in the U.S. and kids continue to be endlessly fascinated with this kind of play experience," said Chris Byrne, children's lifestyle expert and independent toy analyst. "ROBOTS IN DISGUISE is a great story and early indications are that major retailers would also agree."
FOX KIDS SERIES
Starting September 8th Fox Kids will air the all-new TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE television series six days a week (Saturday, 8:00 AM/ET and Monday-Friday, 2:30 PM/ET). The TRANSFORMERS characters that took the world by storm in the 1980s -- OPTIMUS PRIME and the AUTOBOTS -- will once again do battle with MEGATRON and the PREDACONS.
The fourth installment of the TRANSFORMERS mythos -- ROBOTS IN DISGUISE -- begins at a millennium celebration. The festivities are suddenly interrupted by evil alien robots known as the PREDACONS, whose leader, MEGATRON, has come to kidnap the Earth's greatest minds in an effort to take over the planet. In short order, OPTIMUS PRIME, the courageous leader of the AUTOBOTS -- robots that have sworn to protect all life from the Predacons' tyranny -- joins the battle. And that's where things get really interesting.
HASBRO PRODUCT LINE
Hasbro's 2001 TRANSFORMERS ROBOTS IN DISGUISE line is reminiscent of the original '80s figures and a must-have for any fan that is ready to face the challenge of vehicles that transform to awesome robots! In the vehicle-inspired, extra-detailed TRANSFORMERS ROBOTS IN DISGUISE DELUXE assortment, PROWL the police car joins SIDEBURN the sports car and X-BRAWN the SUV as they protect the Earth. TOW-LINE goes into battle with SKYFIRE the jet and a heroic SKID-Z races to beat the evil WIND SHEER.
How about the ultimate challenge? TRANSFORMERS ROBOTS IN DISGUISE ULTRA MEGATRON is able to change into six different modes, including a jet, two-headed dragon, giant claw, gargoyle, transport and robot. TRANSFORMERS ROBOTS IN DISGUISE ELECTRONIC SUPER FIGURES -- OPTIMUS PRIME FIRE TRUCK and ULTRA MAGNUS CAR TRANSPORT come equipped with lights and sounds in both vehicle and robot mode and can join together to form one -- OMEGA PRIME! Plus, during the combination of these two figures, a secret phrase is revealed!
Approximate retail prices of the line range from $4.99 for the basic figures to $29.99 for the Electronic Super Figures. TRANSFORMERS ROBOTS IN DISGUISE products are currently available at major toy stores and mass merchandise outlets.
Manufactured under license from Takara Co., Ltd.
Fox Kids Network is the No. 1 action and adventure destination for kids, programming 14 hours weekly (Monday-Saturday) on FOX. Since its debut in 1990, Fox Kids has maintained a dominant position, recently winning the February 2001 ratings "sweep" among broadcast competition with Kids 2-11, Kids 6-11, Boys 2-11 and Boys 6-11. Fox Kids is seen by 25 million kids and teens each month and by 20 million viewers aged 18 years and older. The FOX KIDS CLUB is the country's largest of its kind, boasting more than 4 million members nationwide. The quarterly kids' magazine, FOX KIDS, is the most widely read children's publication in the country. Visit us on the Web at
http://www.foxkids.com.
Hasbro (NYSE:HAS) 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.
For additional information about Hasbro, visit the company's Web site at www.hasbro.com.