TFW2005 Coverage Of Hasbro New York Toy Fair 2013 Investor Event

Hello and welcome to another TFW2005 event coverage! You are joining with us on our coverage Of Hasbro New York Toy Fair 2013 Investor Event.

First of all… the highlights:

• Transformers Construct-Bots
• Rebranding Transformers: Prime as Transformers: Beast Hunters
• Wowsers! Beast Hunters Optimus Prime CGI Revealed
• Beast Hunters Merchandise; Shoes, Bags, T-Shirts and more
• Upcoming Transformers Kre-O
• Transformers: Beast Hunters Bot Shots announced
  
  AND...
  
• Brand New Transformers TV Series Revealed

For more details and images… You can read our entire coverage after the jump.



Before the event, we were entertained with some 80s Jazz (no, not the transforming robot variety… the other musical one). Certainly would have loved to hear iconic theme music from Hub TV Shows like previous years; but oh, well…

First to speak was Brian Goldner; President and Chief Executive Officer of Hasbro. He was introduced by one-the-only… Debby Hancock. Mr. Goldner talked a bit about financial situation for Hasbro back in 2012. It’s not bad, but Hasbro could have done better. Overall, it was a good year for Hasbro. Hub is doing extremely well. You can take look at some of the statements attached with this post. We are glad to hear Transformers will receive more interest from Hasbro.

"Let me highlight to you some of the new brand initiatives for 2013" said Mr. Goldner. "We are completely re-inventing Transformers and it’s called Transformers: Beast Hunters. Speaking of Transformers If we take a look at the revenue history of the brand, a few key facts emerge. First when we started this brand it was much smaller that it is today. That was before we created our blueprint to activate our brands. Transformers was the first brand we fully activated and now revenues are twice the size they were that times. Second, you can see the impact of global TV. Our strategy for Transformers is 10 percent bigger in 2012 than 2010 where we didn’t have television following the movie."


It seems as though Transformers: Prime will be known as Transformers: Beast Hunters from now on

Also,

• New Play-Doh compound will arrive in 2013 (if you are interested to know that).
• Nerf For Girls – Nerf: Rebelle
• New IP within My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic (Rumored “Equestria Girls???”)

That brief review of what happened in 2012 was followed by what’s heading our way by John A. Frascotti; Global Chief Marketing Officer, Hasbro.

Whoa! Mr. Frascotti acknowledged “Bronies”; thanked them for being great fans. My Little Pony TV Movie announced. He also mentioned that there will be a New IP for My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic. This new IP is for Older Girls; Teenage and above. The name of the IP will be revealed at a special “Pink Carpet Event” at San Diego Comic Con 2013. My best guess is that this is the rumored “Equestria Girls” trademark.

Littlest Pet Shop next. Nothing new.

Furby next. UK Toy Of The Year… Congratulations Furby.(*I gotta get myself one of those*). Looks radical. “Furby Boom”; next generation of Furby coming to US this year.

Nerf next. That’s nice… "Nerf: Rebelle"; pink colored guns for girls. Theme: “Empowerment For Girls”.

Moving onto Transformers...

"Our Transformers: Prime television show is now broadcasted in 182 countries around the world as well as streamed digitally said Mr. Frascotti. This year we are introducing two big new initiatives for Transformers; The first is called Beast Hunters and it’s a whole new story that will drive across all products, all entertainment, all licensing. A real focal point for us. The second is an entirely new segment and a new play pattern called Construct-Bots."

"So let’s start with Beast Hunters" continued Mr. Frascotti. "When you look at Transformers, the story was historically about Autobots vs. Decepticons. But we felt that time was right this year to create new storyline and new characters to the large existing Transformers fan base but will also recruit and attract new fans into the franchise. So we are introducing this year Transformers: Beast Hunters. With all new enemy characters, shown here on the screen is Predaking; he’s the leader of the Predacons faction and you’ll see a replica of him downstairs. We are delivering all new play experiences and all new digital engagement. And of course we will execute Transformers: Beast Hunters around our entire strategic blueprint with new characters in all of our products; in our Transformers figures, In Transformers Bot Shots, In Transformers: Kre-O as we invite all kids to the Beast Hunters Hunt. At Hasbro Studios we’ve developed entirely new Beast Hunters Television Series and we’ve also developed wide array of digital assets that will leverage throughout the year. I would like to share with you this morning, a quick look at our new Transformers: Beast Hunters Entertainment."




Those who were at the theater, were treated to the reveal of Transformers: Beast Hunters.

"To support this new IP we have developed cross category Beast Hunters Retail Programs that will feature broad array of our toys as well as Licensed Lifestyle Products."

Going forward to Construct-Bots "The other major Transformers initiative is a launch of all new way for kids to play with Transformers called Construct-Bots. We know from the modern boy research, that boys love customization and creativity of building. So based on this insight, we are giving boys around the world a whole new way to construct and to customize their Transformers and still convert it from Robot-to a Vehicle-and back to a Robot. This fresh new platform converges construction, action figures and Transformation with hundreds of pieces allowing for limitless customization. It is worth noting they are simple to build and easy to convert."



This was followed by Marvel Assemblers – Iron Man, Bayblade, Board Games, B-Daman and Magic: The Gathering. Which was then followed by Kre-O.

"This spring we are expanding Kre-O portfolio with new Kreons and building experiences for Transformers, G .I .Joe and Star Trek" said Mr. Frascotti. "Starting with Transformers we’ve had lot of success with our Micro Changers collection so we are going to expand Micro Changers and we are going to expand to a new category called Micro Changers Combiners; which allows you to combine the micro changers into a giant robot and of course we’ll be introducing 8 new Beast Hunters Building Sets."




At the Q&A Session Brian revealed that there will be a New Transformers TV Series developed and aired exclusive for Chinese Transformers Fans.

"We have Transformers: Prime in China" said Goldner. "And we are also developing a new TV Series for Transformers indigenous to the Chinese Market. Transformers is one of the popular brands there. The brand was there in the 80s so we are making a Brand New TV Series that is produced in China with Chinese partners and will air in CCTV [China Central Television]."

And with it, concludes TFW2005 Coverage Of Hasbro New York Toy Fair 2013 Investor Event. Our News Crew is over there at the Fair Grounds amidst the terrible weather to bring you news and images as they happen. Make sure you tune into TFW Network Sites tomorrow onwards for our full coverage of New York Toy Fair 2013.

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