The TRANSFORMERS Global Entertainment Phenomenon Rolls Into Texas
With Special Guests, Interactive Experiences and Much More
PAWTUCKET, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Thousands of TRANSFORMERS
fans from around the world will celebrate the iconic brand from Hasbro,
Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) in Dallas as the TRANSFORMERS fan convention known as
"BOTCON"
serves up a Texas-sized helping of AUTOBOTS and DECEPTICONS from April
27-29. Hasbro and the TRANSFORMERS Collectors' Club, will be offering
opportunities to engage in and learn about the TRANSFORMERS brand that
can only be experienced at BOTCON.
In 2012, the TRANSFORMERS brand continues to deliver innovative and
world class entertainment experiences based on its characters and
compelling storyline. In addition to the second season of the award
winning animated series Transformers
Prime, the brand welcomes Transformers
Rescue Bots, an animated series for a younger audience. Both
series are produced by Hasbro Studios and currently air on The Hub
television network in the U.S. For an entirely new immersive
TRANSFORMERS experience the brand sees its colossal characters "brought
to life" with the introduction of Universal
Studios Hollywood'sSM epic new thrill ride, "Transformers™:
The Ride—3D" opening this May. Working in collaboration with Michael
Bay, who served as the ride's Creative Consultant, the visionary special
effects team at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), and the innovative minds
at Universal Creative, Universal Studios Hollywood's new breakthrough
mega-attraction will propel guests into the action-packed robotic world
of TRANSFORMERS. As the theme park's most ambitious ride ever built,
this immersive experience is a technologically advanced motion-based,
flight simulator thrill ride designed to catapult guests into an
entirely new awe-inspiring 3D-HD TRANSFORMERS reality where they will be
propelled along 2,000 feet of ride track and enveloped in 14 gigantic
screens, many of which tower to heights of 60 feet tall.
Hasbro will also be celebrating two new major upcoming video games
including the much buzzed about Transformers:
Fall of Cybertron title launching August 28th from
Activision and High Moon Studios with live game demos on the show floor,
as well as the Transformers:
Universe MMO from Jagex Studios. The brand also celebrates the
continued popularity and new stories featured in TRANSFORMERS
comics from the publishing team at IDW. Attendees at this year's
BOTCON will be able to experience the wide breadth of TRANSFORMERS
offerings from these licensees and Hasbro including interactive
exhibits, informative panels and hands-on interaction with toy designers
as well experts and creators behind video games, publishing and
animation based on the brand.
Attendees will be able to preview new and yet-to-be seen TRANSFORMERS
toys from Hasbro's 2012 product line including new TRANSFORMERS
BOT SHOTS toys, figures based on the popular Transformers Prime animated
series as well as figures based on the Transformers:
Fall of Cybertron videogame. Hasbro's KRE-O
building set brand will also be featured at BOTCON for attendees to see
and play with. KRE-O TRANSFORMERS products launching this fall will
focus on a new theme called the QUEST FOR ENERGON, pitting the AUTOBOTS
against the DECEPTICONS on a mission to keep the ultimate ENERGON weapon
from falling into the wrong hands. Each new 2012 KRE-O TRANSFORMERS set
is a 2-in-1 build featuring favorite TRANSFORMERS characters in vehicle
and robot modes and includes several KREON figures and exclusive ENERGON
bricks. BOTCON will also feature panel discussions and interactive
workshops led by TRANSFORMERS experts and fan-favorite voice actors, as
well as many dealer booths where fans can purchase official TRANSFORMERS
toys and merchandise.
Additionally, Hasbro will host its third annual TRANSFORMERS
Hall of Fame induction ceremony, celebrating both the humans and the
characters that have helped to garner world renown for the brand. The
ceremony will take place during BOTCON and will honor fan-favorite
TRANSFORMERS comic book author Simon Furman and the legendary voice
actor Chris Latta, the original voice of STARSCREAM, who will become the
first person posthumously inducted into the TRANSFORMERS Hall of Fame.
Both Furman and members of the Latta family will be on hand at the
ceremony to accept the honor.
"TRANSFORMERS is one of the most iconic entertainment brands in the
world," said Jerry Jivoin, global TRANSFORMERS brand director, Hasbro,
Inc. "We look forward to bringing a world-class celebration of the
TRANSFORMERS brand to Dallas and sharing the excitement of the brand
with its biggest fans. With Transformers Prime burning up the
airwaves, a remarkable new thrill ride, new comics from IDW and several
new videogames based on the brand, it's a great time for TRANSFORMERS
fans, both new and old."
BOTCON is North America's largest annual official gathering of
TRANSFORMERS fans and is open to both diehard and casual fans alike, as
well as families and children who enjoy the iconic "ROBOTS IN DISGUISE".
The convention travels to different cities in the U.S. each year and
this year will be held at the Hyatt Regency Dallas, located at 300
Reunion Boulevard in Dallas, Texas. BOTCON will be open to the public on
April 28 — 29. Special activities are planned on April 27 for attendees
who purchase multi-day packages.
BOTCON general admission sessions will be held on Saturday and Sunday,
April 28 and 29. (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 www.BotCon.com
or by calling 817-448-9863.
Fans can find the TRANSFORMERS brand on Facebook at www.Transformers.com/Facebook
and on YouTube at www.Youtube.com/Transformers.
HAS-B
About Hasbro's TRANSFORMERS brand
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
three live-action feature films.
About Hasbro
Hasbro,
Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) is a branded play company providing children and
families around the world with a wide-range of immersive entertainment
offerings based on the Company's world class brand portfolio. From toys
and games, to television programming, motion pictures, digital gaming
and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its
global customers with well-known and beloved brands such as
TRANSFORMERS, LITTLEST PET SHOP, NERF, PLAYSKOOL, MY LITTLE PONY, G.I.
JOE, MAGIC: THE GATHERING and MONOPOLY. The Company's Hasbro Studios
develops and produces television programming for markets around the world.
The Hub TV Network is part of a multi-platform joint venture between
Hasbro and Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), in
the U.S. Through the company's deep commitment to corporate social
responsibility, including philanthropy, Hasbro is helping to build a
safe and sustainable world for future generations and to positively
impact the lives of millions of children and families every year. It has
been recognized for its efforts by being named one of the "World's Most
Ethical Companies." Learn more at www.hasbro.com.
© 2012 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
About Fun Publications, Inc.
For over 15 years, Fun Publications, Inc. has been a Hasbro licensee
offering fans and collectors of pop culture memorabilia news, exclusive
product and family events through different print offerings, websites,
collector clubs and brand specific conventions such as G.I.JoeCon and
BotCon. Located in Fort Worth Texas, Fun Publications reaches a large
audience, serving the United States and many other countries such as
Japan, Great Britain, Brazil, Australia and Canada. For more information
visit TransformersClub.com,
GIJoeClub.com,
GIJoeCon.com,
and BotCon.com.
BotCon is a registered trademark of Fun Publications, Inc. (C) 2012 Fun
Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.
Hunter Public Relations
Joseph Moscone, 212-679-6600, x235
jmoscone@hunterpr.com
or
Hasbro,
Inc.
Daniel Benkwitt, 401-727-5318
dbenkwitt@hasbro.com
Source: Hasbro, Inc.
News Provided by Acquire Media
