Leading Branded Play Powerhouse Comes Aboard for B.O.O.: Bureau of
Otherworldly Operations and Trolls
GLENDALE, Calif. & PAWTUCKET, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
In a powerful ghost and troll combo pack, Hasbro,
Inc., (NASDAQ: HAS) a leading branded play company, and DreamWorks
Animation (NASDAQ: DWA) have entered into an agreement to create toys
and games inspired by DreamWorks Animation's B.O.O.: Bureau of
Otherworldly Operations and Trolls properties. Through this
deal, Hasbro will unveil franchise-inspired product lines across major
toy categories, with theatrical releases supporting B.O.O. and Trolls
arriving in theaters in 2015 and 2016, respectively.
"B.O.O. and Trolls are incredible properties and we are
thrilled to be collaborating with DreamWorks at the very early stages of
these great franchises," said Samantha Lomow, Senior Vice President of
Global Brand Strategy and Marketing at Hasbro. "Both properties offer
rich and expansive play patterns and we cannot wait to get started."
"This dual franchise agreement reflects our excitement for these two
amazing brands, and the opportunity to join forces with Hasbro is truly
huge," said Michael Connolly, head of global consumer products for
DreamWorks Animation. "These franchises lend themselves to endless
possibilities at retail, and kids will be lining up see what Hasbro has
in store for the coming years."
B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations is the super classified
agency you've never heard of and certainly never seen. Dedicated to
protecting the Universe from evil hauntings, the agents of B.O.O. have a
secret weapon: they are ghosts themselves! When B.O.O. faces its biggest
threat yet — an uber-villain who has a ghastly plan up his ghostly
sleeve -- top agent Jackson Moss (Seth Rogen) and his wacky partner
Watts (Melissa McCarthy) team up for the job. Now, this duo must use
every trick in their arsenal to defeat Drake's powerful ghost army and
save their home from becoming a literal ghost town.
DreamWorks Animation also recently announced the acquisition of the
Trolls franchise. The Troll doll phenomenon was born in 1959 when Danish
fisherman and woodcutter Thomas Dam, too poor to afford a Christmas
present for his young daughter Lajla, carved a doll for her based on the
legendary Scandinavian troll. This modern-day Geppetto couldn't have
imagined that the Troll dolls would soon become one of the biggest toy
crazes of the 1960s. The Trolls experienced a resurgence in the 1990s,
and in 2003, the Toy Industry of America named Trolls on its list of One
Hundred of the Century's Most Treasured Toys. Their uniquely endearing
faces and shocks of colorful hair continue to capture the hearts and
imaginations of fans with rare Troll dolls still being coveted by
collectors around the globe.
About Hasbro, Inc.
Hasbro,
Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) is a branded play company dedicated to fulfilling
the fundamental need for play for children and families through the
creative expression of the Company's world class brand portfolio,
including TRANSFORMERS, MONOPOLY, PLAY-DOH, MY LITTLE PONY, MAGIC: THE
GATHERING, NERF and LITTLEST PET SHOP. From toys and games, to
television programming, motion pictures, digital gaming and a
comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its global
customers with innovative play and entertainment experiences, in a
variety of forms and formats, anytime and anywhere. The Company's Hasbro
Studios develops and produces television programming for more than 170
markets around the world, and for the U.S. on Hub Network, part of a
multi-platform joint venture between Hasbro and Discovery Communications
(NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK). 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" and is ranked as one of Corporate
Responsibility Magazine's "100 Best Corporate Citizens." Learn more at www.hasbro.com.
HAS-PR
Hasbro, Inc. Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release may constitute
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are made on
the basis of Hasbro's current expectations regarding future events,
including potential performance, and Hasbro's ability to achieve its
other financial and business goals. These statements are subject
to significant risks and uncertainty, and Hasbro's actual actions or
results may differ materially from those expected or anticipated in the
forward-looking statements due to both known and unknown risks and
uncertainties. Specific factors that might cause such a difference
include changes in release schedules, increased costs or difficulties
associated with developing and releasing the media initiatives described
in this press and introduce brands, products and product lines which
achieve and sustain interest from retailers and consumers, Hasbro's
ability to manufacture, source and ship products in a timely and
cost-effective manner and customers' and consumers' acceptance and
purchase of those products in quantities and at prices that will be
sufficient to profitably recover development, manufacturing, marketing,
royalty and other costs, and other risks and uncertainties as may be
detailed from time to time in Hasbro's public announcements and
Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including Hasbro's most
recent annual report on Form 10-K and its most recent quarterly reports
on Form 10-Q. Hasbro undertakes no obligation to make any revisions to
the forward-looking statements contained in this release or to update
them to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this
release.
About DreamWorks Animation
DreamWorks Animation creates high-quality entertainment, including CG
animated feature films, television specials and series and live
entertainment properties, meant for audiences around the world. The
Company has world-class creative talent, a strong and experienced
management team and advanced filmmaking technology and techniques.
DreamWorks Animation has been named one of the "100 Best Companies to
Work For" by FORTUNE® Magazine for five consecutive years. In 2013,
DreamWorks Animation ranks #12 on the list. All of DreamWorks
Animation's feature films are produced in 3D. The Company has
theatrically released a total of 27 animated feature films, including
the franchise properties of Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, How to
Train Your Dragon, Puss In Boots, and The Croods.
DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. Caution Concerning Forward-Looking
Statements
This document includes certain forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The
Company's plans, prospects, strategies, proposals and our beliefs and
expectations concerning performance of our current and future releases
and anticipated talent, directors and storyline for our upcoming films
and other projects, constitute forward-looking statements. These
statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and
projections about the industry in which we operate and management's
beliefs and assumptions. These statements are not guarantees of future
performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are
difficult to predict. Actual results may vary materially from
those expressed or implied by the statements herein due to changes in
economic, business, competitive, technological and/or regulatory
factors, and other risks and uncertainties affecting the operation of
the business of DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. These risks and
uncertainties include: audience acceptance of our films, our dependence
on the success of a limited number of releases each year, the increasing
cost of producing and marketing feature films, piracy of motion
pictures, the effect of rapid technological change or alternative forms
of entertainment and our need to protect our proprietary technology and
enhance or develop new technology. In addition, due to the uncertainties
and risks involved in the development and production of animated feature
projects, the release dates for the projects described in this document
may be delayed. For a further list and description of such risks and
uncertainties, see the reports filed by us with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, including our most recent annual report on Form
10-K and our most recent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. DreamWorks
Animation is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any
obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether
as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or
otherwise.

Hasbro (News Media)
Julie Duffy, 401-727-5931
jduffy@hasbro.com
or
Hasbro
(Investor Relations)
Debbie Hancock, 401-727-5464
dhancock@hasbro.com
or
DreamWorks
Animation
Matt Lifson, 818-695-6576
matt.lifson@dreamworks.com
or
DreamWorks
Animation Investor Relations
Shannon Olivas, 818-695-3658
Shannon.olivas@dreamworks.com
Source: Hasbro, Inc.
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