EAST LONGMEADOW, Mass. -- July 10, 2003 -- The world of games changed forever when SIMON, one of the first electronic games, burst on the scene 25 years ago this year. To mark this momentous occasion, Hasbro recently hosted an auction to benefit the children's charity, The National Center for Boundless Playgrounds(R), on eBay featuring exclusive celebrity and anniversary-related SIMON items.
A number of celebrity Simons joined in the SIMON celebration by autographing the two-sided SIMON2 game. The autographed games fetched the highest bids in the auction with Simon Le Bon, the lead singer of Duran Duran, leading the pack with a final bid of $660.00 for his signed SIMON game - 33 times more than the game's average retail price. America's favorite playwright, Neil Simon, fetched $275.00 for his autographed SIMON game, while "American Idol" judge, Simon Cowell drew a final bid of $107.50 for his one-of-a-kind game.
In addition to the signed SIMON games from Le Bon, Simon and Cowell, two NFL players with Simon namesakes donated their autographs for the cause - Corey Simon, Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle and John Simon, Tennessee Titans running back. The auction also featured one SIMON2 game signed by all participating celebrity Simons and 14 SIMON 25th anniversary commemorative tote bags filled with a SIMON2 game (unsigned), a hand-held SIMON game and a SIMON anniversary t-shirt.
As a result of the auction, Hasbro will donate $25,000 to The National Center for Boundless Playgrounds(R), a national, nonprofit organization that works with communities throughout the country to facilitate the development of fully integrated, universally accessible playgrounds for children of all abilities.
"We want to thank the dedicated fans of all Simons, celebrities and game alike, for coming to eBay to help us celebrate the 25th anniversary of this classic electronic game and a great cause," said Mark Stark, vice president of marketing for Hasbro Games. "The auction makes it possible for more children around the country to benefit from the great work that Boundless Playgrounds does to make play accessible to all."
For more information on the SIMON product line and the 25th anniversary, visit www.playsimon.com.
About Boundless Playgrounds
The National Center for Boundless Playgrounds is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that works with communities throughout the country to facilitate the development of fully integrated, universally accessible playgrounds where children of all abilities can laugh, play, grow and learn together. The national organization's ultimate goal is to have fully integrated, universally accessible playgrounds in reach of every child in America. For more information on Boundless Playgrounds visit www.boundlessplaygrounds.org.
About Hasbro
Hasbro Games manufactures and markets games and puzzles under the brand names Milton Bradley and Parker Brothers. Included in its product line are some of the world's best-known games and puzzles including: CANDY LAND, the MONOPOLY game, SCRABBLE Brand Crossword Game, YAHTZEE, TWISTER, THE GAME OF LIFE, TRIVIAL PURSUIT and BIG BEN Puzzles. The company also markets its games in three focused initiatives: MY FIRST GAMES (pre-school games), FAMILY GAME NIGHT (family games) and GET TOGETHER GAMES (adult games).
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.
(C)2003 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved.
SCRABBLE is a trademark of HASBRO in the U.S. and Canada.
TRIVIAL PURSUIT is the registered trademark of Horn Abbot Ltd. for the games distributed under exclusive license to Hasbro, Inc.
