MT. LAUREL, N.J. -- July 14, 2003 -- Fleer Trading Cards has entered into an agreement with Hasbro Consumer Products Worldwide for the rights to trading cards based on the TRANSFORMERS brand. The license will allow Fleer to manufacture traditional trading cards as well as 3-Dimensional trading cards.
"We are thrilled to work with Hasbro on its TRANSFORMERS brand, which has been and continues to be, one of the most legendary and successful franchises in the toy industry," said Lloyd Pawlak, Senior Vice President for Fleer Trading Cards. "TRANSFORMERS will add to our growing number of entertainment properties, and we look forward to continuing the success of the brand through innovative and creative trading card sets."
"Fleer's sets will also be aimed both at the growing kids market and additionally the solid collector base which is hungry to celebrate the TRANSFORMERS brand's rich history," said Pawlak.
Fleer plans a fourth quarter 2003 launch of their initial TRANSFORMERS trading card sets. The first trading card release will focus on the characters in the TRANSFORMERS ARMADA television show currently airing on Cartoon Network. Future plans include products aimed at chronicling the rich, 20-year history of this brand as well as future programs and comic book offerings.
"Fleer, an industry leader brings an exciting and passionate perspective to a great property that will augment brand awareness and excite our fan base," said Tom Klusaritz, VP of Global Publishing and New Business Development for Hasbro Consumer Products Worldwide. "Fleer's use of new technologies will offer fans innovative and highly compelling trading cards that capture TRANSFORMERS deep storyline and complex characters."
Launched in 1984, the TRANSFORMERS brand is one of the hottest properties in the toy and entertainment industry. In addition to Hasbro, Inc.'s best-selling action figure line, fans can enjoy the legendary battle between OPTIMUS PRIME and the AUTOBOTS and MEGATRON and the DECEPTICONS through the TRANSFORMERS ARMADA series on Cartoon Network, as well as Dreamwave's highly successful comic book series and a wide range of consumer product categories.
About Fleer Trading Cards
Fleer Trading Cards is one of the leading companies in sports and entertainment trading cards having been in business for over 100 years. The company also manufactures professional and collegiate sports licensed die-cast vehicles as well as sports licensed 3-D trading cards. Fleer is based in Mt. Laurel, N.J. The company currently has licenses with the following professional and collegiate organizations, and entertainment companies.
- Major League Baseball Properties (MLB)
- Major League Baseball Players' Association (MLBPA)
- National Football League Properties (NFL)
- National Football League Players' Association (NFLPA)
- National Basketball Association (NBA)
- 4Kids Entertainment (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turles and Pokemon!)
- National Hockey League Enterprises (NHL)
- National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
- World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (WWE)
For more information about Fleer, please visit the company's web site at www.fleer.com
About Hasbro
Hasbro Consumer Products Worldwide is the licensing and promotions arm of Hasbro Properties Group, which develops and expands Hasbro, Inc.'s core brands, such as G.I. JOE, TRANSFORMERS, MY LITTLE PONY, MONOPOLY and CANDYLAND, into a wide variety of entertainment and consumer categories.
