|
Disney and Hasbro Form Multi-Year Corporate Alliance
|
 The Walt Disney Co. and Hasbro Inc. today announced a broad multi-year corporate alliance encompassing the licensing of Disney film and television properties, and an array of creative initiatives at Disney's theme parks and resorts. Under terms of the agreement, Hasbro, a worldwide leader in the toys and games industry, will have the right to develop and market toys and games associated with upcoming Disney-branded film properties, beginning with ``Monsters, Inc.,'' a Disney/Pixar animated feature film scheduled for release in fall 2001. In addition, Hasbro will become the Official Toy and Game Company for Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort and Disneyland Paris Resort. ``This alliance between Disney and Hasbro brings together the best in creativity, innovation and broad-based family entertainment,'' said Hasbro Chairman and CEO Alan G. Hassenfeld. ``We believe it offers both companies incredible opportunities to provide unmatched entertainment experiences to families around the world.'' Disney President and COO Bob Iger said: ``Disney's film, video and television content is unrivaled, and the company and its licensees have consistently been able to leverage the strength of this content to achieve great success at retail around the world. The combination of our upcoming film and television projects with Hasbro's great product and marketing expertise should yield substantial financial and creative benefits for both companies.'' Said Andy Mooney, president of Disney Consumer Products Worldwide: ``Hasbro is a toy industry leader and clearly understands the entertainment market, as demonstrated by its success with products based on `event' films such as `Jurassic Park' and `Star Wars.' That expertise will be a perfect complement to Disney's array of feature animation and family live-action films, as well as video premieres and television programming.'' Added Paul Pressler, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts: ``Disney's theme parks and resorts offer millions of guests around the world unparalleled entertainment experiences. We're very pleased that we will be able to feature Hasbro's classic brands, and we welcome Hasbro as one of our alliance companies at our theme parks and resorts in Orlando, Anaheim and Paris.'' Under terms of the multi-year agreement, Hasbro will develop and market products such as plush toys, action figures, vehicles, games, puzzles, dolls, infant/preschool toys and other categories for ``Monsters, Inc.'' and other upcoming Disney-branded films. In addition, Hasbro will develop and market the same range of products for select Disney video premier releases and television properties. The relationship encompasses all worldwide markets except Japan. The alliance also will showcase many of the great Hasbro brands in new and innovative ways at Disney's theme parks and resorts. For example: - Disney and Hasbro will co-develop a 16,000-square-foot toy store located in Walt Disney World's Downtown Disney Marketplace. The store will feature whimsical Disney and Hasbro toy and games icons, interactive areas and other surprises for guests.
- Icons based on popular Hasbro toys and games will be featured in large-scale formats at Disney's 5,760-room Pop Century resort, which will begin opening at Walt Disney World Resort in December 2001. The resort will incorporate popular cultural icons from each decade of the 20th century, and will feature an outsized PLAY-DOH can, human-sized MR. POTATO HEAD and MRS. POTATO HEAD, an enormous MONOPOLY courtyard and other icons from Hasbro's most famous brands.
- Hasbro-branded toys and games will be featured in Walt Disney World Resort hotels, as well as the ``Disney Magic'' and ``Disney Wonder'' cruise ships.
- A new show featuring Hasbro's international adventure character ACTION MAN will debut at Disneyland Paris Resort. In addition, Disney and Hasbro will explore various creative initiatives for the Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Paris Resort.
Hasbro 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 United States, its Playskool, Kenner, Tonka, Oddzon, Super Soaker, Milton Bradley, Parker Brothers, Tiger, Hasbro Interactive, Microprose, Galoob and Wizards of the Coast brands and products provide the highest quality and most recognizable play experiences in the world. The Walt Disney Co. is a diversified, international family entertainment and media company whose operations include theme parks and resorts, filmed entertainment including motion pictures and television shows, home video products, records, consumer products, a cruise line, radio and television stations, broadcast and cable networks, Internet offerings, publishing activities and professional sports enterprises. Disney owns ABC Inc. Founded in 1923 by Walter E. Disney and his brother Roy O. Disney, The Walt Disney Co. generated revenues of $23.4 billion in 1999. It employs more than 110,000 people worldwide. [Posted 9/20/2000]
  
|
