Raving Toy Maniac

The Magic of FURBY Returns as Hasbro Unleashes an Unpredictable Furry Creature with "A MIND OF ITS OWN"

PAWTUCKET, R.I. -- September 17, 2012 -- Almost 15 years after its debut, the iconic FURBY creature from Hasbro, Inc. returns this fall with a "MIND OF ITS OWN" and advanced technology that gives each FURBY an unpredictable nature that will continue to delight and surprise children and fans of all ages.

Already named to hot lists for holiday 2012, the quirky FURBY creature first appeared in 1998, becoming the must-have toy of that holiday season and sparking a collector craze around the world, solidifying its place in pop culture history. Now FURBY, a toy industry icon, returns with advanced technology that delivers a uniquely interactive play experience and introduces this unforgettable character to a whole new generation.

September 2012 - The Official Transformers Collectors' Club has sent along an update:

Hello! As some of you have already seen, we have posted up a two page comic preview spotlighting figures from the ALL NEW Transformers Figure Subscription Service.

The preview can be seen here:

http://transformersclub.com/

August 2012 - Hasbro has sent out an update about a batch of exclusive Transformers toys:

Transformers fans,

At Comic-Con, the Transformers team announced that the Transformers Prime First Edition action figure line would be made available at Toys R Us. We're excited to share with you that BigBadToyStore.com and Entertainment Earth will also carry the line. The Transformers Prime First Edition items that will be available at all three of these retailers include:

Deluxe Scale:

• STARSCREAM
• ARCEE
• TERRORCON CLIFFJUMPER
• VEHICON

Voyager Scale:

• BULKHEAD
• OPTIMUS PRIME

Additionally, BigBadToyStore.com will start pre-sell for their Dark Energon exclusive items that were announced at Comic-Con on September 1. The items in this line include:

Deluxe Scale:

• DARK ENERGON DEFENDER WHEELJACK
• DARK ENERGON KNOCKOUT
• DARK ENERGON STARSCREAM
• DARK ENERGON DEFENDER BUMBLEBEE

Voyager Scale:

• DARK ENERGON DEFENDER OPTIMUS PRIME
• DARK ENERGON MEGATRON

August 28, 2012 - Hasbro has sent along press images of their new Star Wars toys unveiled at the Star Wars Celebration VI convention - we've posted all 80 of them in a gallery for your enjoyment.

The new action figures shown were from Build-A-Droid Wave Two, Movie Heroes Wave One, Clone Wars Wave One, and Star Wars Fighter Pods, as well as new vehicles.

Here's the Mara Jade action figure from the second wave of Droid Factory action figures:

The EXCLUSIVE Transformers Figure Subscription Service is underway!

Fort Worth, TX - August 21st, 2012 - Fun Publications, Inc., licensee for Hasbro's official Transformers Collectors' Club (The TCC), is thrilled to announce that they have begun taking orders for the all-new Transformers Figure Subscription Service!

When Transformers Club members sign-up for this exciting new Subscription Service (TFSS) they will receive a LIMITED EDITION exclusive figure each month for six months. These are only available through the TCC Subscription Service from Fun Publications, Inc. for a limited time.

The TFSS, consisting of Scourge, Circuit, Breakdown, Slipstream, Jackpot and Ultra Mammoth, is only available to club members. This service is an optional feature and is not included in the cost of the annual TCC membership. Deadline for signing up is midnight, CT September 10th.

For more information on The TCC and the TFSS, please visit http://transformersclub.com/

About Hasbro

August 10, 2012 - Hasbro has sent out an update about Star Wars:

Dear Star Wars fans,

We hope everyone is getting geared up for Star Wars Celebration VI next week! In anticipation of the show, the Star Wars team wanted to share two important pieces of information.

Vintage Line News:

The last Vintage wave of 2012 will be released online only. The figures will be available on Amazon, Entertainment Earth, Big Bad Toy Store, Brian's Toys, and other specialty shops. The figures are listed below.

• Ahsoka
• Obi-Wan (Clone Wars)
• Naboo Pilot
• Mawhonic
• Aurra Sing
• Lumat
• Gungan Warrior
• Nien Nunb
• Royal Guard
• Republic Trooper (The Old Republic)
• Orrimaarko (Prune Face)

(RTM note: reader BKP noticed that Episode VI Weequay Hunter was not on this list, but we checked the Big Bad Toy Store listing and they do show him in the case.)

Droid Factory Parts Swap at Celebration VI: "Yes, these are the droid parts you are looking for!"

Hasbro Reports Financial Results for the Second Quarter 2012

Second Quarter Results Consistent with Company Strategy to Shift U.S. Shipments Later in the Year

• Net revenues of $811.5 million for the second quarter 2012 versus $908.5 million for the second quarter 2011; Second quarter net revenues declined 7% excluding a negative $34.4 million impact of foreign exchange;
• Net earnings of $43.4 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, compared to net earnings of $46.0 million or $0.33 per diluted share in 2011 (excluding a favorable tax adjustment and costs associated with establishing Hasbro's Gaming Center of Excellence); Second quarter 2011 net earnings were $58.1 million, or $0.42 per diluted share as reported;
• Operating profit at 10.6% of revenues versus 10.3% in 2011 (excluding the Gaming Center of Excellence costs) or 8.9% as reported a year ago;
• Second quarter 2012 operating profit increased in the U.S. and Canada and Entertainment and Licensing segments.

July 18, 2012 - Hasbro has sent along press images of their Marvel action figures unveiled at the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con International - we've posted all 17 of them in a gallery for your enjoyment.

Hasbro has also uploaded a few videos from Comic-Con to their http://www.accesshasbro.com/ web site.

Here's a Jean Grey action figure from the second wave of 2013 Marvel Legends:

July 17, 2012 - Hasbro has sent along press images of their new Star Wars toys unveiled at the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con International - we've posted all 55 of them in a gallery for your enjoyment.

Hasbro has also uploaded a few videos from Comic-Con to their http://www.accesshasbro.com/ web site.

Here's a Boba Fett action figure from a Target-exclusive multi-pack:

Matt from AwesomeToyBlog.com attended Comic-Con and has a gallery of presentation slides from Hasbro's Star Wars panel and another of the display cases from Hasbro's booth.

July 13, 2012 - Hasbro has sent along press images of their new Transformers toys unveiled at the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con International - we've posted all 150+ of them in a gallery for your enjoyment.

Hasbro has also uploaded a few videos from Comic-Con to their http://www.accesshasbro.com/ web site.

Here's Dark Energon Megatron, a fun name to say five times fast: