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Beedo Sookcool: Corporate Mouthpiece
Posted by: Beedo Sookcool 07.30.08 12:01am
Wa tetu dat uta, gang! We've got another Hasbro Q&A session forthcoming, but this week is something that caught me by surprise.

As the mook who was handed the running of the Creature Cantina Q&A sesions (What the Hell was I thinking when I did that? -Bill), Hasbro and their crack team at Hunter PR now seem to think I'm some kind of big player in THE INTERNET MEDIA and actually seem to be taking me seriously. (I quite like it; it makes a nice change from real life, where I'm generally treated as a joke.) So anyway, they kept asking me for a mailing address they could FedEx something to. Well, I thought they'd never cough up to ship anything to ENGLAND, for cryin' out loud. (Oh, yeah, in case you're not aware: I'm English. The spelling should've tipped you off.) To be fair, I gave them my mailing address and explained that I thought they were only sending stuff to U.S. addresses.

Never underestimate the extent to which a corporation will go to hawk its wares. A couple of days later, I got a large box I wasn't expecting containing some sweet swag and a press release. Well, they went through the trouble and expense to send me this stuff, so I feel honour-bound to pass along this press release and a picture of the booty. So sell your blood, boys and girls and grown men who likely have beards: you're gonna need the cash for this latest merchandising blitz! (I'd sell my own blood, but it's not so much O+ anymore as it is 86 proof.)

HASBRO SETS SIGHTS ON NEXT GENERATION OF STAR WARS FANS WITH TOY LINE BASED ON ANIMATED STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS

Toys Widely Available July 26, 2008 Prior to Lucasfilm Launching New Entertainment Property

PAWTUCKET, R.I. (July 22, 2008) With the launch of STAR WARS: THE CLONE
WARS, the galaxy far, far away continues to evolve and expand -- and as it
has done for more than 30 years, Hasbro is on board to translate the excitement of these all-new adventures into toys. On July 26, 2008, Hasbro
(NYSE:HAS) brings home all of the fun of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS to kids of all ages. Fans may relive their favorite STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS adventures with toys such as the new STAR WARS CLONE TROOPER HELMET and the AT-TE, the ultimate clone transport.

Produced by Lucasfilm Animation, STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS combines the
legendary storytelling of George Lucas with an eye-popping, signature
animation style. STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS blasts off first as a worldwide
theatrical release on August 15, 2008, then becomes a weekly series on
Cartoon Network beginning in the fall, followed by airings on TNT.

STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS is set in the period between Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith. The story chronicles a dramatic period when the galaxy is consumed by the Clone Wars, a massive civil war that has pitted the evil Separatists and their droid armies against the Republic and its Jedi protectors.

In addition to the STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS toy line, Hasbro will also
launch other new STAR WARS toys on July 26, including the largest MILLENNIUM FALCON toy ever designed, as well as new characters from
the STAR WARS TRANSFORMERS universe.

STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS Toy Line

STAR WARS CLONE TROOPER VOICE CHANGER HELMET
(Approximate retail price: $29.99; Ages 5 and up; Available: July 26, 2008)
Join the army of clone troopers by donning an authentic CLONE TROOPER
HELMET, as seen in the new STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS feature film and TV
series. Includes signature phrases and awesome voice amplifier to truly
disguise your identity.

STAR WARS AT-TE
(Approximate retail price: $99.99; Ages 4 and up; Available: July 26, 2008)
Star Wars fans and collectors will travel at light speed to toy stores for
the chance to take this massive, six-legged Clone Wars vehicle for a spin.
Measuring two feet long, the AT-TE can transport 20 clone troopers (includes 1 figure, other figures sold separately) and is packed with
galactic sounds and firing features.

STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS ULTIMATE LIGHTSABER
(Approximate retail price: $34.99; Ages 6 and up; Available: July 26, 2008)
The STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS ULTIMATE LIGHTSABER set allows young Padawans
the opportunity to create more than a thousand different lightsaber
combinations using the customization components, including signature Jedi and Sith lightsabers from the new STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS series.

STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS 3 3/4 BASIC FIGURES
(Approximate retail price: $7.99; Ages 4 and up; Available: July 26, 2008)
Star Wars fans can now collect action figures depicting soon-to-be-favorite
characters featured in the STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS. In 2008, a total of
28 different action figures will be launched.

Additional STAR WARS Toy Launched on July 26, 2008

STAR WARS LEGACY COLLECTION MILLENNIUM FALCON
(Approximate Retail Price: $149.99; Ages 4 & up; Available July 26, 2008)
Updating the fan-favorite MILLENNIUM FALCON toy for the first time since its inception in 1979, Hasbro is launching the largest MILLENNIUM FALCON toy to ever travel the galaxy. The new STAR WARS MILLENNIUM FALCON is approximately 30 percent larger than the original version and includes
authentic electronic lights and sounds and can accommodate up to 18 action
figures (includes 2 figures, other figures sold separately).

STAR WARS 3 3/4-INCH BASIC FIGURES DROID FACTORY
(Approximate retail price: $7.99; Ages 4 and up; Available: July 26, 2008)
Join the droid assembly line and build never-before-created droid action
figures. In July, one part of a unique droid will be packed with each
action figure, so collect the figures within each wave to assemble your own
one-of-a-kind droids for the ultimate addition to any Star Wars action
figure collection.

STAR WARS TRANSFORMERS ASSORTMENT
(Approximate retail price: $14.99; Ages 5 and up; Available: July 26, 2008)
Heroes and villains from Star Wars become toys that are MORE THAN MEETS THE
EYE in the marriage between two of the universe¹s most powerful properties:
STAR WARS and TRANSFORMERS. A total of 18 STAR WARS TRANSFORMERS figures
will be available in 2008.

Lucasfilm, STAR WARS, and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.

About HASBRO
Hasbro, Inc. is a worldwide leader in children¹s and family leisure time products and services with a rich portfolio of brands and entertainment properties that provides some of the highest quality and most recognizable play and recreational experiences in the world. As a brand-driven, consumer-focused global company, Hasbro brings to market a range of toys, games and licensed products, from traditional to high-tech and digital, under such powerful brand names as TRANSFORMERS, PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, TIGER, CRANIUM and WIZARDS OF THE COAST. Come seehow we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com. (C) 2008 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.