HASBROS SIMON CELEBRATES 25 YEARS WITH A
CELEBRITY eBay CHARITY AUCTION
THURSDAY JUNE 19 SUNDAY JUNE 29
Celebrity Simon Autographs Include Simon Cowell and Simon Le Bon
Proceeds To Be Matched By Hasbro and Benefit Boundless Playgrounds
E. LONGMEADOW, MA (June 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 will have exclusive celebrity and anniversary-related SIMON items available on eBay from Thursday, June 19th through Sunday, June 29th, 2003. Hasbro will then match all net auction proceeds, up to $25,000, and donate them to the childrens charity The National Center for Boundless Playgrounds®, 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.
A number of celebrity Simons have joined in on the SIMON celebration by providing their autograph to the new two-sided SIMON2 game. Some of those celebrity Simons who put their signature on the games include:
· Simon Cowell - American Idol judge
· Simon Le Bon - Lead singer of Duran Duran
· Corey Simon - Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle
· John Simon - Tennessee Titans running back
The auction will feature one-of-a-kind commemorative items that will only be available through eBay. The items include:
· One SIMON2 game signed by all participating celebrity Simons
· Five individually autographed SIMON2 games
· 14 SIMON 25th anniversary commemorative tote bags filled with a SIMON2 game (unsigned), a Hand-held SIMON game and a SIMON anniversary t-shirt
SIMON has meant a great deal to Hasbro, the gaming world and the millions of people who have enjoyed the game since its launch 25 years ago, said Mark Stark, vice president of marketing for Hasbro Games. This event allows us to share the anniversary with all the dedicated SIMON fans, the celebrities that share the games name and the children who benefit from the development of Boundless Playgrounds around the country.
About SIMON
The game SIMON was launched in 1978 and quickly became a gaming and cultural icon. The red, yellow, green and blue flashing lights along with the distinct beeps became forever synonymous with SIMON and remain a memorable part of childhood (and adulthood) for millions of fans today.
In 2001, the SIMON2 game came to market and offered consumers not only the original SIMON game, but also an added two-player, head-to-head challenge on the reverse side of the game unit. Today, SIMON has a different look and adds several different game play options, but the game continues to entertain consumers, while many of its competitors have gone away.
Simon is tremendously significant in at least two ways in the context of the modern toy industry, says toy and childrens lifestyle expert Chris Byrne, also known as The Toy Guy. Simon opened the door for electronic games, by marrying classic play with then-revolutionary computer capabilities. It inspired a whole new category within the game industry. Second, Simon helped revitalize the board game category overall, getting adults and families to play games again. It paved the way for the boom in adult and family board gamesboth electronic and traditionalthat exploded throughout the 1980sand beyond. The game remains virtually unchanged since its launch and has secured its place as a consistent classic.
In addition to the SIMON2 game, SIMON game play is also available in a portable hand-held version for on-the-go fun. For more information on the SIMON product line and the 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 organizations 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 worlds 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 childrens 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.
