Hasbro buys Cranium for $77.5 million

Posted Jan 7th 2008 4:02PM by Zac Bissonnette
Filed under: Next Big Thing, Hasbro Inc (HAS)

I've played Cranium quite a few times and I have to tell you -- It's a heck of a board game, one of a handful with a really good shot to grow and stay relevant in these days of massive multiplayer online gaming and Nintendo Wii.

The news that Hasbro (NYSE: HAS) has agreed to acquire the company for $77.5 million should be exciting for Hasbro shareholders.

As successful as Cranium has been -- a sensation even -- it's done so without the support of a massive game company like Hasbro there to fuel distribution and marketing. Its success so far has been a result of its quality and originality, and now Hasbro will be able to take it to the next level.

Hasbro COO Brian Goldner said that the game will now have a "real opportunity for growth in international markets."

Cranium's going to be huge. And while it's a small part of the parent company for now, I really think it could be a meaningful contributor to the bottom-line in years to come.

Tags: board games, BoardGames, Cranium, HAS, Hasbro