BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com BloggingStocks http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/media/feedlogo.gif BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Hasbro buys Cranium for $77.5 million]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/01/07/hasbro-buys-cranium-for-77-5-million/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/01/07/hasbro-buys-cranium-for-77-5-million/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/01/07/hasbro-buys-cranium-for-77-5-million/#commentsFiled under: ,

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.

Hasbro buys Cranium for $77.5 million originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 07 Jan 2008 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>board gamesBoardGamesCraniumHASHasbroMon, 07 Jan 2008 16:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Hasbro adds Visa to Game of Life]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/04/09/hasbro-adds-visa-to-game-of-life/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/04/09/hasbro-adds-visa-to-game-of-life/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/04/09/hasbro-adds-visa-to-game-of-life/#commentsFiled under: ,

As if the American public's taste for credit isn't overwhelming enough, plastic has now invaded even our board games. Hasbro Inc. (NYSE: HAS), marketer of the Game of Life, is incorporating the Visa card into its latest version, THE GAME OF LIFE: Twist & Turns.

The card will replace cash in board transactions. Building on their 'Life takes Visa' campaign, the credit card company entered into a two-year deal to co-brand the nation's second most popular board game.

Playing the game will no longer be a matter of accumulating money. Each player will gain credit for both financial windfalls and life experiences, as tabulated by an electronic device that updates the card value. Yes, players will be able to run-up debt, although I wasn't able to find information about the interest rate charged.

Protests have been lodged by those concerned about the marketing of credit to the children who play such games. Hasbro claims the game will provide parents the opportunity to teach their children about managing money. Of course, this implies that parents know something about money management themselves.

This product development has sparked rumors (well, truthfully, I made up the following, but it does make a good rumor) that Hasbro plans to auction off the financial processing within Monopoly, as well as spinning off the real estate portion of the game, or using the properties to sell mortgage-backed securities.

Hasbro adds Visa to Game of Life originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 09 Apr 2007 14:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>board gamesBoardGameschildren and creditChildrenAndCreditgame of lifeGameOfLifehashasbrovisavisa card and childrenVisaCardAndChildrenMon, 09 Apr 2007 14:43:00 EST