It starts “A long, long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…” but is it? Do we really know for sure the events of the Star Wars movies didn’t or won’t happen in the Milky Way? Because here are eight connections that only seem possible if Star Wars is part of our history… or our future.
Global branded play leader Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) today announced a new strategic merchandising relationship with Disney Consumer Products for the globally popular Disney Princess and Frozen properties. The agreement gives Hasbro global rights (excluding Japan) to develop dolls based on Disney Princess stories and characters including Cinderella, Beauty and The Beast, and The Little Mermaid as well as Frozen beginning in 2016.
“We are delighted to have been selected by Disney Consumer Products to develop dolls for the Disney Princess and Frozen franchises,” said Hasbro President & CEO Brian Goldner. “Our strategic thought leadership and innovation has led to the steady growth of our girls business over the past several years demonstrating that we have a true understanding of girls globally and how today’s girls want to play. The entire Hasbro team is looking forward to providing consumers with inventive new play experiences based on the beloved Disney Princess and Frozen characters and stories.”
Bob Chapek, President, Disney Consumer Products commented, “We are excited about our collaboration with Hasbro on the Disney Princess and Frozen franchises and the expansion of a robust partnership that has already yielded tremendous results across our Star Wars and Marvel properties. Hasbro’s focus on quality, innovation, and market-leading products designed for today’s consumer, makes them the best choice to grow one of the world’s most popular girls brands.”
Over the past ten years, Hasbro’s creation of new brands and investment in re-imagining existing brands such as My Little Pony has grown Hasbro’s Girls category revenues from nearly $300 million to more than $1 billion in 2013, a record level for Hasbro’s Girls portfolio.
“Our industry leading design and marketing teams are looking forward to delivering to consumers around the world wonderful play experiences based on these magical Disney properties,” said Hasbro Chief Marketing Officer John Frascotti.
-Kohl’s Department Stores invites families to put the magic of Disney under their trees and into their stockings this holiday season with Disney-themed merchandise for just $5 each through the Kohl’s Cares® merchandise program. Designs from some of Disney’s most beloved stories and characters are making their way into Kohl’s stores nationwide and on Kohls.com, and are the perfect addition to family holiday traditions. Through the Kohl’s Cares program, 100 percent of the net profit from this collection supports children’s health and education initiatives nationwide.
“Disney classics belong on every wish list this holiday season, and Kohl’s is thrilled to offer cherished Disney storybooks, coordinating plush toys and other holiday gifts at an incredible value for every budget at just $5 each,” said Bevin Bailis, Kohl’s senior vice president, communications and public relations. “Through the Kohl’s Cares program, families can find a perfect holiday gift for everyone on their list while giving back to their community at the same time.”
The Kohl’s Cares collection includes the following merchandise:
For adults, the Kohl’s Cares collection also includes the “Good Housekeeping Christmas Cookbook,” available for just $5, which is the perfect go-to guide, filled with everything you need – recipes, decorating tips and homemade gift ideas – to make your holiday season merry and bright.
Kohl’s Department Stores is committed to giving back to the communities it serves by supporting kids’ health and education nationwide through its philanthropic platform Kohl’s Cares. Since 2000, Kohl’s has raised more than $257 million for kids health and education initiatives through the Kohl’s Cares cause merchandise program, recognized more than 22,000 outstanding kids through the Kohl’s Cares Scholarship Program and donated more than 2.7 million hours of associate volunteer time through the Associates in Action volunteer program.
For more information on Kohl’s Cares, visit www.Kohls.com/Kids.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is slated to end the show on its Studio Backlot Tour, which should begin whispers about what will come to the park next.
The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic returns for the fifth year to the Epcot Resort Area hotel October 31 – November 1, featuring more than 40 food and wine stations, 10 food and wine seminars and the opportunity to meet the masters behind the culinary magic.
Amidst a backdrop of live entertainment, celebratory surprises and spooky fun on Halloween night, guests will enjoy opportunities to sip and savor all weekend as they stroll along the hotel’s causeway.
The two-night event offers an enticing array of culinary options from the hotel’s award-winning signature restaurants: Il Mulino New York Trattoria, Shula’s Steak House and Todd English’s bluezoo, as well as wine and spirits sampling from around the globe.
The food selections are as innovative as they are enticing, ranging from Italian arancinito Asian-inspired grilled scallops to barbeque handcrafted bacon. On the sweeter side, finishing touches include a chocolate crunch Napoleon and a lemon peel mousse dome
New to the event this year:
Returning seminars include: pasta-making, Italian wines, modern mixology, beer, wine-blending and champagne.
To add to the event’s appeal, guests can enjoy a meet and greet with celebrity chef Todd English, the namesake of the hotel’s Todd English’s bluezoo restaurant. With 17 restaurants and lounges, a distinguished culinary and beverage team and unmatched customer service, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel continually receives national recognition for its food and beverage program. The hotel boasts more than 70 certified wine sommeliers and 1,400 wine selections, including rare vintages.
Tickets to the Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic are available as part of a hotel package or individually. For more information or to book, please visit www.SwanDolphinFoodandWineClassic.com or call 1-800-227-1500.
Retailer GameStop already accepts all manner of video games and electronics for trade-in, but the company has now added another category. Beginning today, the retailer will accept trade-ins for Skylanders and Disney Infinity toys, opening up a potentially lucrative market for the firm.
Disney Cruise Line is seeking theatrical performers for a new stage adaptation for “Tangled” that’s headed for the Disney Magic in 2015, and is also looking for someone to play Elsa from “Frozen.”
Disney Interactive and Marvel today launched Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes – the follow up to last year’s #1 best-selling new hybrid toy / video game of 2013 (according to the NPD Group’s video games retail sales data). The game is available for the PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment systems, Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system and Xbox 360 games and entertainment system from Microsoft, and the Wii U™ system from Nintendo.
The Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes Starter Pack features the 2.0 game software, the Disney Infinity 2.0 Base, Marvel’s The Avengers Play Set with three character figures (Iron Man, Black Widow and Thor), two Toy Box Game Discs, a web code card and countless hours of creative play in the all-new Toy Box 2.0. Marvel’s Spider-Man and Guardians of the Galaxy Play Sets, along with additional figures from those worlds, will be sold separately. All characters and Power Discs from last year’s release of Disney Infinity are compatible with Toy Box 2.0.
“With the launch of Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes (2.0 Edition), we’re delivering fresh storylines – for some of Marvel’s most iconic characters – to one of the biggest video game franchises on the market,” said Peter Phillips, EVP and General Manager, Interactive & Digital Distribution at Marvel Entertainment. “This is one of the most important game launches in Marvel history, and we believe that fans and collectors of all ages will be wowed by the experience.”
Our first real look at Marvel super-villain Thanos in Guardians Of The Galaxy proved that he was one tough cookie. OK, he didn’t really do that much other than imposingly sit on his throne, bark orders down to Ronan the Accuser, and prove that he is arguably the worst father in the cosmos.
Disney Consumer Products has unveiled an intergalactic assortment of products celebrating the release of Star Wars Rebels, the new Disney XD animated television series which debuts October 3rd on Disney Channel and continues on Disney XD starting October 13th. With all new exciting adventures and memorable new characters, Star Wars Rebels will introduce a new generation of fans to the Star Wars galaxy, inspiring new lines of figures, spaceships and lightsabers, apparel and accessories, home décor, books and more from best-in-class licensees including Hasbro, LEGO, Mad Engine, Rubies and Jay Franco.
“Star Wars Rebels extends the franchise’s legendary storytelling while refreshing nostalgic play patterns with a new audience,” said Josh Silverman, executive vice president of global licensing, Disney Consumer Products. “With updated classics like multi-functional lightsabers and buildable spacecraft, kids will be able to recreate the epic galactic space fantasy that has been shared by multiple generations.”
Star Wars Rebels is also supported by Disney Publishing Worldwide with a new book program and series of interactive mobile apps from Disney Lucasfilm Press which expand upon the Star Wars Rebels series. The first wave of Star Wars Rebels books includes Star Wars Rebels: A New Hero by Pablo Hidalgo, an action-packed picture book that uses dynamic concept art from the show, and Star Wars Rebels: Servants of the Empire, an original chapter book series written by Jason Fry. Star Wars Journeys, an episodic series of apps from Disney Publishing, will be updated this October to include the stories that lead up to the action-packed adventures in Star Wars Rebels. In early 2015, Star Wars Scene Maker: Rebels will launch to feature the locations and characters from the series, giving fans an unrivaled user-generated storytelling experience that allows them to re-imagine and re-create scenes from Star Wars Rebels.
