The official Transformers facebook page has released it's latest Transformers Prime update.

Toy Fair is this weekend in New York, and we’re counting down with images of 2012 Transformers toys! Check out this Transformers Prime Cyberverse Energon Driller vehicle with Knockout!

Yesterday Hasbro updated their Facebook page with the latest Transformers Prime Tuesday.

The Transformers Facebook page has continued with it:s daily updats, this time showing Transformers Prime Robots In Disguise Arcee.  The toy features a very large gun.

The Official Transformers Facebook page has posted another Toy Fair preview image. This time, of the upcoming Revealer (Deluxe) Vehicon from the Transformers: Prime Robots in Disguise line.

Hasbro have updated the official Transformers Facebook page with the following announcement. "Every day from now until February 12th, we’re showing off some of the great new Transformers toys coming your way in 2012. Today, check out Transformers Prime Deluxe Knockout!"  Accompanying the announcement was the image that you can find below.

A Chinese factory called Jet Fair has been slammed in a damning report published by GlobalLabourRights.org.  The 34-page PDF file, available to download here, covers conditions at the factory that produced Hasbro products including the Transformers: Prime figures.

The GLR group focus on the factories Transformers output even though it is not an Hasbro owned factory, and suggests that workers at the factory are body searched three times a day to try to stop goods from being smuggled out of the plant.

It is certainly an interesting reading into what is sadly common place still within Chinese factories when it comes to pay and working conditions.

Our thanks go out to Blueshift of ­Transmasters UK for the link to the article.

The CSL group of companies has sealed a deal to bring Transformers: Dark of the Moon branded mobile phones to Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, India and Thailand this autumn.

Meanwhile, Spearmark will make Transformers Prime and My Little Pony back to school and household items, including lunchware, drinkware and lighting. The products will launch in summer 2012 in the UK and Ireland.

Finally, Ingo will create Nerf branded electronic accessories, rolling out in Spain this winter and following in the rest of Europe in spring 2012.

Hasbro Inc have now issued their Quarterly 10k report, a full copy can by viewed here.  In summary, revenue is up for Hasbro in the last quarter however 9 month revenue and profit is down on last year.

On the Transformers side, increased sale within the US and Canada were used to prop up declining sales in NERF and other lines with the same being true internationally.  Hasbro's increased licensing, when it came to entertainment, was driven by growth from licenses within the Transformers product.  Below you will find an extract covering the main breakdown.

U.S. AND CANADA SEGMENT

The U.S. and Canada segment's net revenues for the quarter ended September 25, 2011 decreased 7% to $764,562 from $825,483 for the quarter ended September 26, 2010. The decrease in the quarter was a result of decreased revenues in the boys, girls, and games and puzzles categories, partially offset by increased revenues in the preschool category. The increase in the preschool category primarily relates to sales related to the introduction of a number of product offerings under the Sesame Workshop license during the quarter. Increases in the preschool category were partially offset by decreased revenues from

PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, and PLAY-DOH product lines. The decrease in the boys category primarily relates to decreased sales of STAR WARS, MARVEL, and NERF products, partially offset by increased sales of BEYBLADE and TRANSFORMERS, including KRE-O products. The decrease in the girls category primarily relates to decreased sales of LITTLEST PET SHOP and FURREAL FRIENDS products, partially offset by increased sales of BABY ALIVE, EASY BAKE, and MY LITTLE PONY products. The decrease in the games and puzzles category primarily relates to lower sales of board games, partially offset by higher sales of MAGIC: THE GATHERING.

U.S. and Canada segment net revenues for the nine months ended September 25, 2011 were $1,660,664 compared to $1,694,713 for the nine months ended September 26, 2010. The decrease in the nine months ended September 25, 2011 was the result of decreased revenues in the girls and games and puzzles category, partially offset by increased revenues in the boys category. The increase in the boys category primarily relates to increased sales of BEYBLADE products, which were reintroduced in late 2010, as well as higher sales of TRANSFORMERS products as a result of the June 2011 movie release, TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON. These increases were partially offset by decreased revenues from MARVEL, NERF and STAR WARS products. Decreases in the girls category were primarily driven by lower sales of LITTLEST PET SHOP products, partially offset by higher sales of MY LITTLE PONY and BABY ALIVE products while decreases in the games and puzzles category primarily relate to lower sales of board games partially offset by increased sales of MAGIC: THE GATHERING.

U.S. and Canada segment operating profit decreased to $128,789, or 16.8% of net revenues, for the quarter ended September 25, 2011 compared to $158,763, or 19.2% of net revenues, for the quarter ended September 26, 2010. For the nine months ended September 25, 2011 operating profit decreased to $227,526, or 13.7% of net revenues, from $278,635, or 16.4% of net revenues, for the nine months ended September 26, 2010. For the quarter and nine months ended September 25, 2011 operating profit was negatively impacted by a the decline in net revenues as well as higher royalty and selling, distribution and administration costs. Operating profit margin for the quarter and nine months ended September 25, 2011 was negatively impacted by a decline in net revenues and higher selling, distribution and administration costs. In addition, the operating profit margin for the nine month period of 2011 was impacted by a higher mix of shipments of closeouts during the first half of the year, which represents carryover inventory from year end 2010. Although this inventory was written down last year, the subsequent sales have minimal to no profit.

INTERNATIONAL SEGMENT

International segment net revenues increased by 23% to $563,310 for the quarter ended September 25, 2011 from $458,917 for the quarter ended September 26, 2010. Net revenues for the nine months ended September 25, 2011 increased 27% to $1,192,113 from $942,047 for the nine months ended September 26, 2010. For the quarter ended September 25, 2011, International segment net revenues were positively impacted by currency translation of approximately $35,200, or 8%, as a result of the weaker U.S. dollar during the quarter. For the nine months ended September 25, 2011, International segment net revenues were positively impacted by currency translation of approximately $72,500, or 8%, as a result of the weaker U.S. dollar in the first nine months of 2011. Increased net

revenues in the quarter and nine months ended September 25, 2011 were driven by higher sales in the boys category primarily as a result of higher sales of BEYBLADE, NERF, and TRANSFORMERS products, partially offset by decreased sales of MARVEL and STAR WARS products. Revenues in the girls, games and puzzles and preschool categories decreased slightly. The decrease in the girls category was driven by decreased sales of LITTLEST PET SHOP products partially offset by increased sales of FURREAL FRIENDS and BABY ALIVE products. Decreases in the preschool category are primarily the result of lower sales of PLAYSKOOL products partially offset by sales related to the introduction of a number of product offerings under the Sesame Workshop license as well as higher sales of PLAY-DOH products. Decreases in the games and puzzles category were driven by decreased sales of board games, offset by higher revenues from MAGIC: THE GATHERING products in the quarter. International segment net revenues for the quarter and nine months ended September 25, 2011 increased in all regions, which includes Europe, Asia-Pacific and Latin and South America.

International segment operating profit increased to $100,739, or 17.9% of net revenues, for the quarter ended September 25, 2011 from $70,818, or 15.4% of net revenues, for the quarter ended September 26, 2010. For the nine months ended September 25, 2011, operating profit increased to $132,756, or 11.1% of net revenues, from $79,984, or 8.5% of net revenues, for the nine months ended September 26, 2010. International segment operating profit was positively impacted by currency translation of approximately $4,300 and $6,500 for the quarter and nine months ended September 25, 2011, respectively. The increase in operating profit was primarily a result of the impact of increased revenues partially offset by higher royalty expenses as well as higher expenses as the result of the Company's investments in expanding its operations in emerging markets. Operating profit margin for the quarter and nine months ended September 25, 2011 was positively impacted by higher net revenues.

ENTERTAINMENT AND LICENSING SEGMENT

Entertainment and Licensing segment net revenues for the quarter ended September 25, 2011 increased 69% to $46,316 from $27,478 for the quarter ended September 26, 2010. Net revenues for the nine months ended September 25, 2011 was $98,144 compared to $83,038 for the nine months ended September 26, 2010. Licensing revenue related to entertainment brands tends to lag traditional toy and game revenue due to when licensing partners report their revenue to the Company. As a result, there was increased licensing revenue in the third quarter of 2011 related to the June 2011 movie release of TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON. In addition to movie-related licensing revenue, licensing revenue related to movies and television programming increased as well. Included in revenues for the quarter and nine months ended September 25, 2011 is a one-time movie-related payment of $5,000 received from Universal Studios.

Hollywood Reporter are reporting that Hasbro have opened discussions with Paramount Pictures, Steven Spielberg and Michael Bay about making a fouth live action Transformers Movie.

"­­CEO Brian Goldner says the toy giant continues to have a slew of films in development, but won't make their own films like Marvel.

NEW YORK - Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner said Monday that the toy giant is in active discussions with studio partner Paramount, director Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg about a potential fourth Transformers movie, adding he hopes to have news to share in the next quarter.

Speaking on his company's third-quarter earnings conference call, he also said that Hasbro continues to develop entertainment projects based on its brands - despite some delays and challenges. "We continue to actively develop a number of additional Hasbro films with great partners and writers, including Micronauts, Ouija, Candyland, Risk, Stretch Armstrong, Clue and Monopoly," he said."

Toy Industry magazine ­­Toy News's Samantha Loveday recently sat down with Hasbro Europe's Country Manager for UK &?Irelan, Foye Pascoe to discuss the recent success of the company.  Below are some quotes that contained Transformers related anwsers, but you can read the full article here.

How has the UK market performed so far this year? Are we in better shape than this time last year?
Hasbro UK has experienced a 14 per cent growth (UK NPD EPOS YTD June 2011). This is due to the strong performance of the recent Transformers movie, and a number of our key brands including Play-Doh, Furreal Friends and Nerf and our key licensed properties within the boy’s category.

What lines have performed well for you so far this year?
We are proud that we have experienced good performance across the full range of our toys and games.
Not only are some key films helping deliver the Transformers and Marvel toy lines, but we are also seeing growth of our classic brands such as Play-Doh, Furreal Friends, Nerf and Supersoaker.

Are there any sectors in particular which have stood out? Boys must have been boosted by the new Transformers lines, for example?
The boys segment has undoubtedly been boosted by a number of key films; Transformers Dark of the Moon has had a positive impact on the Transformers retail presence. Our alliance with Marvel has delivered strong product lines both for Captain America and Thor this year. Star Wars has had a good year and was the number one property in action figures UK (NPD EPOS YTD June 2011).

Finally, any hot tips from your 2012 product line to watch out for?
2012 will be another great year for action films for which we have a range of boys’ toys and games.

Star Wars re-mastered Episode One will hit cinemas in February. Battleship will preview in May, followed by the much-publicised Avengers film from Marvel later in the month.

The Amazing Spider-man will launch in July. Transformers will continue to connect with boys through Transformers Prime programming on Cartoon Network.

Within our girl’s portfolio, My Little Pony programming is currently on air on Boomerang and connecting with a whole new generation of girls.

Hasbro UK are recruiting for a telesales staff at Stockley Park.  If you think you may be interested get in touch with them, and let them know who referred you :-)

Here is the job description

Hasbro is looking to recruit a Telesales Executive at the Stockley Park offices.

The position is a 12-month fixed term contract and the main purpose of role is to take ownership (under direction GSM) of the full Hasbro toy and game product portfolio in designated Orders Direct account base to achieve company set sales and profit targets.

Specific responsibilities/tasks:

• Work with GSM to create, implement and monitor full year account business plans
• Manage 100 accounts with T/O of £5k - £15k.
• Create a call plan and complete daily / weekly sales reports to highlight productivity.
• Maintain the Orders Direct base and keep track of all call backs and telephone appointments and agreed actions.
• Execute and monitor agreed promotions within the business plan
• Attend trade shows in the UK and Ireland where appropriate
• Conduct data analysis to support business planning
• Monitors, record and reports back on key competitive activity with recommendations as necessary
• Build an effective business partner relationship with key Orders Direct accounts
• Fully network across internal customers, e.g. Operations, Marketing and Finance to maximise account serviceability and growth opportunities.·    Monitor stock availability and take initiative to address any issues
• Handle day to day routine account requests and follow up

Knowledge and Skills required

1. Evidence of influencing and negotiating skills to achieve results (both internally and externally)·
2. Good communicator (written and verbal) including active listening ability and presentation skills·
3. Numerate, ability to analyse data and sales information
4. Results oriented
5. Good prioritisation skills
6. Adaptable and demonstrates flexibility
7. Shows enthusiasm and passion for sales Experience
8. Graduate calibre
9. Up to two years exposure in sales environment
10. Minimum of Intermediate level working knowledge of MS Office including Outlook
11. Excellent excel skills
12. Ability to drive and travel in the UK/Ireland

Behaviours/Competencies required

Desirable:

• Degree (preferably business related)
• Commercial background with sales exposure·
• Working knowledge of SAP

If you would like to apply for this position please send your CV to careers@hasbro.co.uk 

I thought I would bring you a quick round-up on some of our recent website updates that you may have missed relating to Instruction Sheets and USPTO Trademark status'.

First up, we have recently added 11 new instruction sheets to the website. You can find links to the instruction sheets below.

1. Transformers DOTM Sideswipe 29707 Instructions
2. Transformers Chopsaw 28579 Instructions
3. Marvel Super Hero ABC and 123 Spanish Instructions
4. Transforemrs DOTM Track Battle Roadbuster 36341 Instructions
5. Transformers Activators Megatron 98470 Instructions
6. Transformers DOTM Comettor 32095 Instructions
7. Transformers DOTM Comettor 32095 Instructions
8. Transformers DOTM Crankcase 28744 Instructions
9. Transformers DOTM Decepticon Hatchet 29684 Instructions
10. Transformers DOTM Ironhide 32138 Instructions
11. Transformers DOTM Lunarfire Optimus Prime 35808 Instructions

On t he trademark side, Hasbro have not filed for a new application since the 14th April, but some of their applications have been updated recently.

1. THRUST - The USPTO are currently processing the 8 year extension for this mark
2. SCAVENGER - As of August 10th, 2011 this mark was renewed under the 10 year renewal (meaning it has been 10 years since it was registered)
   
3. ELITA-1 - As of the 5th August 2011, this mark was suspended.  Hasbro have been notified of this in writing and will need to appeal against the decision if they wish to register it again.
   
4. TRANSFORMERS PRIME - This mark was extended on the 3rd August 2011
5. SPEED STARS - August 3rd, 2011
6. TRANSFORMERS ONE - August 3rd, 2011
7. MECHTECH - August 1st, 2011

Hasbro have issued the following press release regarding San Diego Comic-Con

HASBRO TO SHOWCASE ITS ICONIC POP-CULTURE BRANDS AT SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON

July 20, 2­011

With some of the most popular and sought after brands in the entertainment industry for movies, television, video games, comics, collectibles and more, Hasbro, Inc. returns to San Diego Comic-Con to deliver special opportunities for fans of its pop-culture juggernaut properties. Led by displays of upcoming action figures, new NERF VORTEX blasters and “larger than life” statues from its powerhouse G.I. JOE, KRE-O, MARVEL, MY LITTLE PONY, STAR WARS and TRANSFORMERS product lines in its booth (#3213), Hasbro will offer fans an inside look into the breadth of many of these brands throughout the weekend with a variety of panels, autograph sessions and access to brand stewards, designers and more.

 “San Diego Comic-Con is an amazing opportunity for us to engage with the most passionate fans of our brands and licensed properties,” said John Frascotti, global chief marketing officer, Hasbro, Inc. “Comic-Con allows us to provide our most enthusiastic fans with unique experiences based on the properties and characters they love as well as to introduce them to the newest brands and products from Hasbro. We look forward to this special celebration each year and are excited to deliver compelling panels, outstanding special edition collectibles and the opportunity for interactions with the amazing talent behind our brands that have become touchstones in the lives of many.”

• Making its first San Diego Comic-Con appearance in 2011 is Hasbro’s new KRE-O brand, bringing action and adventure to the construction toy category. At launch and on display in the Hasbro booth, the KRE-O brand offers twelve building sets featuring popular TRANSFORMERS characters. Comic-Con attendees will want to keep an eye out for roaming OPTIMUS PRIME and BUMBLEBEE KREON costume characters, KRE-O statues and special edition OPTIMUS PRIME KREON figures featuring “MATRIX OF LEADERSHIP” deco not available in stores (while supplies last).
  
  Giving fans a peek behind the curtain and an inside look into what’s coming in the future for many of its entertainment brands, Hasbro’s 2011 lineup of panels and autograph sessions follows:
  •  Hasbro TRANSFORMERS Brand Panel: Thursday, July 21 from 2:30 - 3:30 PM in Room 24ABC

•  Hasbro Studios “The Making of ‘Transformers Prime’” Panel: Thursday, July 21 from 3:30 - 4:30 PM in Room 24ABC
•  “Evolution of Transformers Animation” presented by Shout Factory and Hasbro Studios: Friday, July 22 from
5:30-6:30 PM in Room 8

Hasbro’s presence at the convention will be rounded out by the highly anticipated HasbroToyShop.com special edition San Diego Comic-Con collectibles available at the HasbroToyShop booth (#3329) and in limited quantities, after Comic Con, at www.HasbroToyShop.com. The complete list of 2011 special edition items follow:

TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON SPECIAL EDITION ULTIMATE OPTIMUS PRIME FIGURE?(Ages: 5 & up; Approximate Retail Price: $79.99)?
Fans will have their first chance to get their hands on the new TRANSFORMERS MECHTECH ULTIMATE OPTIMUS PRIME action figure at Comic-Con, with a special edition foil-wrapped, slide-out package and customizable sticker sheet. This special edition ULTIMATE OPTIMUS PRIME will be the only way to get the figure displayed in vehicle and trailer mode; the trailer doubles as a weapons arsenal and is an integral part of the figure's converting play pattern. The MECHTECH ULTIMATE OPTIMUS PRIME figure features lights, launching projectiles, electronic battle sounds and phrases and three modes of conversion – vehicle, robot, and robot with "mech suit." The trailer, which serves as a weapons depot and command center, also converts into a "mech suit" that OPTIMUS PRIME shows off when it's time to rumble.

TRANSFORMERS PRIME OPTIMUS PRIME FIRST EDITION FIGURE ?(Ages: 5 & up; Approximate Retail Price: $19.99)?
With the mainline series not available until later in 2011, be among the first to get an action figure based on the style of The Hub's hit animated series, TRANSFORMERS PRIME with this special edition figure. This deluxe class OPTIMUS PRIME figure converts from robot to truck mode and features a premium deco only available in this special edition Comic-Con figure. And, in true TRANSFORMERS fashion, the “Matrix of Leadership” packaging in which the figure is housed ‘converts’ into a wearable piece!

­

Our Saturday journey started with another trip to the dealer room, and whilst we got through the day without buying anything we did take the opportunity to take some more photographs that will be uploaded upon our return to the UK due to the slow internet connection we have out here, as well had having Aaron Archer sign our custom Angry Archer Mighty Mugg that was designed and created by Hamster Customs AKA Minion.  Aaron was very impressed by the Muggs as was ­Eric Siebenaler.  We have a photo of Aaron holding the Mugg that we will share with you all along with the other images.

The IDW panel went over their upcoming releases, pretty much everything that had already been announced though it did announce that Flint Dille would be writing a new "Digital Only" Transformers comic series with the head of World of Warcraf, called Trasformers Autocracy which will be available on the iPhone, Blackberry and Android.  This story will focus on the post Megatron period of Cybertrons History and the start of the Great War.  It should be stated that both Nick Roache and James Roberts names were greated with thunderous applause by the audience wheneve the panel touched on both their past and future work.

As it approached time for the Hasbro Panel, we decided to head back to the ballroom where they ran through some upcoming releases both for 2011 as wel l as some sneak peaks at 2012.  First of they ran through the lines that will be released this year including Dark of the Moon, Transformers Prime, Kre-o, Transformers Generations and Rescue Bots.  They began with the Rescue Bots explaining how it is aimed at 3-6 year olds and will have a supporting cartoon for pre-schoolers.  The idea is that they are a specialist unit of Autobots, setup to for rescue.  The figures will focus on new characters but will include also include an Optimus Prime and Bumblebee toy.  The other characters are Blades, Chase, Heatwave and I believe Dozer (the bulldozer) but the mic was muffled at this time.

Kre-O was the next line they then focused on.  This construction line is basically a follow-up of the Built-To-Rule concept, though each building kit will also come with some mini-figures known as Kreons.

For the Reveal The Shield figures they confirmed that the line has ended but that they are trying to find a way of mass releasing the last figures within the US as well as possible re-releasing other short-packed figures.

It was confirmed that Generations will continue throughout the year along side the Dark of the Moon line.

The focus of the panel then shifted to Dark of the Moon.  First they explained the story behind MechTech.  The wanted to remove the gimmicks from the toys themselves so tahat they would not hinde the transformations, but they still needed a gimmick for marketing, so they decided on having an external weapon.  The initial concepts were to have the weapons combine which is why they have the plugs. The following toys were shown:

 Air Raid (32365), Armour Topspin (36106), Dark Iron (36107) who is a stingray car whose colour scheme is based off of Beast Wars Quicksrike, Cannon Force Ironhide (36871) who is a red recolour of the voyager Ironhide, Leader Class Ironhide (29698) whom they have given multiple weapons to help highlight his standing within the Autobots as the weapons specialist.  Next up was Ultimate Optimus Prime (28748) who is the Optimus Prime with trailer.  They wanted to make the toy as big as possible to that he would look impressive standing on people's shelves.  The SDCC exclusive figure was shown next, this toy is simply a repackaged Ultimate Optimus Prime, but comes packaged in vehicle mode witin foild packaging and with a set of G1 inspired stickers for the trailer.  Following on from the Optimus Prime's, the Human Alliance figures were then shown.  First up was Roadbuster (292621) who was then followed with a couple of slides on the new Cyberverse subline.  This line will run throughout 2011 and 2012 and is focused on playsets.  The line stars with a Shockwave (29738), Ratchet and The Ark, which comes with a Roller mini-figure.  Moving away from Cyberverse, the presentation then began to look at the store exclusives.  First up were the Toys R Us Transscan series.  These start with Sideswipe and Ironhide and then move onto Ratchet and Bumblebee.  Elita-1 was shown alogn with Spacecase, Bumblebee and Jazz.  The Target exclusives are going to a Human Alliance Leadfoot who is deco'ed out with the Target logo and then a deluxe 2-pack of Leadfoot (in the target colours) and Twintwist.  The WalMart exclusives are another Bumblebee and a Sideswipe.  Sideswipe has the numbers 04 painting on the side in reference to his original Japanese release where he was the 4th figure to be released.

The 25th Anniversary Unicron was shown as an Amazon exclusive.  The figure is recoloured from the recent Japanese release to be cartoon accurate.  We have taken plenty of images that you will be able to use as a reference in the future but basically the toy has a lot of paint-apps but I am not convinced that it is more accurate than the Japanese release.  The shade of orange on the figure didn't quite look right to me.

After Unicron the Transformers Prime toys were shown.  There release date is the 1st December 2011 and not the date that was shown on the cards in the Hasbro display the previous days.  The 2nd series of te cartoon show will debut a few days earlier on the 28th November.  The first wave of figures include a deluxe Arcee, dexlue Starscream, deluxe Bumblebee and an double-pack of Optimus Prime and Megatron that come with a DVD as well as mini-figures of the human companions.

Wave 2 of Transformers Prime was also shown either as grey prototypes or concept ar.  The releasd of the figures could change but the toys shown were Cliff Jumper, Vehicon, Terrorcon Cliffjumper, Voyager class Optimus Prime (36492) and Voyager Bulkhead (36491).

The SDCC exlusive Matrix was shown that holds an Optimus Prime within the center.

For 2012, he following figures were also shown.  Transformers Prime Cyberverse Ratchet, Transformers Prime Cyberverse Wheeljack, Transformers Prime Legion Bumblebee, Transformers Prime Legion Arcee, Transformers Prime Commander Optimus Prime, Transformers Prime deluxe Soundwave with Laserbeak, deluxe Ratchet, deluxe Wheeljack, Voyager Starscream.

They then breifly touched on the design process, that being Sketch -> CG Render -> Handbuilt model -> Machine Made.

They then started taking questions.  They confirmed that there will be toys for Wars For Cybertron 2.  The alternative heads that were shown on various instructions may be used for future exclusives but at the same time, may not be used.  They have no plans to release more Transformers Animated figures, as they do not fit into any other lines, but they will keep looking for a way to release Hydro-dive Bumblebee and Wingblade Optimus Prime.

When asked about future Mighty Muggs the reply was that they would only really be exclusives (so basically SDCC is the only place that may ever get more).

They would like to see a release of the third season of Transformers Animated, but stated that the most likely scenario would be for Shout Factory to released it much further down the line.

When asked about if they had any plans for articulated Transformers Prime human figures, they took a quick poll of the audience and then said they will consider it.  So basically they had no plans but might do in the future.

When asked if they would release a Generations Arcee they said they can't say anything only that they have something big they are working on for later in the year.

They were asked why the re-colours were released before new molds and not at the end of the lines, to which they simply stated that this was due to budgetary reasons.

They are starting a subscription service in conjunction with Fun Publications for G.I-Joe to release figures to collectors at a higher price that stores do not want, if that works then they will consider something similar for Transformers.

After the Hasbro panel eveyone was asked to leave the hall whilst they prepared for the live Transformers Prime script reading.  We went to collect our Press Passes that we were suppose to have got having been invited to attend the panel and the post-panel round table interviews with te cast.  Unfortunately whilst the press agency that contacted us had claimed that they had put our names down, we were not on any of the lists that Hasbro had.  Thankfully being full atendees we could still get into the live reading but we could not attend the press interviews afterwards.  The script reading went down really well, as was filmed and streamed live on the Internet via The Hub and Facebook.

We headed off for some lunch and then another quick walk around the dealer room to catch up with a few people so we missed most of the Activision / High Moon Studios panel, but we did catch the end where they confirmed that there would be lots of DLC content but that they could not comment on which characters it would be.  They also could not coment on Soundwaves modes in the game (at the request of Michael Bay) nor on what they would do with a Generation One license.

This panel was followed by the Collectors Club panel. The panel revealed that te next collectors club exclusives will be Runamuck and Roundabout (using the RTS Wheeljack and Tracks molds) followed by a Shattered Glass Drift.

The final panel of the day was the 25th Anniversary of Transformers The Movie.  This was fun panel that included some advise for would-be voice actors, some tales from the past and comedy sketches.

As of yesterday (Friday 27th May 2011) two of Hasbro's trademarks have been cancelled under section 8 the 6-year license.  The trademarks that have expired were Tigertron and Ultra Jet