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PROGRAM PARTNERS AND MERV GRIFFIN ENTERTAINMENT STRIKE LICENSING DEAL WITH HASBRO FOR
MERV GRIFFIN’S CROSSWORDS™
New Board Games to be Available in 2008
Los Angeles, CA — November 16, 2007 — Program Partners and Merv Griffin Entertainment (MGE) announced today that licensing rights for the new game show, Merv Griffin’s Crosswords, had been sold to Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE: HAS). Under the terms brokered by the William Morris Agency, Hasbro will develop at-home games based on Crosswords, which will be available for purchase in retail stores beginning in 2008.
“We are pleased to work with a market leader like Hasbro to create games for families to play together at home, based on our show,” said Rob Pritchard, President of Merv Griffin Entertainment.
“Hasbro is the ideal company to expand the way people play Crosswords at home,” said Josh Raphaelson of Program Partners. “The at-home games will be just as much fun as the TV show and will be a great teaching tool, too.”
Cathy Meredith, Senior Vice President of Global Licensing for Hasbro, agreed, saying, “Merv Griffin was the master at creating game shows that have mass appeal and longevity, such as Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune. Merv Griffin’s Crosswords™ is the newest addition to those powerhouse classics created by Griffin. ”
Hosted by daytime television star Ty Treadway, Merv Griffin’s Crosswords™ is a fast-paced, new generation “Q & A” half-hour game show in which players compete against each other and the clock in a unique way to solve a crossword puzzle. The series is the #1 new game show in syndication, airing in over 90% of the U.S., including major market NBC-owned stations.
About Hasbro
Hasbro (NYSE: HAS) is a worldwide leader in children’s 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. © 2007 Hasbro, Inc. All rights reserved.
About Program Partners, Inc.
Program Partners, Inc. is an innovative television company that collaborates with networks, sponsors and audiences on original programming. Led by a core group of entertainment executives, including founders Ritch Colbert and Josh Raphaelson, Program Partners provides distinctive programs with high production values, while fostering new creative alliances with advertisers, broadcasters and global co-production entities. For more info about Program Partners, Inc., visit www.programpartners.com.
About Merv Griffin Entertainment, Inc.
Merv Griffin Entertainment, Inc. is the television and film production arm of Merv Griffin’s umbrella organization, The Griffin Group. Over the years it has provided original programming and long-format films for television, as well as theatrical features. In addition to “Crosswords,” it currently has the second season of “Lisa Williams: Life Among the Dead” airing on Lifetime. See www.merv.com for more information on MGE and The Griffin Group of Companies.
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Media Contacts:
Program Partners:
Melissa Ford/Priority Public Relations
(661) 964-0333; melissa@prioritypr.net
Merv Griffin Entertainment:
Marcia Newberger
(310) 385-2745; Marcia_Newberger@griffgroup.com
Hasbro, Inc.
Pat Riso
413-526-2307; priso@hasbro.com |
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