Hasbro 2014 Annual Report Download - page 15

From time to time, including in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our annual report to shareholders,
we publish “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. These “forward-looking statements” may relate to such matters as our business and marketing strategies,
anticipated financial performance or business prospects in future periods, including with respect to our planned
cost savings initiative, expected technological and product developments, the expected content of and timing for
scheduled new product introductions or our expectations concerning the future acceptance of products by
customers, the content and timing of planned entertainment releases including motion pictures, television and
digital products; and marketing and promotional efforts, research and development activities, liquidity, and
similar matters. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties. The Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements. These
statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,”
“could,” “expect,” “intend,” “looking forward,” “may,” “planned,” “potential,” “should,” “will” and “would” or
any variations of words with similar meanings. We note that a variety of factors could cause our actual results
and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed or anticipated in
our forward-looking statements. The factors listed below are illustrative and other risks and uncertainties may
arise as are or may be detailed from time to time in our public announcements and our filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, such as on Forms 8-K, 10-Q and 10-K. We undertake no obligation to make any
revisions to the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K or in our annual
report to shareholders to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of the filing of this report.
Unless otherwise specifically indicated, all dollar or share amounts herein are expressed in thousands of dollars
or shares, except for per share amounts.
PART I
Item 1. Business.
General Development and Description of Business and Business Segments
Except as expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, as used herein, “Hasbro”, the
“Company”, “we”, or “us”, means Hasbro, Inc., a Rhode Island corporation organized on January 8, 1926, and its
subsidiaries.
Overview
We are a global company committed to Creating the World’s Best Play Experiences. We strive to do this
through deep consumer engagement and the application of consumer insights, the use of immersive storytelling
to build our brands, product innovation and development of global business reach. We apply these principles to
leverage our beloved owned and controlled brands, including LITTLEST PET SHOP, MAGIC: THE
GATHERING, MONOPOLY, MY LITTLE PONY, NERF, PLAY-DOH and TRANSFORMERS, as well as our
premier partner brands. From toys and games to television programming, motion pictures, digital gaming and a
comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro fulfills the fundamental need for play and connection for children and
families around the world. The Company’s wholly-owned Hasbro Studios creates entertainment brand-driven
storytelling across mediums, including television, film and more. Successful execution of our brand blueprint
involves re-imagining, re-inventing, and re-igniting our owned and controlled brands, and imagining, inventing
and igniting new brands, through toy and game innovation, immersive entertainment offerings, including
television programming and motion pictures, and a broad range of licensed products, ranging from traditional to
high-tech and digital, all informed by storytelling and consumer insights.
The Company’s brand architecture identifies franchise brands, challenger brands, gaming mega brands, key
partner brands and new brands. The Company’s franchise and challenger brands represent Company-owned
brands or brands, which if not entirely owned are broadly controlled by the Company, and which have been
successful over the long term. Franchise brands are the Company’s most significant owned or controlled brands
which it believes have the ability to deliver significant revenue over the long-term. Challenger brands are brands
which have not yet achieved franchise brand status, but which the Company believes have the potential to do so
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