Hasbro Donates $300,000 in Games to Public Libraries for National Gaming Day

Pictureka! Games Given to American Library Association for First-Ever Event

On November 15, the American Library Association (ALA) is hosting the First Annual National Gaming Day with the support of Hasbro, Inc., encouraging communities around the country to visit their local public library and play the new award-winning board game, PICTUREKA!. To ensure that library branches throughout the U.S. have the opportunity to read, learn and play at the library on this day, Hasbro has donated more than 16,000 PICTUREKA! games, valued at more than $300,000.

“Hasbro is honored to participate in ALA’s initiative by donating PICTUREKA! games to all of America’s libraries,” said Matt Collins, Vice President of U.S. Marketing for Hasbro Games. “Games and libraries provide value for America’s families as both bring people together, encourage learning and growth, and make people laugh.”

By inviting communities to play PICTUREKA! on National Gaming Day, Hasbro and the ALA are helping to raise awareness about the benefits of playing games in libraries and incorporating games into educational programs.

“The American Library Association is dedicated to providing opportunities and access to learning for all people,” said Jim Rettig, President of the American Library Association. “By teaming up with Hasbro for National Gaming Day, we are creating a forum that supports learning, as well as fun.”

PICTUREKA! is a new picture-finding game where players race to uncover wacky “doodle” images hidden in nine double-sided game tiles. Task cards tell players what picture to find on the game tiles and inform what other players, if any, can be included in the search. PICTUREKA! is easy to learn and easy to play as it has limited text in English and Spanish and takes just 30 minutes or less to play, making it the perfect game for families and libraries. Available at mass retailers nationwide for an approximate retail price of $19.99, PICTUREKA! is recommended for 2 or more players, age 6 to 106.

Hasbro, Inc. is a worldwide leader in children’s and family leisure time products and services with a rich portfolio of brands and entertainment properties that provides some of the highest quality and most recognizable play and recreational experiences in the world. As a brand-driven, consumer-focused global company, Hasbro brings to market a range of toys, games and licensed products, from traditional to high-tech and digital, under such powerful brand names as TRANSFORMERS, PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, TIGER, CRANIUM and WIZARDS OF THE COAST. Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com. © 2008 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Contacts

Hunter Public Relations
Rebecca Woelfel, 212-679-6600, Ext. 222
bwoelfel {at} hunterpr(.)com
or
Hasbro, Inc.
Pat Riso, 413-526-2307
priso {at} hasbro(.)com