AUS Toyfair 08 TFs report, part 2 of 3 (Crossovers & Misc items)

[griffin]

First up, Transformers Crossovers. Looks to be a new banner name to group together the existing Star Wars Transformers with the new Marvel Transformers. And possibly any future crossovers.

Their display for Star Wars was rather small, and for SWTFs, they only had one old figure loose (Clone transport) and a packaging mockup (Obi-Wan Ep3 Jedi Starfighter) to show the new packaging for SWTFs. Looks like the spin disc gimmick is gone.
Disappointed that there wasn't anything new shown for SWTFs, I pressed for information, but they couldn't say anything other than to confirm the press release from a few months back that said there would be 18 SWTFs this year. One reason they said they couldn't talk about SWTFs is because there will be a heavy focus on releasing some SWTFs characters/moulds to match the upcoming animated Clone Wars Movie. That said, I was reassured that they would still be releasing some new 'classic' Star Wars characters in the line, but couldn't give even one name. Fair enough, it's their perogative to decide what information can be disseminated at the best times. Perhaps at BotCon they will reveal some.

New Packaging from one angle.


And from the other angle.


Marvel Transformers Crossovers.
I was only aware of Ironman/Jet and Green Hulk/Tank from the US Toyfair a couple months back, so was pleasantly surprised to see another six different ones revealed at the AUS Toyfair this weekend.

Venom/Muscle Car (loose and in packaging)
Spiderman/Motorcycle (loose and in packaging)
Wolverine/Offroad Vehicle (packaging mock-up, no actual toy)
Green Hulk/Tank (back of Venom packaging pictures)
Ironman/Jet (back of Venom packaging pictures)
Human Torch/Jet (different to Ironman jet) (back of Wolverine packaging)
Black Spiderman/Motorcycle (recolour) (back of Wolverine packaging)
Grey Hulk/Tank (recolour) (back of Wolverine packagin)

A total of eight, in what would be at least two waves so far, according to the two recolours on Wolverine's packaging. And according to the Hasbro rep, there are 10-15 planned so far, and because of the success of the Star Wars Transformers, both sub-lines within 'Crossovers' will be long term product lines.

Pics:








I thought I got in close enough for that back of packaging photo, but unfortunately didn't find out until I got home that it wasn't clear enough to see the other figures clearly enough.

Toothtunes.
A novelty item produced by the Hasbro division 'Tiger Electronics'. These are electric toothbrushes that play music that resonates to the nearby eardrums of the teeth being cleaned. As such, they aren't very audible on their own. The second wave of these includes a range of kids brands, including a Transformers one. The music it plays sounds like the Cybertron or Animated cartoon theme song, plus I think it plays some phrases as well. Not sure of retail price (probably $10-15), but the TFs one is scheduled for release here in Jun/Jul.


We managed to 'interview' Kristin (Hasbro Rep) for about 15 minutes, with various questions submitted by fans.

- No second wave Movie Unleashed Turnarounds (Ratchet/Jazz, Barricade/Blackout).

- Walmart Deluxes (Jolt, BigDaddy, Divebomb, Grindcore) still not yet confirmed for release here.

- Classics and Animated are planned to run to at least mid 2009.

- Animated cartoon to be on AUS Cartoon Network Saturday May 31 9am, and every Saturday and Sunday at that time. Each 'Season' of Animated is 13 episodes, so the US screening is already into Season 2, and Season 3 has already been done.

- First six episodes of Animated Cartoon will be released on DVD in September, but being Paramount, there doesn't appear to be any plans of the whole series being released (like the last two series).

- Animated toys release was pushed back because of the underestimated demand of Movie product (which was already assumed to be why).

- Over-pricing of Transformers toys in Australia is due to demand, rather than profitteering. That is, Hasbro Australia only imports a small number of TFs toy product, which usually sells within an exeptable timeframe, so they don't need to charge less as an incentive to retailers to pre-order their product. (eg. Deluxes here are about US$22-25 with tax, compared with in America of about US$11 with tax). And the retail pricing of Transformers in Australia will remain the same until at least next year, no matter how good our exchange rate keeps getting.

- Target Australia will have a store exclusive in July. Masterpiece Convoy/Optimus, apparently in Japanese packaging like the release of MP Ultra Magnus to Target a few years back. It will NOT be the MP04 Trailer version, it will be the MP01 version. Apparently there will be about 2000 units, which should see quite a few at each store (probably 30-40).

- Transformers toys in Australia picked up two toy industry awards at the Toyfair event. The GFK Oztoy Awards 2007, were 'Fastest Growing License' and 'Top Selling Action Figure (Value)' for the Movie Leader range.
Not bad for a toyline that could have had twice as many sales in 2007 if Hasbro America didn't prevent countries like Australia from getting any stock in the last 2 months of the year (the peak Christmas period).

- Hasbro Australia will be setting up an online store end 2008/early 2009, like the US Hasbro online store. So hopefully we will have a better chance to get limited edition items and items not released to stores here, if the Hasbro AUS store stocks them.

- There policy on Knock Offs is that they will chase up and prosecute offending businesses even if the real Transformers toy is no longer currently in stores. I asked this because one of the Toyfair booths near the Hasbro booth actually had on display some imported Asian TFs KOs!

- Premium Movie figures will be priced the same as the regular ones, because they are regular release items.

- G1 homage stuff will be mainly covered in the Classics/Universe line, which will be the series aimed at older collector.

- No idea on where all the excess Movie non-toy electronic gadgets went, stores probably just heavily discounted or dumped them.

- Hasbro believes we have a big enough market in Australia to support 2-3 mainlines (Animated, Universe, Movies) at the same time, so we shouldn't see any shafting on supply (unless Hasbro America are the cause again).

- Minimum production quotas prevent Hasbro Australia from even considering doing an Australian exclusive (recolour).

[griffin]

Some other miscellaneous info and pics.

On one of the Hasbro walls.


These two people showed up soon after we got there (the cameraman wasn't there until later), and as familar as they were, I couldn't work out where I had seen them. Then I remembered, they are the hosts of the kid's morning show on Channel 10, 'Toasted TV'. They ended up filming a segment for an upcoming show, using several Animated Transformers and other toys. They were there for well over an hour, running through lines and checking out the best toys, before they finally filmmed their segment. No idea on how long it will be before it airs.


And the approach to the Hasbro booth (the largest display at Toyfair, because the largest toy company, Mattel, weren't there).




Heaps of tables for doing business with the various retailers.


All hail the mighty Hasbro trademark... :P


Entry to the Toyfair.


Giant Wiggles at the entrance. (glad I got a person in the shot, to really show how big these things were)


A stall inside that as selling model Camaros in Bumblebee colours, but not as licensed Hasbro merchandise. The lady there was saying that they were licensed Holden Camaro model cars, because apparently Holden will be releasing the Movie Concept Camaro car in Australia by late 08/early 09. I think it is replacing the Monaro, which they stopped producing last year.




The final part will cover Animated.
I am sooo tired...

[Tober]

- Target Australia will have a store exclusive in July. Masterpiece Convoy/Optimus, apparently in Japanese packaging like the release of MP Ultra Magnus to Target a few years back. It will NOT be the MP04 Trailer version, it will be the MP01 version. Apparently there will be about 2000 units, which should see quite a few at each store (probably 30-40).

Glad to read it! 2000 units would imply a new production run so hopefully the QC issues will be fixed.

I wonder if this will crush hopes of the Convoy vs Megatron set...?

[STL]

OMG! Great news on on the MP line being availalbe at retail! ! I will be grabbing many spares! Been wanting to for a long time now but eBay prices are crazy!

And you're such a pessimist, Tober. IF there are still QC problems, then just refund them and explain so. Keep buying till you get one that's problem free!

Ah, 2008 is gonna be grand. Animated, Classics, MP! WOOT!

Makes 2007 look very meh in hindsight. Beyond the TFM initial waves and limited SWTF new molds, there wasn't anywhere near this much goodness.

[Borgeman]

WOHOO ON THE MP AS WELLLL

and i want that classics poster as well....

George

[i_amtrunks]

Thanks for asking about line run times and costing, its all great info to know!

Spidey-cycle looks weird.

[iceburn]

Great news for all 3 posts on the fair.
Personally, I think the Marvel Transformers Crossover looks WEAK!
Might consider not getting them and focus on the Animated and Universe/Classic series

Hmm, heard STL talk about the MP01s this morning. Might get or may not get them but it all depends...

[Robzy]

My nephew's gonna be pleased with the cross-overs (he loves TFs and Spider-man! )

That poster of Classics Prime and Megatron was cool... it'd be even better if it was in the Japanese figures' colours!

MP Prime is awesome news... anyone know if it will still have "battle damage" and/or "Short stacks"

[Pipesqueak]

I might have to get me an MP-01 for truck mode display next to DVD Prime in robot mode. Hope it will come with the black gun.

The marvel crossovers look about a zillion times better than the SW ones, but I'm not sure how many I'll get because they'll look a bit out of place witht he rest of my collection and some of the heads don't look 'roboty' at all.

[roller]

woooooo my question was asked, i feel used, in the good way


so they are rereleasing mp01? how odd

That woman with the bumblebee is a bit of orright

pity we cant get our own exclusive figure in ozformers packaging, but the hasbro Australian shop sounds promising