My Little Pony
Contact: Josslynne Welch/Marni Bahniuk
Litzky Public Relations
(201) 222-9118
jwelch@litzkypr.com
mbahniuk@litzkypr.com
Hasbro, Inc.’s (NYSE: HAS) iconic MY LITTLE PONY brand is proud to announce the grand opening of TWINKLE HOPE's La Ti Da Royal Spa at Give Kids the World Village in Central Florida. Named in honor of TWINKLE HOPE, one of the inaugural pony figures in the 2008 “The MY LITTLE PONY Project: 25 Ponies for 25 Years” program, the spa officially opened its doors Friday, February 20 following a ribbon cutting ceremony. Located in the heart of the Village, the spa will offer a whimsical environment where guest families can go to relax and get pampered. Give Kids The World Village is a nonprofit organization located in central Florida that works to fulfill the wishes of all children with life-threatening illnesses.
Give Kids The World Village was the charitable beneficiary of the 2008 “The MY LITTLE PONY Project: 25 Ponies for 25 Years” program. As a result, Give Kids The World received more than $75,000 in donations. The program also held a live auction and sale of a limited edition miniature version of the TWINKLE HOPE pony in support of Give Kids The World. The one-of-a-kind TWINKLE HOPE pony from the “The MY LITTLE PONY Project: 25 Ponies for 25 Years” collection will be on display in the spa.
“Give Kids the World Village is a very special place and Hasbro is pleased to add to the magic with the opening of TWINKLE HOPE's La Ti Da Royal Spa,” said Michelle Hogue, Global Brand Director, Hasbro. “This spring we introduced the MY LITTLE PONY LA TI DA HAIR & SPA playset and we are thrilled to bring the concept to life at Give Kids the World Village.”
“Give Kids The World was delighted to participate in ‘The MY LITTLE PONY Project: 25 Ponies for 25 Years’ program and is honored by the generous donation from Hasbro and MY LITTLE PONY,” said Pamela Landwirth, president, Give Kids The World. “We’re excited to invite our guest families to the TWINKLE HOPE's La Ti Da Royal Spa where they will experience magic and enchantment of not only the MY LITTLE PONY brand but The Give Kids The World Village.”
In 2008, to commemorate its 25th birthday, the MY LITTLE PONY brand created the “The MY LITTLE PONY Project: 25 Ponies for 25 Years” program, inviting international pop culture influentials such as celebrities, fashion designers, brands, artists, collectors, and kids to design a collection of 25 one-of-a-kind MY LITTLE PONY 18-inch figures. Hasbro launched the program last February with the unveiling of the first two custom ponies: a “Silver” pony from Hasbro and TWINKLE HOPE, a pony designed for Give Kids The World Village. Throughout the year, 23 additional one-of-a-kind project ponies were introduced into the collection. The project concluded with a gallery exhibition in New York City where “The MY LITTLE PONY Project: 25 Ponies for 25 Years” collection was auctioned in support of Give Kids The World Village.
About MY LITTLE PONY
The MY LITTLE PONY franchise was introduced in 1983 and quickly became a favorite of millions of girls around the world. Hasbro re-introduced the popular brand in 2003 and since then more than 40 million ponies have made their way into little girls' hands, along with an extensive range of merchandise from toys to video games. HPG, the licensing division of Hasbro, is also gearing up for the 25th birthday of MY LITTLE PONY working with its portfolio of more than 150 licensees that support the brand to continue bringing a variety of lifestyle goods to market from apparel to home DVDs, domestics, arts and crafts, party goods, cards/stationery and books.
About Give Kids The World
Give Kids The World Village (GKTW) is a 70-acre, nonprofit resort in Central Florida that creates magical memories for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. GKTW provides accommodations at its whimsical resort, donated attractions tickets, meals and more for a week-long, cost-free fantasy vacation. With the help of many generous individuals, corporations and partnering wish-granting organizations, Give Kids The World has welcomed more than 93,000 families from all 50 states and over 65 countries
About Hasbro
Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS) 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, CRANIUM and WIZARDS OF THE COAST. Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com. (C) 2009 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
