Today is a tragic day for toy company Hasbro. The CEO of Hasbro Inc. since 2008, Brian D. Goldner, who had been the architect for reinventing Hasbro as a "Global Play and Entertainment company", a member of the Board for ViacomCBS, and the person responsible for acquiring the Power Rangers franchise and Canadian entertainment company Entertainment One in 2018 and 2019 respectively, has passed away at the age of 58. This will be a short update, But this is not just a sad day for those of us at the Save Hanazuki Movement, but for the entirety of Hasbro and its brands, including Transformers, My Little Pony, Power Rangers, G.I. Joe, and many others.
He had been battling cancer since 2014 and recently took a sudden leave of absence. Mr. Goldner was involved with creating the Hasbro we know today, joining in 2000 and becoming CEO by 2008, transforming the company into an entertainment focused one and reviving core brands – specifically Transformers. His vision and company growth paralleled the revival of Transformers for many of us, he was able to ensure the company could provide nostalgia and freshness at the same time, a difficult feat. an article from TFW2005 has stated.
Mr. Goldner, 58, joined Hasbro in 2000 and was quickly recognized as a visionary in the industry. He was appointed CEO in 2008 and became Chairman of the Board in 2015. He was instrumental in transforming the Company into a global play and entertainment leader, architecting a strategic Brand Blueprint to create the world’s best play and storytelling experiences. Through his tireless work ethic and unwavering focus, he expanded the Company beyond toys and games into television, movies, digital gaming and beyond, to ensure Hasbro’s iconic brands reached every consumer. The culmination of his pioneering strategy was the 2019 acquisition of independent entertainment studio eOne. Mr. Goldner served on the Board of Directors of ViacomCBS and was the Chair of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Goldner and his wife Barbara were passionate advocates for improving systems of care for vulnerable members of society.
Edward M. Philip, Lead Independent Director of Hasbro’s Board of Directors, said “Brian’s passing is a tremendous loss for Hasbro and the world. Brian was universally admired and respected in the industry, and throughout his over twenty years at Hasbro, his inspiring leadership and exuberance left an indelible mark on everything and everyone he touched. A mentor and friend to so many, his passion and creativity took Hasbro to new heights. Our love and thoughts are with his wife, daughter, and family during this extraordinarily sad time.”