Hasbro CEO listens to fans, becomes CEO of the year

[Roseangelo]

We start with a ToyFare Q&A with Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner.

Some highlights:

How much do you consider the opinions of hardcore fans of the franchise when making decisions for the films?
GOLDNER: The hardcore fans are an integral part of the thought process. ...

Was there any particular fan feedback on the first "Transformers" that you took into account for the sequel?
GOLDNER: ... So what we did is, we focused in on some of those things that the fans told us from a very early stage that they wanted to see in the next movie...

But you guys are paying attention.
GOLDNER: Constantly. And I think what's great about our creative teams, our filmmaking teams is, they get it. They absolutely understand how to strike that balance, and they want to strike that balance and understand the core fan feedback. Because at the very heart, that's the thread that will hold the franchise together forever, if you'll honor that. And then of course, they also are great filmmakers and in their own right they also have the ability to reinvent the brand in a completely unexpected way.

And yes, Mr. Goldner was named CEO of the year by MarketWatch.

I'm willing to bet the editors of MarketWatch don't even know who Gary Richardson is, seeing how he's done all of nothing to earn notice and/or praise.

And this pretty much confirms everything I've been saying about Hasbro not sucking.

[Jester]

I just wish I could find their stuff easier.

[Hero]

'Paula' should have a read of that article

As a very longtime TF fan, I've been really happy with Hasbro and do feel like they have been listening. I'm pleased with the current product range indeed. Much better than 2-3 years ago.

[Drtooth]

Originally Posted by Hero

'Paula' should have a read of that article

As a very longtime TF fan, I've been really happy with Hasbro and do feel like they have been listening. I'm pleased with the current product range indeed. Much better than 2-3 years ago.

Hasbro went from worst to first, ever since the Third Star Wars prequal assortment. Since then, they've been acquiring lines, and everything they touched turned to gold... Granted, with the exception of Transformers Animated, they're all movie lines... but they're able to follow trends and make stuff work. They even started marketting toys to people that collect vynals. Those "Mighty Muggs" things for example (I don't like them, myself).

I always have said that they've had their act together once they hit the threat of losing crap loads of money and laying off half their employees back about 2002 or 03...

I don't think, no matter what can happen with Playmates that they'd take anything seriously, and try to shape themselves up. I still think Mattel can dust themselves off, but they need massive sweeping changes... like not making the figures so flimsy they break when you open them (Yeah, I'm still shaking that fist).