Transformers Company News on Seibertron.com

Current Pandemic Will Not be Affecting the Output of Transformers Toys in 2020

Date: Wednesday, April 29th 2020 10:26pm CDT
Categories: Toy News, Company News
Posted by: william-james88 | Credit(s): Hasbro

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Hasbro released their first quarter numbers for 2020 today and actually took the time to detail everything fans, and more importantly retailers and shareholders, could expect for the remainder of the year. Since they have so many different supply chains globally, they have found a way to organize themselves so that they would meet full-year product demand requirements, which includes being appropriately stocked for the holiday season.

They also detailed which facilities are most affected, and their Vietnam facility, where our Transformers toys are produced is not on that list. So, when it comes to Transformers being produced and stocked, it's business as usual, whatever that usual may be for you.

We will share the passages that explain that more below, for those interested, and you can read their entire earnings report, which is mostly about Play-Doh, here.

Supply chain positioned to meet full-year product demand requirements leveraging growing retailer
channels, including ecomm and omni-channel

Outside of China: Manufacturing and warehouse partners outside of China operated at close to normal levels during much of the first quarter. Beginning in mid-March and through today, these locations are operating at varying levels of productivity depending on local government and safety considerations, with some markets operating at lower than normal production levels and other facilities have been closed for a period of time. Currently closed facilities include manufacturing in Massachusetts, Texas and Ireland, primarily for games, as well as manufacturing locations in India.

The global Hasbro team is utilizing its diverse global supply chain to meet demand from open facilities, existing inventory and to rapidly make up lost production. The COVID-19 situation is very fluid and based on our understanding of local governments directions at this time, we expect closed facilities to reopen over the summer. We will be using our full complement of sourcing partners globally to ensure a quick recapture of any lost production on priority items.

Hasbro is Making Face Shields and Donating them to Hospitals in Massachusetts and Rhode Island

Date: Sunday, April 26th 2020 11:03pm CDT
Category: Company News
Posted by: william-james88

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Views: 27,420

While there is a lot of talk and news about the current pandemic, the news that touched our hobby was mainly regarding events, and there was even worse news of Transformers AOE star Sophia Myles' father dying of the virus. Well, there is another news bit in this ven diagram and it is good news this time, which we wanted to share. Hasbro, the company responsible for our beloved Transformers franchise, will be contributing a major effort to the battle against COVID-19 by making face shields for hospital workers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

They are partnering with Cartamundi to produce 50,000 face shields per week (to make 250 000 total) for front line health care workers, and those masks will be produced in a facility in Massachusetts. So not only will there be more face shields available, but this will also be providing continued employment for the workers at that facility, who will be respecting all proper social distancing guidelines.

And the fact that these are donations means these states will not have to participate as much in the current bidding war states are having against eachother for this particular personal protective equipment, which has been a major strain on states' budgets.

"We are grateful for the opportunity to work together with our partners at Cartamundi to produce much-needed personal protective equipment (PPE), to directly assist the critical needs of front-line medical workers in our community," John Frascotti, president and COO of Hasbro, wrote in a statement.

This comes from an article published by CNN Business.

Hasbro closes offices worldwide due to coronavirus threat

Date: Saturday, March 14th 2020 4:55pm CDT
Category: Company News
Posted by: Seibertron | Credit(s): Providence Journal

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According to the Providence Journal, Hasbro has apparently shuttered its office doors worldwide out of concern for the Coronavirus threat. Here is the information available of Providence Journal's website in an article that addresses other companies around Providence such as CVS, Amica and others.

Hasbro closes offices worldwide due to coronavirus threat; other employers begin work-from-home

While toy and entertainment giant Hasbro is closing its offices in reaction to the coronavirus pandemic, other large employers in Rhode Island have instituted work-from-home for their employees.

Company spokeswoman Julie Duffy says Hasbro’s offices will be closed around the world until April 1 to protect employees from the coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19.

"At this time, no Hasbro employees have tested positive for COVID-19," Duffy said in an email to The Providence Journal on Friday. "We have made this decision in an abundance of caution and in the best interest of our employees and the communities in which we operate."

Hasbro Pulse Premium Livestreaming From Toyfair 2020 Tomorrow 2 / 22 at 1:30PM Eastern Time

Date: Friday, February 21st 2020 10:31pm CST
Categories: Toy News, Event News, Press Releases, Company News, Collectables
Posted by: Stargrave | Credit(s): Hasbro Pulse

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Views: 68,706

Hasbro Pulse is going to be livestreaming from Toyfair 2020 tomorrow, 2/22/20 at 1:30PM Eastern time! This is only available to Pulse Premium members so if you want to sign up now is a great time. For $50.00/year it offers free standard continental U.S. shipping and other perks throughout the year (like early Toyfair reveals). You can head to Hasbro now by clicking HERE. Again, the Entertainment Brand Preview Event Powered by Hasbro Pulse will be livestreaming tomorrow for Hasbro Pulse Premium members through their Facebook page. Stay tuned to Seibertron for the ultimate in Transformers Toyfair news!

Hasbro Pulse Extending Premium Membership For Subscribed Users As Part Of First Year Anniversary

Date: Thursday, February 13th 2020 2:09pm CST
Category: Company News
Posted by: ZeroWolf | Credit(s): TF-fan Kev777 from Seibertron

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Views: 18,599

Greetings Seibertronians! Fellow Seibertron user, TF-fan Kev777, has let us know that they've recieved an email from Hasbro Pulse, informing them that their subscription has been extended for 6 months as part of the celebration surrounding the launch of the Hasbro Pulse service.

More excitingly, was the indication that, as a perk of the service, the user would have early access to product drops including select new toy reveals as they were revealed at Toy Fair 2020 on February 22nd!



We do hope you join us for our coverage of Toy Fair 2020!

Are you subscribed to Hasbro Pulse's Premium service? Have you had this email? Let us know in the Energon Pub and stay tuned to Seibertron for all the latest news and reviews!

Takara Tomy Teases Transformers Display For Wonder Festival 2020

Date: Friday, February 7th 2020 4:30pm CST
Categories: Toy News, Company News
Posted by: ZeroWolf | Credit(s): Takara Tomy website

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Greetings Seibertronians! It's that time of year folks, as Wonder Festival 2020 [Winter] is set to kick off in Japan this weekend, and of course Takara Tomy will be there with some goodies to show off. According to a post on their website, one of these goodies will be a world first as they plan on unveiling the complete Studio Series Devesator! One can only assume that this will be made up of all the finalised toys unlike the last time we saw Devy in which case he was sporting a blue prototype of Overload, the last Leader Class Constructicon to be released.



As well as all the latest Studio Series releases, they are bringing with them Generations Earthrise and the latest Generations Selects toys.

To help promote Devesator, Takara Tomy are doing a twitter based giveaway where if you retweet their promotional tweet while attending the show, simple show your screen to one of the attendants to be given a free A5 sized file featuring Devesator on one side of it (while stocks last).

Here is the message from Takara Tomy's website, bearing in mind this has been machine translated:

Takara Tomy wrote: Wonder Festival 2020 Winter Takara Tomy Transformers Booth Information

At the Wonder Festival 2020 Winter Takara Tomy Transformers booth, which will be held at Makuhari Messe on Sunday, February 9th, 2020, the STUDIO series is currently launching an amazing eight-body union form, "Debatator", which is currently being launched in the STUDIO series. Will be unveiled for the first time in the world!

In addition, the latest products of the MASTERPIECE series, STUDIO series, EARTHRISE series, and GENERATIONSELECTS will be exhibited.

In addition, a Wonder Festival holding commemorative Twitter follow and retweet campaign is also implemented!

Please come by all means!

One festival information

Part 1: Debutator World's First Presentation



Devastator

Finally, the debatator that appeared in the movie “Transformers / Revenge” has been unveiled!

Moreover, the exhibition at the Wonder Festival venue will be the world's first.

Please come and see the overwhelming presence of the Deba Stator, which combines eight Constructive Constructs.

Part 2: Twitter campaign



Devastator

We carry Wonder Festival holding commemorative Twitter campaign! Follow and retweet the Transformers Official Twitter and show the screen at the booth and you will receive a double-sided design clear file (A5 size)!

* The number is limited. Designs are subject to change without notice.

It's also possible that FlameToys may have some more Officially licensed Transformers to show as well, since they are also in attendance.

Looking forward to the reveals? What do you think will be shown? Let us know in the Energon Pub and stay tuned to Seibertron for all the latest news and reviews!

2019 Transformers Hall of Fame Fan Vote Now Online

Date: Tuesday, December 3rd 2019 6:45pm CST
Categories: Toy News, Event News, Company News
Posted by: D-Maximal_Primal | Credit(s): Hasbro

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Views: 105,614

As we get ready to close out the year, the Transformers Hall of Fame is ready to induct a few new members from 2019!

The 2019 Hall of Fame vote is now online, and you can find that vote HERE. The vote contains 2 different voting areas, one for a new fictional character to join the Hall of Fame Lineup, the other to induct a Hasbro Transformers figure from this year into the Hall of Fame. Don't worry, this vote is open to anyone and is not exclusive to social media sites, allowing anyone with an internet connection to vote.

This year, the vote is a little strange, with only 1984 cartoon cast members being on the vote. Amusingly, this vote does include little known character Hauler, who showed up only briefly in the cartoon but has become a fan favorite with a cult following.

Head on over to the vote, and let us know below who you voted to go into the Hall of Fame!

2019 CATEGORIES:

Favorite fictional character from the 1984 season of The Transformers animated television series.
2019 Transformers War for Cybertron Siege toy of the year.

See the official Facebook announcement with link to vote here!
Voting begins Tuesday, December 3 at 10am EST (TODAY!) and closes on Friday, December 7 at 11:59pm EST.
Winners of both categories will be announced on the Transformers Facebook page later this month.

PAST HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES:
Fictional Character Inductees:

Megatron (Class of 2010)
Dinobot* (Class of 2010)
Bumblebee (Class of 2010)
Optimus Prime (Class of 2010)
Starscream (Class of 2010)
Ironhide (Class of 2011)
Ratchet (Class of 2011)
Waspinator* (Class of 2011)
Soundwave (Class of 2011)
Shockwave (Class of 2012)
Jazz (Class of 2012)
Grimlock (Class of 2012)
Wheeljack* (Class of 2012)
Ultra Magnus* (Class of 2013)
Megatron – Beast Wars* (Class of 2013)
Rodimus* (Class of 2014)
Arcee* (Class of 2014)
Predaking* (Class of 2015)
Prowl* (Class of 2015)
Optimus Primal* (Class of 2016)
Cosmos* (Class of 2016)
Galvatron* (Class of 2017)
Barricade – Movie* (Class of 2017)
Blackarachnia* (Class of 2018)


Favorite Toy:

Trypticon* (Class of 2017)
Battletrap* (Class of 2018)


*Denotes fan-voted inductees

Voting options include:

Fictional Character:

BLUESTREAK

BRAWN

CLIFFJUMPER

GEARS

HOUND

HUFFER

MIRAGE

SIDESWIPE

SUNSTREAKER

TRAILBREAKER

WINDCHARGER

JETFIRE

SLUG

SLUDGE

SNARL

SWOOP

HAULER

LASERBEAK

RAVAGE

REFLECTOR

RUMBLE

SKYWARP

THUNDERCRACKER

BOMBSHELL

BONECRUSHER

DEVASTATOR

HOOK

KICKBACK

LONG HAUL

MIXMASTER

SCAVENGER

SCRAPPER

SHRAPNEL

Favorite Toy

VOYAGER WFC-S39 THUNDERCRACKER

DELUXE WFC-S22 AUTOBOT SIX-GUN

DELUXE WFC-S37 BRUNT

LEADER WFC-S40 GALAXY UPGRADE OPTIMUS PRIME

COMMANDER WFC-S28 JETFIRE

VOYAGER WFC-S24 STARSCREAM

DELUXE WFC-S8 COG

VOYAGER WFC-S25 SOUNDWAVE

DELUXE WFC-S23 PROWL

DELUXE WFC-S20 CHROMIA

DELUXE WFC-S21 IRONHIDE

DELUXE WFC-S42 AUTOBOT IMPACTOR

TITAN WFC-S29 OMEGA SUPREME

DELUXE WFC-S43 AUTOBOT MIRAGE

DELUXE WFC-S36 REFRACKTOR

LEADER WFC-S14 SHOCKWAVE

DELUXE WFC-S10 SIDESWIPE

VOYAGER WFC-S11 OMTIMUS PRIME

DELUXE WFC-S41 BARRICADE

DELUXE WFC-S35 RED ALERT

DELUXE WFC-S9 AUTOBOT HOUND

VOYAGER WFC-S12 MEGATRON

LEADER WFC-S13 ULTRA MAGNUS

VOYAGER WFC-S38 AUTOBOT SPRINGER

DELUXE WFC-S7 SKYTREAD

REFRAKTOR RECONNAISSANCE TEAM 3-PACK (SPECTRO, VIEWFINDER, & SPYGLASS)

GENERATIONS SELECTS WFC-GS04 POWERDASHER CROMAR

GENERATIONS SELECTS WFC-GS09 HOT SHOT

Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner Talks Stock Rebound, Media Acquisitions, Strength of Transformers Brand

Date: Wednesday, September 18th 2019 5:57pm CDT
Categories: Toy News, Company News, Digital Media News
Posted by: Bounti76 | Credit(s): CNN

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Views: 34,648

Thanks to Seibertronian xRotorstormx, we have news of an article which is of interest. In a recent Goldman Sachs conference in New York, Brian Goldner, Hasbro CEO had plenty to be excited about. This year so far, Hasbro stock is up 45%, and a large part of that is due to the strong performance of the Transformers brand, among others.

Hasbro has also been busy acquiring Canadian media company Entertainment One, which gives them ownership of Peppa Pig and PJ Masks, and a bigger presence in the preschool market, which Rescue Bots is aimed at.

"Kids are increasingly engaged with characters and story," Goldner said, talking about the need for Hasbro to own the rights to top media brands.

.

Speaking of top media brands, Hasbro's acquisition of eOne means that they now own the music catalogs of Death Row records, Tupac Shakur, Dr. Dre, and Snoop Dogg among that label's most famous artists. Might we see a collaboration between them? A Snoop Doggimus Prime redeco of MP-10, anyone?

One other interesting point of interest is Hasbro's increasing business with retailers after the demise of Toys R Us. This would explain the increasing number of Amazon exclusives (Greenlight, Siege multipacks), Target exclusives (Rainmaker trio, Battle Damaged Studio Series Megatron), and Walmart (35th Anniversary Siege figures, Vintage G1 reissues), where exclusives were regularly sold via the defunct toy retailer.

Check out the full article here, and let us know what you think of Hasbro's news. As always, if you have any Transformers related news, please let us know!

Hasbro Press Release listing Green Initiatives for its Toys

Date: Wednesday, August 21st 2019 1:25pm CDT
Categories: Toy News, Press Releases, Company News
Posted by: Stargrave | Credit(s): Hasbro

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Hasbro will begin phasing out plastic from their packaging beginning in 2020. That includes polybags, elastic bands, shrink wrap, window sheets and blister packs, all to be phased out from new product releases by 2022. At the top of the press release it mentions products such as Nerf, My Little Pony, Monopoly, Magic: The Gathering, and Power Rangers, but does not state Transformers. This appears to be just a cursory listing of their products and does not specifically exclude Transformers.

Here's the press release from Hasbro - it's important to note at the end that we know with 100% certainty that this TerraCycle project does involve Transformers toys so these changes will be seen in our fandom at some point. TerraCyle recycles all forms of toys for reuse in various ways as described in the press release excerpt listed below.
From the press release:
"Reimagining and redesigning packaging across our brand portfolio is a complex undertaking, but we believe it’s important and our teams are up for the challenge,” said John Frascotti, President and Chief Operating Officer, Hasbro. “We know consumers share our commitment to protecting the environment, and we want families to feel good knowing that our packaging will be virtually plastic-free, and our products can be easily recycled through our Toy Recycling Program with TerraCycle*.”
Hasbro’s Toy Recycling Program enables consumers to send well-loved Hasbro toys and games to TerraCycle, a global leader in product recycling, who will recycle them into materials to be used in the construction of play spaces, flowerpots, park benches, and other innovative uses. Hasbro recently announced the expansion of the program to France, Germany and Brazil, and plans to expand the program to additional markets with the goal of ensuring all Hasbro toys and games are recyclable in the major markets where it does business."

Read the full press release below.

"Beginning in 2020, Hasbro will begin phasing out plastic from new toy and game packaging across its portfolio of iconic brands like NERF, MY LITTLE PONY, MONOPOLY, MAGIC: THE GATHERING and POWER RANGERS
PAWTUCKET, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 20, 2019-- Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) announced today that, beginning in 2020, it plans to begin phasing out plastic from new product packaging, including plastic elements like polybags, elastic bands, shrink wrap, window sheets and blister packs. The company’s ambition is to eliminate virtually all plastic in packaging for new products by the end of 2022.
“Removing plastic from our packaging is the latest advancement in our more than decade-long journey to create a more sustainable future for our business and our world,” said Brian Goldner, Chairman and CEO, Hasbro. “We have an experienced, cross-functional team in place to manage the complexity of this undertaking and will look to actively engage employees, customers, and partners as we continue to innovate and drive progress as a leader in sustainability.”
Hasbro has a long-standing commitment to environmental sustainability, from eliminating wire ties in 2010 and adding How2Recycle® labeling in 2016, to the use of plant-based bioPET in 2018, and most recently, launching an industry-leading toy recycling program with TerraCycle®. Hasbro’s Sustainability Center of Excellence is charged with driving the integration of sustainability across the business, including driving sustainable packaging design principles.
“Reimagining and redesigning packaging across our brand portfolio is a complex undertaking, but we believe it’s important and our teams are up for the challenge,” said John Frascotti, President and Chief Operating Officer, Hasbro. “We know consumers share our commitment to protecting the environment, and we want families to feel good knowing that our packaging will be virtually plastic-free, and our products can be easily recycled through our Toy Recycling Program with TerraCycle*.”
Hasbro’s Toy Recycling Program enables consumers to send well-loved Hasbro toys and games to TerraCycle, a global leader in product recycling, who will recycle them into materials to be used in the construction of play spaces, flowerpots, park benches, and other innovative uses. Hasbro recently announced the expansion of the program to France, Germany and Brazil, and plans to expand the program to additional markets with the goal of ensuring all Hasbro toys and games are recyclable in the major markets where it does business.
To learn more about Hasbro's sustainability efforts, visit http://www.hasbro.com/csr and read our CSR Report, Playing with Purpose."

Harmony Gold Renews Robotech / Macross Licence and Looks Forward to Another 35 Years of Ownership

Date: Friday, July 12th 2019 8:15pm CDT
Categories: Toy News, Press Releases, Company News
Posted by: william-james88 | Credit(s): Den of Geek

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Views: 38,428

You are never getting that G1 Jetfire reissue, ever. For those unaware, while almost everything to do with Transformers is owned by Hasbro/Takara Tomy, the designs for the Jetfire toy is not, nor is the use of that specific Macross design appearing in media. Outside of Japan, that design is owned by Harmony Gold, a media holding company that is dealing more with real estate at the moment.

They have sued Hasbro on occasion before all in relation to Hasbro (or Hasbro license holders) releasing Jetfire products. Their contract was going to be finished in 2021 so nobody knew what would happen after that. Well, now we do, thanks to an article by Den of Geek who posted the following announcement:

HOLLYWOOD, CA, July 5 – Harmony Gold USA, Inc. announced today that it has reached an agreement with the Japanese anime studio, Tatsunoko Productions, Co., to extend the worldwide, co-copyright ownership and exclusive management, excluding Japan, for its landmark anime series Robotech (including Macross, Southern Cross and Mospeada). This agreement was achieved after a lengthy negotiation and allows Harmony Gold to continue to exploit the animated Robotech franchise well into the future.

Tommy Yune, President of Animation at Harmony Gold, had the following to say:

“It’s an extension of all the current agreements [that were made public in 2017]. It’s a renewal but actually it’s an extension for lack of a better term. We renewed but we decided as part of our renewal to extend the agreement.”

“Harmony Gold and Tatsunko [have been] partners in this whole thing. For future product that we’re working on, the IP is going to be jointly shared by both companies.”

Frank Agrama, Chairman of Harmony Gold added, "Over the past 35 years we have been blessed to work with our friends at Tatsunoko on developing one the world’s greatest entertainment franchises. With our extension we look forward to the next 35 years of working with Tatsunoko and world class business partners on Robotech.”

Since Harmony Gold has solidified their claim to the Robotech/Macross IP, that at least means that there is no ambiguity in the long term ownership of the brand helping their partnership with Sony for a Robotech film.