Hasbro
Hasbro is the owner of the Transformers brand in most markets beyond the Japanese, where it is owned by TakaraTomy.
History
Hasbro was originally founded in 1923 as "Hassenfeld Brothers" by brothers Henry and Helal Hassenfeld from Rhode Island. The company originally sold textile remnants, but soon moved into manufacturing pencil boxes and school supplies.
In 1952, Hasbro first rose to fame with the release of a toy named Mr. Potato Head, which is still very popular today.
In 1964, Hasbro had an even greater success with the original G.I. Joe toy designed by Don Levine, which caused Hassenfeld Bros. to grow to be one of the largest toy companies in the USA. In 1968, the company would change its name to "Hasbro Industries, Inc."
Through a series of importing licenses and spin-offs, G.I. Joe would ultimately lead to the Microman and Diaclone toylines by Japanese toymaker Takara, which in turn would lead to Hasbro's release of the original Transformers toyline in 1984.
In 1984, Hasbro would also buy out a competing toy company named Milton Bradley (MB), which whould result in the merged company briefly assuming the name "Hasbro Bradley, Inc." After the merger was completed, the company changed its name into simply "Hasbro, Inc." Milton Bradley's European facilities would also be used to manufacture the initial wave of Transformers toys to be released in Europe before the merger was completed. (See also: Generation 1 Europe (toyline).)
In 1995, Hasbro transferred control of the Transformers franchise to its Kenner subsidiary, then phased out the Kenner brand in 2000.
Hasbro today
Employees
- Brian Goldner, President Toy
Boy's Toys
- Vickie Stratford, Design Project Manager (Boy's Toys)
- Joe Kyde, a guy (Boy's Toys, Exclusive Division)
Transformers Brand
- Greg Lombardo, Director of Marketing
- Aaron Archer, Design Director
- Eric Siebenaler, Lead Designer
- Jared Fogle, Designer
- William Rawley, Designer
Relationship with fandom
Fandom's relationship with Hasbro is as paradoxical and confusing as our relationships with our Parents. They are an incredible source of joy and happiness, as well as the focal point of rage and blame for pretty much everyone in the Transformers community. To much of the fandom, Hasbro's actual involvement in the Transformers franchise is rarely acknowledged when not negative. Many view their activities to subsist entirely of:
- Slapping fans in the face.
- Getting things all wrong.
- Screwing up Takara's toys.
- Being Lazy.
- Trying to make money.
- Ruining everything forever.
When they found the time to create and maintain a successful, celebrated franchise that was the basis of twenty years of obsession and happiness for the exact same fans is unknown.
