Brian Goldner, who as CEO and chairman spearheaded Hasbro’s transformation from a toy firm to an leisure power, has died. He was 58.
The announcement Tuesday got here two days after the Pawtucket, Rhode Island, firm stated Goldner was taking a medical go away of absence.
Hasbro didn’t give a reason behind dying, however Goldner disclosed in August 2020 that he had been present process remedy for most cancers since 2014.
Goldner, who joined Hasbro in 2000, served because the CEO of Hasbro Inc. since 2008, and as chairman since Might 2015.
Below his stewardship, Hasbro expanded past toys and video games into tv, films, digital gaming and different areas. That technique culminated with the 2019 acquisition Leisure One Ltd., a British leisure firm that produces “Peppa Pig,” “PJ Masks” and different animated exhibits for preschoolers.
Goldner additionally served on the board of ViacomCBS, the guardian firm of CBS Information.
Marc Rosenberg, a toy marketing consultant who labored carefully with Goldner as a advertising and marketing govt at Hasbro 15 years in the past, stated that Goldner was all the time all for telling a narrative about toys and went to the archives to drag out such manufacturers as My Little Pony, Transformers and the Littlest Pet Store.
“His idea was to take brands that had been sitting dormant and reimagine them,” he stated. “He always said you have to have a story arc, whether it is toys or movies.”
When Hasbro introduced Goldner’s medical go away, it stated that Wealthy Stoddart, most just lately the lead impartial director of the corporate’s board, had been appointed as interim CEO. Stoddart was beforehand CEO at advertising and marketing firm InnerWorkings Inc. and Leo Burnett Worldwide. He has served on Hasbro’s board since 2014.
