Hasbro has appointed Stephen Davis to the newly created role of Executive Vice President, Chief Content Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Davis will be looking after Allspark Pictures, as well as franchise films such as Transformers that are produced in partnership with major studios.
“Allspark Pictures is an evolutionary step in our entertainment strategy that allows us greater control of the film process and an increased opportunity to reach multiple audiences including and beyond young children,” said Hasbro President & CEO Brian Goldner. “In Steve’s newly evolved role, we will work together to leverage our extensive experience in TV and film production to develop fresh and compelling movies based on select Hasbro brands for our global audiences.”You can read the full press release, after the jump.
Pawtucket, R.I., November 12, 2014 — Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS), a global branded play leader, today announced the appointment of Stephen Davis to the newly created role of Executive Vice President, Chief Content Officer, effective immediately.
In this new role, Davis will be responsible for developing content for Hasbro’s brands across multiple platforms, reporting to John Frascotti, President, Hasbro Brands. He will retain oversight of the Company’s Los Angeles-based Hasbro Studios, the global licensing and publishing teams, in-house commercial production at Cakemix Studios and he will manage Hasbro’s ongoing interest in the Discovery Family channel together with Frascotti.
“During the past several years, we have been steadily building our omniscreen storytelling capabilities, globally reaching kids and families everywhere that they are consuming content,” said John Frascotti, President, Hasbro Brands. “Today’s appointment not only recognizes the tremendous vision and momentum that Steve has brought to Hasbro Studios and to Hasbro, but also reflects the decision to closer align storytelling to the transformative work our teams are doing to bring branded play to life around the world.”
Additionally, Davis will work closely with Hasbro’s President & Chief Executive Officer Brian Goldner to oversee the Company’s recently announced film label, Allspark Pictures, as well as franchise films such as Transformers that are produced in partnership with major studios.
“Allspark Pictures is an evolutionary step in our entertainment strategy that allows us greater control of the film process and an increased opportunity to reach multiple audiences including and beyond young children,” said Hasbro President & CEO Brian Goldner. “In Steve’s newly evolved role, we will work together to leverage our extensive experience in TV and film production to develop fresh and compelling movies based on select Hasbro brands for our global audiences.”
The first two films to be produced under the Allspark Pictures banner are Jem and the Holograms as a live action film and a My Little Pony animated feature film.
“Storytelling is the power behind successful brand building,” Davis said. “Using great stories and great characters to drive innovation in all that we do is an important strategic differentiator for Hasbro. I look forward to ensuring that our stories continue to connect and engage with today’s consumers around the world, in all forms and formats – across digital, television, animated and live action films.”
Davis has led Los Angeles-based Hasbro Studios, the company’s global TV and short-form development, production and international distribution unit, since its launch in 2009. With the expansion of his portfolio three years later, Davis gained responsibility for all of Hasbro’s global film activities, and assumed responsibility for its Global Licensing & Publishing division in 2013. Prior to joining Hasbro, Davis was CEO of Family Entertainment Group LLC, which, under his direction, was engaged in the development, production, revitalization and distribution of family entertainment content for the traditional and digital space.
About Hasbro, Inc.Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) is a branded play company dedicated to fulfilling the fundamental need for play for children and families through the creative expression of the Company’s world class brand portfolio, including TRANSFORMERS, MONOPOLY, PLAY-DOH, MY LITTLE PONY, MAGIC: THE GATHERING, NERF and LITTLEST PET SHOP. From toys and games, to television programming, motion pictures, digital gaming and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its global customers with innovative play and entertainment experiences, in a variety of forms and formats, anytime and anywhere. The Company’s Hasbro Studios is responsible for entertainment brand-driven storytelling around Hasbro brands across television, film, commercial productions and short-form. Through the company’s deep commitment to corporate social responsibility, including philanthropy, Hasbro is helping to build a safe and sustainable world for future generations and to positively impact the lives of millions of children and families every year. It has been recognized for its efforts by being named one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies” and is ranked as one of Corporate Responsibility Magazine’s “100 Best Corporate Citizens.” Learn more at www.hasbro.com.
Hasbro StudiosHasbro Studios is responsible for entertainment brand-driven storytelling for Hasbro across television, film, commercial productions and short-form content. It develops, produces and distributes TV shows based on Hasbro’s world class brands, including TRANSFORMERS, MY LITTLE PONY, LITTLEST PET SHOP and FAMILY GAME NIGHT. Many of these shows air on Discovery Family Channel and on networks in more than 180 territories globally. Since its formation in 2009, the studio has received nine Daytime Emmy wins. On the film side, the studio has developed and produced a number of features based on Hasbro’s brands. In addition to partnering with leading studios, the Company intends to make movies based on new and existing Hasbro brands for audiences globally through the Allspark Pictures film label. Films in development or planned for release include CANDY LAND (Sony), G.I. JOE 3 (Paramount), JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS (Universal & Allspark Pictures), MAGIC: THE GATHERING (21st Century Fox) and an animated featured based on MY LITTLE PONY (Allspark Pictures).
© 2014 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
vektsilver
Sounds like the finallllly heard the fans. The want more story and character control. Sounds to me like they weren't happy with bay rewriting characters for no reason.
I look forward to what comes of this, gotta wonder if the finally realized the popularity in the classics as 3rd parties are making g1 bank right now. This may be why they finally started making combiners again that match g1.
If they capitalize on nostalgia and in movie format we all win. Probably marvels success is what made them shift focus but one can dream
Underwear
What do you mean by that? Just because it's named "Allspark Pictures" it's gonna be on shaky ground? What ludicrous notion!
Lolololololololol
Kenai
Best of luck, Stephen!
Light our darkest hour
agent j 15
Well no shit. I didn't think Shane Black just picked up a camera and decided to make an Iron Man movie. What I meant was that they were each given a lot of free reign to play around with the movies, do what they liked (Gunn a little more than Shane, since GOTG didn't tie into the Avengers as much). They were allowed to make the movies their own. When you see GOTG, you don't think "Oh, this is a Marvel movie", you think "Oh, this is a James Gunn movie he made for Marvel". The studios have some control over the project, sure – Tony couldn't drink in Iron Man 3, and that was fine – but for the most part they allow the directors to make it distinctive.
Let me rephrase that – they should give the helm to someone GOOD and let them do whatever they want. I'm sorry, but after 1 decent movie followed by three shitty ones, Michael Bay's run out of chances.
Powerglide1991
Tbf i thought the first movie designs were impossible to do at the time…then in a couple of years we got ROTF Leader Prime, Battle Blades Bee, Human Alliance Jazz and Leader Starscream. A few more after that we got Leader Ironhide xD
I'm actually surprised AoE leader Optimus has near enough the exact transformation as he does in the film (Arms coming out of the doors, rear of the vehicle ending up on his back, granted it doesn't compact, but it's accurate)
Give it a year or 2 and we will have much better figures, they won't abandon them movie designs until tf5, they never do Wouldn't be surprised if they were doing a Sandstorm level of retooling and remolding to give us Drift using Springers body.
kaijuguy19
Even if they were to do that method I don't think it'll mean we'll certainly have some of the toys be better representing the designs from the movies. I mean shows like Beast Wars had to sometimes tweek some of the toy designs in order for the animation model to look good and not look like a lifeless toy making it still not as spot on to the original toy. I get what you mean about having both teams worked together and I'd be for that too but I'm not sure if doing toys first is any better then the other around when it comes to the movies.
soundwaverulls
Yeah, that would be great. The AOE designs were pretty much impossible to replicate in toy form. Although, I don't want it to become like RID15, where all the designs are samey and bulky.
moreprimeland
Wishing him Good Luck ..
RavageX-9
and so this news is kind of worthless until we find out who this guy actually is.
Autobot Dave
Agreed. I'll add that Transformers are toys first, and the movie designs need to reflect that. In other words, don't make the toy designers create based on the movie designs, make the movie designers create based on the toy designs. Better yet, have the two teams design together!
Have fun, all!
soundwaverulls
If this means the films have someone who says "hey, we need to sell toys of the Decepticons. Let's not make them generic monsters" then I'm all for this.
Nevermore
They did. His name was Michael Bay.
Hoffman
I don't understand this statement. If you're comparing it to Marvel movies, in that case the parent company is in direct control. You really think Shane Black and James Gunn had any sort of autonomy? Not at all. Kevin Feige and Marvel are fully involved in every movies' production.
Autovolt 127
Well I hope he can deliver.
MindChamber
Naming it "allspark Pictures" already puts it on a shaky ground, storywise for me… heres hope to me being wrong
agent j 15
They just need to give the helm of the TF movies to someone distinctive and let them do whatever the hell they want. It worked with Guardians of the Galaxy, it worked with Iron Man 3, it worked with Godzilla (conceptually at least)… Hasbro needs to exercise as little control as possible, preferably none.
Stygian360
Since Hasbro's input for the films specifically is content suggestions this position makes sense, but my deepest hope is that this person actually knows the fiction and can be its advocate throughout the filmic process. The egregious beer commercial and other such product placement references in the latest film threatened to overtake the story and pulled this viewer right out of the action. Things like that– if they are going to happen, and by all accounts I'm sure they will– need to be balanced properly and intuitively with the story. Marky Mark grabbing and beer and all but breaking the 4th wall for the camera as he talks about how much he enjoys a good Bud Light just about turned my stomach. Anyway, I'm muddying the point. Product placement will happen, but please not at the sacrifice of the story. And keep the stories balanced with the better aspects of the fiction while also serving the 'new'.
Driskull98
Make some good changes, dude. The films could really use your guidance.
SilverOptimus
News Post: Hasbro Appoints Stephen Davis To Chief Content Officer