Hasbro Chairman & CEO Brian D. Goldner to Take Medical Leave to Focus on Health
October 10 2021 - 6:00PM
Business Wire
Current Board Member Rich Stoddart Appointed
Interim CEO, Effective Immediately
Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS), a global branded play and
entertainment company, today announced that Brian D. Goldner is
taking a medical leave of absence from his role as CEO, effective
immediately. Today’s announcement follows Mr. Goldner’s disclosure
in August 2020 that he was undergoing continued medical care
following treatment for cancer in 2014.
Rich Stoddart, most recently the Lead Independent Director of
Hasbro’s Board of Directors, has been appointed as Interim CEO,
effective immediately. Mr. Stoddart brings extensive leadership
experience and expertise in global brand-building, advertising and
marketing, and supply chain management through his CEO roles at
InnerWorkings, Inc., the largest global marketing execution
company, and Leo Burnett Worldwide. He has served on Hasbro’s Board
of Directors since 2014. Together with Hasbro’s seasoned executive
leadership, he will continue to execute the Company’s Brand
Blueprint strategy.
Mr. Goldner said: “After careful consideration, I have decided
to take a medical leave to focus on my health. I feel confident
knowing the Company will be in the skilled hands of Rich Stoddart
as Interim CEO, our highly experienced management team and the best
employees in the business. Hasbro’s future couldn’t be brighter as
we continue to Supercharge the Blueprint and build the world’s
leading play and entertainment company.”
Mr. Stoddart said: “It has been a privilege to serve Hasbro for
the past seven years as a Board member. I am humbled to step in as
Interim CEO and lead the Company as it continues to execute the
Brand Blueprint strategy, while Brian takes time to focus on his
health. Hasbro has the most creative teams across the consumer
products, digital gaming and entertainment businesses, and there’s
no limit to what we can accomplish together.”
In conjunction with appointing Mr. Stoddart as Interim CEO,
Hasbro’s Board of Directors has re-appointed Edward M. Philip as
Lead Independent Director, and Tracy A. Leinbach as Chair of the
Nominating, Governance and Social Responsibility Committee of the
Board.
Mr. Philip added: “Brian has been an inspiring and visionary
leader who has set Hasbro on an incredible path towards the future.
All of us at Hasbro are thinking of him while he focuses on his
health. We thank Rich for stepping in as Interim CEO. He will be a
great asset to the Company in this role given his in-depth
knowledge of the business, close working relationship with the
management team, and his love for Hasbro’s people and culture.”
Additional Information About Rich
Stoddart
Rich Stoddart is the former President and Chief Executive
Officer of global marketing execution firm InnerWorkings, Inc.,
serving in that role from 2017 until 2020 when Innerworkings, Inc.
was acquired. Prior to that, Mr. Stoddart was the Chief Executive
Officer of Leo Burnett Worldwide from February 2016 to 2017, the
Chief Executive Officer of Leo Burnett North America from 2013 to
2016 and the President of Leo Burnett North America from 2005 to
2013.
About Hasbro
Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) is a global play and entertainment company
committed to Creating the World's Best Play and Entertainment
Experiences. From toys, games and consumer products to television,
movies, digital gaming, live action, music, and virtual reality
experiences, Hasbro connects to global audiences by bringing to
life great innovations, stories and brands across established and
inventive platforms. Hasbro’s iconic brands include NERF, MAGIC:
THE GATHERING, MY LITTLE PONY, TRANSFORMERS, PLAY-DOH, MONOPOLY,
BABY ALIVE, POWER RANGERS, PEPPA PIG and PJ MASKS, as well as
premier partner brands. Through its global entertainment studio,
eOne, Hasbro is building its brands globally through great
storytelling and content on all screens. Hasbro is committed to
making the world a better place for all children and all families
through corporate social responsibility and philanthropy. Hasbro
ranked among the 2020 100 Best Corporate Citizens by 3BL Media, has
been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by Ethisphere
Institute for the past nine years, and one of America’s Most JUST
Companies by Forbes and JUST Capital for the past four years. We
routinely share important business and brand updates on our
Investor Relations website, Newsroom and social channels (@Hasbro
on Twitter and Instagram, and @HasbroOfficial on Facebook.)
HAS-IR HAS-C
Hasbro Forward-Looking
Statements
Certain statements in this press release contain
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking
statements may be accompanied by such words as “anticipate,”
“believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,”
“may,” “plan,” “potential,” “project,” “target,” “will” and other
words and terms of similar meaning. Among other things, these
forward-looking statements include statements related to expected
leadership changes, the structure of Hasbro’s management operations
and similar statements concerning anticipated future events and
expectations that are not historical facts. Hasbro’s actual actions
or results may differ materially from those expected or anticipated
in the forward-looking statements due to both known and unknown
risks and uncertainties. Specific factors that might cause such a
difference include those risks detailed from time to time in
Hasbro’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
The statements contained herein are based on Hasbro’s current
beliefs and expectations and speak only as of the date of this
press release. Except as may be required by law, Hasbro does not
undertake any obligation to make any revisions to the
forward-looking statements contained in this press release or to
update them to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the
date of this press release. You should not place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211010005067/en/
Investors: Debbie Hancock | Hasbro, Inc. |
(401) 727-5401 | debbie.hancock@hasbro.com
Media: Carrie Ratner | Hasbro, Inc. | (401)
556-2720 | carrie.ratner@hasbro.com
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