Hasbro America Investor day for 2014

[griffin]

The annual investor event for Hasbro America was held recently (http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/tfw2005-coverage-of-hasbros-investor-day-2013-178380/), and TFW admin appears to have been invited via conference call, for most of it (he wasn't allowed to listen in on the TF4 sneak peak).

Nothing specific about 2014, but we do get an idea of what to expect for the Transformers Brand next year, across all its various sub-lines.

Just be aware that there are a couple of taglines for the TF4 movie. Nothing spoilerish though, in case anyone was worried.

[Megatron]

You know, reading that coverage I do find it interesting and mildly amusing that Hasbro repeatedly states that Transformers is for "Boys".

Could somebody please tell Hasbro that if they stopped limiting their brand by focussing on only one gender and instead began to encourage Both genders to participate, or at the very least stop showing such favoritism for the Boys (and perhaps recognize the fact that a lot of Girls are into this as well), simply by not continually pointing out the "fact" that Transformers is for Boys, well... who knows what would happen, right? Maybe the world might end as we know it. And that goes for all major toy manufacturers who are, in effect, helping to create and perpetuate differing gender interests (not in all cases of course, but enough to solidify this perception into the psyche of all the mummys, daddys and kids of the world. What choice do they have then but to conform to the norm, or risk appearing abnormal? Well, we can't have that. The marketing and advertising is such a powerful force).

As an example, I found this statement particularly amusing: "...We engage 4 to 10 year old boys with action and entertainment and creative play like Construct-Bots and our Kre-O Kreons and Play Sets. And we retain our passionate and very loyal consumers with Transformers: Generations; so our boys will never leave the franchise but instead graduate to become a Collector".

Wait... so, wh-what the hell have I been doing then??? :eek: Hmm.. maybe I've ventured down the wrong path as a Collector after all...

...not. :rolleyes:

I dunno, just my little observation, and /End Mild Rant. ;):D

[UltraMarginal]

That's a fair observation Megatron, I noticed it too, and there were several other sentences where they started it with "boys" and the rest of the sentence called out children/kids overall.

It's definitely something the toy companies could work on, but I think the retail sector is just as much to blame, it's pretty easy to see when looking around a toy section which isles are for girls (hint it's the pink ones) and which are for boys (hint its the ones with all the cool toys;))

[Megatron]

That's a fair observation Megatron, I noticed it too, and there were several other sentences where they started it with "boys" and the rest of the sentence called out children/kids overall.

It's definitely something the toy companies could work on, but I think the retail sector is just as much to blame, it's pretty easy to see when looking around a toy section which isles are for girls (hint it's the pink ones) and which are for boys (hint its the ones with all the cool toys;))

I couldn't agree more. Seeing all that horrid fairy floss pink makes me feel ill.

So back on topic, I wonder who the Autobots will be teaming up with...

[Hursticon]

So back on topic, I wonder who the Autobots will be teaming up with...

1st of all I'd like to agree with you & UM on all of your points ;):cool:, secondly?, hopefully... The Maximals! :eek::D

[Bidoofdude]

That's a fair observation Megatron, I noticed it too, and there were several other sentences where they started it with "boys" and the rest of the sentence called out children/kids overall.

It's definitely something the toy companies could work on, but I think the retail sector is just as much to blame, it's pretty easy to see when looking around a toy section which isles are for girls (hint it's the pink ones) and which are for boys (hint its the ones with all the cool toys;))

Yeah, it really looks like they were really trying to avoid saying "adult", which is unfortunate. :)

[GoktimusPrime]

Megatron: just out of interest, about how old were you when you started collecting Transformers? i.e. did you start collecting when you were a girl or when you were an adolescent/adult? Because I've known several women who collect Transformers, but the number of girls I know who collect Transformers I can count on one hand.

[Megatron]

1st of all I'd like to agree with you & UM on all of your points ;):cool:, secondly?, hopefully... The Maximals! :eek::D

Heh. But wouldn't that mean that the Dinobots would have to be related to BW/Maximals somehow? Otherwise I just don't see that happening so far at least for TF4 because all we've got so far is a lot of fancy cars and trucks on set, a couple of large sea vessels, humans.. explosions. Unless it's done 100% in CGI, and a Beast Hunters or Beast Wars type element has been kept completely under wraps. Still, it's nice to hope for things to happen in the upcoming Bay movies.. I know I have my own *fingers crossed* hopes for them. Probably won't ever eventuate, though. :o


Megatron: just out of interest, about how old were you when you started collecting Transformers? i.e. did you start collecting when you were a girl or when you were an adolescent/adult? Because I've known several women who collect Transformers, but the number of girls I know who collect Transformers I can count on one hand.

This wasn't really about me, though, or about girls being collectors. Obviously and along the same lines, the number of boys being collectors are few and far between as well, compared to adult collectors. Kids in general don't collect, they play. Hence my point above was that girls can and do also play with "boys toys", given half the chance and without the taboo from parents/relatives/friends/society in general, and it would be nice if the toy industry/retail sector stopped the blatant stereotyping and recognized this a little more.

[Hursticon]

Heh. But wouldn't that mean that the Dinobots would have to be related to BW/Maximals somehow?

Hehe, perhaps I could point you in the direction of a little fanfic by our very own Verno (http://rh1n0x.deviantart.com/art/Transformers-Rise-of-the-Maximals-Issue-1-374103317). ;):D


Otherwise I just don't see that happening so far at least for TF4 because all we've got so far is a lot of fancy cars and trucks on set, a couple of large sea vessels, humans.. explosions. Unless it's done 100% in CGI, and a Beast Hunters or Beast Wars type element has been kept completely under wraps. Still, it's nice to hope for things to happen in the upcoming Bay movies.. I know I have my own *fingers crossed* hopes for them. Probably won't ever eventuate, though. :o

It's extraordinarily unlikely, you're right, but there's nothing wrong with living in hope is there? :cool:

[Megatron]

Hehe, perhaps I could point you in the direction of a little fanfic by our very own Verno (http://rh1n0x.deviantart.com/art/Transformers-Rise-of-the-Maximals-Issue-1-374103317). ;):D

I meant in official canon, so if it were to happen Mr Bay and the writers would have to draw on something from unofficial sources such as fan fiction, or make it up themselves (either way, thereby turning it into canon as a result). I'm aware of Verno's work but unfortunately BW isn't my area of interest... especially in a world where Megatron and my other favorites don't exist (or are long dead). :(


It's extraordinarily unlikely, you're right, but there's nothing wrong with living in hope is there? :cool:

Oh absolutely, nothing wrong with it at all. :) I live in hope all the time. :D

[Hursticon]

I meant in official canon, so if it were to happen Mr Bay and the writers would have to draw on something from unofficial sources such as fan fiction, or make it up themselves (either way, thereby turning it into canon as a result).

That's what I thought you meant, Verno's stories were just the 1st (RE: Only :p) things to come to mind. ;)


I'm aware of Verno's work but unfortunately BW isn't my area of interest... especially in a world where Megatron and my other favorites don't exist (or are long dead). :(

...but Megs, you've no idea how essential (& present) G1 Megs actually is (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMBzAM6nDO0) to the whole Beast Wars conflict! ;):)

[Megatron]

...but Megs, you've no idea how essential (& present) G1 Megs actually is (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMBzAM6nDO0) to the whole Beast Wars conflict! ;):)

Ehhhhhhhhhhhhh... I wish they'd left his spark well enough alone and out of BW. It's all or nothing for me, so no thanks. :o:p

[Hursticon]

Ehhhhhhhhhhhhh... I wish they'd left his spark well enough alone and out of BW. It's all or nothing for me, so no thanks. :o:p

It's best viewed in context of the whole series really, I feel BW only does G1 justice & benefit personally but hey - Each to their own. ;):)

[Megatron]

It's best viewed in context of the whole series really, I feel BW only does G1 justice & benefit personally but hey - Each to their own. ;):)

I'm sure that a huge number of fans see it that way too and as you said, each to their own. I do apologise if I've come across too strongly. It's just that I tend to have strong feelings about the topic and will sometimes say things that may not sit well with others. But you know... I wouldn't be here otherwise, I guess.

:)

[Hursticon]

I'm sure that a huge number of fans see it that way too and as you said, each to their own. I do apologise if I've come across too strongly. It's just that I tend to have strong feelings about the topic and will sometimes say things that may not sit well with others. But you know... I wouldn't be here otherwise, I guess.

:)

You've nothing to apologise for at all mate ;); you've put forth your difference of opinion in, as normal, a friendly & understanding manner - You'd be a shining example for many a TF fan to follow who aren't fans of Beast Wars. :)
(Seriously, you should see some of the diatribe that spews forth from members of International sites :eek:)

[GoktimusPrime]

This wasn't really about me, though, or about girls being collectors. Obviously and along the same lines, the number of boys being collectors are few and far between as well, compared to adult collectors. Kids in general don't collect, they play. Hence my point above was that girls can and do also play with "boys toys", given half the chance and without the taboo from parents/relatives/friends/society in general, and it would be nice if the toy industry/retail sector stopped the blatant stereotyping and recognized this a little more.
I agree with what you say, but is this entirely the industry's fault, or is it merely a reflection of society? When I buy Transformers toys for my daughter, I have to go to the boys toy section. When I buy Transformers apparel for my daughter, I have to go to boyswear. I do agree with what you're saying and that perhaps industries might like to consider removing labelling so many toys along gender lines. Why can't a girl play with Transformers, or a boy play with dolls? I think a lot of these are hang ups from society and it's simply reflected in the industry.

But in order for Hasbro to even want to expand their marketing of Transformers to include girls, there would need to be more girls actually consuming (via purchasing of having their parents purchase) Transformers products. There's little point in saying that Hasbro needs to be more inclusive of girls if there aren't enough girls purchasing Transformers to begin with.

[Megatron]

You've nothing to apologise for at all mate ;); you've put forth your difference of opinion in, as normal, a friendly & understanding manner - You'd be a shining example for many a TF fan to follow who aren't fans of Beast Wars. :)
(Seriously, you should see some of the diatribe that spews forth from members of International sites :eek:)

Thanks Hursti. :)
I hate those (that) site(s). I asked for my account to be deleted, but it's still there. :( Ever felt lonely even when you were in the midst of a huge crowd? The perfect analogy for that place IMO.


I agree with what you say, but is this entirely the industry's fault, or is it merely a reflection of society? When I buy Transformers toys for my daughter, I have to go to the boys toy section. When I buy Transformers apparel for my daughter, I have to go to boyswear. I do agree with what you're saying and that perhaps industries might like to consider removing labelling so many toys along gender lines. Why can't a girl play with Transformers, or a boy play with dolls? I think a lot of these are hang ups from society and it's simply reflected in the industry.

Yes, of course society is to blame and it is then reflected in the industry, absolutely, no doubt about that. But if we wait for society to change, we could be waiting forever. If the industry were to lead by example, then society may follow.


But in order for Hasbro to even want to expand their marketing of Transformers to include girls, there would need to be more girls actually consuming (via purchasing of having their parents purchase) Transformers products. There's little point in saying that Hasbro needs to be more inclusive of girls if there aren't enough girls purchasing Transformers to begin with.

The perfect Catch 22, wouldn't you say?

[Hursticon]

Thanks Hursti. :)
I hate those (that) site(s). I asked for my account to be deleted, but it's still there. :( Ever felt lonely even when you were in the midst of a huge crowd? The perfect analogy for that place IMO.

Yes, yes I have and it's one of the many reasons I joined up here & have since very seldomly ever gone over to a foreign site, to the point where it's almost been a year since my last logon. ;)

...

So who's avoiding everything news related about the new film like myself?, it's funny but I think I've only ever gone into the movie section of our boards a handful of times for that very reason. :p

[Trent]

So who's avoiding everything news related about the new film like myself?, it's funny but I think I've only ever gone into the movie section of our boards a handful of times for that very reason. :p

Yeah but I'm not avoiding it, I'm just not interested in movie news. It's funny but I really don't care how a movie is made or who's spotted on set, or where they're filming. I just want to watch the end result ;)

[Hursticon]

Yeah but I'm not avoiding it, I'm just not interested in movie news. It's funny but I really don't care how a movie is made or who's spotted on set, or where they're filming. I just want to watch the end result ;)

In those words, yeah, I'm entirely with you - It's not until the movie is released on DVD/Blu-Ray that I then get curious as to how things are done. :)
Primarily though I just avoid news to avoid spoilers. ;)

[Megatron]

So who's avoiding everything news related about the new film like myself?, it's funny but I think I've only ever gone into the movie section of our boards a handful of times for that very reason. :p

Honestly, I'm the complete opposite when it comes to TF spoilers, be it for the upcoming movies, new TV series, or comics. I want to know everything I possibly can about it before I watch the new Bay movie. I don't care if I know what happens at the end, who wins, who dies... in order to avoid disappointment or surprises, and to be prepared for such, I want to know what I will be getting into first, before I watch. I regret not doing so for the 2007 movie, with the way Jazz was handled... and other little surprises, it really did ruin it for me at the movie theater. So, no more surprises... I want to know everything about TF4, 5 and 6 before I see them. That way, if the story turns out to be something that I would enjoy, I don't have to be anxious while watching it, waiting for something bad to happen. On the other hand, if the story sux, then I will be mentally prepared for it, or perhaps choose not to watch it at all. TF DotM was a bit like that, with a mix of both; though the ending did surprise me I was still prepared for it a little bit. I don't know... I suppose it's because I'm kinda anxious about how the story and characters will be handled, I feel better knowing what I'm in for beforehand. :o

[GoktimusPrime]

I avoid spoilers, but I would like to know which characters are going to appear in a movie so I know which toys to prioritise saving up for! :D The problem I encountered w/ Revenge of the Fallen was that I was keenly avoiding spoilers, and I ended up saving up for all the upcoming toys months in advance, so when the toys came out I just bought them all... but of course, a lot of them never appeared in the film. Had I known that beforehand I wouldn't have prioritised saving up for those figures. :o

[UltraMarginal]

This is a little off topic but:

I tend to avoid learning too much, I gave up trying not to learn anything because there is too much exposure on the sites that I go to for news. but I tend to gloss over most movie related news.

as far as a movie meeting expectations, I am pretty good at walking in to a movie without much in the way of expectations and just take it as it comes. I was genuinely surprised when they killed off Jazz. the most traumatising moment in Transformers fiction since they killed prime in the '86 movie. i was also genuinely surprised when the events leading to Ironhides death happened.

having said that, the hasbro sponsered news about Bumblebee in the final episodes of TFPrime did take some of the impact out of the last episode. I'm still pretty dark about that.

I love behind the scenes material though, I love the "this is how we did it" features, especially when it relates to practical special effects. which is why I make sure I get a special edition release for a movie if i can.

Regarding toys, that's a great point that Gok made, I tend to save up for the movie release material but I curb my spending untill I've seen it barring figures that I decide I want regardless or I am confidant will be in the movie.