Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner, 58, passed away earlier today, just two days after taking a medical leave of absence. Goldner joined Hasbro in 2000, became the CEO of Hasbro in 2008 and its chairman in 2015. He was instrumental in transforming Hasbro from just a toy company to an entertainment company. While his cause of death has not been officially announced, he had been battling with cancer during the past decade. He was preceded in death by his son Brandon. He is survived by his wife Barbara and his daughter Brooke. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and his co-workers.
Brian Goldner at Charity event for Transformers Movie alongside Tyrese Gibson and Rachael TaylorOn a personal note, I first met Brian Goldner at Toy Fair 2007 when he was the COO of Hasbro. It was the first time that Transformers Movie products were being revealed. It was also a big week because there was also an industry screener in New York City hosted by Dreamworks and Michael Bay that featured about 20 minutes of the Transformers movie. A couple of months later, Brian personally called to invite me to the premiere of the Transformers Movie in 2007 at a Hasbro Children's Hospital charity event in Providence, Rhode Island. I was very honored and humbled that he had reached out to me so that I could experience the special event and cover it for Seibertron.com.
When I saw him at BotCon 2007, he came up to me while I was photographing the new Transformers movie toys and products at the Hasbro booth. During our conversation, his daughter Brooke came up to him. He introduced me to her as "Ryan, the owner of the Transformers fansite Seibertron.com". His daughter smiled, and said "Seibertron.com? That's the website you are on every night before you go to bed!" We both had a laugh at his daughter innocently outing that he was checking out Transformers coverage on Seibertron.com (presumably to keep his finger on the fan pulse pertaining to the movie) and that moment has remained one of my favorite Seibertron.com memories over the years. It was an honor to know that he was checking out Seibertron.com.
Brian Goldner alongside a Transformers Movie Bumblebee toy at Toy Fair 2007Brian Goldner was one of the first people from Hasbro to personally reach out to me. He was sincere and helped me feel special about Seibertron.com. It was an honor to have met him. Thanks for all you did for all of us, Brian.
On behalf of the entire Seibertron.com family, we extend our condolences to those closest to Brian Goldner.