Part 1: Introduction

Report by Philip N. Zeman, Editor-in-Chief and Daniel Lipkowitz, Assistant Editor
3.19.2003

On Wednesday, March 12, 2003, ASM went to visit the offices of Hasbro. In what could be truly described as a privilege, we and other fan-sites were invited to hear presentations made by many of the Boys Toys teams, ask questions, take pictures, and even get a short tour of the Modelling Department at Hasbro.

From the outside, Hasbro's offices do not convey the wonder that goes on inside, except for one thing -- the large Mr. Potato Head figure that graces the front building. Off to the side was the warehouse that had been converted to offices and the modelling department, and that's where we gathered, waiting in anticipation for -- well at that point, we weren't sure what to expect.

After a brief wait, we were all allowed into what was normally the Hasbro cafeteria but today had been converted into a display room. On either side were units stocked with toys on display; in the center were tables for all the sites, and up front was a projecter, a screen, and a podium. It is from there that we were treated to a presentation made-up of smaller presentations for G.I. Joe, Transformers, Hasbro Publishing, Zoids, Micro Machines, and Star Wars.

The event started with Wayne Charness, Sr. Vice President of Corporate Communications at Hasbro, welcoming us all to the Hasbro offices, for what was truly a first-of-its-kind event. He thanked us for understanding that this past Toy Fair was a transition year for Hasbro, having scaled back their presentation and not showing as much product. He also made a statement that at next year's Toy Fair, fan sites may be allowed to once again visit their booth.

He then went on to make an official statement regarding the practice of posting leaked images and prototype images on websites. "Leaked images or prototypes that are posted without Hasbro's permission are not acceptable." He continued: "We will not ignore and we will not turn our back on [sites that post such images.]"

Charness stated that Hasbro's Legal Department is working on guidelines that they will forward to all sites that they deal with. These guidelines will plainly say what is allowed and what isn't allowed.

And prototypes and leaked images are not allowed.

Part 1: Introduction | Part 2: G.I. Joe | Part 3: Transformers | Part 4: Hasbro Publishing | Part 5: Zoids
Part 6: Micro Machines | Part 7: Stikfas | Part 8: Star Wars | Part 9: Hasbro Tour and Conclusion |
Hasbro Collector's Event Index