HASBRO UNVEILS ALL-STAR LINEUP FOR HASBRO PULSECON, GIVING FANS A VIRTUAL FRONT ROW SEAT TO PANELS, CELEBRITY GUESTS, MUSIC AND MORE
Special appearances by John Cena, Joe Manganiello, Ashley Eckstein and Henry Golding, music performances by Fall Out Boy, Lights and Jack Black and Kyle Gass of Tenacious D, and 2-days of interactive experiences, new reveals and exciting guests behind Hasbro’s iconic fan brands; Only on the Hasbro Pulse YouTube Channel
PAWTUCKET, RI – September 18, 2020 – Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ:HAS) officially revealed its programming slate of immersive fan experiences for the first ever Hasbro PulseCon today, featuring a dynamic panel lineup, top celebrity guests, and must-see music appearances all free of charge. Top stars including John Cena (Bumblebee), Joe Manganiello (True Blood), Ashley Eckstein (Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Star Wars: The Clone Wars), Matthew Lillard (D&D Fan, Scooby Doo), Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters: Afterlife), Jason Reitman (Ghostbusters: Afterlife), Dee Bradley Baker (Star Wars: The Clone Wars) and more will make appearances during the course of the two-day event, along with a special message from Henry Golding (Snake Eyes) and unique experiences from musical guests including Fall Out Boy, Lights (featured artist from eOne’s roster) and Jack Black and Kyle Gass of Tenacious D. The event will be available exclusively through the Hasbro Pulse YouTube Channel on September 25-26, 2020.
Attendees can expect one-of-a-kind access to their favorite franchises during Hasbro PulseCon, and interactive experiences connecting fans with the creative talent that help bring them all to life. Brands including Dungeons & Dragons, G.I. Joe, Magic: The Gathering, Power Rangers, Transformers as well as premiere partner brands Marvel, Star Wars™, Ghostbusters, and more will be featured in an exhilarating panel and activity lineup that spans two days, giving fans a livestream experience to celebrate with special guests, receive exclusive access to exciting brand reveals, purchase Hasbro PulseCon merch, and participate with interactive elements such as live Q&A, trivia and even virtual ‘ghost hunting’ in celebration of National Ghost Hunting Day! For every viewer of Hasbro PulseCon, Hasbro will donate a toy or game to Toys for Tots up to 100,000 pieces. Through the gift of a new toy, Marine Toys for Tots helps bring hope and joy to America’s less fortunate children.
While the 2-day virtual event hosted by SYFY Wire on-air correspondent, writer, and producer, Jackie Jennings, begins on September 25, fans can expect a few fun surprises leading up to that date – including an advance sneak peek on the Hasbro Pulse YouTube Channel September 22 at 12pm EST. In addition, Hasbro and eOne are thrilled to be launching a PulseCon Spotify list which will be available on Friday 25th and consists of a number of songs from eOne artists, including The Lumineers, Powfu, Brandy, Alice Ivy and Lights.
Included below is a peek inside the programming that will be available exclusively on the Hasbro Pulse YouTube Channel. Programming takes place on Friday, 9/25 at 11am EST and Saturday, 9/26 at 10am EST, with each day ending around 5pm EST for exciting musical experiences with its lineup of artists.
Musical Guests
Tune-in for unique musical experiences from top billing artists Fall Out Boy, Lights and Jack Black and Kyle Gass of Tenacious D throughout Hasbro’s 2-day virtual pop culture event, Hasbro PulseCon. You can expect energetic musical moments starting with Lights closing out Day 1 on Friday, 9/25. Then, on Day 2 on Saturday, 9/26 a Tenacious D concert will take place at 1:30pm EST, where attendees can watch them perform and participate in a live Q&A hosted by John Cena! Finally, Hasbro PulseCon will come to a close on Saturday evening with a special performance from Fall Out Boy.
Panels – Day 1: Friday, 9/25 at 11:00am-5:00pmEST
WIZARDS MAGIC: THE GATHERING PRESENTS: ZENDIKAR RISING LIVE!
Panelists: Wizards Magic: The Gathering Brand Team
Join Magic: The Gathering head designer Mark for a special PulseCon panel, where he’ll discuss behind-the-scenes stories and details about the newest Magic card set, Zendikar Rising. From the origins of the set’s design and the beginnings of his favorite set mechanics to the history of the fan-favorite world of Zendikar, this live event is the best place for exclusive insight on how Magic’s latest set was created. Moderated by Wizards of the Coast’s Blake, the panel will also include a short virtual Q&A for any burning questions about Zendikar Rising.
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS PRESENTS: DRAGON TALK
Panelists: Matthew Lillard, Dungeons & Dragons Brand Team
Join us for a special episode of Dragon Talk, the official Dungeons & Dragons podcast. Hosts Greg and Shelly welcome back actor and D&D aficionado Matthew Lillard to chat about playing Dungeons & Dragons for decades and how it inspired him to co-found an exciting, immersive D&D game accessories company, Beadle and Grimm’s, with his gaming group.
JOE MANGANIELLO’S GUIDE FOR DUNGEON MASTERS
Panelists: Joe Manganiello & Kyle Newman
Joe Manganiello (actor, director, writer, producer) will give players of all skill levels his advice on how to be a great Dungeon Master. Joined by Filmmaker Kyle Newman, one of the authors behind Dungeons & Dragons’ Art & Arcana as well as the upcoming Heroes’ Feast and a regular player in Joe’s home game, the two of them will give you a peek behind the DM screen of Joe’s long running “War of Dragons” campaign as well as other fun insights and stories ranging over their long history with the game.
HASBRO STAR WARS PANEL
Panelists: Hasbro Star Wars Brand Team
Join members of the Hasbro Marketing & Design teams and Lucasfilm Product Development team as they discuss the popular Hasbro Star Wars line, including The Black Series and The Vintage Collection. Attendees will get an in-depth look at Hasbro’s latest action figure and premium roleplay offerings from throughout the saga. Word on the Holonet is there may also be a few surprises. This is the way!
HASBRO STAR WARS HASLAB PANEL
Panelists: Hasbro Star Wars Brand Team
In 2018, we launched HasLab with a dream: make the biggest Vintage Collection vehicle ever, the ones fans had been requesting for years, Jabba’s Sail Barge, the Khetanna. Join members of the Hasbro Marketing & Design teams as they reveal the next Star Wars HasLab Vintage Collection dream project!
STAR WARS ENTERTAINMENT PANEL
Panelists: Ashley Eckstein, Dee Bradley Baker, Patrick from the Hasbro Star Wars Brand Team
Join Ashley Eckstein, aka Ahsoka Tano, and the Captain himself, Dee Bradley Baker, from Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars: Rebels to discuss both shows as well as new and exciting Hasbro product inspired by the series. Moderated by Patrick from the Hasbro Star Wars Brand Team, you’ll get the inside scoop on their personal Star Wars collections and a first look at their reactions to seeing their characters come to life in figure form.
HASBRO MARVEL PANEL
Panelists: Jesse Falcon, Hasbro Marvel Brand Team
The Hasbro Marvel product experts will discuss some exciting news around Hasbro’s ever popular Marvel LEGENDS action figure line! Viewers will also get a sneak peek of upcoming, never before seen Marvel action figures plus some special surprises as well.
Panels – Day 2: Saturday, 9/26 at 10:00am-5:00pm EST
G.I. JOE PANEL
Panelists: Hasbro G.I. Joe Brand Team
Even more news and reveals are waiting for you during the G.I. Joe event at Hasbro’s PulseCon! Tune in and be the first to see new items, find out which characters will be launched next, and get a peek inside our development process directly from our team. And if knowing is half the battle, you’re going to want to join in for G.I. Joe trivia and show off your expertise. Plus a special message from Henry Golding, star of the upcoming film Snake Eyes. Don’t miss all this plus other fun surprises we’ve got up our sleeves! YO JOE!
THE VOICES THAT INSPIRED GENERATIONS OF TRANSFORMERS FANS!
Panelists: Peter Cullen, Frank Welker, Ben from Hasbro Transformers Brand Team
The powerful voices behind many of the most iconic characters – the heroic Autobot Optimus Prime and the villainous Decepticons Megatron & Soundwave – come together as friends and share stories around the legacy they have helped create. With more than 30 years of Transformers voice acting history and decades of friendship, this talented duo will fill the air with untold stories and glimpses behind the microphone of some of the most memorable recording sessions.
TRANSFORMERS WAR FOR CYBERTRON KINGDOM TOY REVEAL!
Panelists: Hasbro Transformers Brand Team
Join the Hasbro Transformers team as they officially reveal toys from the third and final chapter of the War for Cybertron trilogy, KINGDOM, including the entire first wave of the product line. You won’t want to miss it; it’s going to be a beast! Special guest, John, will share the inspiration behind the collection and give his final farewell to the Transformers brand! The celebration will continue with the 2020 Transformers Hall of Fame and a well-deserved induction of the newest human honoree… ME excited! Be prepared for huge surprises, a 10-year anniversary celebration, and exclusive reveals seen first here! We can’t wait to share it all with you.
GHOSTBUSTERS PANEL
Join us as we celebrate the Ghostbusters franchise in a three-part panel filled with HUGE surprises and reveals!
Part 1: Classic Ghostbusters
Panelists: Ernie Hudson, Hasbro Ghostbusters Brand Team
We’ll begin by celebrating the iconic 1984 film. Tune in for ghostly surprises, classic toy news, and a visit from a very special guest: Ernie Hudson, otherwise known as Winston Zeddemore from Ghostbusters! Get ready to hear him answer your fan questions!
Part 2: The Making of Kenner The Real Ghostbusters Toys
Panelists: Mark Boudreax, Hasbro Ghostbusters Brand Team
We’ll continue our journey through the 80’s with an inside look at the making of The Real Ghostbusters toys from original Kenner toy designer, Mark Boudreaux. Next, you’ll see behind the scenes of sculpting with Dave. Finally, meet the Hasbro team that relaunched the Kenner Real Ghostbusters toys in 2020. Hear about how they answered the call to bring this beloved toy line back for the fans and be the first to see the next Kenner Real Ghostbusters toy to hit shelves!
Part 3: Ghostbusters Afterlife
Panelists: Jason Reitman, Hasbro Ghostbusters Brand Team
We’ll end our celebration with a nod to the future… the new Ghostbusters Afterlife feature film, coming to theatres in March 2021. Academy Award-nominated, Golden Globe-winning filmmaker Jason Reitman, director of Ghostbusters Afterlife, will take you on a tour of the Ecto-1 that was used in the new film. He’ll end his tour with an exciting reveal! You’ll then hear from the Hasbro team about the next toy inspired by the Ghostbusters Afterlife film to hit shelves!
HASBRO POWER RANGERS PANEL
Panelists: Hasbro Power Rangers Brand Team
Join us for the Power Ranger Brand Panel, featuring morphinomenal news and brand announcements across new Power Ranger’s product. Be the first to see new Power Rangers Lightning Collection figures and other products yet to hit shelves, as well as sneak peeks of upcoming items. All of this exciting news will be followed by a Q&A with the design, sculpting, creative, and marketing teams from Hasbro. Go Go Power Rangers!
POWER RANGERS ENTERTAINMENT PANEL
Panelists: Andre Meadows (@BlackNerd), Power Rangers Beast Morphers Cast
Unleash the Beasts! The cast of Power Rangers Beast Morphers will be reuniting live at PulseCon sharing behind the scenes stories from the set and talking about what life has been like being a Power Ranger! The panel, moderated by Andre Meadows (@BlackNerd), will feature never before seen footage and a live Q&A. If that’s not enough, we’ll be making a historic announcement….or should we say PREHISTORIC! Ranger Nation, if this panel could be summed up in one word, it would be MORPHINOMINAL!
Additional details and full schedule can be found on HasbroPulseCon.com. Fans can follow @HasbroPulse on Instagram or Hasbro Pulse on Facebook to stay up to date.
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 and has been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by Ethisphere Institute for the past nine years. We routinely share important business and brand updates on our Investor Relations website, Newsroom and social channels (@Hasbro on Twitter and Instagram.)
Lucasfilm, the Lucasfilm logo, STAR WARS and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. © & TM Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved.
About Marine Toys for Tots
Toys for Tots, a 72-year national charitable program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, provides happiness and hope to less fortunate children during each Christmas holiday season. The toys, books and other gifts collected and distributed by the Marines offer these children recognition, confidence and a positive memory for a lifetime. It is such experiences that help children become responsible citizens and caring members of their community. Last year the Marine Toys for Tots Program fulfilled the holiday hopes and dreams of 7 million less fortunate children in over 800 communities nationwide. Since 1947 over 258 million children have been assisted. The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a not for profit organization authorized by the U.S. Marine Corps and the Department of Defense to provide fundraising and other necessary support for the annual Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. For more information, visit www.toysfortots.org.
