Hasbro returned to San Diego Comic Con with a large booth and many reveals. For the first time they booth didn’t have physical products for sale, but gave out daily QR codes with timed windows to purchase products. The Hasbro panel also had a multitude of reveals from the Star Wars galaxy. The booth also debuted the Selfies Series, an opportunity for fans to make themselves into Black Series figures within the worlds of G.I Joe, Star Wars and a few other Hasbro franchises.
I had the opportunity to speak with Hasbro employees Chris Reiff and Patrick Schneider at the Hasbro booth to talk about returning to SDCC, and what’s coming up in the future.
Fantha Tracks: It’s been three years since we’ve all been here, so how are you guys’ feeing being back with all this energy on the floor?
Hasbro: It’s amazing so far, there is nothing like the community here in San Diego.
FT: How do you guys feel the QR code system versus actual product on site went? Is that something you want to continue in the future?
Hasbro: It just felt like the best way to go, but personally I’ve always hated carrying around a giant bag of stuff so I love the idea of being able to order and having stuff just delivered to my house. I think that’s amazing. It’s a new process and we’re learning every time we do something with it, so I think it’s an evolving process, and I think it’s worthwhile.
FT: As a long-time fan I find Hasbro’s commitment to reducing plastic commendable. I’m surprised that there’s pushback from the fan community because of the changes. What are your thoughts on that?
Hasbro: Four years ago, Hasbro made that commitment, and as I have said before I feel proud to work for a company that cares about more than just the bottom line. We’ve all got to live on this Earth for a long time, so it’s important to do our part now. We’re seeing some of the early Black Series packaging our designer Erin did, it’s a fantastic job, it’s a great product. I’m also glad that we can strike that balance in the lines with the continuation of plastic free figure bubbles on three of our lines (The 3.75″ Vintage Collection, the 3.75″ Retro and special releases such as the 6″ Black Series Credit Collection, the George Lucas Stormtrooper figure, Lucasfilm 50th Anniversary and the upcoming Return of the Jedi 40th anniversary figures).
FT: I’m loving the little accessories you’re including with figures, as we saw with the upcoming Grogu figure that comes with different accessories including blue cookies. Is this the influence of a specific designer, or something you’re implementing series wide?
Hasbro: We’re loving these accessories, and this is something that kind of happens organically on the designer’s end. Part or is also to deliver on a cohesive story and package.
FT: As a book fan I’m enjoying seeing all these figures for comics and books that continue to be made into figures. You are even pulling from Star Wars Infinities. Is there a specific team spearheading this content?
Hasbro: It’s the entire team. Star Wars isn’t just movies, it isn’t just books and gaming, it’s all of that. All of this is an essential part of Star Wars, and we’re bringing all of this to the lines.
I hope all the Star Wars fans attending San Diego Comic Con got a chance to visit Hasbro’s amazing displays. Lots of amazing products coming this year.
Thanks to our Fantha Tracks reporter @YogiKai for all the news from SDCC, and be sure to look back at the #FTSDCC hashtag for more from the show.
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