Entertainment One owner Hasbro appoints new CEO

Peppa Pig

US toy giant Hasbro has promoted Chris Cocks to CEO to succeed the late Brian Goldner, who passed away last year.

Hasbro is the owner of Peppa Pig and PJ Masks studio Entertainment One (eOne), as well as popular IP including Transformers, GI Joe and My Little Pony.

Cocks, who joined the company from Microsoft in 2016, is being elevated from his current role as president and COO of Hasbro’s digital gaming and Wizards Of The Coast divisions, the latter of which makes the Dungeons And Dragons and Magic: The Gathering games.

He takes over the position from interim CEO Rich Stoddart, who stepped into the role following Goldner’s death in October, and will start on 25 February.

During his tenure, Goldner transitioned Hasbro from a more traditional toymaker towards the new areas of TV, film and gaming, which included its 2019 acquisition of eOne.

Many Hasbro toy brands have been licensed for TV and film projects, with the recent feature film Snake Eyes based on its GI Joe franchise.

The company has also promoted veteran exec Eric Nyman to president and COO of Hasbro, while Stoddart will become chair of the board once Cocks begins his new role.

“Hasbro has amazing brands, gifted storytellers and unique entertainment assets, and I am humbled to step into the position of CEO at this important time and to build on the strong foundation Brian created,” said Cocks.