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A lot is going on for Toysrus. Today was going to be quite critical with a decision in bankruptcy court that might involve closing their entire US operations. However, it turns out the hearing was adjourned with no decisions made and anything planned to be discussed today will be discussed Thursday the 15th instead.
NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT OF OMNIBUS HEARING SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 12, 2018 AT 2:00 P.M. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT all matters scheduled to be heard at the omnibus hearing set for March 12, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. (prevailing Eastern Time) are being adjourned to March 15, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. (prevailing Eastern Time) and that all matters set for the omnibus hearing on March 12, 2018 have been removed from the Court’s docket.
Many Canadians are concerned since unlike the experiences reported in the US, Toysrus in Canada has been a true haven for collectors. They would pick up any exclusive from retailers that were US specific (BBTS, Target, ect) and thanks to their pricing policy and discounts, it is currently the best place to buy Transformers in the country. So of course, Canadians are very worried with what will happen if the US parent company folds. Well, we have word from the VP of marketing of the subsidiary, Clint Gaudry:
Clint Gaudry wrote:Our business in Canada is operating as usual. We remain committed to providing customers with great service and the best assortment of merchandise in the toy and baby categories. We continue to serve our customers and honour all our customer policies and programs like Baby Registry, Gift Cards and R Club loyalty.
So that's good news for Toysrus Canada but this article from the Financial Post, which looks into the future of Toysrus Canada, and it seems there will definitely be a change regardless. For instance, if Toysrus Canada survives and continues on its own, not being part of a bigger corporation means prices are bound to go up to offset costs of no longer buying as big an order from suppliers.
Any prospective buyer of Toys “R” Us Canada would have to work with skittish vendors and a higher cost base. “Things would change without the U.S. business to support the Canadian unit, anything from marketing costs to merchandising costs,” without the economies of scale of a large bulk-buying parent Minakakis said.
There has been a lot of buzz over at IDW Publishing recently, with Transformers comics creators teasing some big news, then the New York Toy Fair 2018 Brand team dropping the 'wrapping up continuities' comment, and fans and readers speculating on what this might mean for the stories currently being told - and this piece does not feed into it at all, but does have some fairly big repercussions on the current era of the IDWverse: EIC Chris Ryall is stepping down, and leaving the publisher altogether.
The announcement comes from his own social media accounts after the news leaked out, and was then reported and covered by several comics news outlets such as Comics Beat - see below - and other creators thanking Ryall for his work with the publisher since 2004. For Transformers specifically, Ryall was in charge of pretty much the whole run up to All Hail Megatron, responses to letter columns, co-wrote Rom the Spaceknight into the Revolution event, and may or may not have been Alternators Windcharger all along.
We do not know what this change will mean for the IDW output, their stories, and the Transformers events specifically, but the various encounters that Seibertron.com has had with Ryall have been good, entertaining, professional, and we wish him all the best in his future ventures.
[url]I've been trying to reply to the outpouring of well-wishes and amazing sentiments from so many of you but I'm finding I can't keep up with all of them and I'm pretty spent after a very emotional day. Hard to leave such amazing people as there are at IDW and throughout the creative community. I'll soon try to properly sum up how it feels leaving IDW after 14 years but for now, I'm going to shut it all off and just breathe a little. But thank you all--I wish I'd had some way and enough time to convey to everyone I've worked with who's meant so much to me and made such an indelible mark on me how special all of this time has been. But know that it's implied and deeply felt. This article has a partial (not intended for public consumption) statement from me:[/url]
A lot of changes suddenly at comics companies all over. I’ve just learned that Chris Ryall, formerly Chief Creative officer and Editor-in-Chief at IDW, has stepped down.
The move is entirely of his own volition, I’m told.
Ryall joined IDW in June of 2004, and oversaw its steady growth in both licensed comics and originals, as well as writing titles including Zombies vs Robots, Groom Lake, The Hollows, The Colonized, and Onyx, and licensed titles including Transformers.
Ryall wrote a farewell email to staff which included the following:
Through it all—through the deadline craziness, market fluctuations, assorted business challenges, social-media storms, new faces, new projects, and new challenges—it’s all served as a constant reminder how lucky I’ve been to contribute to this industry that I love so much. And I plan to keep making contributions outside these walls. But for now, I’m stepping aside to take a break, get off the never-ending-deadline train and see what new challenge makes the most sense as my next move. It might seem short at times, but 14 years is a long time to do anything — I’ve certainly never done anything else in my life for this amount of time.
There’s not enough time or space to catalog the various successes that have happened here in that time and really, there’s no need — they’ve all been parts of a whole that has made this place such a thrill to work at for as long as I have. The successes and fun vastly outweighed the stresses, which is really a testament to the place that Ted and Robbie and company built in the first place. I’m appreciative as can be for all the opportunities IDW has afforded me. It’s just time to figure out my next move, that’s all.
I remain excited about comics, about creating, and about giving people good reasons to keep reading and, separately, about seeing everything IDW is going to do next. I first noticed IDW’s books in its earliest days, impressed by the care and uniqueness that those early titles offered, so it’s been a thrill to join all of you to build things out in an even bigger way. And I look forward to once again being able to experience IDW’s output with a fresh eye.
While his next move isn’t yet known, as shown by the above, Ryall seems to want to stay in the comics biz. As shown by his words, Ryall is known as a classy, even tempered executive, and I don’t doubt that he’ll have many opportunities in front of him.
This is the latest of a strong of changes at IDW. Recently co-founder Ted Adams moved from publisher to CEO, while Greg Goldstein moved into the Publisher position. PR manager Steven Scott also recently left the company.
You read that right. This Monday, Toys R Us is expected to appear at a bankruptcy hearing and shutting down all its stores and liquidating its entire US operations is one of the options they are considering. There are other options, of course, but this is the option certain lenders are pushing for, after a weak holiday performance. They had already planned to close 20% of their US stores (184 to be precise).
This comes to us from the Wall Street Journal which refers to unspecified people in the know.
Just to be very clear, this does not mean that all stores are closing Monday, it just means that the decision to close all stores in the US could be made official Monday. Liquidation would happen soon after. Also, this is just for US operations.
Here are the key parts from the Wall Street Journal Article:
- Troubled toy chain Toys R Us Inc. is preparing to liquidate all of its U.S. stores and abandon efforts to restructure through the bankruptcy process, people familiar with the matter said, after a weak holiday season torpedoed plans to reorganize.
- An announcement could come as soon as Monday when the parties are expected to appear at a bankruptcy hearing in Richmond, VA., the people said. How much Toys R Us decides to liquidate will depend on the size of the liquidator bids it receives, the people said.
- The plan to shut down the stores and liquidate the U.S. operations is one of several scenarios in play, one of the people said, and while some lenders are pushing that route, others want to find other options for Toys R Us to continue operations.
Kabam's Transformers: Forged to Fight has won the Best Mobile Game at the Global Mobile Awards 2018 on March 6th, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. These are the details below:
At this year’s Global Mobile Awards (GLOMO Awards) in Barcelona, Spain during Mobile World Congress 2018, representatives from the GSMA awarded Kabam, Inc. – creators of massively multi-player mobile games for a global audience – ‘Best Mobile Game’ accolade for the company’s popular mobile fighting game Transformers: Forged to Fight. Since the game’s launch in April 2017, Transformers: Forged to Fight has been incredibly successful as it was previously awarded Google Play's Most Competitive Game and has seen more than 19 million downloads to date.
"Our goal with Transformers: Forged to Fight was to deliver an action-packed, immersive and engaging experience that any-and-all Transformers fans can enjoy, so it is extremely satisfying and humbling to see the game do especially well in its first year,” said Mike McCartney, Executive Producer for Transformers: Forged to Fight. “We are extremely grateful to be able to participate in the Global Mobile Awards and we are looking forward to what’s coming next for Year Two of Transformers: Forged to Fight.”
Transformers: Forged to Fight features amazing visuals, intense one-on-one battles, meaningful robot to vehicle converting action, and deep RPG elements. Fans can look forward to authentic TRANSFORMERS action set in a stunning 3D environment, challenging players to assemble the ultimate team of Autobots and Decepticons - including fan-favorite bots from previous and current animated Transformers series, Paramount's blockbuster films, TRANSFORMERS comic books and Hasbro's line of iconic action figures.
Transformers: Forged to Fight was developed by Kabam, the studio who created Fast & Furious: Legacy and Marvel Contest of Champions, a top 10 grossing game on the App Store. The game is now available worldwide in more than 155 countries on the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, and Google Play for Android devices. Visit ForgedtoFight.com for more information.
The long sought after release of the music for the original Generation One series is upon us and in limited quantities per "Enjoy the Ride Records" and it's only going to be released in LP format. That's right, you'll need a vinyl record player or turnstyle table to play it. Goin' old school as it were. Here are some details about it:
Hasbro, Enjoy the Ride Records and Sony Music/Legacy Recordings Present the First Official Release of the Transformers Original Television Series Score on Collector’s Edition Vinyl on March 9 With 40 Tracks, Soundtrack is Available for the First Time in Any Format and
Presented In Three Colored Vinyl SKUs
BURBANK, Calif. – March 6, 2018 – Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS), Enjoy The Ride Records and Sony Music/Legacy Recordings announced today the release of Hasbro Studios Presents '80s TV Classics: Music from The Transformers on vinyl in three different color variants, available at select retailers Friday, March 9. This is the first official release of the score in any format and includes the iconic opening theme song and more than 45 minutes of unreleased music by composers Robert J. Walsh, Johnny Douglas, Anne Bryant and Ford Kinder. The album features music from seasons 1-3 of “The Transformers” animated series which debuted in 1984.
“We’re very excited to share with fans of all ages the classic original score from the animated show that helped launch the Transformers universe,” said Stephen Davis, Chief Content Officer for Hasbro. “Legacy has created an incredible, unique product that fans will love and that is truly More than Meets the Eye!”
Hasbro Studios Presents '80s TV Classics: Music from The Transformers features a mix of orchestral and ‘80s inspired synth tracks which have been remastered from the original tapes by Walsh himself. The unique collector’s edition albums feature original artwork including Japanese Catalog artwork from 1985 and will be available in three different retail exclusive vinyl colorways (each sold separately) corresponding with fan favorite characters Optimus Prime (Blue and Red Stripe With Gray Splatter), Bumblebee (Black and Yellow Stripe) and Megatron (Gray with Purple Splatter).
The Hasbro Studios Presents '80s TV Classics: Music from The Transformers will be available for $18.99, with the Optimus Prime and Megatron variants available through EnjoyTheRideRecords.com and the Bumblebee variant available exclusively through ThinkGeek.com.
We also have a Track Listing for those curious as well:
Side A
1. Opening Theme Song
2. Life
3. Cybertron Sorrow
4. The Bridge to Iacon
5. Unwelcoming Committee
6. Prepare
7. Attack! Attack!
8. Decepticon Drama
9. Explore! Repair!
10. Facing Disaster
11. Ominous Discovery
12. Elements of Danger
13. Something’s Wrong
14. Overcoming the Unstoppable
15. No More Worries
16. Unyielding
17. Heavy Mettle
18. Man and Machine
19. Matters and Antimatters
20. Battle Fearlessly
21. Ancient Legends
22. The March of War
Side B
1. Roll For Home
2. The Glimmer of Hop
3. Earth to Cybertron
4. Into the Jaws of Death
5. Doomed Together
6. The Wrong Readings Mean the Right Doom
7. Transformers Medley
8. Mad Planet
9. Conflict on Cassette
10. Pastoral Tranquility
11. From the Secret Files of Teletraan II
12. Separation Anxiety
13. Synthesized Magic
14. Sinister
15. Uneasy Advances
16. Epic Struggles
17. Mysterious Airs
18. Waking Nightmare
We'll post more as it becomes available, I personally will be holding out hope for a wider release and digitally or even on CD as time goes on. Either way, owning the Transformers music in LP format is a great way to own this relic of the past!
Fellow Seibertronian ZeroWolf has pointed us to an article from the U.K.'s Guardian newspaper, which states that Toys Я Us U.K. branch is expected to go into administration (a type of pre-bankruptcy accounting of a business) within the next 24 hours.
Retail experts said Toys R Us’s problems were down to a lack of investment in its stores and website. “It would be easy to blame Amazon, but the reality is that Toys R Us has been a victim of complacency,” said Natalie Berg, an analyst at NBK Retail . “As a specialist retailer, the Toys R Us experience should have been a magical one with in-store events, dedicated play areas and product demonstrations. The reality was a soulless shed.
While not totally unexpected, and affecting mainly the British branch of the toy retailer, it could give us a preview of what might happen to the struggling company worldwide. Check out the whole article by clicking here, and let us know what you think about the latest development in the ongoing saga of Toys Я Us below.
The Trademarkia website fired to life with the indication that Hasbro has registered the new trademark of ALLSPARK DISTRIBUTION. What is it for? Entertainment services is what the category is being registered under. That category covers things like TV series, movies, webisodes for online series, and other multimedia ventures. This is the actual trademark below:
Trademark Application 87796827 ALLSPARK DISTRIBUTION
Trademark Details
Trademark Source: USPTO
Mark (in words): ALLSPARK DISTRIBUTION
Serial Number: 87796827
Filing Date: Wednesday, 14th of February 2018
Status: New application will be assigned to an examining attorney approximately 3 months after filing date.
Status Date: Saturday, 17th of February 2018
Registration Number:
Registration Date: Wednesday, 30th of November -0001
Prior Reg Numbers:
Current Location: NEW APPLICATION PROCESSING
Date In Location: Saturday, 17th of February 2018
Class Status: ACTIVE
Category: Entertainment services, namely, production and distribution of movies, television series, online series, webisodes and digital content; entertainment media production services for motion pictures, television and internet
Actual Mark
Status History
Thursday, 22nd of February 2018 - NEW APPLICATION OFFICE SUPPLIED DATA ENTERED IN TRAM
Saturday, 17th of February 2018 - NEW APPLICATION ENTERED IN TRAM
Hasbro's official Facebook page for Transformers has put out some extra information on the fan-vote poll for the 2019 War for Cybertron figures, which is closing today on social media. The three images answer some of the questions that the brand has been receiving since Tuesday, such as:
Aren’t Needlenose and Tracks brothers? A: Yep! And, you’ll get a glimpse into what drove them apart and led to them joining the Autobots and Decepticons in the War for Cybertron trilogy! Get Excited!
Why antoher Wheeljack figure, we recently got him as a toy? A: Wheeljack is one of the few Autobots whose Cybertronian vehicle alt-mode is seen in the original 1984 pilot episode of “The Transformers”. This version has never before been created in toy.
Why does Impactor wear a Decepticon logo? A: Much like the bounty hunter Doubledealer (who bears the Autobot crest), Impactor wears faction logos which do not align with his true nature as a Transformer. You’ll learn why and how he came to wear the Autobot crest, instead, in the untold stories of the War for Cybertron Trilogy.
Take a look at them below, as well as a reminder of the general rules for those who still want to take part:
Needlenose and Tracks - #NeedlenosevsTracks (brother vs brother)
Spinister and Wheeljack - #SpinistervsWheeljack (Saboteur vs Scientist)
Impactor and Mirage - #ImpactorvsMirage (Greater Good vs Greater Profit)
You vote for the pairing on social media using the relevant hashtag above, but each of the winning figures will be available separately at retail. We will bring you more information as it becomes available!
My fellow Seibertronians, lend me your audio receptors!
One of the major stories coming out of this past weekend's Hasbro Media Day at New York Toy Fair is the launch of Hasbro Labs (HasLab for short), a crowdfunding platform intended to deliver oft requested and long sought after 'grails' to the various communities in Hasbro's fan ecosystem. Their initial project is the largest Star Wars vehicle ever: a 3.75" scale Jabba's Sail Barge from Return of the Jedi. With all crowdfunding projects comes a degree of risk: HasLab requires a 5000 unit commitment at $500 apiece for the project to succeed.
What does this have to do with us, the Transformer community? Well, if you haven't seen or heard the group interview with the Transformers Brand Team, some saw HasLab as a path to a no-holds-bar update to the Chaos Bringer himself: Unicron.
Would fans want to see a crowdfunded HasLab Unicron? What kind of pricing? Point fans to HasLab, talk about it, read about it, podcast about it. Talk about what you want to see, we’re listening. #Unicron
What does the Seibertron community think? Should the Transformers Brand Team use HasLab as a vehicle to bring us the Chaos Bringer? Or would you rather see Hasbro's crowdfunding platform directed to create something else entirely?
Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let's get this discussion started --- the powers that Has-be are listening!
From the coverage of the Hasbro Brand Entertainment panel, which you can read again here, we have the details on the next fan-vote poll that will lead to not one but two, separately sold figures - each with their backstory and reason for inclusion together - for the new War for Cybertron toyline (that will follow the end of Power of the Primes and Prime Wars Trilogy).
The voting runs on official Transformers social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram from Tuesday February 20th to Friday February 23rd, using the hashtags provided below.
UPDATE: Today is the Final Day to vote!
Needlenose and Tracks - #NeedlenosevsTracks (brother vs brother)
Spinister and Wheeljack - #SpinistervsWheeljack (Saboteur vs Scientist)
Impactor and Mirage - #ImpactorvsMirage (Greater Good vs Greater Profit)
You vote for the pairing, but each of the winning figures will be available separately at retail. We will bring you more information as it becomes available!
Goto Page: <<1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6>> 60 total news articles in this section, 10 per page.
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