Hasbro Clarifies How Pulse will not be a Threat to Retailers + Pulse Letter from John Warden
Sunday, February 24th, 2019 2:22PM CST
Categories: Toy News, Event News, People NewsPosted by: william-james88 Views: 35,915
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Pulse launched last week and one of the concerns was how this may be a threat to retailers who sell Hasbro items. It came up in the investors presentation with the following question from Eric Handler:
I am intrigued by go to market pulse initiative. How do you balance being a global consumer products company with thousands or retail doors and how do you balance that in terms of not threatening those retailers with the go to consumer initiative.
To which Hasbro replied the following:
We have a unique take about how to approach and connect with our fans.
As everyone knows we have hundreds of thousands of doors around the world, our offering is really broad. When you look at what we are doing with Pulse, it's really a content and product initiative targeted at the fan economy. Its increasing our direct relation with consumers but in a very focused way and it will give us an opportunity to test and learn many things we can then bring to our partners globally. It's really not meant to be taking something for ourselves. It is allowing us to be the tip of the spear to foster these relationships and what we learn from this interaction will be shared with our partners around the world.
The quote above includes some shortening and it can be full heard slightly past the 2 hour mark of their investor presentation which can be heard here.
This definitely answers a few questions fans had. The fact that this is more fan focused than Hasbro Toy Shop would explain why toys like Cyberverse have not moved over to Pulse.
From this we can gather that the US collector market (meaning anyone reading this article) is significant enough to warrant investing in an interface to serve fans but not big enough for Walmart or Target to fear any loss in sales from Hasbro selling directly.
We could have guessed that, but it was fun to have at least one question that's been asked openly on these boards before answered by Hasbro's top executives.
Also, for those looking for a mission statement for both Pulse and the new Studio Select line, John Letter wrote a letter that was sent along with the new Voyager Combat Hero Megatron. You can read it below:
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Re: Hasbro Clarifies How Pulse will not be a Threat to Retailers + Pulse Letter from John Warden (2012225)
Posted by Bucky on February 24th, 2019 @ 4:29pm CST
Posted by Bucky on February 24th, 2019 @ 4:29pm CST
Just curious, but did anyone else who ordered the next wave of Siege Deluxes from Hasbropulse, when they were $9.99 notice that their order suddenly changed? Up until today, mine was all fine and dandy, but now on my HP account my order has been split into four separate orders, states that the orders were placed on the 22nd of February (which is well after I ordered them), and says that they’re $19.99 each.
I just wanted to know if this happened to anyone else, before I try contacting Hasbropulse to ask what’s up, and to let people know that it might be an issue. In case people weren’t aware.
I just wanted to know if this happened to anyone else, before I try contacting Hasbropulse to ask what’s up, and to let people know that it might be an issue. In case people weren’t aware.
Re: Hasbro Clarifies How Pulse will not be a Threat to Retailers + Pulse Letter from John Warden (2012227)
Posted by TF-fan kev777 on February 24th, 2019 @ 4:43pm CST
Hmm, that is weird. I ordered back when they were $9.99 too and my order was split up almost immediately. They are all still $9.99 on my current order status.
Posted by TF-fan kev777 on February 24th, 2019 @ 4:43pm CST
Bucky wrote:Just curious, but did anyone else who ordered the next wave of Siege Deluxes from Hasbropulse, when they were $9.99 notice that their order suddenly changed? Up until today, mine was all fine and dandy, but now on my HP account my order has been split into four separate orders, states that the orders were placed on the 22nd of February (which is well after I ordered them), and says that they’re $19.99 each.
I just wanted to know if this happened to anyone else, before I try contacting Hasbropulse to ask what’s up, and to let people know that it might be an issue. In case people weren’t aware.
Hmm, that is weird. I ordered back when they were $9.99 too and my order was split up almost immediately. They are all still $9.99 on my current order status.
Re: Hasbro Clarifies How Pulse will not be a Threat to Retailers + Pulse Letter from John Warden (2012230)
Posted by Bucky on February 24th, 2019 @ 4:51pm CST
Posted by Bucky on February 24th, 2019 @ 4:51pm CST
It is weird, but I’m hoping it’s just a fluke. That I’m the only one this happened to, and that it’s an easy fix. I already put an email into their customer service.
I know that they were still in one order, and much more importantly were still at $9.99 each on my account when I said “to Hell with it” and ordered SS Jetfire on the 19th from HasbroPulse.
I know that they were still in one order, and much more importantly were still at $9.99 each on my account when I said “to Hell with it” and ordered SS Jetfire on the 19th from HasbroPulse.
Re: Hasbro Clarifies How Pulse will not be a Threat to Retailers + Pulse Letter from John Warden (2012234)
Posted by chuckdawg1999 on February 24th, 2019 @ 5:17pm CST
Posted by chuckdawg1999 on February 24th, 2019 @ 5:17pm CST
Hmm, why do I have a feeling that within 5 years Generations will be an online only line?
Re: Hasbro Clarifies How Pulse will not be a Threat to Retailers + Pulse Letter from John Warden (2012235)
Posted by Burn on February 24th, 2019 @ 5:28pm CST
ummm...what?
Posted by Burn on February 24th, 2019 @ 5:28pm CST
william-james88 wrote:From this we can gather that the US collector market (meaning anyone reading this article)
ummm...what?
Re: Hasbro Clarifies How Pulse will not be a Threat to Retailers + Pulse Letter from John Warden (2012241)
Posted by Emerje on February 24th, 2019 @ 6:16pm CST
What part about using the information they gather from Pulse to help improve the way things are handled at retail make you think they're going to pull Generations from retail? If anything I read this as better things coming from Generations at retail in the next 5 years.
Emerje
Posted by Emerje on February 24th, 2019 @ 6:16pm CST
chuckdawg1999 wrote:Hmm, why do I have a feeling that within 5 years Generations will be an online only line?
What part about using the information they gather from Pulse to help improve the way things are handled at retail make you think they're going to pull Generations from retail? If anything I read this as better things coming from Generations at retail in the next 5 years.
Emerje
Re: Hasbro Clarifies How Pulse will not be a Threat to Retailers + Pulse Letter from John Warden (2012253)
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on February 24th, 2019 @ 6:53pm CST
I think Willy-J had a few before writing the article.
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on February 24th, 2019 @ 6:53pm CST
Burn wrote:william-james88 wrote:From this we can gather that the US collector market (meaning anyone reading this article)
ummm...what?
I think Willy-J had a few before writing the article.
Re: Hasbro Clarifies How Pulse will not be a Threat to Retailers + Pulse Letter from John Warden (2012265)
Posted by Easy Tiger on February 24th, 2019 @ 8:11pm CST
Maybe it's because we all speak fluent American? Y'all.
Posted by Easy Tiger on February 24th, 2019 @ 8:11pm CST
Nemesis Maximo wrote:Burn wrote:william-james88 wrote:From this we can gather that the US collector market (meaning anyone reading this article)
ummm...what?
I think Willy-J had a few before writing the article.
Maybe it's because we all speak fluent American? Y'all.
Re: Hasbro Clarifies How Pulse will not be a Threat to Retailers + Pulse Letter from John Warden (2012285)
Posted by Burn on February 24th, 2019 @ 9:49pm CST
Ironically, he's from Quebec.
Posted by Burn on February 24th, 2019 @ 9:49pm CST
Easy Tiger wrote:Nemesis Maximo wrote:Burn wrote:william-james88 wrote:From this we can gather that the US collector market (meaning anyone reading this article)
ummm...what?
I think Willy-J had a few before writing the article.
Maybe it's because we all speak fluent American? Y'all.
Ironically, he's from Quebec.
Re: Hasbro Clarifies How Pulse will not be a Threat to Retailers + Pulse Letter from John Warden (2012302)
Posted by chuckdawg1999 on February 25th, 2019 @ 1:50am CST
The fact that mainline lines like Cyberverse and the Bumblebee movie line aren't going to be on pulse. I can see a world where the TV/Movie lives are in stores but the more collector driven stuff is found online. This also ties into my belief that most stores don't like 30+ year old men in toy isles.
Posted by chuckdawg1999 on February 25th, 2019 @ 1:50am CST
Emerje wrote:chuckdawg1999 wrote:Hmm, why do I have a feeling that within 5 years Generations will be an online only line?
What part about using the information they gather from Pulse to help improve the way things are handled at retail make you think they're going to pull Generations from retail? If anything I read this as better things coming from Generations at retail in the next 5 years.
Emerje
The fact that mainline lines like Cyberverse and the Bumblebee movie line aren't going to be on pulse. I can see a world where the TV/Movie lives are in stores but the more collector driven stuff is found online. This also ties into my belief that most stores don't like 30+ year old men in toy isles.
Re: Hasbro Clarifies How Pulse will not be a Threat to Retailers + Pulse Letter from John Warden (2012304)
Posted by Burn on February 25th, 2019 @ 2:32am CST
This right here. Unless you've got a kid with you, you're automatically branded a creep.
And some are.
But most aren't.
Posted by Burn on February 25th, 2019 @ 2:32am CST
chuckdawg1999 wrote:This also ties into my belief that most stores don't like 30+ year old men in toy isles.
This right here. Unless you've got a kid with you, you're automatically branded a creep.
And some are.
But most aren't.
Re: Hasbro Clarifies How Pulse will not be a Threat to Retailers + Pulse Letter from John Warden (2012358)
Posted by cruizerdave on February 25th, 2019 @ 1:36pm CST
Posted by cruizerdave on February 25th, 2019 @ 1:36pm CST
This whole Pulse thing seems like a bad deal. Give us $50 cuz, and we'll give you some crappy repaints you can pay for, but free shipping!
Then they best stop selling action figures, because that's who buys them. Kids aren't interested. Adults have driven the action figure industry for the past two decades. Why else would Hasbro bring us such obscure stuff from 30 years ago as redos of Slugslinger, the Duocons or the stinking Jumpstarters. Kids are not interested in any of that.
Also, most retailers seem to have a hard time keeping the CHUG stuff in stock, while the movie stuff clogs shelves for months at a time until it's cleared out on clearance.
And it's not just Transformers. Who buys their kids $20 Black Series or Marvel Legends figures? No one. Or those stupid Pop figures that cover everything 80s? Kids are not buying action figures. If it bothers them that adult collectors on in their stores, they shouldn't stock the stuff adult collectors buy.
chuckdawg1999 wrote:Emerje wrote:chuckdawg1999 wrote:Hmm, why do I have a feeling that within 5 years Generations will be an online only line?
What part about using the information they gather from Pulse to help improve the way things are handled at retail make you think they're going to pull Generations from retail? If anything I read this as better things coming from Generations at retail in the next 5 years.
Emerje
This also ties into my belief that most stores don't like 30+ year old men in toy isles.
Then they best stop selling action figures, because that's who buys them. Kids aren't interested. Adults have driven the action figure industry for the past two decades. Why else would Hasbro bring us such obscure stuff from 30 years ago as redos of Slugslinger, the Duocons or the stinking Jumpstarters. Kids are not interested in any of that.
Also, most retailers seem to have a hard time keeping the CHUG stuff in stock, while the movie stuff clogs shelves for months at a time until it's cleared out on clearance.
And it's not just Transformers. Who buys their kids $20 Black Series or Marvel Legends figures? No one. Or those stupid Pop figures that cover everything 80s? Kids are not buying action figures. If it bothers them that adult collectors on in their stores, they shouldn't stock the stuff adult collectors buy.
Re: Hasbro Clarifies How Pulse will not be a Threat to Retailers + Pulse Letter from John Warden (2012369)
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on February 25th, 2019 @ 2:49pm CST
Amazing! Everything you’ve just said, is wrong.
Kids frikkin love Marvel Legends, and they frikkin love building the BAFs.
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on February 25th, 2019 @ 2:49pm CST
cruizerdave wrote:This whole Pulse thing seems like a bad deal. Give us $50 cuz, and we'll give you some crappy repaints you can pay for, but free shipping!chuckdawg1999 wrote:Emerje wrote:chuckdawg1999 wrote:Hmm, why do I have a feeling that within 5 years Generations will be an online only line?
What part about using the information they gather from Pulse to help improve the way things are handled at retail make you think they're going to pull Generations from retail? If anything I read this as better things coming from Generations at retail in the next 5 years.
Emerje
This also ties into my belief that most stores don't like 30+ year old men in toy isles.
Then they best stop selling action figures, because that's who buys them. Kids aren't interested. Adults have driven the action figure industry for the past two decades. Why else would Hasbro bring us such obscure stuff from 30 years ago as redos of Slugslinger, the Duocons or the stinking Jumpstarters. Kids are not interested in any of that.
Also, most retailers seem to have a hard time keeping the CHUG stuff in stock, while the movie stuff clogs shelves for months at a time until it's cleared out on clearance.
And it's not just Transformers. Who buys their kids $20 Black Series or Marvel Legends figures? No one. Or those stupid Pop figures that cover everything 80s? Kids are not buying action figures. If it bothers them that adult collectors on in their stores, they shouldn't stock the stuff adult collectors buy.
Amazing! Everything you’ve just said, is wrong.
Kids frikkin love Marvel Legends, and they frikkin love building the BAFs.
Re: Hasbro Clarifies How Pulse will not be a Threat to Retailers + Pulse Letter from John Warden (2012373)
Posted by Emerje on February 25th, 2019 @ 3:12pm CST
Posted by Emerje on February 25th, 2019 @ 3:12pm CST
There's a lot of adult collectibles sold in the toy aisles that kids also buy, not just Generations. And half of them are made by Hasbro. Aside from what's been mentioned there's also WWE and DC figures from Mattel and some of the current and upcoming Power Rangers figures from Bandai and Hasbro and the Dragon Ball Super stuff among other things. There's zero reason to think Generations and Studio Series would be singled out with all these other $20-range action figures that aren't impulse friendly like the sub-$15 stuff.
Emerje
Emerje
Re: Hasbro Clarifies How Pulse will not be a Threat to Retailers + Pulse Letter from John Warden (2012380)
Posted by Burn on February 25th, 2019 @ 4:25pm CST
Posted by Burn on February 25th, 2019 @ 4:25pm CST
Every time this topic of conversation comes up I have to say ... we don't actually know what demographic is buying those toys in the aisles.
Re: Hasbro Clarifies How Pulse will not be a Threat to Retailers + Pulse Letter from John Warden (2012383)
Posted by chuckdawg1999 on February 25th, 2019 @ 4:46pm CST
I used to tell myself that the moms were checking me out when they were looking at me, they weren't
Posted by chuckdawg1999 on February 25th, 2019 @ 4:46pm CST
Burn wrote:chuckdawg1999 wrote:This also ties into my belief that most stores don't like 30+ year old men in toy isles.
This right here. Unless you've got a kid with you, you're automatically branded a creep.
And some are.
But most aren't.
I used to tell myself that the moms were checking me out when they were looking at me, they weren't
Re: Hasbro Clarifies How Pulse will not be a Threat to Retailers + Pulse Letter from John Warden (2012384)
Posted by Jelze Bunnycat on February 25th, 2019 @ 4:53pm CST
I actually never had that problem here in Texas. I guess it's because I tend to wear my Transformers hoodies, Zelda hoodie or 80's pop culture shirts most of the time, branding me a man-child... that or my wife is usually with me
Posted by Jelze Bunnycat on February 25th, 2019 @ 4:53pm CST
chuckdawg1999 wrote:Burn wrote:chuckdawg1999 wrote:This also ties into my belief that most stores don't like 30+ year old men in toy isles.
This right here. Unless you've got a kid with you, you're automatically branded a creep.
And some are.
But most aren't.
I used to tell myself that the moms were checking me out when they were looking at me, they weren't
I actually never had that problem here in Texas. I guess it's because I tend to wear my Transformers hoodies, Zelda hoodie or 80's pop culture shirts most of the time, branding me a man-child... that or my wife is usually with me
Re: Hasbro Clarifies How Pulse will not be a Threat to Retailers + Pulse Letter from John Warden (2012475)
Posted by no-one on February 26th, 2019 @ 3:49pm CST
Posted by no-one on February 26th, 2019 @ 3:49pm CST
On the subject of being or feeling like a creeper while in the toy section. I can say that I've never noticed any weird looks from other shoppers, employees or cashiers. Doesn't mean they weren't happening. I used to feel weird lurking around, but I got over it. Most of this is internal perception.
On the "recognized collector demographic" front, I got this email from Hasbro Pulse. I've only ordered the Siege wave 2 deluxes.
Anyone else get one?
On the "recognized collector demographic" front, I got this email from Hasbro Pulse. I've only ordered the Siege wave 2 deluxes.
Anyone else get one?
Re: Hasbro Clarifies How Pulse will not be a Threat to Retailers + Pulse Letter from John Warden (2012476)
Posted by Emerje on February 26th, 2019 @ 3:54pm CST
Yep, about half an hour ago.
Emerje
Posted by Emerje on February 26th, 2019 @ 3:54pm CST
carytheone wrote:Anyone else get one?
Yep, about half an hour ago.
Emerje
Re: Hasbro Clarifies How Pulse will not be a Threat to Retailers + Pulse Letter from John Warden (2012477)
Posted by no-one on February 26th, 2019 @ 3:58pm CST
Posted by no-one on February 26th, 2019 @ 3:58pm CST
They should send out bracelets.Emerje wrote:Yep, about half an hour ago.carytheone wrote:Anyone else get one?
Emerje
Re: Hasbro Clarifies How Pulse will not be a Threat to Retailers + Pulse Letter from John Warden (2012479)
Posted by Nemesis Primal on February 26th, 2019 @ 4:07pm CST
I too am a part of this fictitious bracelet club, I preordered KSI Boss because I don't want to miss out on that mold again.
Posted by Nemesis Primal on February 26th, 2019 @ 4:07pm CST
carytheone wrote:They should send out bracelets.Emerje wrote:Yep, about half an hour ago.carytheone wrote:Anyone else get one?
Emerje
I too am a part of this fictitious bracelet club, I preordered KSI Boss because I don't want to miss out on that mold again.
Re: Hasbro Clarifies How Pulse will not be a Threat to Retailers + Pulse Letter from John Warden (2012487)
Posted by Burn on February 26th, 2019 @ 4:55pm CST
Posted by Burn on February 26th, 2019 @ 4:55pm CST
I'm suddenly glad I live in Australia so I can't be part of this bracelet club. 
Re: Hasbro Clarifies How Pulse will not be a Threat to Retailers + Pulse Letter from John Warden (2012489)
Posted by no-one on February 26th, 2019 @ 4:57pm CST
What color you want? Wearing it on your ankle also counts.
Posted by no-one on February 26th, 2019 @ 4:57pm CST
Like it or not, you're an honorary member now.Burn wrote:I'm suddenly glad I live in Australia so I can't be part of this bracelet club.
What color you want? Wearing it on your ankle also counts.
Re: Hasbro Clarifies How Pulse will not be a Threat to Retailers + Pulse Letter from John Warden (2012490)
Posted by chuckdawg1999 on February 26th, 2019 @ 5:21pm CST
Got mine like an hour ago too. I seriously doubt they'll offer anything that would make me want to sign up for it next year.
Posted by chuckdawg1999 on February 26th, 2019 @ 5:21pm CST
carytheone wrote:On the subject of being or feeling like a creeper while in the toy section. I can say that I've never noticed any weird looks from other shoppers, employees or cashiers. Doesn't mean they weren't happening. I used to feel weird lurking around, but I got over it. Most of this is internal perception.
On the "recognized collector demographic" front, I got this email from Hasbro Pulse. I've only ordered the Siege wave 2 deluxes.
Anyone else get one?
Got mine like an hour ago too. I seriously doubt they'll offer anything that would make me want to sign up for it next year.
Re: Hasbro Clarifies How Pulse will not be a Threat to Retailers + Pulse Letter from John Warden (2012503)
Posted by no-one on February 26th, 2019 @ 6:27pm CST
So I guess it's toys as a service now?
Posted by no-one on February 26th, 2019 @ 6:27pm CST
Well that's just bad marketing. Makes more sense to give us just a taste, dangle the carrot, then put it away once they get the money.chuckdawg1999 wrote:carytheone wrote:On the subject of being or feeling like a creeper while in the toy section. I can say that I've never noticed any weird looks from other shoppers, employees or cashiers. Doesn't mean they weren't happening. I used to feel weird lurking around, but I got over it. Most of this is internal perception.
On the "recognized collector demographic" front, I got this email from Hasbro Pulse. I've only ordered the Siege wave 2 deluxes.
Anyone else get one?
Got mine like an hour ago too. I seriously doubt they'll offer anything that would make me want to sign up for it next year.
So I guess it's toys as a service now?
Re: Hasbro Clarifies How Pulse will not be a Threat to Retailers + Pulse Letter from John Warden (2012576)
Posted by Ultra Markus on February 27th, 2019 @ 12:04pm CST
thats ok with me, i find it has been increasingly difficult to find figues at stores the last several years and i grow weary of hunting for them when they arent there to begin with, some stores that i frequent that carry Transformers Generations only go as far as the first wave and dont carry larger than voyagers and the ones that supposed to have most sizes and waves always run out of stock and shelves stay empty for months, i find it easier just to get what i want from the major online collector toy websites
Posted by Ultra Markus on February 27th, 2019 @ 12:04pm CST
chuckdawg1999 wrote:Hmm, why do I have a feeling that within 5 years Generations will be an online only line?
thats ok with me, i find it has been increasingly difficult to find figues at stores the last several years and i grow weary of hunting for them when they arent there to begin with, some stores that i frequent that carry Transformers Generations only go as far as the first wave and dont carry larger than voyagers and the ones that supposed to have most sizes and waves always run out of stock and shelves stay empty for months, i find it easier just to get what i want from the major online collector toy websites
Re: Hasbro Clarifies How Pulse will not be a Threat to Retailers + Pulse Letter from John Warden (2012604)
Posted by mordhelm on February 27th, 2019 @ 2:56pm CST
Posted by mordhelm on February 27th, 2019 @ 2:56pm CST
If it continues the way it has, I really doubt it. Siege seems to be flying off the shelves so far in my area, and Walmart has even reallocated space for the leader class.
I think there will definitely be a larger online presence, but so long as the toys keep being bought, the major retailers will stock it.
The only problem I see is the limited shelf space and limited release cycles for the toys. I see a large breadth of characters available across other lines (including the TF lines) at the primary size class (Deluxe-ish). But only 4 different figures at any given time for Generations at the deluxe class.
I think there will definitely be a larger online presence, but so long as the toys keep being bought, the major retailers will stock it.
The only problem I see is the limited shelf space and limited release cycles for the toys. I see a large breadth of characters available across other lines (including the TF lines) at the primary size class (Deluxe-ish). But only 4 different figures at any given time for Generations at the deluxe class.
