Hasbro appoints new leaders for digital gaming, and people officer By Investing.com

PAWTUCKET, R.I. – Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS), a global leader in toys and games, announced the expansion of its Executive Leadership Team with the addition of John Hight as President of Wizards of the Coast and Digital Gaming, and Holly Barbacovi as Chief People Officer. The appointments are part of the company’s strategic focus on enhancing digital experiences and reinforcing its commitment to a people-first culture.

John Hight, known for his significant contributions to the gaming industry, brings over a decade of experience from Blizzard Entertainment, where he managed the Warcraft franchise.

At Hasbro, Hight will oversee the company’s gaming studios and digital licensing agreements, as well as lead the strategy for popular franchises like MAGIC: THE GATHERING and DUNGEONS & DRAGONS. His leadership aims to drive global growth and develop new tabletop and digital experiences, leveraging his expertise in community building and digital gaming.

Holly Barbacovi returns to Hasbro after serving as Chief Operating Officer at Bungie and brings extensive experience in human resources from her previous roles at Amazon (NASDAQ:) Games and Microsoft (NASDAQ:).

As Chief People Officer, Barbacovi will head the global Human Resources organization, focusing on cultivating an inclusive and dynamic work environment aligned with Hasbro’s values. Her track record in enhancing employee engagement and promoting diversity and inclusivity is expected to be instrumental in the company’s ongoing transformation.

Chris Cocks, CEO of Hasbro, expressed enthusiasm for the new appointments, highlighting Hight’s passion for community-centric gaming and Barbacovi’s courageous leadership and pragmatic approach to human resources. These strategic hires reflect Hasbro’s mission to connect generations of fans through storytelling and play, and its commitment to being an inclusive global employer.

Hasbro, recognized for its corporate citizenship, continues to deliver a wide array of play experiences through its diverse portfolio, which includes iconic brands like NERF, TRANSFORMERS, and PEPPA PIG. The company’s purpose-driven approach aims to create joy and community worldwide, one game, one toy, one story at a time.

The information for this article is based on a press release statement from Hasbro, Inc.

In other recent news, Hasbro Inc (NASDAQ:). experienced a series of notable developments. The company’s Q1 2024 results showed a 24% decline in revenue, despite improvements in operational efficiency and a successful shift towards digital gaming.

JPMorgan upgraded Hasbro’s stock from Neutral to Overweight, highlighting the company’s cost efficiency and growth potential in digital gaming. The firm also expressed optimism for Hasbro’s anticipated growth in the latter half of 2024, driven by the Transformers franchise release and merchandising improvements.

Furthermore, Hasbro priced a $500 million public offering of 6.050% notes due in 2034, with net proceeds estimated at $495 million, intended for general corporate use including the redemption or repayment of existing debt.

Citi also revised its outlook on Hasbro, raising the company’s price target to $64 from $52, attributing this to improved financial projections and optimism regarding Hasbro’s digital transformation, although the firm maintained a Neutral rating on Hasbro shares.

These recent developments reflect a strategic shift in Hasbro’s operations, with a focus on digital gaming and operational efficiency. Analysts from JPMorgan and Citi have noted these changes and adjusted their outlooks accordingly.

InvestingPro Insights

As Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) fortifies its leadership team with key appointments, the company also faces the financial dynamics of the market. With a market capitalization of 8.45 billion USD, Hasbro’s financial performance indicates a complex picture. The company’s Price to Earnings (P/E) Ratio stands at -6, reflecting market skepticism about its current earnings. However, looking ahead, the adjusted P/E Ratio for the last twelve months as of Q1 2024 is 77.99, suggesting that investors may be expecting future earnings growth.

Despite the challenges, Hasbro’s commitment to dividend payments remains steadfast, having maintained them for 44 consecutive years, with the current dividend yield at 4.62%. This long-standing record of dividend payments underscores the company’s dedication to returning value to shareholders, aligning with its strategic focus on growth and stability.

Moreover, Hasbro’s stock has experienced a significant price uptick over the last six months, with a 30.5% total return, reflecting a positive market sentiment that may be tied to strategic initiatives and leadership changes.

InvestingPro Tips highlight that while analysts anticipate a sales decline in the current year, they also predict the company will be profitable this year. Hasbro is trading at a high Price / Book multiple of 8.4, which could imply that the stock is valued for more than just its net assets, possibly due to the brand’s strength and intellectual property.

For investors and analysts seeking a deeper dive into Hasbro’s financials and future projections, additional tips are available on InvestingPro. Use the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get up to 10% off a yearly Pro and a yearly or biyearly Pro+ subscription, and discover the 13 additional InvestingPro Tips that could further inform investment decisions.

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