Hasbro Cuts Ties with Prolific Designer John Warden: Transformers One fallout Behind Departure? UPDATED
UPDATE2: John Warden has set up a fundraiser for health expenses while he figures out his next steps. If you can, please donate:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/Support-Warden-Family
UPDATE1: More than 100 employees were let go today. Warden was amongst them. Source: Toyhypeusa via Instagram.
In a clear display of corporate priorities, Hasbro has parted ways with John Warden, a prolific designer who has spent 25 years shaping some of the company's most iconic brands, including Transformers, G.I. Joe, and Power Rangers. Despite his significant contributions, Warden’s departure underscores the growing trend of corporations showing loyalty only to shareholders, leaving long-serving employees in the lurch.
Warden addressed his exit in a heartfelt Instagram post, sharing his reflections on his time at the company and what lies ahead:
"I’ve had the privilege of a lifetime to be part of the creative force at Hasbro. When I was a boy in the early 1980’s, I was encouraged by my Dad, an inner city public school art teacher, to learn about industrial design.It wasn’t until I saw Where the Toys Come From in 1984 on a VHS cassette from my local library that I realized that the worlds of drawing, painting, sculpture, and mass-production engineering collided into a fascinating miasma resulting in the swivel-armed hero that I held in my hand.That next year, I would go on to write a letter for my fifth grade class to Ralph Shaffer, the mastermind SVP who (alongside the mighty James Groman) created the wacky MadBall line in the nearby metro area of Cleveland Ohio. To my surprise he wrote me back and I got a tour… the illustrations on frisket hanging on the wall, originals from Groman himself and the think tank of subversive designers. My career at Hasbro has taught me what it means to dream hard enough that your dreams come to life. And just like the closing act in The Muppet Movie, for 25 years, you as Hasbro’s fans of Transformers, G.I.Joe, MASK, Visionaries, Jem, Pokémon, Star Wars… we came together. Through the crashing anarchy of the rainbow 🌈 we came together, somehow. Like a family. To hundreds upon thousands of fans that I’ve met at conventions around the world, I say thank you. Your passion for the brands that we all grew up with and loved as children is beyond measure. It has been a privilege and an honor to talk to each and every one of you. We are all Family. Thank you fans and thank you Hasbro for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime to bring my childhood dreams to life these past 25 years. Even to bring new dreams to life for a new generation of fans, like my kids who are now adults. As I gaze misty eyed on my career and what magic comes next, my heart is filled with gratitude.Fear not, Autobots. I am sure our paths will come together again. As sure as the sun beams in from above onto the singing Muppets below. Thank you. ❤️"
Amid the fallout from the recent failure of the Transformers One movie, underwhelming sales of the Power Rangers line, and overall sluggish toy sales, Hasbro has initiated another round of layoffs. However, the decision to let go of a senior and long-serving employee like John Warden comes as a shock. His departure, with little warning, seems especially callous—yet typical of Hasbro’s track record of making cuts as the holiday season approaches, while giving CEO's fat bonus checks. The move reflects the harsh realities of corporate priorities, where profitability often trumps loyalty to employees.
At GEN, our loyalty is to our readers, not to corporations. The news of John Warden’s departure from Hasbro has largely been ignored by other toy sites, likely due to concerns over maintaining their perks—such as free toys and convention access. It’s a clear example of the compromises made in exchange for corporate favoritism. While others may stay silent, we believe in bringing you the full story. Expect more coverage from the mainstream toy media once our article goes live.
We want to thank this legend for making our childhoods brighter and fun. We also owe your dad for encouraging you to enter this amazing but thankless industry.
Here is an interview we did with John way back when we were "The Toy And pop Culture Feed":
-Chief Editor-
Geek Entertainment Network
UPDATE: Warden spoke to a local TV news channel in Rhode Island addressing the layoffs:
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