Entertainment One president and CEO Darren Throop to step down at year’s end

Longtime Entertainment One (eOne) president and CEO Darren Throop will step down from the role at the end of the year when his contract expires.

Darren Throop

Announcing the news yesterday, eOne parent company Hasbro said details about Throop’s transition out of the role would be disclosed in due course, though no plans have yet been revealed about the influential executive’s next moves. He will continue to serve as president and CEO until the end of 2022.

“Darren built a team with deep passion, creativity and talent and, on behalf of all of us at Hasbro, I thank him for his steadfast leadership,” said Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks.

News of Throop’s departure comes two-and-a-half years after Hasbro completed its purchase of eOne for around US$3.8bn.

The deal was one of the largest ever for a Canadian content company, and was negotiated by Throop and Hasbro’s then chairman and CEO Brian Goldner, who died last October at the age of 58.

“As eOne and Hasbro have hit their stride, we have already begun to see what is possible working together,” said Throop, who has led eOne for more than 20 years.

“We have been working towards this milestone from the moment eOne joined Hasbro, and I’m proud to see the vision being realised through Hasbro’s shared passion for creativity and storytelling. Looking to the future, I have tremendous confidence in Hasbro and eOne leadership to continue to build on eOne’s track record of bringing outstanding entertainment to audiences.

“I have had the privilege of leading eOne for more than 20 years and I am incredibly proud of the team and what we built together. I want to thank the visionary leaders, world-class colleagues and extraordinary eOners, past and present, who made this amazing adventure possible.”

eOne currently has more than 200 projects in development across scripted and unscripted TV and film. It is also working to develop adaptations of more than 35 Hasbro brands, including Transformers, Power Rangers, Play-Doh and My Little Pony.

“Darren’s vision and legacy will be felt for years, and we wish him all the best in his next chapter,” added Cocks.