Prime Highlights
- Lynch said he has long admired Mattel’s brands, people and culture.
- Kreiz said Mattel is in a position of strength.
Key Facts
- Lynch has been on Mattel’s board since 2018.
- Kreiz led Mattel for more than eight years.
Background
Mattel has named Roger Lynch as its new chairman and chief executive officer, as Ynon Kreiz steps down from the toymaker, the company announced in the last week of September.
Lynch has served on Mattel’s board since 2018. He will become chairman in the first week of October and take over as CEO in the first week of November. He leads Condé Nast, a role he has held since 2019.
Mike Perlis will act as interim CEO of Condé Nast while its board searches for a permanent successor.
Lynch said he feels honoured by the board’s trust and is excited to lead the Mattel team. He said he has long admired the company’s brands, people and culture.
Kreiz leaves after more than eight years in charge. He will become co-CEO of the planned combined company formed by Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery, working alongside Paramount CEO and chairman David Ellison.
The news follows Paramount’s settlement of an antitrust lawsuit filed by a group of state attorneys general, who had tried to block the merger.
Kreiz guided Mattel through big changes, including the release of Barbie, which became the top-grossing domestic film of 2023. He said he was proud of the team’s achievements and that Mattel stands strong with a world-class brand portfolio, product range and global capabilities.
Mattel has focused on strengthening its core brands, with Hot Wheels a standout. It is pushing into digital games to compete with rival Hasbro, and this year it took full ownership of its Mattel163 Mobile Games Studio.
