Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Mattel CEO Kreiz to Join Paramount Skydance as Co-CEO
Ynon Kreiz is leaving his job as Mattel’s boss.
He will become a co-boss at Paramount Skydance on October 5.
Mattel makes toys and also creates movies, shows and games based on its characters.
Kreiz helped make that strategy successful, especially with the Barbie movie.
Roger Lynch will take over as Mattel’s CEO by November 2.
Lynch has led media companies, but he has not spent much time working in the toy industry.
Mattel is also dealing with higher costs from tariffs and pressure from investors.
Some investors are worried because Mattel’s stock has not grown as much as the broader market.
Others believe Lynch’s media experience fits a company whose toys and entertainment businesses are increasingly connected.
Ynon Kreiz will step down as Mattel CEO and become co-CEO of Paramount Skydance on October 5.
Mattel board member Roger Lynch is expected to become CEO by November 2.
Kreiz expanded Mattel’s entertainment strategy, contributing to the success of the 2023 Barbie film and related merchandise.
Mattel faces tariff-related costs, activist investor pressure and weaker shareholder returns ahead of the holiday season.
Lynch brings extensive media experience but limited direct experience in the toy industry.
- Who
- Ynon Kreiz, Roger Lynch, Mattel and Paramount Skydance are central to the leadership change.
- What
- Kreiz is stepping down as Mattel CEO to become Paramount Skydance co-CEO, while Lynch is set to lead Mattel.
- When
- Kreiz will start at Paramount Skydance on October 5; Lynch is expected to assume Mattel’s top role by November 2.
- Where
- The companies involved are Mattel and Paramount Skydance; the articles do not specify a location for the leadership changes.
- Why
- The change follows Kreiz’s entertainment-focused tenure at Mattel, while Mattel faces tariff costs, investor pressure and concerns about shareholder value.
Strategic Expansion View
Investor Concern View
Media experience for Mattel
Strategic Expansion View
Supporters say Roger Lynch’s experience at Condé Nast, Pandora and Sling TV fits Mattel’s increasingly connected consumer-products and media businesses.
Investor Concern View
Critics may point to Lynch’s limited direct experience in the toy industry as a potential challenge while Mattel faces holiday-season and tariff pressures.
Kreiz’s record at Mattel
Strategic Expansion View
Kreiz’s strategy of turning Mattel intellectual property into films, television shows and digital games produced the global box-office success of Barbie and increased merchandise demand.
Investor Concern View
Investors have focused on Mattel’s relatively weak stock performance, with shares rising about 5% during Kreiz’s tenure versus nearly 200% for the S&P 500.
Mattel’s future options
Strategic Expansion View
Mattel has reaffirmed its annual targets after exceeding second-quarter revenue estimates, suggesting the company continues to pursue its existing strategy.
Investor Concern View
Southeastern Asset Management has urged Mattel to consider major alternatives, including a sale or combination with rival Hasbro.
- Outgoing Mattel CEO
- Ynon Kreiz
- Incoming Mattel CEO
- Roger Lynch
- Kreiz’s Paramount start date
- October 5
- Expected Lynch transition date
- November 2
- Key entertainment success
- The 2023 Barbie film and related merchandise
- Mattel shareholder return
- Mattel shares rose about 5% during Kreiz’s CEO tenure, compared with nearly 200% for the S&P 500
- Investor proposal
- Southeastern Asset Management urged Mattel to consider options including a sale or combination with Hasbro