David Ellison Recruits Mattel’s Ynon Kreiz for Senior Role at Merged Paramount-Warner Bros.
Ynon Kreiz, who is stepping down as CEO of Mattel after eight years, will join David Ellison’s Paramount — which is on the brink of closing its mega-merger with Warner Bros. Discovery — in a senior management role, according to two industry sources. One source close to the situation told Variety said that Ellison’s courting […]
Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz is departing the toymaker to take on a senior leadership role at Paramount, as the media conglomerate prepares to merge with Warner Bros. Discovery, according to recent reports. Mattel announced that Kreiz will leave the company on Friday, with Conde Nast CEO Roger Lynch set to assume his position. The details of Kreiz's future role at the combined company remain unclear, and both Mattel and Paramount have yet to respond to inquiries for further information.
Throughout his tenure at Mattel, Kreiz has led the company to the top in the global rankings for Dolls, Vehicles, and Infant, Toddler & Preschool toys. Hot Wheels is projected for its ninth consecutive growth year, while the company has maintained momentum in Action Figures and successfully launched Mattel Brick Shop. Kreiz played a crucial role in Mattel's foray into Hollywood with Greta Gerwig's blockbuster film "Barbie" in 2023, and contributed to the development of various film and TV adaptations that expanded the brand.
He also oversaw the expansion into digital gaming with Mattel163, and launched the company's full ownership of the Mattel163 brand. Prior to joining Mattel, Kreiz served as chairman and CEO of Maker Studios, a digital content network acquired by Disney in 2014. He left Disney in 2016 to become CEO of Mattel in 2018. Kreiz's other past roles include chairman and CEO of Endemol Group, a general partner at Balderton Capital, and co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Fox Kids Europe.
Alongside Kreiz, HBO CEO Casey Bloys will lead Paramount+ and HBO Max after Cindy Holland's departure on Tuesday.
Written by urgent.news from TheWrap's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
- Paramount-Warner Bros. Recruits Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz thewrap.com
- Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz May Be Heading to David Ellison’s Paramount-Warner Bros. hollywoodreporter.com
