Mattel appoints Roger Lynch as chairman and CEO, succeeding Ynon Kreiz

CALIFORNIA: Mattel is swapping one chief for another. The company has appointed Roger Lynch as chairman and chief executive officer, with the veteran media executive set to succeed Ynon Kreiz as the toy and entertainment giant enters its next phase.

Lynch, currently a Mattel board member and independent lead director, will become chairman on 2 October 2026 and chief executive officer on or before 2 November. Kreiz will step down from both positions on 2 October to take a senior leadership role at another public company.

The board has also appointed current director Diana Ferguson as its new independent lead director.

Lynch has served on Mattel’s board since 2018 and brings experience spanning media, technology and consumer businesses. He has been chief executive officer of Condé Nast since 2019, overseeing the global media company’s portfolio of brands through a period of transformation.

Before Condé Nast, Lynch served as president and chief executive officer of Pandora and was the founding chief executive officer of Sling TV. He has also held chief executive roles at Video Networks International and Chello Broadband.

Mattel said Lynch’s experience includes building and scaling global consumer businesses at the intersection of media and technology, as well as navigating changes in content, distribution and consumer behaviour.

The leadership change comes after eight years under Kreiz, during which Mattel expanded beyond its traditional toy-making roots and built a broader IP-led play and family entertainment business.

The company has expanded its brands across film, television, consumer products, digital games, live events, experiences and publishing. Its first theatrical release under Mattel Studios, Barbie, became the highest-grossing film globally in 2023 and Warner Bros. Pictures’ highest-grossing film at the time, according to Mattel.

Mattel has also continued to build its entertainment licensing portfolio, with new or renewed partnerships covering properties including Disney Princess and Frozen, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Toy Story, KPop Demon Hunters and DC.

In digital gaming, the company has moved to take full ownership of Mattel163, strengthening its mobile game development, publishing and customer acquisition capabilities.

The company has simultaneously focused on its core toy categories. During Kreiz’s tenure, Mattel said it strengthened its position in Dolls, Vehicles, and Infant, Toddler & Preschool, while Hot Wheels has been on track for nine consecutive years of growth.

Lynch said he was honoured by the board’s confidence and highlighted Mattel’s brands, people and culture as key attractions.

“During his tenure, Mattel has leveraged the power of its world-class brands, attracted exceptional entertainment partners, and strengthened its balance sheet,” said Mattel incoming chairman and chief executive officer Roger Lynch. “The company is well positioned for its next phase of profitable growth and its exciting new chapter.”

Kreiz said he was proud of the company’s progress during his eight-year tenure and expressed confidence in Lynch’s leadership.

“It has been a privilege to lead Mattel, with a global team dedicated to its mission and purpose, and I am proud of all we have achieved together,” said Mattel chairman and chief executive officer Ynon Kreiz.

The board’s succession process was led by Judy Olian, who described Lynch as a leader with experience navigating changing industry and consumer trends.

With Lynch moving from global media to one of the world’s best-known toy and entertainment companies, Mattel is placing an executive with deep experience in content, technology and consumer businesses at the helm as it continues to turn its iconic brands into broader entertainment franchises.