Mattel appoints Roger Lynch as CEO, Ynon Kreiz to step down

Roger Lynch will step down as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Condé Nast after seven and a half years and will join Mattel as its new CEO. He will continue as a member of the company’s Board of Directors.

Mike Perlis, Lead Independent Director at Condé Nast, will serve as interim CEO while the board begins its search for Lynch’s successor. Perlis has served on the Condé Nast board for almost eight years.

The Board of Directors of Mattel, Inc. announced on September 30 the appointment of Roger Lynch, current Board member and Independent Lead Director, as Chairman effective October 2, and CEO effective on or before November 2. He succeeds Ynon Kreiz, who will step down as Chairman and CEO effective October 2, to take a senior leadership position at another public company. The Board has appointed current Mattel Board member Diana Ferguson as its new Independent Lead Director.

Lynch has extensive experience overseeing companies with global brand portfolios and creating innovative business models that embrace technological change. He currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Condé Nast.

Previously, Lynch served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Pandora, and before that, as the founding CEO of Sling TV (owned by DISH Network). Prior to joining DISH, he served as Chairman and CEO of Video Networks International, Ltd., an IPTV technology company in the U.K. He also previously served as President and CEO of Chello Broadband N.V.

Lynch currently serves on the Board of Directors of Condé Nast, the US China Business Council, the Partnership for New York City, the News Media Alliance, and the Councilors of the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences at the University of Southern California. 

The appointment of Lynch follows a comprehensive succession planning process. Board member Judy Olian, who has led the succession process, said: “Roger is a visionary leader with a track record of growing global companies at the forefront of changing industry and consumer trends. Throughout his service on the Board, Roger has been an invaluable contributor to shaping the company's direction in the midst of its expansion into entertainment and digital products. The Board is most grateful for Ynon’s eight years of transformational leadership, and wishes him every success in his new role. Ynon leaves an invaluable legacy of transitioning Mattel from a toy manufacturer to a leading IP-driven play and family entertainment company. Knowing Roger as we do, we are confident that he and the talented Mattel team will build on that powerful foundation, and continue to advance our strategy to leverage our iconic brand portfolio.”

Lynch shared: “I am honored by the Board’s confidence in me and couldn’t be more excited to lead the incredible team at Mattel. Throughout my years on the Board, I have admired Mattel's brands, its talented people, and unique culture. I am especially grateful to Ynon for his many years of outstanding leadership and service to the company. During his tenure, Mattel has leveraged the power of its world-class brands, attracted exceptional entertainment partners, and strengthened its balance sheet. The company is well positioned for its next phase of profitable growth and its exciting new chapter.”

Kreiz added: “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. Mattel is in a position of strength, with a world-class brand portfolio, product offering, and global capabilities. I am grateful to the Board, management team, and entire Mattel organization for their commitment and collaboration during the past eight years, and I have every confidence the company will continue to thrive under Roger’s leadership.”