Mattel names Roger Lynch chairman and CEO as Ynon Kreiz steps down

Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) has announced that Roger Lynch will become chairman effective 2 October 2026 and chief executive officer effective on or before 2 November 2026, succeeding Ynon Kreiz, the toymaker said on Wednesday.

Kreiz will step down as chairman and CEO effective 2 October after eight years at the helm — CEO since 2018 — to take a senior leadership position at another public company. Lynch, who has been Condé Nast’s chief executive since 2019 and a Mattel board member since 2018, currently serves as the board’s Independent Lead Director. Mattel board member Diana Ferguson will take over that role.

Lynch previously served as CEO of Pandora and Sling TV, and earlier led Video Networks International and Chello Broadband. At Condé Nast, board member Mike Perlis will step in as interim CEO while the publisher searches for Lynch’s permanent successor.

Kreiz drove Mattel’s expansion into entertainment, with 2023’s smash-hit Barbie, followed by this summer’s Masters of the Universe with Amazon and Matchbox, starring John Cena, for Apple.

Board member Judy Olian, who 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.”

Mattel shares slipped around 3% in pre-market trading on Wednesday, amid pressure from investor Southeastern Asset Management, which has previously urged the company to explore strategic options.

Sources

• Mattel press release via Business Wire: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260930521728/en/Mattel-Announces-Roger-Lynch-as-Chairman-and-Chief-Executive-Officer-Succeeding-Ynon-Kreiz
• The Wrap: https://www.thewrap.com/industry-news/business/roger-lynch-mattel-ceo-ynon-kreiz-exits/
• New York Post: https://nypost.com/2026/09/30/business/conde-nast-ceo-roger-lynch-stepping-down-will-lead-mattel/
• The Edge Malaysia: https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/820033