Mattel announced a major leadership transition on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. The company named long-standing board member and Independent Lead Director Roger Lynch as its new chief executive officer and chairman. Lynch succeeds Ynon Kreiz, who led the toy manufacturing giant since 2018.
Under this succession plan, Lynch will assume the role of chairman on October 2, 2026. He will officially take over as CEO by November 2, 2026. Following the announcement, Mattel stock fell by more than 3 percent in premarket trading.
Transition and Background Details
Roger Lynch currently serves as the chief executive officer of global media company Condé Nast, a role he has held since 2019. While Lynch transitions to Mattel, Mike Perlis will step in as interim CEO at Condé Nast while the media organization searches for a permanent replacement.
Mattel’s leadership change follows a succession planning process led by board member Judy Olian. As part of these adjustments, current director Diana Ferguson was appointed Independent Lead Director, succeeding Lynch in that board role.
“I am honored by the board’s confidence and excited to lead Mattel’s team,” Lynch said in a corporate statement. He noted that he has admired Mattel’s brands, workforce, and culture since joining the board in 2018.
Ynon Kreiz’s Tenure and Strategic Shifts
Ynon Kreiz departs after eight years at the helm of Mattel. During his tenure, the company expanded beyond traditional toy manufacturing. It increased the use of its intellectual property in film, television, and digital gaming.
Notable milestones under Kreiz included regaining major entertainment licenses, such as Disney Princess, and producing the blockbuster Barbie film, which generated high global box-office revenue in 2023. Mattel enters this executive transition with a strengthened balance sheet and an investment-grade credit profile.
Lynch’s Media and Technology Experience
Lynch brings cross-industry experience spanning media, technology, and consumer businesses. In addition to his leadership at Condé Nast, he previously served as the CEO of music streaming service Pandora and was the founding CEO of Sling TV.
Industry analysts note that Lynch’s background fits Mattel’s strategy to extend its intellectual properties into digital gaming. This includes full ownership of mobile game developer Mattel163, alongside the expansion of its film and television production pipeline.
