Ynon Kreiz is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mattel, a leading global toy company and owner of one of the strongest portfolios of children and family entertainment franchises in the world. He joined the company as CEO in April 2018 and was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors in May 2018.
Between 2018-2021, Mr. Kreiz led a transformation strategy to establish Mattel as an IP-driven, high-performing toy company and achieved significant improvements across multiple key financial metrics. Adjusted Operating Income turned positive and improved by more than $960 million, and Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) grew eight-fold to over $1 billion. In 2021, Mattel achieved its highest annual growth rate in decades, with Net Sales up 19% and Operating Income up 95% versus the prior year.
During Mr. Kreiz’s tenure, Mattel has established its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy and goals to achieve 100% recycled, recyclable, or bio-based plastic materials in all products and packaging and reduce plastic packaging by 25% per product by 2030, and to maintain 100% pay equity globally and increase representation of women and by ethnicity across all levels of the organization. Under Mr. Kreiz’s leadership, Mattel has been recognized for its achievements in workplace culture and employee well-being by several organizations, including Forbes, Time, Fast Company, the Great Place to Work Institute, and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index.
Mr. Kreiz has had extensive experience as a corporate leader in the media and entertainment industry. Prior to joining Mattel, he was Chairman and CEO of Maker Studios, a global leader in short-form video content and one of YouTube’s largest multi-channel networks. Maker Studios was acquired by The Walt Disney Company in 2014.
Prior to Maker Studios, Mr. Kreiz was Chairman and CEO of the Endemol Group, the world's largest independent television production company and owner of major programming franchises including Big Brother and Deal or No Deal. Under Mr. Kreiz’s leadership, Endemol produced more than 10,000 hours of programming a year. He also strengthened the company’s creative output, expanded into scripted content, and built its distribution business.
Before Endemol, Mr. Kreiz was a General Partner at Balderton Capital (formerly Benchmark Capital Europe), one of the leading early-stage startup investors in Europe.
Prior to Balderton, Mr. Kreiz co-founded Fox Kids Europe NV where he served as Chairman and CEO. Under his leadership, Fox Kids became one of the fastest growing pay TV channels in Europe and the Middle East and operated pay TV channels across 54 countries, broadcasting in 17 languages. The majority ownership of Fox Kids Europe NV was acquired by The Walt Disney Company in 2002.
Mr. Kreiz received a BA degree in Economics and Management from Tel Aviv University and an MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management. He serves on the Board of Directors of Warner Music Group and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the UCLA Anderson School of Management as well as the Paley Center for Media. Mr. Kreiz is also a member of Business Roundtable, an association of chief executive officers of America’s leading companies.