Ynon Kreiz is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mattel, a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. He joined the company as CEO in April 2018 and was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors in May 2018.
Mr. Kreiz led a multi-year transformation strategy that established Mattel as an IP-driven, high-performing toy company. Under his leadership, Mattel has achieved significant improvements across multiple key financial metrics. Per Circana, in 2024 Mattel ranked #1 globally in each of its leader toy categories: Dolls, Vehicles, and Infant, Toddler, and Preschool. Mattel has also been growing its entertainment offering in film, television, consumer products, digital games, live events and experiences, publishing, and music.
Under Mr. Kreiz’s leadership, Mattel Films has announced 16 motion pictures in active production or development with major studio partners. The company’s first movie, “Barbie,” became a cultural phenomenon, achieving the largest global box-office in 2023 and the industry’s 14th-highest grossing movie of all time. The Barbie movie was nominated for eight Academy Awards including Best Picture, and received the Oscar for Best Original Song.
During Mr. Kreiz’s tenure, Mattel has been recognized for its achievements in workplace culture and employee wellbeing by Forbes, Time, Fast Company, the Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America, and the Great Place to Work Institute.
Mr. Kreiz has 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 multichannel 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.
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. 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 Advisors of the UCLA Anderson School of Management. Mr. Kreiz is a member of Business Roundtable, an association of chief executive officers of America’s leading companies, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Executive Branch. Mr. Kreiz was named in 2024 one of TIME's 100 Most Influential People in the World and Entertainment Person of the Year by Cannes Lions.