Ynon Kreiz

Ynon Kreiz is an Israeli-American businessman and current chairman and CEO of Mattel. He served as chairman and CEO of Fox Kids Europe from 1997 to 2002, chairman and CEO of television and digital production company Endemol from 2008 to 2011, and as chairman, CEO and president of web video network Maker Studios, Inc. from 2012 to 2016.

Early life and education Born and raised in Israel, Kreiz earned a BA in economics and management from Tel Aviv University in 1991. He then moved to Los Angeles, California to attend graduate school and in 1993 received an M.B.A. from UCLA's Anderson School of Management. From 1997 to 2002 Kreiz served as chairman and CEO of Fox Kids Europe. During his tenure, Fox Kids expanded into one of the largest pay-TV channels in Europe and the Middle East, broadcasting in 56 countries in 17 languages. In 1999 Fox Kids Europe (FKE) was listed on the Euronext Stock Exchange in Amsterdam, and in 2001 the Walt Disney Company acquired a majority stake (76%) in Fox Kids Europe, with the remaining 24% of its stock publicly traded. Kreiz resigned from FKE at the expiration of his contract in 2002, the year following the Disney sale. Kreiz served on the boards of several media/technology companies including North American Sport Network (sold to ESPN in 2006), Next New Networks (sold to Google in 2011), Setanta Sports, Wonga and Codemasters. Challenges were numerous, however. While operational performance remained strong under Kreiz, the company had substantial debt with a high level of interest payments from its 2007 buyout at the peak of the private-equity boom prior to Kreiz joining the company. and joined the board of Los Angeles-based multi-channel network Maker Studios as chairman and in 2013 became CEO. Maker Studios produces short-form videos on YouTube and other platforms, with a roster of over 55,000 independent artists. In March 2014, Kreiz negotiated the sale of Maker to Disney for $500 million, with an additional $450 million based on meeting performance incentives. During Kreiz's tenure, Maker's network and reach expanded beyond YouTube, including deals with Dish Network, Vimeo, as well as the creation mobile apps and branded video hubs for its individual content creators. In January 2016 Kreiz stepped down as CEO following the expiration of Maker's earn-out agreement with Disney.

Mattel Kreiz is credited with leading a significant turnaround at Mattel, making the company into one of the “biggest corporate success stories of recent years.” Kreiz became chairman of the board in May 2018. In 2024, the company received an investment grade rating from the three major credit rating firms, and, in 2023, it was named the #1 toy company in the U.S. for the 30th consecutive year.

Under Kreiz's leadership, the company has expanded with more entertainment offerings, products, digital games, publishing, and live events. It was nominated for eight Academy Awards The movie was described as a “cultural phenomenon". The company has been recognized for its workplace environment and focus on employee wellbeing by Forbes, the Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America, the Great Place to Work Institute, and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. It was one of the Time100 Most Influential Companies in 2023, and one of the World's 50 Most Innovative Companies of 2024.

Kreiz was also honored as one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People of 2024 and earned Cannes Lions’ Entertainment Person of the Year Award for 2024.

Personal life Kreiz is a former windsurfing instructor and avid kite surfer. He is married to Israeli Olympian Anat Fabrikant with four children. Kreiz was the Attaché of the Israeli Olympic team for the 2012 Summer Olympics and chairman of the boards of trustees in support of the Israeli athletes. He is a member of the board of advisors at UCLA's Anderson School of Management and the board of directors at Warner Music Group.

Kreiz is also a member of Business Roundtable, an organization of CEOs of America's leading companies.