Ynon Kreiz, who is stepping down as CEO of Mattel after eight years, will join David Ellison’s Paramount — which is expected to close its mega-merger with Warner Bros. Discovery on Oct. 6 — as co-CEO of the new company, Paramount announced.
\n\nAs chairman and CEO, Ellison will lead all strategy, creative and technology functions. Kreiz, as co-CEO, will oversee the company’s day-to-day operations and integration of the combined businesses. It’s a “pairing that joins complementary skillsets to amplify results,” Paramount said in announcing the appointment Wednesday. The businesses of the combined company (whose name has not yet been announced) will report jointly to both Ellison and Kreiz.
\n\nKreiz will start at Paramount on Oct. 5, 2026, as co-CEO. He also will join the company’s board of directors.
\n\nNews of Kreiz’s hiring came shortly after Paramount cleared the final step before it could close the $111 billion Warner Bros. Discovery merger when a judge approved the company’s settlement of the antitrust lawsuit brought by 12 state attorneys general. The merger is expected to close Oct. 6, according to Paramount regulatory filings.
\n\nEllison’s appointment of Kreiz “caps a long-term plan: pursue both Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, then partner with a…
Original source: https://variety.com/