Roger Lynch to Depart Condé Nast for Mattel CEO Role

Roger Lynch is leaving his position as CEO of Condé Nast to assume the role of CEO at toy company Mattel. Lynch spent seven and a half years leading the media conglomerate, navigating industry-wide shifts in media consumption and restructuring the company's global brands.

Lynch is not new to Mattel, having served on the company's board of directors since 2018. Mattel described his appointment as the outcome of a comprehensive succession process. He succeeds Ynon Kreiz, who led Mattel for eight years, transforming the company from a toy manufacturer into a franchise-focused business, notably highlighted by the 2023 success of the "Barbie" movie.

Mattel board member Judy Olian cited Lynch's tenure on the board as a key factor in his selection. "Throughout his service on the Board, Roger has been an invaluable contributor to shaping the company’s direction in the midst of its expansion into entertainment and digital products," Olian stated. Mattel's choice suggests Lynch possesses an in-depth understanding of the company's operations and board expectations, potentially shortening the typical onboarding period for a new external leader.

In his departure memo to Condé Nast staff, Lynch acknowledged the difficulty of the decision and credited his team. He detailed specific achievements, including a 170% increase in e-commerce revenue and a 155% growth in digital subscriptions since 2020. Lynch also facilitated the transition by naming an interim successor and will remain on Condé Nast's board, aiming to reduce uncertainty for employees.