June 7, 2024 – The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity has announced that Ynon Kreiz, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mattel, will be honored as the Entertainment Person of the Year. This prestigious award recognizes the vital role of entertainment in marketing and communications, celebrating the creativity that inspires the production of truly compelling, meaningful, and entertaining content. Under Kreiz’s leadership, Mattel has transformed into a high-performing, IP-driven company, with notable achievements including the cultural phenomenon “Barbie” film, which dominated the global box office and garnered multiple Academy Award nominations.
Under Kreiz’s leadership, Mattel has undergone a multi-year transformation, establishing itself as an IP-driven, high-performing toy company. Mattel Films, a key part of this strategy, has 16 motion pictures in active development with major studio partners. The first of these, “Barbie,” became a cultural phenomenon, achieving the highest global box office in 2023 and ranking as the 14th-highest grossing movie of all time. The groundbreaking film received eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and won the Oscar for Best Original Song.
Mattel’s entertainment portfolio has expanded across television, consumer products, digital games, live events and experiences, publishing, and music. According to Circana, Mattel was the #1 toy company in the U.S. for the 30th consecutive year in 2023, achieving its largest annual market share gain on record.
Simon Cook, CEO of LIONS, remarked: “We are delighted to honor Ynon Kreiz and recognize Mattel for their unwavering commitment to creativity in entertainment. Under Ynon’s visionary leadership, Mattel has evolved into an innovative global toy and family entertainment powerhouse. By unlocking the potential of its core assets and IP, Mattel has enhanced the relevance and appeal of its iconic global portfolio. Particularly through Barbie, Ynon has expanded the brand’s cultural impact and commercial success.”
Ynon Kreiz responded to the recognition, saying: “At its core, Mattel is a creative company driven by innovation and guided by our purpose. We are inspired by the knowledge that our customers are more than consumers—they are fans with a deep emotional connection to our brands. It is an incredible honor to be recognized by the prestigious Cannes Lions, and I share this award with the global Mattel team, whose passion and creativity drive our success every day.”
Kreiz will deliver a keynote seminar on Friday, 21 June, and receive the award during that evening’s Cannes Lions Awards Show.
Further information on Cannes Lions, including details about the Awards and Pass options, can be found at www.canneslions.com.