GoKawiilParamount names Mattel's Ynon Kreiz co-CEO alongside David Ellison
Paramount has appointed former Mattel chairman and CEO Ynon Kreiz as co-CEO, working alongside chairman and CEO David Ellison, ahead of the close of its $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. Ellison will oversee long-term strategy, creative direction and partnerships, while Kreiz handles day-to-day management and integration of the combined companies; Kreiz starts October 5th. Separately, a judge approved Paramount's settlement with states that had been blocking the merger, and streaming chief Cindy Holland announced her departure.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Bringing in Kreiz, who oversaw Barbie's success at Mattel in partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures, suggests Paramount wants executive experience in managing large entertainment integrations as it absorbs Warner Bros. Discovery. Splitting leadership between strategic and operational roles could signal an attempt to manage the complexity of merging two major media giants. The departure of streaming chief Cindy Holland and reports that HBO's Casey Bloys may take over both streaming services point to further leadership consolidation across the newly combined company.
- Ynon Kreiz, former Mattel CEO, becomes Paramount co-CEO alongside David Ellison starting October 5th
- A judge approved Paramount's settlement in a lawsuit that had blocked its Warner Bros. Discovery merger
- Streaming chief Cindy Holland is stepping down, with HBO's Casey Bloys reportedly in line to lead both streaming platforms
Source: theverge.com — Jay Peters, 2026-09-30
Published there as: “The new and huger Paramount has a new co-CEO”
Read the original report → The summary and analysis above are GoKawiil's own, written from reporting by the source above. Facts and quotes belong to the original publisher.