Paramount Appointed Ynon Kreiz as Co-CEO
The outgoing Mattel leader will oversee business operations for the newly merged media giant.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in People
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Paramount has appointed Ynon Kreiz as its new co-CEO ahead of the company's merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. Kreiz will step down from his current leadership role at Mattel to focus on integration and day-to-day operations for the combined firm.
Why it matters
The leadership structure separates creative and strategic direction under David Ellison from operational management under Kreiz. This division of labor aims to streamline the transition as the companies finalize a massive $111 billion merger.
The pending merger is valued at $111 billion and is currently subject to a lawsuit filed by 12 state attorneys general. Ynon Kreiz concludes an 8-year tenure as the chief executive of Mattel.
The players
Ynon Kreiz
He is the former CEO of Mattel who has been tapped to serve as the new co-CEO of the merged Paramount-Warner Bros. company.
David Ellison
He is the incoming chairman and CEO of the merged media entity who will lead the firm's creative, strategy, and technology divisions.
Roger Lynch
He has been named as the successor to Ynon Kreiz to serve as the next chief executive officer of Mattel.
Casey Bloys
He is an executive who has been assigned to oversee the combined streaming business operations for the new media corporation.
Cindy Holland
She is the former executive who resigned from her role leading the Paramount+ streaming service prior to the merger.
The details
David Ellison will serve as chairman and CEO of the combined entity, focusing on technology and creative vision. Casey Bloys is set to manage the combined streaming business, while Cindy Holland has resigned from her position at Paramount+.
Timeline
October 2, 2026: Ynon Kreiz steps down as CEO of Mattel.
October 5, 2026: Ynon Kreiz begins his tenure as co-CEO of Paramount.
October 6, 2026: The merger of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery is expected to close.
Market Landscape
The appointment follows an established industry trend of separating creative leadership from operational management in large-scale mergers. This restructuring aims to stabilize the $111 billion organization during the pending transition.
The restructuring may lead to shifts in content availability and streaming service offerings for subscribers of Paramount+ and Warner Bros. platforms. Customers should monitor for potential changes to subscription tiers and service bundles following the integration.
The takeaway
The split leadership role indicates that the combined company is prioritizing both rapid operational integration and long-term creative consistency. Investors and employees should watch the October 6 merger deadline as a key indicator of organizational stability.
What happens next
The Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger is scheduled to officially close on October 6, 2026, pending final judicial approval of the antitrust consent decree.
Further reading
For more on industry shifts, visit the People section.
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