Ynon Kreiz Will Join Skydance as Co-CEO on Tuesday

The former Mattel chief will share leadership of the combined media entity with David Ellison following this week's merger.

Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in People

Ynon Kreiz Will Join Skydance as Co-CEO on Tuesday

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David Ellison has appointed former Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz as co-CEO of the combined Skydance company. The leadership transition coincides with the official closing of the merger between Paramount, Skydance, and Warner Bros. Discovery on Tuesday.

Why it matters

The appointment is intended to provide the operational expertise required to navigate the integration of a complex legacy media conglomerate. Ellison will maintain his focus on creative strategy and technology while Kreiz manages day-to-day operations.

During his tenure at Mattel starting in 2018, Ynon Kreiz eliminated approximately $1 billion in expenses and reduced the workforce by 2,200 employees. He also oversaw the Barbie film project, which generated over $1.4 billion in global revenue.

The players

David Ellison

He is the lead executive for the combined media entity under the Skydance name and oversees long-term strategy.

Ynon Kreiz

The incoming co-CEO previously served as the head of Mattel, where he oversaw significant corporate restructuring and the success of the Barbie film.

The details

The new combined company will manage an extensive portfolio including film studios, CBS, cable channels, and various streaming platforms. Kreiz is expected to apply his background in restructuring supply chains and product lines to the integration of these legacy media assets.

2014: Disney acquired Maker Studios, which was previously led by Kreiz.
2018: Kreiz assumed control of Mattel.
Tuesday: The merger of the media companies closes.

Market Landscape

This merger follows the broader industry trend of combining traditional media assets with independent production studios to achieve scale. By uniting Paramount, Skydance, and Warner Bros. Discovery, the new entity aims to compete more effectively against dominant streaming rivals.

Subscribers to the various streaming platforms and cable networks involved may see eventual changes in content availability and service integration. The merger seeks to stabilize operations, potentially impacting the variety of programming available to consumers.

The takeaway

The appointment of an executive known for aggressive cost-cutting suggests the new leadership intends to prioritize operational efficiency during the transition. Investors and viewers should watch for updates on how the combined company plans to streamline its vast content library.