Cannes Lions to honour Mattel Chairman & CEO Ynon Kreiz wath Entertainment Person of the Year Award

Delhi: The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity has announced that it will recognise Mattel’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ynon Kreiz, as Entertainment Person of the Year. 

Presented in recognition of the role that entertainment plays in the marketing and communications landscape, the award celebrates the creativity that inspires others to produce content.

He has led a multi-year transformation strategy to establish Mattel as an IP-driven, toy company. 

Under his leadership, Mattel Films has announced 16 motion pictures in active development with major studio partners. Its first movie, “Barbie,” was nominated for eight Academy Awards including Best Picture and received the Oscar for Best Original Song.

About the Award, Simon Cook, CEO, Lions, said, “We are delighted to be honouring Ynon and recognising Mattel for their continued commitment to creativity in entertainment. The strong leadership of Mattel has led to it becoming an innovative global toy and family entertainment company. By unlocking the potential of its core assets and IP, Mattel has strengthened the company’s relevance and appeal of its iconic global portfolio. Through Barbie particularly, Ynon has opened the aperture of the brand, broadening its cultural resonance and commercial success.”

Commenting on the Award, Kreiz, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mattel, said, “At its core, Mattel is a creative company fueled by innovation and guided by our purpose. We are driven by the knowledge that the people who buy our products are more than consumers, they are fans with an emotional connection to our brands. It is an incredible honour to be recognised by the prestigious Cannes Lions, and to share this with the global team at Mattel whose passion fosters our creativity, every day.”

Kreiz will deliver a keynote seminar on Friday, June 21, and collect the award during that evening’s Cannes Lions Awards Show.