- Neil B. Friedman to Lead New Division formed by Combining Previously
Separate Mattel Brands and Fisher-Price Brands Divisions -
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Oct. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Robert A. Eckert,
chairman and chief executive officer of Mattel, Inc. (NYSE: MAT) announced
today the consolidation of its Mattel Brands and Fisher-Price Brands divisions
into one division called "Brands." The new global Brands division includes
the Barbie(R), Hot Wheels(R) and Fisher-Price(R) mega brands as well as
licensed entertainment properties, including toys for Batman(R),
Dora-the-Explorer(R) and Sesame Street(R).
"The combination of Mattel Brands and Fisher-Price Brands into one global
division is a logical extension of our 'one Mattel' approach to doing
business, by better leveraging and capitalizing on the scale of the world's
largest toy company and fostering best practice adoption within the
organization," said Eckert.
Former Fisher-Price Brands president, Neil B. Friedman, has been promoted
to President, Brands. In his new role, Friedman will coordinate activities
across four major brand groups within Mattel -- Boys/Entertainment, Girls,
Infant-Preschool and Fisher-Price Friends.
"Neil Friedman is a toy industry hall-of-famer," said Eckert, "with over
30 years of experience in creating leading toy brands and providing growth
oriented solutions to retail customers." Friedman will relocate to the
company's El Segundo, California headquarters.
The creation of the new Brands division will result in the consolidation
of management and support functions. Matthew Bousquette, the former President
of Mattel Brands, has decided to pursue other business ventures after 17
successful years at Mattel.
"During his tenure, Matt Bousquette has made substantial contributions to
the organization, significantly growing the business on a global basis," said
Eckert. "We will miss his leadership and wish him the best in his future
endeavors."
About Mattel
Mattel, Inc., (NYSE: MAT, http://www.mattel.com) is the worldwide leader in the
design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products, including
Barbie(R), the most popular fashion doll ever created. The Mattel family is
comprised of such best-selling brands as Hot Wheels(R), Matchbox(R), American
Girl(R) and Tyco(R) R/C, as well as Fisher-Price brands
(http://www.fisher-price.com), including Little People(R), Rescue Heroes(R), Power
Wheels(R) and a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. With
worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel employs more than
25,000 people in 42 countries and sells products in more than 150 nations
throughout the world. The Mattel vision is to be the world's premier toy
brands -- today and tomorrow.
SOURCE Mattel, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.mattel.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/540363.html
CONTACT:
Lisa Marie Bongiovanni, +1-310-252-3524,
lisamarie.bongiovanni@mattel.com, or Joleen Jackson,
+1-310-252-2702, joleen.jackson@mattel.com, both of Mattel, Inc.
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