Paramount names Ynon Kreiz co-CEO ahead of Warner Bros. Discovery merger
The former Mattel chief is due to start on 5 October, with Paramount assigning him day-to-day management and integration duties if the proposed $110 billion merger closes.
Paramount has appointed former Mattel chairman and chief executive Ynon Kreiz as co-CEO alongside David Ellison, ahead of its proposed $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery.
Paramount said Ellison will focus on long-term strategy, creative direction, talent relationships, partnerships, technology and capital allocation. Kreiz will oversee day-to-day management and integration of the combined businesses, which would report jointly to the two executives if the deal closes.
Kreiz is due to start at Paramount on 5 October. He joined Mattel in 2018 and led the company during its partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures on the Barbie film.
The merger remains proposed. Separately, a judge approved Paramount’s settlement in a lawsuit brought by several states seeking to block the deal, according to Reuters, as reported by The Verge.
The Verge also cited Variety’s report that HBO chief Casey Bloys could lead both streaming services. Paramount has not confirmed that possibility.
