Former Google Exec Joins Mattel as CEO
Mattel, Inc. announced that Margaret (Margo) H. Georgiadis has been named chief executive officer, effective Feb. 8. Georgiadis, who will also join Mattel's board of directors, was most recently President, Americas at Google Inc.
She will succeed Christopher Sinclair, who has led the company as chairman and CEO since early 2015, joined Mattel's Board in 1996 and served previously as independent lead director and chair of the executive and audit committees. Going forward, he will serve as executive chairman of the board.
Sinclair said, "Over the last two years, with the help of all of our colleagues around the world, we have dramatically transformed Mattel – reenergizing our creative culture, restoring excitement to our iconic brand portfolio and delivering on our vision to make Mattel the recognized leader in play, learning and development worldwide. I could not be more proud of the organization and what it has accomplished, or more excited about the company's future with Margo Georgiadis as our CEO.”
“Margo is a proven and extraordinarily talented executive with a deep understanding of how to build and scale brands on a global basis and expertise in effectively engaging consumers and retail partners in a rapidly evolving digital world. She has successfully led efforts to deliver above market growth and profitability by creating transformational partnerships across content, media and technology providers and through innovation in product development and customer engagement." Sinclair continued, "As executive chairman, I will work with Margo, Richard Dickson and the rest of the executive team on the smoothest possible transition."
As president, Americas at Google from 2011 to 2017, Georgiadis led the company's commercial operations and advertising sales in the US, Canada, and Latin America. Her prior roles at Google include leading global sales operations and expanding local and commerce businesses.
Georgiadis has served as chief operating officer of Groupon, Inc., and executive vice president of Card Products and chief marketing officer of Discover Financial Services. At Discover, she led the company through a turnaround, revitalizing business performance with award-winning new products, customer experience and marketing. Prior to Discover, Georgiadis was a partner at McKinsey & Company for 15 years in London and Chicago.
Georgiadis currently serves on the Boards of Directors of McDonald's Corporation and Amyris, Inc. She also serves on the boards of non-profit entities including The Economic Club of Chicago and the Ad Council, where she is Board Chair. Previously she served on the Board of The Jones Group Inc.
Mattel ranks 78th on CGT's list of Top 100 Consumer Goods Companies for 2016.