Paramount Skydance names Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz Co-CEO of combined company at WBD close

Paramount Skydance is pairing Chairman and CEO David Ellison with a high-profile operating partner ahead of its Warner Bros. Discovery merger. In a release furnished with an 8-K filed Thursday, the company said Ellison announced Ynon Kreiz as Co-CEO of the anticipated combined company, effective at closing.

Kreiz, Chairman and CEO of Mattel since 2018, will start at Paramount on Oct. 5, 2026. At closing, Ellison will remain Chairman and CEO of the newly combined company, and Kreiz will serve as Co-CEO and join the board. The businesses of the combined company will report jointly to both executives, the release said.

Ellison is to focus on long-term strategy, creative vision and direction — including talent relationships, strategic partnerships, technology, and capital allocation — while Kreiz oversees day-to-day management and integration of the combined businesses. The announcement is framed as Paramount nears completion of the Warner Bros. Discovery merger.

Paramount Skydance shares fell Thursday, last near $9.34, down about 9.6% on the day.

By the numbers

• Kreiz start at Paramount: Oct. 5, 2026
• Co-CEO / board role: effective at WBD merger closing
• Ellison role post-close: Chairman and CEO (unchanged title)

Sources

1. Paramount Skydance Corporation Form 8-K, filed Oct. 1, 2026, accession 0001104659-26-112829
2. Paramount Skydance Exhibit 99.1 press release on Ynon Kreiz Co-CEO appointment, dated Sept. 30, 2026

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