Ynon Kreiz named co-CEO of Paramount-Warner Bros Discovery
October 2, 2026 11.09 Europe/London By Julian Clover


Ynon Kreiz has been named co-CEO of the combined Paramount-Warner Bros Discovery.

Kreiz will serve alongside Paramount chairman and CEO David Ellison, taking responsibility for day-to-day operations and the integration of the two companies. Ellison will retain responsibility for long-term strategy, creative direction, technology and capital allocation. Kreiz joins Paramount on October 5, ahead of the expected completion of the Warner Bros Discovery transaction on October 6.

A familiar name to European TV executives, Kreiz arrives from Mattel, where he has been chairman and CEO since 2018, he has extensive roots in television. He was a co-founder of Fox Kids Europe and was sent to London by Haim Saban in 1997 to establish the children’s television business in Europe. Fox Kids Europe subsequently became part of Disney following Disney’s acquisition of Fox Family Worldwide.

Kreiz later became chairman and CEO of Endemol, the international production group behind formats including Big Brother, before moving to Los Angeles to lead digital video company Maker Studios.

At Mattel, Kreiz sought to reposition the company from principally a toy manufacturer into an intellectual property and franchise business. The strategy’s most visible success was Barbie, produced with Warner Bros, which became the highest-grossing film worldwide in 2023. Mattel has subsequently developed screen projects around brands including Hot Wheels, Masters of the Universe, Barney and American Girl.

His appointment also gives Kreiz a significant operational role in what will be a challenging integration. Paramount has targeted $6 billion in savings from combining the businesses, while the enlarged company will carry around $80 billion of debt. Reuters notes that Kreiz previously oversaw more than $1.5 billion of savings at Mattel, including job reductions and manufacturing restructuring.

“In Ynon, I’m adding a partner with strong leadership and the operating firepower this integration demands,” said Ellison, describing the arrangement as a division of labour based on their complementary strengths.

Kreiz said he was excited to work with Ellison to build a “next-generation media and entertainment company”.