Mattel Announces Planned Retirement of Chief Financial Officer Anthony DiSilvestro

Rhea-AI Summary

Mattel (NASDAQ: MAT) announced that Chief Financial Officer Anthony DiSilvestro will retire on May 15, 2025, followed by a three-month advisory period until August 15, 2025. The company has initiated a comprehensive search process with an executive search firm to find his successor.

DiSilvestro, who joined Mattel in August 2020, has been instrumental in strengthening the company's financial position. During his tenure, Mattel achieved an investment grade rating and generated over $400 million in cost savings through operational optimization and increased efficiencies. He played a key role in transforming Mattel into an IP-driven, high-performing toy company.

Positive

• Achieved investment grade rating during CFO's tenure
• Generated over $400 million in cost savings through operational optimization
• Structured transition period with 3-month advisory role after retirement

Negative

• Loss of key executive who led significant financial improvements

Insights

Financial Analyst

The planned retirement of Mattel's CFO DiSilvestro marks the end of a successful tenure characterized by significant financial improvements. Under his leadership, Mattel achieved investment grade rating and realized $400 million in cost savings - critical achievements that strengthened the company's financial foundation. The extended transition period until August 2025 provides ample time for knowledge transfer and continuity.

Looking at Mattel's current market cap of $6 billion, the company's improved credit rating and operational efficiencies position it well for future growth. The transformation from a traditional toy manufacturer to an IP-driven company has enhanced its business model resilience and revenue potential. This shift, supported by strong financial management, has created a more sustainable earnings profile.

For retail investors: The well-planned succession process and lengthy transition period suggest minimal disruption risk. The focus should be on whether the next CFO maintains the fiscal discipline and strategic direction established during DiSilvestro's tenure. The timing of the announcement, well ahead of the actual retirement, demonstrates proper succession planning and corporate governance.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) today announced that Anthony DiSilvestro, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), has informed the Company of his plans to retire on May 15, 2025. The Company has initiated a comprehensive search process with the assistance of a leading executive search firm. Following his retirement date, DiSilvestro will serve as an advisor through August 15, 2025, to ensure a smooth transition.

Ynon Kreiz, Chairman and CEO of Mattel, said: “Anthony has played a key role in steering Mattel to achieve its strongest financial position in many years. On behalf of Mattel’s Board of Directors and management team, we express our gratitude for Anthony’s significant contributions to Mattel’s transformation into an IP-driven, high-performing toy company and wish him the very best in his retirement.”

DiSilvestro joined Mattel in August 2020. During his five years as CFO, Mattel achieved an investment grade rating, strengthened its financial organization, optimized operations, and increased efficiencies with over $400 million of cost savings.

DiSilvestro added: “It has been an honor working alongside Ynon and the talented team at Mattel at such an exciting time in its history. I am proud of all we have accomplished together and believe the Company is well positioned to continue executing its multi-year strategy and create long-term shareholder value. As I move to the next chapter of my life in retirement, I look forward to watching Mattel’s continued success for years to come.”

About Mattel

Mattel is a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. We engage consumers and fans through our franchise brands, including Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, Fisher-Price®, American Girl®, Thomas & Friends™, UNO®, Masters of the Universe®, Matchbox®, Monster High®, MEGA® and Polly Pocket®, as well as other popular properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include toys, content, consumer products, digital and live experiences. Our products are sold in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. Visit us at mattel.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Mattel cautions the reader that this press release contains a number of forward-looking statements, which are statements that relate to the future and are, by their nature, uncertain. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and include statements regarding Mattel’s guidance and goals for future periods and other future events. The use of words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “look forward,” “confident that,” “believes,” and “targeted,” among others, generally identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on currently available operating, financial, economic, and other information and assumptions, and are subject to a number of significant risks and uncertainties. A variety of factors, many of which are beyond Mattel’s control, could cause actual future results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Specific factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to: (i) Mattel’s ability to design, develop, produce, manufacture, source, ship, and distribute products on a timely and cost-effective basis; (ii) sufficient interest in and demand for the products and entertainment Mattel offers by retail customers and consumers to profitably recover Mattel’s costs; (iii) downturns in economic conditions affecting Mattel’s markets which can negatively impact retail customers and consumers, and which can result in lower employment levels and lower consumer disposable income and spending, including lower spending on purchases of Mattel’s products; (iv) other factors which can lower discretionary consumer spending, such as higher costs for fuel and food, drops in the value of homes or other consumer assets, and high levels of consumer debt; (v) potential difficulties or delays Mattel may experience in implementing cost savings and efficiency enhancing initiatives; (vi) other economic and public health conditions or regulatory changes in the markets in which Mattel and its customers and suppliers operate, which could create delays or increase Mattel’s costs, such as higher commodity prices, labor costs or transportation costs, or outbreaks of disease; (vii) the effect of inflation on Mattel’s business, including cost inflation in supply chain inputs and increased labor costs, as well as pricing actions taken in an effort to mitigate the effects of inflation; (viii) currency fluctuations, including movements in foreign exchange rates, which can lower Mattel’s net revenues and earnings, and significantly impact Mattel’s costs; (ix) the concentration of Mattel’s customers, potentially increasing the negative impact to Mattel of difficulties experienced by any of Mattel’s customers, such as bankruptcies or liquidations or a general lack of success, or changes in their purchasing or selling patterns; (x) the inventory policies of Mattel’s retail customers, as well as the concentration of Mattel’s revenues in the second half of the year, which coupled with reliance by retailers on quick response inventory management techniques, increases the risk of underproduction, overproduction , and shipping delays; (xi) legal, reputational, and financial risks related to security breaches or cyberattacks; (xii) work disruptions, including as a result of supply chain disruption such as plant or port closures, which may impact Mattel’s ability to manufacture or deliver product in a timely and cost-effective manner; (xiii) the impact of competition on revenues, margins, and other aspects of Mattel’s business, including the ability to offer products that consumers choose to buy instead of competitive products, the ability to secure, maintain, and renew popular licenses from licensors of entertainment properties, and the ability to attract and retain talented employees and adapt to evolving workplace models; (xiv) the risk of product recalls or product liability suits and costs associated with product safety regulations; (xv) changes in laws or regulations in the United States and/or in other major markets, such as China, in which Mattel operates, including, without limitation, with respect to taxes, tariffs, trade policies, product safety, or sustainability, which may increase Mattel’s product costs and other costs of doing business, and reduce Mattel’s earnings and liquidity; (xvi) business disruptions or other unforeseen impacts due to economic instability, political instability, civil unrest, armed hostilities (including the impact of the war in Ukraine and geopolitical developments in the Middle East), natural and man-made disasters, pandemics or other public health crises, or other catastrophic events; (xvii) failure to realize the planned benefits from any investments or acquisitions made by Mattel; (xviii) the impact of other market conditions or third party actions or approvals, including those that result in any significant failure, inadequacy, or interruption from vendors or outsourcers, which could reduce demand for Mattel’s products, delay or increase the cost of implementation of Mattel’s programs, or alter Mattel’s actions and reduce actual results; (xix) changes in financing markets or the inability of Mattel to obtain financing on attractive terms; (xx) the impact of litigation, arbitration, or regulatory decisions or settlement actions; (xxi) Mattel’s ability to navigate regulatory frameworks in connection with new areas of investment, product development, or other business activities, such as artificial intelligence, non-fungible tokens, and cryptocurrency; (xxii) an inability to remediate the material weakness in Mattel's internal control over financial reporting, or additional material weaknesses or other deficiencies in the future or the failure to maintain an effective system of internal control; and (xxiii) other risks and uncertainties as may be described in Mattel’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the “Risk Factors” section of Mattel’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and subsequent periodic filings, as well as in Mattel’s other public statements. Mattel does not update forward-looking statements and expressly disclaims any obligation to do so, except as required by law.

MAT-FIN MAT-CORP

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250116893276/en/

News Media

Catherine Frymark

Catherine.Frymark@mattel.com

Securities Analysts

Jenn Kettnich

Jenn.Kettnich@mattel.com

Source: Mattel, Inc.

FAQ

When will Mattel CFO Anthony DiSilvestro retire?

Anthony DiSilvestro will retire as Mattel's CFO on May 15, 2025, followed by an advisory role through August 15, 2025.

How much cost savings did Mattel (MAT) achieve under DiSilvestro's leadership?

Under Anthony DiSilvestro's leadership, Mattel achieved over $400 million in cost savings through operational optimization and increased efficiencies.

What major financial achievements did Mattel (MAT) accomplish during DiSilvestro's tenure?

During DiSilvestro's tenure, Mattel achieved an investment grade rating, strengthened its financial organization, and generated over $400 million in cost savings.

How long did Anthony DiSilvestro serve as Mattel's CFO?

Anthony DiSilvestro joined Mattel in August 2020 and will serve until May 2025, completing nearly five years as CFO.