Ep 107. Mattel CEO, Ynon Kreiz: More Than a Toy Company
From The Nordy Pod by Pete Nordstrom
April 6, 2026 · 37 min
About this episode
In this episode, Pete Nordstrom interviews Ynon Kreiz, CEO of Mattel, about the company's transformation from a toy manufacturer to a cultural powerhouse.
You grew up playing with them. You’ve shared them with your kids. And now, the brands we all know and love are flying off the shelves and into our hearts through every form of entertainment imaginable. Because Mattel isn’t just making toys anymore—It’s building worlds. Worlds shaped by brands like Barbie, Hot Wheels, Uno, Masters of the Universe, and so much more! Ynon Kreiz, CEO of Mattel, has led the charge in transforming this 80+ year-old, iconic company into a modern and culturally relevant behemoth, by reimagining the narrative and elevating the possibilities of play for all ages. In this episode Pete and Ynon discuss the persistent power of Mattel’s legacy brand portfolio, the role of world-class partnerships in building a bigger future, and the growing field of physical play potentially expanding the wanting toy aisles of Nordstrom. Thanks for tuning in to episode 107. We hope you enjoy it! Did you know that YOU can be on The Nordy Pod? This show isn't just a one-way conversation. We want to hear about what Nordstrom looks like through your eyes. Share your Nordstrom experience, good or bad, by giving us a call and leaving a voicemail at: 206.594.0526, or send an email to…
People in this episode
Host: Pete Nordstrom
Guest: Ynon Kreiz
Topics covered
- toys
- business transformation
- brand legacy
- entertainment
- partnerships
- play
Keywords
- Mattel
- Ynon Kreiz
- toys
- Barbie
- business transformation
- play
- Nordstrom
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Mattel, Nordstrom
Products: Barbie, Hot Wheels, Uno, Masters of the Universe
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