Mattel Taps Google’s President Of Americas As CEO

Google’s losing an executive to Mattel, as the company known for making Barbies, Hot Wheels and many more toys hopes to make its products even more interactive.

Margaret H. Georgiadis, who goes by “Margo,” has been tapped to be Mattel’s CEO starting Feb. 8 and will succeed Christopher A. Sinclair. Mattel announced the news this week in a release. Her most recent role at Google was president of Americas, which she has held since 2011.

“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,” said Sinclair in the release. “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 led the company as chairman and CEO since 2015 but joined Mattel’s board over 10 years ago, as well as other boards and committees within the company. Now, he will serve as executive chairman of the board.

“As executive chairman, I will work with Margo, Richard Dickson and the rest of the executive team on the smoothest possible transition,” added Sinclair.

In her role at Google, Georgiadis led commercial operations and advertising sales in the U.S., Canada and Latin America and led global sales operations. Prior to her post at Google, she was Groupon’s COO, Discover Financial Services’ CMO and worked for McKinsey & Company for 15 years in London and Chicago.

“Inspiring children through play and creativity is crucial to early development, and no company has done more in that space over many generations than Mattel,” said Georgiadis in the release. “As a parent, I have seen this first hand and am honored to be joining the company at this exciting time of renewed focus. I look forward to working with the incredibly talented people at Mattel as we build on recent momentum, leverage the unique creativity and passion that exists within Mattel to inspire future generations of children and deliver on our promises to shareholders.”