Mattel has recently appointed Michelle Mendelovitz to lead its TV studios division, Mattel Television Studios. Mendelovitz, a seasoned TV veteran, most recently worked as an executive producer at HiddenLight, a production company founded by Hillary and Chelsea Clinton. Prior to that, she served as the senior VP and head of drama development at Disney 20th Television Studios and as a senior creative executive for scripted and unscripted programming at Apple.
In her new role, Mendelovitz will report to Josh Silverman, Mattel’s chief franchise officer. Her appointment comes at a time when Mattel is prioritizing the expansion of its toy IP onto the screen. The success of this year’s Barbie movie has underscored the toy giant’s efforts in this area. Mattel’s TV series already include programs based on Barbie, Barney, Thomas & Friends, Hot Wheels, and Fireman Sam, among others.
Ynon Kreiz, Mattel’s CEO, expressed his enthusiasm for Mendelovitz’s appointment, stating, “Michelle is a powerful creative leader with a wealth of experience working with top studios and creators to make innovative, quality content across genres and platforms. We are excited for her to join at a time of such momentum for the company, and for the important role she will play in developing stories that resonate in culture and growing Mattel’s global fan base.”
Mendelovitz also shared her excitement about joining the Mattel team, stating, “Mattel is a globally revered brand that I’ve always admired for its ability to empower and relate to their audience generation after generation. Taking that bold spirit to speak to themes that impact people’s worlds, while simultaneously entertaining audiences of all ages, is what we are focused on as we grow Mattel Television Studios into an inspiring storytelling home for best-in-class creators. I’m so thrilled and honored to join the Mattel team as we take our brands and franchises to a whole new level.”
With Mendelovitz at the helm, Mattel aims to further establish its TV studios division as a hub for compelling and diverse storytelling that resonates with audiences of all ages. Her experience and expertise in working with top studios and creators across various genres and platforms are expected to play a pivotal role in achieving this goal.
Mendelovitz’s background in both drama development and scripted/unscripted programming positions her well to lead Mattel Television Studios in developing high-quality content that aligns with the company’s mission to entertain and inspire global audiences. Under her leadership, the division is set to expand its reach and continue bringing beloved Mattel brands and franchises to life on the screen.
In the rapidly evolving entertainment landscape, where audience engagement and storytelling continue to be paramount, Mendelovitz’s strategic vision and creative leadership are poised to drive Mattel Television Studios toward new heights of success. As the company looks ahead to the future, Mendelovitz’s appointment represents a key step in solidifying Mattel’s position as a powerhouse in the world of children’s entertainment and beyond.
