Finally GZ is out. Took long enough. His legacy? Nothing ... Don't let the door hit you on the way out GZ
8 replies (most recent on top)
To last poster:
It’s a mixed bag.
And there just aren’t that many ex-mats there as the poster before you has commented. MATTEL is not a breeding ground for talent - it’s just a weigh station between other gigs.
To the last poster: The Marketing leads at Jakks, Spin, MGA, KD, Moose, Activision etc. are all ex. Mattel (spanning 12 months to 12 years)....also multiple VP's/SVPs at Hasbro (6 months to 6 years- ex FP).
As far as VP's and SVPs at Disney, Nik, WB, Universal, Sony etc. all true- but you are correct that none are currently "running" them (nor did I say they were).
As for the GZ comments, I was referring to when he was actually "in market" not the past 15 years (both dropped when he left). However, I am 100% in agreement that the people in those markets are incredible talents and many I knew have left.
Just trying to inject some facts.
..and the reason for lower sales for American Girl, Thomas and MEGA BRands....the robbing of their marketing dollars to prop up the B (which will show flat to down sales even though the company has ransomed her future).
As for the poster claiming all the accolades of ex-Mattel execs moving on to other top posts:
WB - has a Disney person running
NBC/Universal - has a Disney person running it
There are no ex-Mattel people "heading" up anything at any toy company - just check LinkedIn to see.
And stop with the accolades for GZ - Mattel has always held those rankings for the last 15 years - longer than GZ was in his post - give credit where credit is due - the people in those countries in the trenches who make things happen with little resources and money, while ES millennials cry because their Starbucks is cold or they can't get their favorite Food Truck on campus.
I think Wall Street would call it more than a tweak when your at $15. We all know its going to be negative unless we stuff the channels again with unsold inventory.
Meanwhile, though the company began 2017 with expectations of mid-to-high single digit growth in the top line, it is now targeting low single-digit sales growth. The main reason behind this tweaked guidance is expected lower sales for Thomas, American Girl, and MEGA brands.
Well, GZ got LATAM to a 40% market share on his watch. He also had Mattel as #1 or #2 in every top European country on his watch. As for ex Mattel execs: Snapchat, Google, Amazon, Activision etc. Former Mattel executives are heading up Sales, Marketing, Design at about 80% of the toy company competition. Also, many are currently VPs, SVPs at WB, Disney, Sony, Nick etc. Mattel has numerous issues at the moment, exporting toy talent has not been among them.
It is typical of Mattel, so many former executives go on to do NOTHING as they advanced in the abnormal Mattel system but have nothing to add to strong thriving business outside Mattel..Mattel a toxic culture that has conditioned employees to thinking this is the normal. The list of useless execs is long. Hopefully more will exit soon!
He is an example of the useless Mattel Executive and there are many more. Been hanging around for years, done nothing to build the business, doesn't know how to drive change, no courage and only knows Mattel.