Mattel, Inc. announced that Christopher Farrell has joined the Company as Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Farrell will lead strategic planning and corporate development for the Company, including identifying opportunities to accelerate growth and profitability and optimize business performance. He will report to Ynon Kreiz, Chairman and CEO of Mattel.

As a senior executive, Mr. Farrell has deep experience in the areas of strategy, M&A, investment banking, investor relations, and communications, primarily in the consumer and retail sectors. Mr. Farrell joins Mattel from Ahold Delhaize, the Dutch multinational food retailer with operations in the U.S., Europe and Asia, where he was Global Head of M&A for the last five years. He had previously served as Head of Strategy, M&A, and Investor Relations for Delhaize Group and played a leading role in the merger between Ahold and Delhaize, as well as driving other strategic initiatives.

In total, he spent 10 years with the two organizations. Mr. Farrell also previously served as Chief Strategy Officer at Authentic Brands Group. Earlier in his career, Mr. Farrell spent over 20 years as an investment banker, including as a Managing Director with UBS Securities and DKW (previously Wasserstein Perella), primarily focused on providing strategic and financial advice to companies seeking to grow in existing or new markets.

He holds a bachelor?s degree in economics from Stetson University and a Master of Business Administration from Fordham University.