Mattel

Mattel, Inc. is an American multinational toy company that designs, manufactures, and markets toys, games, and related entertainment content. It owns a diverse portfolio of brands and licenses and operates globally through its own subsidiaries and licensing agreements.

The company was founded in 1945 in California by Harold Matson and Elliot Handler. The name Mattel is commonly described as a blend of the founders’ surnames. Ruth Handler, Elliot’s wife, joined the business and helped lead the development of Barbie, which debuted in 1959 and became one of Mattel’s most enduring franchises. The company expanded with Hot Wheels in 1968 and later pursued additional acquisitions, including Fisher-Price in 1993 and American Girl in 1998. Mattel also acquired the rights to UNO in 1992, a move that strengthened its presence in family and party games.

Key brands in Mattel’s portfolio include Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, and UNO, along with Polly Pocket and various licensed properties. The company has also pursued direct-to-consumer initiatives through platforms like Mattel Creations to introduce limited-edition and exclusive products, and maintains licensing partnerships to extend its reach into media and entertainment.

Headquartered in El Segundo, California, Mattel is a publicly traded company listed on the Nasdaq under the ticker MAT. Since 2018, the chief executive officer has been Ynon Kreiz. Mattel operates in markets around the world, with manufacturing and distribution channels spanning multiple continents and a focus on sustaining its legacy brands while pursuing growth in new product categories and digital formats.