Mattel Names New Head of Mattel Television Studios

Mattel has named Disney 20th Television Studios alum Michelle Mendelovitz as head of Mattel Television Studios.

Mendelovitz brings extensive experience to the role, having previously served in senior positions at Disney 20th Television Studios, Apple TV+, Sony Pictures Television and CBS Television Network. Most recently, she served as an executive producer at HiddenLight, founded by former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Sam Branson and Chelsea Clinton.

At Disney 20th Television Studios, Mendelovitz served as senior VP, head of drama development. She redefined the company’s content slate and managed more than 250 projects in various stages of development and productions across all Disney platforms and other streamers, including Apple TV+, Prime Video, Netflix and Peacock.

Prior to that, Mendelovitz was a senior creative executive for scripted and unscripted programming at Apple, where she played a leading role in launching Apple TV+ and oversaw various straight-to-series scripted shows and docuseries, including the Emmy-nominated Severance, as well as For All Mankind and The Me You Can’t See.

For Sony Pictures Television as VP of scripted programming (drama and comedy), Mendelovitz oversaw all creative and production needs for numerous series for broadcast networks and streaming platforms, including Bloodline for Netflix and The Good Doctor for ABC. She started her career at CBS Television in comedy development.

“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,” said Ynon Kreiz, chairman and CEO of Mattel. “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.”

“The opportunity to connect worldwide audiences with Mattel’s iconic brands, franchises and characters through high-quality storytelling is greater than ever before,” noted Josh Silverman, chief franchise officer, to whom Mendelovitz will report. “I look forward to the impact Michelle and Mattel Television Studios will have on expanding the content slate to the delight of our fans around the globe.”

Mendelovitz added, “Mattel is a globally revered brand that I’ve always admired for its ability to empower and relate to its 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.”