Activist investors urge Mattel CEO to consider privatization or sale of the company

Glonghui, May 9th | Activist investor Southeastern Asset Management is urging Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz to explore strategic options to either take the toy manufacturer private or allow it to be acquired by competitor Hasbro. Southeastern holds about 4% of Mattel’s common stock, valued at $170 million, and has been invested in the company for more than eight years. Southeastern pointed out that Hasbro has outperformed Mattel in driving digital business growth and therefore has greater credibility in this important sector; it believes synergy between the two companies would be highly significant, creating a stronger global industry competitor. In response, Mattel stated that the company is focused on executing its intellectual property-driven strategic plan.