Mattel has named Niki Kazakos as vice president of global corporate communications.
The toymaker and rapidly expanding content company promoted Kazakos this week, upping her from the senior director role she’s held since 2021.
In the new gig, Kazakos will continue to drive communications across the “Barbie” shop’s corporate, content, and franchise businesses – as well as oversee strategy for Mattel Studios’ film and series projects and verticals like digital games, brand partnerships, location-based entertainment, publishing and music.
“It’s an exciting time to be at Mattel, and a privilege to help shape the future of the Mattel story alongside such passionate and talented colleagues,” Kazakos told Variety.
Kazakos is a media vet of nearly 20 years, having held positions at Netflix, RadicalMedia, NBCUniversal and Discovery. She holds a BA from Boston University and lives in Los Angeles with her family.
She made her name shaping messaging around Mattel’s content trajectory, including the aforementioned blockbuster “Barbie,” and the relaunch of iconic franchises like “Barney,” “Monster High” and “Masters of the Universe.” She also contributed to the rollup of Mattel’s individual film and television groups into the rebranded Mattel Studios, in addition to the company’s unique ongoing collaboration with OpenAI.
There’s a laundry list of toys and intellectual property in various stages of development at Mattel, including an animated take on “Barbie” with family kingpin Illumination; a Matchbox cars movie starring John Cena; and a Bob the Builder feature to be voiced by Anthony Ramos and produced by Jennifer Lopez and Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas.