The executive comes to Mattel with a solid consumer product background having previously worked for a decade at The Walt Disney Company.
Josh Silverman is to become the new global head of Consumer Products and chief franchise officer at Mattel, joining from The Walt Disney Company, where he has spent a decade holding senior leadership positions in Disney’s Consumer Products division.
In his role at Mattel, which is effective from 1st September 2022, Josh will oversee global consumer products licensing, franchise management and retail development, as well as publishing, live experiences and location-based entertainment.
“Josh is an exceptional and talented leader and widely regarded as one of the most accomplished executives in consumer products,” said Richard Dickson, Mattel’s president and chief operating officer, to whom Josh will report. “His experience at Disney, overseeing the world’s largest entertainment-related consumer products business, will be invaluable as we start the next chapter of our growth strategy at Mattel. There is incredible potential to be unlocked in our treasure trove of IP under his leadership and across our portfolio of iconic brands.”
In his most recent role at The Walt Disney Company, Josh served as executive vice president, Global Third-Party Commercialization, leading Disney’s consumer product licensing business, third-party retail, and flexible business models. In this role, he led a team developing strategic best-in-class partnerships across markets, categories, and channels of distribution and bringing Disney’s brands, characters and stories to life for fans around world through high quality and innovative products and experiences. The Walt Disney Company’s consumer product business grew from $37.5b in retail sales in 2011 to $54b in 2021.
Prior to that, Josh was EVP of Global Franchise Licensing for Disney Consumer Products, responsible for the global consumer products licensing business and franchise management. His role also included time overseeing creative and product development, The Disney store business, and commercialisation for Disney Interactive and Disney Publishing Worldwide.
Between 2001 and 2010, Josh worked at Marvel Entertainment, where he began as a corporate attorney in the Business and Legal Affairs group. In 2008, he was promoted to senior vice president, Global Business Development and Licensing Operations. In this role, he was responsible for structuring strategic partnerships and licences. In 2010, following the acquisition of Marvel by The Walt Disney Company, Josh was promoted to SVP of Global Strategy, Business Development and Brand Management and worked across Marvel divisions on global strategic and tactical matters and corporate brand management.
“I have long admired Mattel’s brands, mission and purpose, both as an entertainment company partner and as a father and fan,” said Josh. “Given the strength of its portfolio, I believe there is tremendous commercial opportunity ahead for Mattel. I am thrilled to join this world-class leadership team at such an exciting time in Mattel’s growth as an IP-driven, high-performing toy company.”
