Condé Nast CEO Roger Lynch to step down for Mattel role

Roger Lynch is stepping down as chief executive officer of Condé Nast after seven and a half years to become CEO of Mattel, bringing to an end a tenure that saw the global media company return to profitability and undergo a major structural transformation.

In a statement issued via the company's site, Lynch said he would remain on Condé Nast's board, while Mike Perlis, the company’s lead independent director, will serve as interim CEO. The board will begin a search for Lynch’s permanent successor, with Perlis to work alongside the existing executive leadership team during the transition.

Lynch added that he had joined Condé Nast with the ambition of leaving the business “stronger than I found it”, before going on to highlight the merger of its US and international operations into a unified company, alongside growth in its consumer, commerce, subscription and events businesses.

Since 2020, Condé Nast’s commerce revenue has grown 170 percent, digital subscriptions have increased 155 percent and US tentpole events have increased ninefold, according to Lynch. He also pointed to the launch of the company’s Middle East operations in Dubai, its first new office in 16 years.

“As we close the third quarter, the company is on track for another year of revenue and profit growth,” Lynch said, pointing to new digital initiatives including Vette and events such as Vogue World as future growth drivers.

Lynch joined Condé Nast in 2019 after serving as CEO of Pandora and founding CEO of Sling TV. He subsequently oversaw the integration of the company’s US and international businesses and promoted Vogue editor Anna Wintour to global chief content officer. Condé Nast also introduced global editorial leadership across brands including Vogue, GQ, Architectural Digest and Condé Nast Traveller, while expanding its video and ecommerce businesses.

During his tenure, Condé Nast also faced labour disputes, with more than 400 unionised employees staging a 24-hour walkout in January 2024 following proposed layoffs and contract negotiations. The Condé Nast Union later threatened to disrupt the Met Gala, before a first contract agreement was reached hours before the May 2024 event.

The agreement established a 61,500 dollars starting salary floor, 3.3 million to 3.6 million dollars in wage increases, expanded parental leave and additional job protections. In May 2026, Condé Nast also agreed to pay more than 400,000 dollars to settle a case involving three journalists dismissed after confronting the company’s chief people officer over layoffs.