Mattel announces new leadership across EMEA
Mattel has announced new leadership appointments across its EMEA region (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) as part of efforts to further develop its operating model and increase focus, agility, and accountability.
These changes follow the earlier announcement that Sanjay Luthra, currently Executive Vice President and Managing Director EMEA as well as Global Direct-to-Consumer, will succeed Steve Totzke as Chief Commercial Officer, effective May 1, 2026.
New appointments
Sebastian Trischler, currently Vice President and Country Manager for the DACH region and Head of E-Commerce EMEA, has been appointed Vice President and Head of Pan EMEA Markets. In this role, he will oversee performance and operations across a broad portfolio of countries spanning Central and Eastern Europe, the Balkans, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, reporting directly to Luthra. He will be responsible for driving commercial strategy and expanding key growth markets. With more than a decade at Mattel, Trischler has played a key role in building high-performing teams and advancing growth across Europe.
Promotion
In addition, Apostolis Karampatzakis, currently Vice President and Country Manager for Pan EMEA Markets, has been promoted to Senior Vice President and Head of Core Europe, a newly created role also reporting to Luthra. He will lead commercial strategy, distribution, and operations across major European markets, including the UK & Ireland, Germany, France, Italy, Iberia, Benelux, and the Nordics, as well as oversee the European Amazon team. With over 25 years at Mattel, he has held multiple leadership roles and most recently doubled the region’s business within five years.
Luthra emphasized confidence in both leaders, highlighting their experience and leadership capabilities as key to shaping the company’s next phase of growth in the region. Trischler and Karampatzakis both expressed enthusiasm for their new roles and their commitment to driving further growth and strengthening partnerships across EMEA.
Source: Press Release Mattel