Activist Barington having ‘positive’ discussions with Mattel CEO, LA Times says

Activist investor Barington Capital has acquired an undisclosed stake in Mattel and is eyeing major changes to boost the toy maker’s stock, The Wall Street Journal’s Lauren Thomas previously reported, citing a letter sent to Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz. Barington thinks Mattel’s stock price will continue to underperform unless it takes steps that include weighing strategic alternatives for its Fisher-Price and American Girl brands. In response to the campaign, Mattel said it was looking “forward to engaging with Barington as we do all our shareholders.” James Mitarotonda, chairman of Barington, said since its initial letter was sent that the firm has had “positive” discussions with Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz, but declined to discuss them in detail, reported The Los Angeles Times’ Laurence Darmiento.