Pros

Mattel has great brands and some useful benefits, like half-day Fridays and child care on-site. The experience honestly varies between departments and managers. There are some really great people, and most everyone is passionate about the brands.

Cons

There is a very strict hierarchy and therefore you can feel like you aren't making a contribution or that you are not valued, especially when there are so many "higher up" opinions that you have to deal with. You definitely have to "manage up" and "manage down"... I also feel like the promotions are based more on personal preference than merit or performance, which can either be a good or a bad thing.

Advice to Senior Management

Think about what kind of example you are setting, and the type of leader that you are portraying. Your direct reports are a huge indicator of your management and leadership style, so it's in your best interest to set them up for success. I have only seen a few managers really do this well - but it's an amazing trait to have. Also, when you look at your team for promotions, look at the respect that they have (or don't have) from all the teams and people they work with, as well as the impact that they have on the business. These things are great indicators of that person's success.