Pros

Mattel is a great place to learn the business of product development, marketing and sales. Their huge organization allows for one to find quality advice and expertise from many different types of people. Mentors abound as numerous people have been there for "years". Because Toys are an entertainment product the turnover on products is massive 80-90% of their products are at least partially new each season. This creates allot of opportunity in Design, Engineering, Marketing and Sales.

Cons

Sr. Management is awful. They have no direction and runt he business through their review mirrors. Innovation died when Bob Eckart walked in the door.

Additionally advancement at Mattel is awful. If and when a good opportunity arises they almost always fill it from the outside. They do nothing to develop their people and get them ready for these opportunities. Their is a glut of older middle and senior managment holding on to positions that need to be opened up for the next generation. There are too many people trying not to loose their jobs rather then trying to make an impact.

Advice to Senior Management

Clean House. Reduce your emphasis on Marketing and become Design and Product Driven again.