Michelle Mendelovitz is leaving as head of Mattel Television Studios

Michelle Mendelovitz has stepped down as head of Mattel Television Studios. Variety has confirmed.

Mendelovitz joined the studio last November, where she oversaw the development, production and distribution of Mattel’s slate of episodic content on broadcast and streaming worldwide. A new chief has yet to be appointed.

At Mattel Television Studios, Mendelovitz was recently involved in the new Barney the Dinosaur animated series, “Barney’s World,” for Max and Cartoon Network. The series, which was announced in February as part of Mattel’s relaunch of the Barney franchise, will premiere in 2024.

In April, Mattel Television Studios appointed three new executives to key roles: Sidney Clifton as head of creative animation; Cory Bennett Lewis as head of production; and Amy Suh as head of creative for live action, both scripted and unscripted. They reported directly to Mendelovitz.

Prior to her role at Mattel Television Studios, Mendelovitz was an executive producer at Hillary and Chelsea Clinton’s Hiddenlight Productions. Previously, she was head of drama at 20th Television Studios, where she oversaw the approval of series such as “Washington Black,” starring Sterling K. Brown, and the Mike Tyson biographical series “Tyson” at Hulu. She left the Disney studio in January 2022.

Mendelovitz also previously served as senior creative executive for scripted and unscripted programming at Apple, and as vice president of scripted programming (Drama & Comedy) at Sony Pictures Television.

Mattel Television Studios produces animated and live-action series and specials based on its popular IPs, including Barbie, Thomas & Friends, Hot Wheels, Fireman Sam, Polly Pocket, Barney, Masters of the Universe, Monster High and Pictionary. The studio will premiere 16 series/specials this year.

Deadline was the first to report the news of Mendelovitz’s departure.