Apostolis Karampatzakis appointed to newly created SVP and Head of Core Europe role, and Sebastian Trischler named VP & Country Manager PEM
Mattel has announced a reshuffle of its commercial organisation leadership in a move to strengthen and evolve its commercial operating model to enable greater focus, agility and accountability.
Apostolis Karampatzakis, currently VP and Country Manager for Mattel’s Pan EMEA Markets (PEM) has been appointed to the newly created role of SVP and Head of Core Europe. He will lead commercial strategy, retail distribution channel development, and operational execution across Mattel’s core Europe markets, including the UK & Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, Iberia, Benelux, and the Nordics, with the European Amazon team reporting to him.
“Apostolis Karampatzakis, currently VP and Country Manager for Mattel’s Pan EMEA Markets (PEM) has been appointed to the newly created role of SVP and Head of Core Europe”
He will report directly to Sanjay Luthra, Chief Commercial Officer, who was recently appointed Chief Commercial Officer, succeeding outgoing President and CCO Steve Totzke. Sanjay will begin his new role on 1 May.
Sanjay said: “As I step into the global role of Chief Commercial Officer, I do so with immense pride in what we have built together in EMEA and with absolute confidence in the future ahead. Apostolis and Sebastian bring the leadership, experience and ambition to continue shaping our next chapter, further modernising how we operate and unlocking a massive opportunity for this important region along with our valued retailers, licensors and partners.”
Apostolis is a long-time Mattel leader, with more than 25 years of experience at the company across a variety of roles in Europe.
“After over a quarter century at Mattel, I am honoured to step into this newly created role leading our core Europe markets,” he said. “I look forward to driving focused and streamlined strategies that will enable Mattel and our partners to further accelerate industry growth.”
His previous positions include Senior Director of Sales for eCommerce in Europe and Regional Sales Director for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Most recently, as VP and Country Manager for PEM, Apostolis doubled the region’s business over five years. In 2024, he was also named the recipient of Mattel’s Annual Chairman’s Award, a prestigious global recognition granted to one individual each year.
In addition, Sebastian Trischler, VP and Country Manager DACH & Head of E-commerce EMEA, is appointed VP & Country Manager PEM, responsible for leading the performance and day-to-day commercial operations across the PEM region, also reporting directly to Sanjay Luthra.
“I am excited for the opportunity to lead a dynamic and diverse portfolio of countries across the PEM region, unlocking the potential of some of the company’s most important growth markets,” he said.
