Robert A. Eckert Explained

Robert A. Eckert
Nationality:American
Alma Mater:University of Arizona
Northwestern University
operating partner, Friedman Fleischer & Lowe
Known For:chairman and CEO of Mattel, 2000–11
CEO of Kraft Foods, 1997–2000
Spouse:
  • Kathie Eckert
  • Lisa Marie Bongiovanni
Children:4

Robert A. "Bob" Eckert (born 1954) is an American businessman, chairman and CEO of Mattel from 2000 to 2011, CEO of Kraft Foods from 1997 to 2000, and an operating partner with the private equity firm Friedman Fleischer & Lowe.

Early life

Eckert received a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Arizona in 1976, and an MBA in marketing and finance from Northwestern University in 1977.[1] [2]

Career

Eckert started a 23-year career with Kraft Foods in 1977, rising to president and chief executive officer (CEO) in October 1997.[3]

In 2000, Eckert joined Mattel as chairman and CEO,[3] [4] and remained as CEO until December 2011.[3] He retired at the end of 2011, and was succeeded by Bryan G. Stockton who had been chief operating officer[5] and chairman until December 2012.[6]

In 2004, under Eckert's leadership, Mattel began a seven-year legal war against tiny, California-based MGA Entertainment. In a surprise defeat, a jury decided that MGA Entertainment was the rightful owner of the once-billion dollar line of Bratz dolls. A BMO Capital Markets analyst said the failure to settle will go down as a “tremendously bad decision” by Mattel management. “It means they wasted $400 million or so of shareholder money to get zero return,” he said.[7]

In 2014, Eckert joined the private equity firm Friedman Fleischer & Lowe as an operating partner.[3]

He is a non-executive director of Levi Strauss, McDonald's since 2003, and Amgen since 2012.[6]

Personal life

Eckert was married to Kathie, and they had four children.[8] In June 2017, Eckert and his wife sold their Park Tower condominium for a little over $2.92 million.[9]

On June 1, 2019, Eckert married Lisa Marie Bongiovanni, a former Mattel communications executive.[10]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Robert Eckert – News, Articles, Biography, Photos – WSJ.com . Topics.wsj.com . October 3, 2002 . May 2, 2017.
  2. Web site: Bob Eckert | Kellogg School of Management | Northwestern University . Kellogg.northwestern.edu . May 2, 2017.
  3. Web site: Former Mattel Chief Robert Eckert Joins Friedman Fleischer & Lowe. The New York Times. September 25, 2014 . July 31, 2017.
  4. Web site: #72 Robert A Eckert . Forbes.com . May 2, 2017.
  5. Web site: Mattel Announces Robert A. Eckert to Retire as CEO . Business Wire . November 21, 2011 . May 2, 2017.
  6. Web site: Robert A. Eckert . Levi Strauss . May 2, 2017.
  7. Web site: Mattel Loses Huge Suit Over Popular Dolls. April 21, 2011. HuffPost. en. November 29, 2019.
  8. Web site: Robert A. Eckert 1954— Biography – Low-profile beginnings, Climbing the corporate ladder at kraft . Referenceforbusiness.com . May 2, 2017.
  9. News: Former CEO of Kraft, Mattel sells Michigan Avenue condo. Crain's Chicago Business. June 6, 2017.
  10. Web site: Wedding Registry. The Good Beginning. December 9, 2020.