Masters of Storytelling: Krista Berger

“When people feel heard and know that their voices matter, what they say is so much more powerful […] And if you can unlock courage in culture, that’s when you get magic.”

If there’s one thing kids do better than adults, it’s play. As the playwright and political activist George Bernard Shaw once said, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” Who needs Botox when you have Barbie dolls?

Speaking of Barbie… can you think of another brand that has evolved as much over the past 65 years? Barbie is unique in that, over those 65 years, she has transitioned from representing just one of us to representing all of us. Today, Barbie does more than just model; she’s President. But today’s episode isn’t about Barbie. It’s about leadership, legacy, and how one woman’s personal passion for childhood and commitment to learning through play has enabled many of the world’s most iconic toy brands—from American Girl to Polly Pocket, and of course, Barbie—to stay relevant and evolve with the times.

Krista Berger is the Senior Vice President of Barbie and the Global Head of Dolls at Mattel, where she leads Product and Brand Marketing for Mattel’s Dolls category globally. Krista’s career at Mattel began 16 years ago in the Dolls division, where she developed a strong foundation in intellectual property, licensor management, and commercial expertise across the Dolls portfolio and the U.S. Barbie business. When Mattel acquired Mega Brands in 2014, Krista was a key member of the integration team, spearheading the Mega strategic rebranding initiative, which led to increased distribution and impressive double-digit sales growth in the construction category. In 2017, Krista returned to the Barbie team, helping drive record-breaking performance with a 60% increase in the toy business. Notably, Krista’s vision and leadership were instrumental in re-establishing Barbie as the #1 global doll property. Her contributions and dedication have earned her several industry recognitions, including the Ad Age 40 Under 40, Brand Innovators 40 Under 40, and the Women in Toys Wonder Women Award.

In this episode of Masters of Storytelling, Maya talks to Krista about the importance of play, localizing global brands, and the careful listening required to sustain a brand as iconic as Barbie. 

LISTEN NOW!

• Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/4ekaOTw
• Spotify: https://bit.ly/3XyDeSI

*Masters of Storytelling is available everywhere you like to listen.

For more information about Krista, visit: https://bit.ly/3MWhyLv

For more information on Mattel, visit: https://bit.ly/3zx2C3f