Mattel 2002 Annual Report Download - page 8

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Robert A. Eckert
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
“I strongly believe that the only
way to operate, in life and in
business, is with unwavering
integrity. There is simply no
room for compromise.”
Second, we will work to develop more
innovative processes. We’ll continue
the momentum of the Global
Transformation project, which
streamlines our finance, information
technology and human resources
functions, as well as our worldwide
procurement process.
And third, we will continue to seek out
the best avenues to enable Mattel’s
people to be innovative, including
Project Platypus, a rotational program
that allows a cross-functional team to
temporarily leave behind daily tasks
in order to collaborate on a special
design challenge. Project Platypus is
an impressive example of how we can
find exciting ways to inspire creativity
and empower our people.
Our commitment to philanthropy, domes-
tically and abroad, is another area where
we will innovate in 2003. As the Mattel
Children’s Foundation celebrates 25 years
of “working wonders” around the globe,
we will expand our employee volunteer
programs worldwide, extend our employee
scholarship program internationally and
continue matching the charitable gifts of
our employees. From the $25 million gift
to the Mattel Children’s Hospital at UCLA,
to the more than one million toys donated
each year to children’s charities, I am
proud to say that the Mattel Children’s
Foundation and our tireless Mattel volun-
teers truly are making a difference in the
lives of children everywhere, in a variety
of inspiring ways.
I strongly believe that the only way to
operate, in life and in business, is with
unwavering integrity. There is simply no
room for compromise. In light of the
public’s diminished trust in corporate
America, I’d like to emphasize the
importance of our values at Mattel,
from our consumers – inspiring kids’
imaginations, and our work– striving for
excellence and creativity in everything we
do, to our partners – sharing success with
customers, vendors, shareholders and
communities, and even ourselves – taking
ownership of all that passes in front of us
and being accountable for the results of
the business and the development of our
fellow employees. Although we faced
many obstacles throughout 2002, I am
encouraged with the progress we made.
And just as importantly, I am proud of
how we have conducted business. You
have my word that Mattel will continue
to operate with unwavering integrity –
at every level of the business and in
everything we do.
As we strive toward our vision to be
“The World’s Premier Toy Brands – Today
and Tomorrow,” you have rewarded us
over the past three years with your trust.
We plan to continue earning it.
Sincerely,
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer