The Paley Center for Media Announces Its Esteemed Honorees for The 2025 Paley Honors Fall Gala in Los Angeles

Monday, September 15, 2025

Transformative Leader Ynon Kreiz, Renowned Storyteller Bill Lawrence, and Entertainment Icon Reba McEntire Set to Receive The Paley Honors Award

The Star-Studded Evening Benefiting The Paley Center for Media’s Education Programs and the Preservation of The Paley Archive Will Take Place on Monday, November 10 at
The Beverly Hilton

Los Angeles, CA, September 11, 2025 – The Paley Center for Media today announced the esteemed list of honorees for the 2025 Paley Honors Fall Gala. This annual Los Angeles celebration will pay tribute to transformative leader Ynon Kreiz, renowned storyteller Bill Lawrence, and entertainment icon Reba McEntire. All will be recognized with the Paley Center’s highest honor, The Paley Honors Award, which recognizes landmark contributions and enduring impact within the media landscape. This illustrious event will take place on Monday, November 10 at 6:30 pm at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills.

“Ynon Kreiz’s innovative vision, expertise, and business savvy have steered Mattel into an undisputed global media and entertainment powerhouse. For over twenty-five years, Bill Lawrence has entertained audiences around the world with his witty, iconic, and unforgettable characters from beloved series including Scrubs, Ted Lasso, and Shrinking, among others. From concert arenas to Broadway stages to television screens, Reba McEntire’s extraordinary voice, exceptional talent, and endearing personality have captivated legions of fans worldwide,” said Maureen J. Reidy, President and CEO of The Paley Center for Media. “We are honored to present each of these distinguished honorees with our highest recognition, The Paley Honors Award.”

The Paley Center for Media is the world’s leading nonprofit cultural institution dedicated to preserving media history and exploring its powerful shaping influence on culture and society. The proceeds from The Paley Honors support the organization’s educational programs and preservation initiatives for the renowned Paley Archive.

The Fall 2025 Honorees each have an incredible list of accomplishments including:

Ynon Kreiz is Chairman and CEO of Mattel, a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world.

Ynon led a multi-year transformation strategy that established Mattel as an IP-driven, high-performing toy company. Per Circana, in 2024 Mattel ranked #1 globally in each of its leader toy categories: Dolls, Vehicles, and Infant, Toddler, and Preschool. Mattel has also been growing its entertainment offering in film, television, consumer products, digital games, live events and experiences, publishing, and music.

Under Ynon’s leadership, Mattel has a robust movie slate in development and two films in production. The company’s first movie, “Barbie,” became a cultural phenomenon, achieving the largest global box-office in 2023 and the industry’s 14th-highest grossing movie of all time.

Ynon has extensive experience as a corporate leader in the media and entertainment industry. Prior to joining Mattel, he was Chairman and CEO of Maker Studios, a global leader in short-form video content and one of YouTube’s largest multichannel networks. Prior to Maker Studios, Ynon was Chairman and CEO of the Endemol Group, the world's largest independent television production company and owner of major programming franchises including Big Brother and Deal or No Deal.

Before Endemol, Ynon was a General Partner at Balderton Capital (formerly Benchmark Capital Europe), one of the leading early-stage startup investors in Europe. Prior to Balderton, Ynon co-founded Fox Kids Europe NV where he served as Chairman and CEO. Under his leadership, Fox Kids became one of the fastest growing pay TV channels in Europe and the Middle East.

Ynon serves on the Board of Directors of Warner Music Group and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Paley Center for Media. Ynon was named in 2024 one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in the World and Entertainment Person of the Year by Cannes Lions.

Bill Lawrence is an award-winning television writer, producer, and director. Through his production company Doozer Productions, Bill has a number of shows in various stages of production: the Apple TV+ series Shrinking, which recently received seven Emmy nominations including Outstanding Comedy Series, an untitled HBO comedy starring Steve Carell, and Bad Monkey starring Vince Vaughn, also for Apple TV.

Additionally, Bill is a cocreator/executive producer of Ted Lasso, the two-time Emmy Award-winner for Outstanding Comedy Series. He is executive producing the Scrubs reboot for ABC from 20th Television.

Bill previously created and executive-produced Scrubs and cocreated Cougar Town, Ground Floor, Spin City, and Clone High. Scrubs, which was twice nominated for an Emmy Award and was the winner of both a Humanitas Prize and an Imagen Award. Bill also executive-produced/supervised numerous shows under his Doozer banner including Whiskey Cavalier, Undateable, Nobody’s Watching, Surviving Jack, Head of the Class, and Clone High. Earlier this year, Bill received the Writers Guild of America East’s Herb Sargent Award for Comedy Excellence at the 77th annual WGA Awards.

Reba McEntire is a multimedia entertainment mogul who has become a household name through her wildly successful career spanning music, television, film, theater, retail, and hospitality. A member of both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Hollywood Bowl, she has earned over fifty awards, including honors from the ACMs, CMAs, GRAMMY® Awards, American Music Awards, People’s Choice Awards, and GMA Dove Awards. She was also a 2018 Kennedy Center Honors recipient and has received numerous philanthropic and leadership recognitions.
Reba has celebrated thirty-five career No. 1 singles and over 58 million albums sold worldwide. She recently notched her sixtieth Top 10 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, extending her record for most Top 10s among female artists. Her Top 10 success spans five decades, a feat matched only by George Jones, Willie Nelson, and Dolly Parton. Her latest single, “Trailblazer,” featuring Lainey Wilson and Miranda Lambert, earned 2.6 million streams in its first week—a personal best in the streaming era.

A Golden Globe® nominee, Reba has multiple film credits, a Broadway run in Annie Get Your Gun, and starred in her hit sitcom Reba. She also leads successful ventures, including her Dillard’s line, REBA by Justin™ boots, Reba’s Place restaurant in Atoka, OK, and her NYT bestselling book Not That Fancy. Reba served as a coach on NBC’s The Voice for Seasons 24, 25, and 26, and is set to return for Season 28. She also stars in and executive produces the NBC sitcom Happy’s Place.

“The Paley Center’s 50-year commitment to preserving media’s rich history, while fostering dialogue about its impact on culture, is invaluable. It is a privilege to support the organization and be recognized among such accomplished honorees, past and present, who reflect the enduring influence of media and entertainment on our world,” said Ynon Kreiz.

"I want to thank the Paley Center for this honor. As a storyteller, I’m grateful for their commitment to safeguarding and celebrating the cultural impact of media. As a lifelong TV fan, it’s thrilling to be even a small part of their legacy,” said Bill Lawrence.

“Ever since I was a little girl watching Annie Oakley on our black and white TV in Oklahoma, I was captivated by the magic of media and entertainment. Back then, I could never have imagined seeing myself on that screen. I’m grateful for all the opportunities I’ve had, and it means so much to me to receive this honor from the Paley Center,” said Reba McEntire.

The spectacular evening will spotlight the contributions of each honoree with video highlights chronicling landmark achievements in their respective industries as well as heartfelt tributes from colleagues and other acclaimed media figures during a seated dinner.

For additional event information, including how to purchase tables, tickets, and ads, please visit paleycenter.org

Media Contacts:
Teresa Brady, Director of Communications, The Paley Center for Media
tbrady@paleycenter.org – 212 621-6757

R&CPMK
paleycenter@rcpmk.com

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About The Paley Center for Media 
Founded in 1975 by William S. Paley, The Paley Center for Media is the leading 501(c)(3) nonprofit cultural organization that owns and operates the renowned Paley Museum in New York, recognized as the city's "Best Museum" and "Best Children’s Party Place" for two years in a row. The Paley Center sparks dialogue on the cultural, creative, and social impact of media, sports, gaming, tech, and entertainment through dynamic programming and deep industry ties. Visitors can attend premier events in New York and Los Angeles and access the renowned Paley Archive at The Paley Museum in New York and at the Beverly Hills Public Library in Beverly Hills.