In consolidating leadership among its business units and operations groups, Mattel has appointed its international division president Bryan Stockton to the new position of COO, effective immediately.

Stockton will report to Robert Eckert, chairman and CEO of Mattel, as will Mattel’s finance, legal and HR functions. Coinciding with the appointment is the departure of Neil Friedman, president of Mattel Brands, who will be leaving the company in March.

As COO, Stockton assumes responsibility for day-to-day operations of the company, which include overseeing the design, development, marketing and sale of all Mattel toy brands globally, such as Barbie, Hot Wheels, American Girl and Fisher-Price, as well as licensed entertainment properties; the Mattel Digital Network; and other operating functions including operations and corporate responsibility.

In related news, Mattel has entered into a multi-year deal with THQ to publish and market video games based on its portfolio of brands like Barbie, Hot Wheels and Fisher-Price.

The companies will also collaborate to expand the video game and interactive potential of newer properties such as Monster High and older brands such as Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, Masters of the Universe and Polly Pocket.

The multi-platform deal will enable THQ to design, develop and market games for consoles and handheld systems; personal computers; mobile devices and social networks and online gaming portals such as Xbox Live Arcade, Playstation Network and Nintendo WiiWare Network.

THQ also plans to bring Mattel’s brands to its uDraw GameTablet, a new accessory

The two companies are already in the development stage on multiple games, the first of which are scheduled for release next holiday season.