BUSINESS MEMO: NEW MATTEL EXEC

Mattel Inc. turned to a former Sega of America executive to lead its troubled interactive toys and software division.

Bernard Stolar was named president of Mattel Interactive on Monday, the division that includes The Learning Company and other software and high-tech products.

Stolar engineered the launch of Sega's popular Dreamcast video game console in the United States before leaving in a clash with the parent company. At Mattel, he will try to solve problems at The Learning Company, whose unexpected $105 million loss in the third quarter stunned investors and undermined Mattel's 1999 earnings.