Cyma Zarghami (Persian: سیما ضرغامی, born December 15, 1962) is an Iranian-born American film studio and former cable television executive who served as the president of Nickelodeon and Viacom Media Networks' Kids & Family Group from 2006 to 2018. She is the founder and CEO of MiMo Studios.
Cyma Zarghami | |
|---|---|
سیما ضرغامی | |
 Cyma Zarghami in 2018 | |
| Born | December 15, 1962 |
| Nationality | Iranian American |
| Occupation(s) | Film executive and producer |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Employer | MiMo Studios |
| Known for | Former president of Nickelodeon and Viacom Media Networks |
| Spouse | George Obergfoll |
| Children | 3 |
Early life
editZarghami was born in Abadan, Iran to an Iranian father, Gholam, and a Scottish mother, Catherine.[1] The family later moved to Canada and finally to Englewood, New Jersey, where she graduated in the class of 1980 from the Dwight-Englewood School and was a recipient of the school's Distinguished Alumni Award.[2] At Dwight-Englewood, she played lacrosse.[3][4]
In 1980, Zarghami entered the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vermont as an elementary education major, later changing her major to English; she did not complete the degree. She was awarded an honorary diploma by the University of Vermont College of Education and Social Services in 2000.[4]
Career
editZarghami traveled in Europe after leaving college, then returned to Burlington to work for Business Digest.[4]
Zarghami joined Nickelodeon as a scheduling clerk in 1985. She moved up through the programming department and became the channel's general manager in 1996, overseeing programming, scheduling, acquisitions, marketing, and day-to-day management of the network. She was promoted to general manager and executive vice-president in 1997.[5] In 2004, the position of president of Nickelodeon Television was created for her, where she oversaw production and development for the network, along with marketing, programming and creativity.[6] After the resignation of Herb Scannell on January 5, 2006, she became president of the newly formed Kids & Family Group, which included Nickelodeon, Nick@Nite, Nick Jr. Channel, TeenNick, Nicktoons, TV Land, CMT, and CMT Pure Country.[7] On June 4, 2018, she resigned as president of Nickelodeon following 33 years with the network.[8]
In February 2020, Zarghami launched a production company and consultancy firm, MiMo Studios, to develop original film properties of one hour or less in length[9] for young audiences.[10] MiMo is a portmanteau of "mini movie".[9]
Personal life
editZarghami lives in New York City with her husband and their three sons.[11] She formerly served on the board of the Children's Museum of Manhattan.[2]
Filmography
editTelevision
edit| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1989–1990 | Make the Grade | Developer |
| 2002–2004 | Rugrats | Special thanks |
| 2003–2008 | ChalkZone | |
| 2003–2009 | My Life as a Teenage Robot | |
| 2004–2007 | Drake & Josh | |
| Danny Phantom | ||
| Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide | ||
| 2004–2006 | Unfabulous | |
| 2005–2008 | Zoey 101 | |
| 2006 | Just for Kicks | |
| 2007–2008 | El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera | |
| 2008–2011 | The Mighty B! | |
| 2008–2009 | Random! Cartoons | |
| 2009–2015 | The Penguins of Madagascar | |
| 2010–2013 | Victorious | |
| 2013–2015 | The Haunted Hathaways | |
| 2015–2016 | 100 Things to Do Before High School |
References
edit- ^ Rezaei, Shabnam (June 28, 2010). "From TV to the future of Digital Children's Entertainment". PersianMirror.com. Archived from the original on 2010-09-25. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
- ^ a b "SpongeBob loves Cyma Zarghami: Iranian woman understands what American kids want—and she gives it to them". Iran Times International. March 20, 2009.
- ^ Sellers, Patricia (October 11, 1996). "The Women of Viacom". Fortune. Retrieved January 31, 2009.
- ^ a b c "Twenty-year plan". Vermont Quarterly. 2000. Retrieved January 31, 2009.
- ^ "Nick ups four to exec VP posts". Variety. November 5, 1997. Retrieved November 23, 2008.
- ^ Oei, Lily (January 6, 2004). "Zarghami named Nick TV prez". Variety. Retrieved November 23, 2008.
- ^ Dempsey, John (January 4, 2006). "Scannell changes channel". Variety. Retrieved November 23, 2008.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (June 4, 2018). "Cyma Zarghami Stepping Down As President Of Nickelodeon Group". Deadline. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
- ^ a b LaPorte, Nicole (March 18, 2021). "Inside the new playbook for creating a kid TV hit in the streaming age". Fast Company. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
- ^ Steinberg, Brian (26 February 2020). "Cyma Zarghami, Nickelodeon's Former Chief, Launches New Kids Content Studio". Variety. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
- ^ Souccar, Mariam Kreinin (September 11, 2014). "Students who reverse commute". Crain's New York Business.
External links
edit- MIPCOM Junior 2008 Keynote address
- Cyma Zarghami biography on Nick.com
- Cyma Zarghami at IMDb