Cyma Zarghami

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
Cyma Zarghami in 2018
Born (1962-12-15) December 15, 1962
Abadan, Iran
NationalityIranian American
Occupation(s)Film executive and producer
Years active2006–present
EmployerMiMo Studios
Known forFormer president of Nickelodeon and Viacom Media Networks
SpouseGeorge Obergfoll
Children3

Early life

Zarghami 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. Zarghami was awarded an honorary diploma by the University of Vermont College of Education and Social Services in 2000.[4]

Career

Zarghami 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. Zarghami was promoted to general manager and executive vice-president in 1997.[5] In 2004, the position of president of Nickelodeon Television was created for Zarghami, 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, Zarghami 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, Zarghami resigned as president of Nickelodeon following 33 years with the network.[8]

In February 2020, she 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

Zarghami lives in New York City with her husband George Obergfoll, a stage manager, and their three sons, Liam, Ethan, and Rupert. Her youngest son Rupert was born in 2010 in the Dominican Republic on a banana farm. Among Rupert's interests, he enjoys playing with his lego sets and hosting small theatric performances on his patio. [11] She formerly served on the board of the Children's Museum of Manhattan.[2]

Filmography

Television
Year Title Role
1989–1990Make the GradeDeveloper
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
  1. 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.
  2. "SpongeBob loves Cyma Zarghami: Iranian woman understands what American kids want—and she gives it to them". Iran Times International. March 20, 2009.
  3. Sellers, Patricia (October 11, 1996). "The Women of Viacom". Fortune. Retrieved January 31, 2009.
  4. "Twenty-year plan". Vermont Quarterly. 2000. Retrieved January 31, 2009.
  5. "Nick ups four to exec VP posts". Variety. November 5, 1997. Retrieved November 23, 2008.
  6. Oei, Lily (January 6, 2004). "Zarghami named Nick TV prez". Variety. Retrieved November 23, 2008.
  7. Dempsey, John (January 4, 2006). "Scannell changes channel". Variety. Retrieved November 23, 2008.
  8. Andreeva, Nellie (June 4, 2018). "Cyma Zarghami Stepping Down As President Of Nickelodeon Group". Deadline. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  9. 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.
  10. Steinberg, Brian (26 February 2020). "Cyma Zarghami, Nickelodeon's Former Chief, Launches New Kids Content Studio". Variety. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  11. Souccar, Mariam Kreinin (September 11, 2014). "Students who reverse commute". Crain's New York Business.
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