Linda Kahn

Linda M. Kahn (September 15, 1948 – August 30, 2021) was an American television executive. She held senior posts at Nickelodeon and Scholastic Media, and was president of the board of the New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT).

Linda Kahn
BornSeptember 15, 1948
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
DiedAugust 30, 2021
New York, U.S.
OccupationTelevision executive

Early life

Kahn was born in Chicago, the daughter of Albert Kahn and Estelle Bain Kahn. Her family was Jewish.[1] She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in 1970, and earned a master's degree in education at Boston University.[2]

Career

Kahn taught school in Massachusetts after college. In the 1980s she was vice-president of acquisitions at Nickelodeon, and helped to launch Nick at Nite, a popular evening package of original shows and old sitcoms, targeted at Baby Boomers and their families.[3][4][5] "It's upbeat programming, slightly nostalgic and a little bit whimsical", she explained in a 1985 interview.[6] She introduced programming including Ren & Stimpy, Rugrats, and Doug to international markets. At Scholastic Media from 1995 to 2008, she was responsible for international promotion and brand development for Goosebumps, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Maya & Miguel, Stellaluna, the Magic School Bus, Animorphs, and WordGirl.[7][8]

Kahn was president of the board of the New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT) from 2003 to 2005.[9] In 2008 she gave an oral history interview for NYWIFT's Archive Project,[10] and began her own consulting firm, Linda Kahn Media.[11] Beginning in 2010, Kahn worked with Bridge Media to create educational children's programming for blind and disabled students.[2] She was active in leadership with the New York chapter of Susan G. Komen for the Cure,[2] a breast cancer charity, and served on the New York board of BAFTA.[7]

Personal life

Kahn was married to Christopher Gordon for 29 years, until she died in New York City, from breast cancer, in 2021, aged 72 years.[9][12] In tribute, the New York Institute for Special Education established a Linda Kahn Afterschool Fund.[13] Her college papers, including records of her anti-war activism and her semester abroad in London, are in the collection of the Washington University Archives.[14]

References
  1. "In Memorial". Shalom Memorial Park and Shalom Funeral Home : Funeral Service & Shiva Information. Retrieved 2021-12-06.
  2. Barnes, Mike (2021-09-07). "Linda Kahn, Veteran Children's Television Executive, Dies at 72". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2021-12-06.
  3. Friedman, David (August 13, 1987). "'Nick at Nite' Needs a Smart Couch Potato". Newsday: 15 – via ProQuest.
  4. Kiesewetter, John (1988-04-29). "Baby Boomers Pick Nick". The Times. p. 34. Retrieved 2021-12-06 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Nickelodeon Changing Lineup for 'TV Generation'". Asbury Park Press. 1988-09-03. p. 63. Retrieved 2021-12-06 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. Crockett, Lane (1985-08-25). "Nick at Nite". The Times. p. 111. Retrieved 2021-12-06 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Linda Kahn - Board of Directors, Outreach". BAFTA New York. 2010-08-11. Retrieved 2021-12-06.
  8. Zahed, Ramin (2021-08-31). "Children's TV Veteran Linda Kahn Has Died". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 2021-12-06.
  9. Pedersen, Erik (2021-09-08). "Linda Kahn Dies: Longtime Kids TV Exec, Former Board Member At New York Women In Film & TV Was 72". Deadline. Retrieved 2021-12-06.
  10. "Letter from the Executive Director: Remembering Linda Kahn, September 2021". New York Women in Film & Television. Retrieved 2021-12-06.
  11. "About Linda". Linda Kahn Media. 2010-09-27. Retrieved 2021-12-06.
  12. "Linda Kahn". Television Academy. Retrieved 2021-12-06.
  13. "Linda Kahn Afterschool Fund: Help student's thrive!". New York Institute for Special Education. Retrieved 2021-12-06.
  14. "Linda Kahn Collection, 1968-1970". WUA University Archives. Retrieved 2021-12-06.
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