Cyma Zarghami
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Cyma Zarghami in 2018
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| Born | (1962-12-15) December 15, 1962 (age 61) |
| 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 |
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.
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 VermontinBurlington, 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]
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]
Zarghami 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]
| 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 |
| Preceded by | Nickelodeon president 2006–2018 |
Succeeded by |
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