Cyma Zarghami is a Iranian-American cable television executive currently serving as the president of Nickelodeon and MTV Networks' Kids & Family Group.

Contents 1 Early life and career 2 Nickelodeon 3 Personal life 4 References 5 External links

[edit] Early life and career

Zarghami was born in Iran to an Iranian father, Ghoram, and a Scottish mother, Catherine. The family later moved to Canada and finally to Englewood,New Jersey in the United States. Zarghami has stated that as a child she "played a lot of sports, lacrosse mostly." ^[1][2]

In 1980, Zarghami entered The University of Vermont in Burlington as an elementary education major, but later changed her major to English. She ultimately did not complete her degree, but was later awarded an honorary diploma by the University of Vermont College of Education and Social Services in 2000.^[2]

Zarghami traveled in Europe after leaving college, then returned to Burlington to work for Business Digest.^[2]

[edit] Nickelodeon

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.^[3]

In 2004, the position of president of Nickelodeon Television was created for Zarghami, where she oversaw production and development for the networks', along with marketing, programming and creative.^[4]

After the resignation of Herb Scannell on January 5, 2006, Zarghami became president of the newly formed Kids & Family Group, which includes Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Nick Movies, Noggin, The N, and Nicktoons Network.^[5]

Zarghami was named Women in Cable Telecommunications' Woman of the Year for 2006.

[edit] Personal life

Zarghami lives in New York City with husband George Obergfoll, a stage manager, and three sons Liam, Ethan and Wyatt. She formerly served on the board of the Children’s Museum of Manhattan.

Zarghami donated the maximum of $2,300 to Hillary Clinton's campaign for President in 2007. She had previously contributed to John Kerry's campaign in 2004.^[6]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• MIPCOM Junior 2008 keynote: Cyma Zarghami, Nickelodeon
• Cyma Zarghami corporate bio on Nick.com
• Cyma Zarghami at the Internet Movie Database