There’s a new boss on “Sesame Street.”
Jeffrey Dunn, former president and CEO of HiT Entertainment, has been appointed president and CEO of Sesame Workshop, the company behind the children’s show “Sesame Street.”
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Dunn will start his new job on Sept. 29, succeeding Mel Ming, who announced his retirement earlier this year. He will be tasked with leading the nonprofit educational organization in its mission to use the educational power of media to help all children reach their highest potential.
HiT was largely known as the company behind the Thomas & Friends brand. Prior to HiT, Dunn was the group chief operating officer of the Nickelodeon Networks group and president of Nickelodeon Film and Enterprises, where he oversaw the growth of “Blue’s Clues,” “SpongeBob SquarePants” and “Dora the Explorer.”
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“Sesame Workshop really invented the business of kids television as we know it today and all of us in the kids media industry recognize the debt we owe the Workshop for leading the way,” Dunn said. “I am truly humbled by this opportunity to join the Workshop and help to steer its future and educational mission.”
“Jeff Dunn has an outstanding track record in the world of children’s media,” added Sesame Workshop’s chairman of the board of trustees Vincent A. Mai. “At HiT Entertainment, Jeff led the company’s resurgence and successful turn-around before it was sold to Mattel in 2012. And under his leadership, Nickelodeon became one of the industry’s most global networks, largest licensing businesses, as well as the world’s largest digital media business for kids. His current experience at Harvard is a testament to his commitment to the educational power of media and we look forward to the Workshop thriving under his creative, inspired leadership.”