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

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).

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. 1 2 3 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. 1 2 "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. 1 2 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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