Sesame Workshop India gets its first COO

The animation content production company focuses on educational content for kids. The new appointment underscores the company's increasing focus on India.

Sesame Workshop Initiatives India (SWIP) has appointed Pari Jhaveri as its first chief operating officer, in an attempt to expand its footprint in India. Jhaveri will report to Sashwati Banerjee, managing director, SWIP.

SWIP produces content focusing on education (mainly preschool education) for television channels. However, in India, the company is looking at many other social initiatives as well. In India, the multimedia company will also focus on imparting education to the underprivileged kids and providing audio visual assistance for the same.

Jhaveri's primary mandate will include day-to-day management and exploration of growth opportunities. She will also create and increase visibility of the brand, and integrate and align all business strategies of the workshop in India.

SWIP has produced the show Galli Galli Sim Sim, which debuted on Indian television in 2006 with a focus on preschool education.

"Sesame Workshop's India operations are growing at a phenomenal pace. Early childhood learning is a pressing need and in keeping with this mission, we are engaging with channels that connect us with children, wherever they are," explains Banerjee. "Jhaveri's role is critical to helping us accomplish this. She will help us to shape new paths where the models for education, business and social philanthropy evolve."

Jhaveri comes to SWIP with about a decade's experience in multi-disciplinary roles in non-profit, social enterprise and sustainability-oriented business domains. She has also mentored many entrepreneurs in their quest to create meaningful enterprises and guided pre-eminent corporates to integrate their business goals with social values.

Until recently, Jhaveri was heading Third Sector Partners, an executive search firm dedicated to the social sector, which she established as a founder. She has also co-founded Barefootjobs.com, an interactive job portal for the sector.

In the past, she has also led private equity, financial services and IT searches at Hunt Partners, a global top-ten executive search firm. Jhaveri has also served as the founding team member of the brand social responsibility and cause related marketing practice at Ogilvy & Mather Advertising, where she delivered behavioural change and social impact campaigns for a range of non-profit and business brands.

Jhaveri has received numerous awards such as Best Women Entrepreneur Award 2012 from the chief minister of Maharashtra and the Edelweiss Innovation Award 2011 for the Katalyst Girl Child Program, among others. She holds a Masters degree in International Relations, Law and Diplomacy from The Fletcher School at Tufts University; a Masters degree in Social Work, and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Mumbai.

SWIP is a venture of Sesame Workshop India Trust, the organisation behind Galli Galli Sim Sim, which is telecast on Cartoon Network, Pogo and Doordarshan. It develops and distributes high quality and engaging content through other platforms such as radio, community radio, print, digital and outreach to reach children in the age group of 0-8 years.

The company also has a pre-school in India by the name of Sesame School House.