Sesame Workshop ups Wells to media chief

Sesame Workshop, the non-profit organisation behind Sesame Street, has consolidated its media and education business and promoted Ed Wells to oversee it.

Ed Wells

Wells has been upped to exec VP and head of global media and education and is now responsible for developing and implementing the Workshop’s long-term strategic vision for media and education in the US, in addition to retaining his international portfolio.

Reporting to CEO Steve Youngwood, Wells will aim to maximize audience engagement and grow the Workshop’s commercial and educational endeavours around the world.

Wells previously broadened the company’s international reach with strategic partnerships and the opening of offices in Europe, Japan, China and Latin America.

Wells joined Sesame Workshop in 2017 as senior VP and head of international media and education. In this capacity, he expanded the organisation’s brand and business in key markets, securing and managing partnerships across the core areas of consumer products; content production and distribution; English-language learning and formal education; and themed entertainment.

Prior to Sesame Workshop, Wells was exec VP and head of international for wrestling organisation WWE. He also worked across the Viacom International Media Networks brands in New York, Singapore and Japan, serving as VP and general manager of Nickelodeon.

“Today’s kids are facing disruption and uncertainty on a scale we’ve never seen before; it’s more important than ever for us to step up and offer families the kind of support that only Sesame Workshop can,” said Youngwood.

“Throughout Ed’s career, he has effectively and consistently overseen complex operations, managed challenging issues and built strategic partnerships. I’m confident in Ed’s ability to further our child-first mission, broaden our global impact, and evolve the ways families everywhere connect with Sesame Workshop.”