Jean Margaret Smith

Jean Margaret Smith is Senior Vice President, Public Affairs and Administration for Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group. She is responsible for managing the networks’ strategic relationships with social advocates, elected officials, and public opinion leaders, as well as handling the company’s overall public affairs agenda, including signature pro-social initiatives and overall corporate responsibility. 

On kids’ issues, Ms. Smith is responsible for outreach to key public affairs external constituencies for all Nickelodeon television brands and businesses, including the Nickelodeon digital channels Noggin, The N, and Nicktoons Network.  In addition, she works closely with the Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group digital brands such as Nick.com, Nicktropolis, Neopets, and Quizilla, among others, on incorporating relevant pro-social content on the sites, managing any digital and online privacy and safety issues, and other public awareness issues.  Ms. Smith also oversees the company’s relationships with the educational community, including Nickelodeon’s participation in Cable in the Classroom.

During her tenure with Nickelodeon and MTV Networks, Ms. Smith has helped craft several pro-social initiatives.  In 2002, she spearheaded the launch of Nickelodeon’s Let’s Just Play, an ongoing national grassroots campaign encouraging kids to lead more active and healthy lifestyles.  In addition, she shaped TV Land and Nick at Nite’s Family Table…Share More Than Meals, which promotes families to enjoy meals together at the table. 

Smith joined Nickelodeon in 1994 as the Director of Special Projects, managing the Peabody Award-winning The Big Help campaign designed to connect kids to volunteer activities. Her experience prior to joining Nickelodeon includes several years on Capitol Hill, where she served as Staff Director of the House Subcommittee on Food & Nutrition and as a Legislative Director for a U.S. Congressman. She also spent time in Egypt, where she worked on various projects associated with the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Smith currently serves on the board of directors of the Association of Cable Communicators.  She lives in New York City with her husband and daughter.