Bernhard Gloeggler Named Vice President and General Manager for Europe, Sesame Workshop
Sesame Workshop, the global impact nonprofit behind Sesame Street, has named Bernhard Gloeggler Vice President and General Manager for Europe. He will be responsible for leading Sesame Workshop’s European operations and long-term growth strategy, as well as expanding philanthropic development in the region by leveraging the iconic brand to maximize audience engagement and deliver educational benefits. Gloeggler will report to Whit Higgins, EVP, Head of Global Enterprises.
“For nearly two decades, Bernhard has successfully built brands and businesses with some of the world’s most respected media companies,” Higgins said. “His acumen in forging strategic alliances, navigating evolving business landscapes, and understanding consumer trends makes him the ideal leader to drive Sesame Workshop’s next phase of brand and commercial growth in Europe.”
“Sesame Workshop is a groundbreaking organization with an amazing network of global partners who are passionate about one thing: helping children,” said Gloeggler. “I am humbled to join this dynamic team and excited to build new avenues of engagement with the iconic Sesame Street brand and its universally beloved characters. Together, we will continue to provide life-changing early education and critical health lessons, creating pathways for children’s success.”
Most recently, Gloeggler was at Roku Inc. for three years as Territory Lead Content Partnerships & Distribution, where he managed all content-related launch activities for the company’s market entry into Germany. He spent 18 years at The Walt Disney Company in various roles including General Manager, Vice President Disney Media Distribution for Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Benelux; Director Digital and Pay-Channel Distribution; Head of Commercial Planning; and Senior Key Account Manager.
For over 50 years, Sesame Workshop has been serving children in Europe and around the world across media, formal education, consumer products, themed entertainment, and philanthropically-funded social impact programs. Sesamstrasse, Sesame Workshop’s German co-production with national public broadcaster, NDR, recently celebrated its 50th anniversary highlighted by exhibits at Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, Ballinstadt, and Miniatur Wunderland, a concert at the Elbphilharmonie, and a billboard campaign with the Hamburg Tourist Board. In the UK, Sesame Workshop content is available across multiple platforms including its flagship series, Sesame Street, exclusively on Amazon Kids+. Earlier this year, Sesame Workshop introduced its emotional well-being content in collaboration with UK-based children’s mental health organization Place2Be for their Children’s Mental Health Week. In the video, titled “Celebrate The Day,” Sesame Street’s Elmo calls musician and friend YolanDa Brown to talk about his “best day ever” and the two share a mindfulness moment — celebrating themselves, others and what makes them happy.
