The Talent Studios Recruits CEO for The Princeton Review
June 6, 2024 – The Talent Studios has placed Robert Batten as the chief executive officer of The Princeton Review in New York. Jeremy Cohen and Serena Smith led the search assignment. Dr. Batten now also heads The Princeton Review’s affiliate company, Tutor.com, which helps institutions and organizations deliver 24/7, on-demand, personalized homework help at scale. “We are thrilled to have Bob leading our organization,” said Sadeepa Wijesekara, chief technology officer. “Given his track record of accelerating learner-focused product development, he could not have arrived at a better time to drive advances in our award-winning AI offerings and other trailblazing educational tools.”
“In addition to his executive experience, Bob also brings a passion for developing people and a relentless dedication to improving the way we work,” said Andrew Schechter, vice president of human resources. “He will be a champion of the values that have long distinguished our organization.”
Dr. Batten joins The Princeton Review after seven years with global edtech company, Cengage Group, where he led its ed2go platform following roles within product management and strategy. Prior to that, Dr. Batten spent over six years at The Boston Consulting Group working with firm clients on transformative AI technologies, digital business commercialization, strategic business roadmaps and labor modeling and planning. He holds an undergraduate degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a PhD in chemical engineering from Princeton University.
In his new role at The Princeton Review, Dr. Batten will lead the iconic brand’s continued digital transformation, as the company continues to invest behind improving digital instruction to bolster student learning and outcomes.
“I am honored to lead this organization and be a steward for these iconic brands,” said Dr. Batten. “This role embodies my passions: teaching and coaching, nurturing productive collaborations, connecting learners with life-changing educational tools, and scaling the adoption of those tools. I am grateful to the board for the opportunity to lead this remarkable organization and its many dedicated, talented edtech professionals.”
Among Dr. Batten’s top priorities as he assumes the role: ongoing innovation in the company’s offerings for AI, test prep, and academic support. “When education services are as effective as ours,” Dr, Batten said, “the potential to make a positive impact on student achievement becomes an imperative.”
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Based in New York City, The Princeton Review and Tutor.com are best known for helping students maximize their scores on standardized tests, improve their grades, gain admission to colleges and graduate schools, and advance in their careers. Behind the scenes, the two companies have also implemented industry-leading safeguards to protect student data.
Proven Search Firm
The Talent Studios is a business-to-consumer focused retained executive search firm, working across consumer technology, digital commerce, four-wall commerce & service businesses, iconic brands, entertainment, media & content and consumer services. Its vertical focus includes: fashion & apparel, food & beverage, beauty & personal care, lifestyle brands, action sports, fitness/wellness, creator economy, media & content, digital and physical consumer services (healthcare, FinTech, education, two-sided marketplaces). Its clients include: Apollo Global Management, Advent International, Andreessen Horowitz, Bain Capital, L Catterton, Red Bull, Mattel, Disney, Burton Snowboards, Restoration Hardware, Pure Barre, TOMS Shoes, Boardriders, Aston Martin, Fanatics, Health-Ade Kombucha, SmartyPants Vitamins, Lulus.com, Edmunds.com, Philz Coffee, and Public Goods.
Mr. Cohen co-founded The Talent Studios in 2011 following early search experience at global executive search firm DHR Global, where he served as a principal in the firm’s retail/consumer and private equity practices. He has led pivotal leadership searches that have propelled privately held clients through growth to exit, as well as large scale transformation and performance enhancement at large public companies and brands. In addition to search, Mr. Cohen assists clients with performance management and assessment strategy.
Ms. Smith is entering her third year at The Talent Studios, where she support search execution on senior leadership searches. She joined The Talent Studios following graduation from Bucknell University.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor; Lily Fauver, Senior Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
