FRIEDMAN NAMED MTV GM
Stephen K. Friedman has been named GM of the channel by MTV Networks Music/Logo/ Films Group President Van Toffler, to whom he reports.
Said Toffler: “Stephen is one of the most talented young executives in the industry. As head of mtvU, he and his team have developed a strong brand connection with the coveted college audience, forging smart alignments and acquisitions that have truly enhanced our overall business. That business acumen is matched by a real capacity for tapping into what matters most to our audience, culminating with our Emmy and Peabody Award-winning pro-social campaigns that Stephen has spearheaded over the years. Now I look forward to working with him to continue building and diversifying MTV for future success.”
Friedman will be in charge of overseeing the day-to-day operations, strategy and management of MTV, MTV.com, MTV2, MTV Tr3s, MTV Hits and MTV Jams. He will also maintain his responsibilities at mtvU, where he has served as GM/EVP since 2003.
This past summer, Friedman also assumed the leadership of MTV Tr3s, the most widely distributed TV network for bicultural Latino youth.
Friedman first joined MTV in 1998 to found its Strategic Partnerships and Public Affairs department, with the campaigns he shepherded while in this position resulting in three Emmys and a Peabody.
Five years later, he was tapped to preside over the launch of mtvU, where he has increased distribution of the network by more than 70% as well as quintupling the number of advertising partners. He also oversaw the acquisitions of the College Media Network and RateMyProfessors.com.
He has also led the charge in establishing mtvU’s Sudan Campaign to fight the genocide in Darfur, garnering two more Emmys, including the 2006 Governors Award, the highest honor given by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Under his leadership, mtvU also launched the Peabody-winning Half of Us, a campaign geared to raise awareness about the prevalence of mental health issues on campuses and to connect students with resources to get help.
Prior to MTV, he was a VP at RLM, a strategic consulting firm in N.Y. He also served as a Director for PEN American Center, the international writer’s human rights organization. He is hoping one day to meet Lauren Conrad.
