Conversation with Tom Freston, author of "Unplugged: Adventures from MTV to Timbuku"
Get ready for an unforgettable conversation with one of pop culture’s true visionaries! Join us for an evening with Tom Freston, the creative force behind MTV’s global revolution and author of the acclaimed memoir Unplugged: Adventures from MTV to Timbuktu.
Freston will share behind-the-scenes stories from his groundbreaking career. With his trademark wit and warmth, he’ll reflect on the wild intersections of media, music, and adventure that defined his journey from rock videos to remote villages.
Whether you’re a lover of pop culture, a student of innovation, or just someone who enjoys a great story, this Conversation promises laughter, insight, and inspiration in equal measure. Come ready to unplug and tune into Freston’s extraordinary ride through creativity, risk-taking, and reinvention.
Co-produced by City Winery at Pier 57.
Tom Freston
Co-Founder of MTV
Tom Freston is a co-founder of MTV and the former CEO of Viacom, where he oversaw Paramount Pictures. After launching a successful clothing export company out of Afghanistan and India, Freston transitioned into the media landscape, helping found MTV and bringing it to international fame in more than 150 countries. Before his Viacom roles, he ran MTV Networks for seventeen years, overseeing Nickelodeon, VH1, Comedy Central, and other legendary networks. He is a board member of Imagine Entertainment and a board member emeritus of both the American Museum of Natural History and the think tank New America. He currently serves as Board Chair of The ONE Campaign, an anti-poverty advocacy organization focusing on Africa. He is the author UNPLUGGED: Adventures from MTV to Timbuku.