Tom Freston is the author of the bestselling memoir, UNPLUGGED: Adventures from MTV to Timbuktu. He is a cofounder 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.
Jason Hirschhorn is a media pioneer and digital content entrepreneur who has held senior leadership roles across music, television, and digital platforms, including MTV Networks, Viacom, Sling Media, MySpace, and REDEF. He has also served on influential boards and advisory groups such as the Sundance Institute, Pandora and MGM Studios helping guide the future of storytelling and media innovation. Known for anticipating cultural shifts, Hirschhorn blends strategic rigor with creative instinct to build platforms and narratives designed for scale, relevance, and connection.
Unplugged: Adventures from MTV to Timbuktu is available for purchase HERE.
