Here is the bio for tomorrow's speaker

TOM FRESTON
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, MTV Networks


Tom Freston is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MTV Networks. He oversees the management of the company, which owns and operates seven television programming networks -- MTV: Music Television, MTV2, VH1, Nickelodeon/Nick at Nite, TV Land, TNN: The National Network, CMT; The Suite which consists of nine music and children’s programming services specifically designed for the digital universe; the MTVi Group and Nickelodeon Online, a portfolio of leading Internet properties.

After beginning his career in advertising, Freston moved to New Delhi where he established a textile and clothing business that he ran for eight years. He then returned to the United States and joined Warner Amex Satellite Entertainment (WASEC), which was the predecessor to MTV Networks, in 1980. A year later, as one of the founding members, Freston helped launch MTV: Music Television. As the head of marketing, Freston oversaw the breakthrough “I want my MTV” campaign which helped propel the channel into what is now the world’s largest global entertainment network.

From the early days of MTV until today, Mr. Freston has held a succession of positions, culminating in his appointment in 1987 as Chief Executive Officer. Since then, he has successfully driven MTV Networks into new markets both domestically and overseas. Under his leadership, the MTV Networks brands are the strongest and most successful they’ve ever been each experiencing record ratings, revenue and reach. In addition, the company has successfully extended its brands to launch a variety of ancillary businesses, including film, books, magazines, toys and host of other consumer products.

Current programming initiatives like Nick Jr.’s “Blues Clues”; “Rugrats” on Nickelodeon; “Total Request Live” on MTV; TNN: The National Network’s new original programming slate; “Behind the Music” on VH1; “Hit Trip” on CMT and classic tv on Nick at Nite and TV Land reflect the ongoing commitment to the development of unique franchises across all media platforms.

Tom Freston earned his B.A. from St. Michael’s College and holds an M.B.A. from New York University.

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom International Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), owns and operates the following television programming services -- MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VHI, NICKELODEON/NICK at NITE, TV LAND, TNN, CMT and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of nine digital services, all of which are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide. In addition, MTV Networks operates the MTVi Group and Nickelodeon Online, a portfolio of leading Internet properties built to address every interest of today's music fan and Internet-savvy kid.