Van Toffler Biography

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VAN TOFFLER (executive producer) is President, MTV Networks Music/Films/Logo Group, responsible for all of the MTV Networks music services including: MTV, MTV2, VH1, CMT and all their affiliated digital services, as well as Logo, MTV Networks' network for the gay, lesbian, bi and transgender audience. Since his appointment to this position, he has spearheaded the company's strategic efforts in extending each brand into multiple platforms and new media, including wireless, broadband, VOD, digital and high-definition TV. Additionally, he is President of MTV Films, the feature film division he helped establish in 1995. As MTVN Group President, Toffler provides leadership for all other ancillary businesses related to these brands. At each network, there is a dedicated team of executives who oversee day-to-day operations, with Mr. Toffler overseeing strategy and long-term planning.

In his previous position as President of MTV & MTV2, Toffler's strong business acumen, creative thinking and passion for music helped propel MTV into the number-one rated cable television destination for 12 to 24 year-olds, a position it has maintained for more than 13 years. Over the years, Toffler assembled a talented team of creative executives who developed and produced some of television's best entertainment and biggest moments including the animated hit “Beavis and Butthead;” the maverick reality series “The Osbournes;” the hilarious prank show, “Punk'd,” and two of the biggest annual cable entertainment events - “The MTV Video Music Awards” and the “MTV Movie Awards.”

Toffler also worked hard to ensure that pro-social programming is an integral part of MTV with campaigns like the Peabody and Emmy Award winning “Choose or Lose” political awareness and voter registration & mobilization campaign, the Emmy Award winning “Fight For Your Rights” campaigns have also helped empower young people to take a stand against violence and discrimination, as well as help them get information and take charge of their sexual health with “Fight For Your Rights: Protect Yourself.” Taking the lead from the viewers, Toffler and his teams at each of the networks continue to create pro-social initiatives that speak to the audiences' beliefs and desires and was instrumental in the recent cross network production “ReAct Now: Music and Relief” effort benefiting the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

In 1999, Toffler also oversaw the re-launch of MTV2, which is on pace to deliver its highest year ever and can now be seen in more than 58 million homes. Additionally, he helped guide the acquisition of CTN: College Television Network in 2002, re-launched as mtvU, the ultimate network for college students.

One of Toffler's early goals has been to build the MTV brand and expand its businesses to touch the teen and young adult audiences on new and different platforms. He took the “MTV Unplugged” franchise platinum with a line of “Unplugged” releases, brought MTV to the worldwide web where today, MTV.com is one of the top entertainment music sites and spearheaded the creation of MTV Films where he has executive produced a diverse slate of feature films, including “Save the Last Dance,” “jackass: the movie,” “The Original Kings of Comedy,” “Varsity Blues,” “Beavis & Butt-head Do America,” the critically-acclaimed “Better Luck Tomorrow” and “Hustle & Flow,” the Academy Award nominated “Election,” and the box office hit “Napolean Dynamite.” In May 2005, MTV Films released the Adam Sandler hit “The Longest Yard.” Most recently, in November, MTV Films, in conjunction with Shady / Interscope/Aftermath, released “Get Rich or Die Tryin',” starring rapper 50 Cent and directed by Academy Award-nominee Jim Sheridan (“My Left Foot,” “In the Name of the Father,” “In America”).

Toffler has held a succession of positions at MTV, culminating in his appointment as MTVN Group President in 2004. Prior to that, he had served as President of MTV & MTV2 since 2000.

He holds a JD from The University of Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from George Washington University. He is based at the MTV Networks Headquarters in New York City.