Stephen K. Friedman, who led five quarters of growth as MTV's general manager, has been named the network's new president.
During Friedman's time as general manager, the network launched the hits "Jersey Shore," "Teen Mom," "16 & Pregnant." It has also unveiled the scripted shows "The Hard Times of R.J. Berger" and the upcoming "Teen Wolf."
"Since Stephen took over the helm at MTV 2 ½ years ago, he has done an incredible job helping spearhead the reinvention of the MTV brand for millenials,” said Van Toffler, president of MTV Networks Music & Logo Group. “He has always placed the audience first, whether it’s creating a new pro-social campaign or leading the charge at mtvU and now MTV, his instincts and thinking have always led us to tap into exactly what the audience is looking for, resulting in great creative and business success.”
Before becoming general manager of MTV, Friedman managed mtvU, the college-targeted network launched in 2004. While there he helped mtvU launch an Emmy-winning campaign to fight the genocide in Darfur and the Peabody Award winning "Half of Us" campaign, which raised Half of Us" campaign to help raise awareness of mental health issues on college campuses nationwide.
He joined MTV in 1998 and founded its Strategic Partnerships and Public Affairs department, creating the Emmy-winning "Fights for Your Rights" and "Choose or Lose" campaigns.
Before joining MTV he directed the PEN American Center, the international writers' human rights group.
He will remain based in New York.
