5 Days To TheGrill, So Here Are 5 Iconic MTV VMA Moments Thanks to Van Toffler

The MTV Video Music Awards have been a cornerstone in pop culture since its debut in 1984 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Edgy, spirited and packing serious celebrity punch, the program is a magnet for buzzworthy moments that have people talking years later. The mastermind behind many of these memorable moments is former President of Viacom’s Music & Logo Group and upcoming speaker at TheGrill 2015, Van Toffler.

Also Read: Countdown to TheGrill: 3 Questions with Van Toffler

His nearly three decades at the helm of Viacom led him to oversee some of the most vibrant entertainment brands in the world, such as VH1, MTV and CMT. After bringing the VMAs to life in the 1980s, this will be Toffler’s final time as one of the executive producers of the MTV Video Music Awards. This year’s extravaganza airs LIVE, August 30th, 9pm ET/PT. As a farewell to an era, here are five iconic VMA moments that wouldn’t have happened without Van Toffler.

2002: The year after 9/11, Bruce Springsteen opened the show with “The Rising,” enveloped in misty rain outside the Museum of Natural History, surrounded by fans. The perfect open.

2002: After having disappeared for almost a decade, Guns N’ Roses reunited to close the show with “Welcome to the Jungle.” Only one problem: minutes before their performance, the lead singer was not in the building but decided to take a walk along Sixth Avenue. His bodyguard Earl, and every available Radio City security guard, roamed the streets to wrangle Axl back into the venue.

2003: The kiss seen around the world – Britney and Madonna. It was supposed to originally be Jennifer Lopez and Christina Aguilera, but JLo got cold feet.

2009: Backstage, Toffler begged Beyoncé and Taylor Swift to come back on stage together to complete the segment after Kanye dropped a bomb on them.

2013 & 2015: Miley. She is forever remembered for her 2013 performance, but wait until she hosts this year. There will be no blurred lines, only direct hits. He had to convince MTV’s Standards team that all will be well…or not. They may both land in jail at the end of the evening!

Join Van Toffler and TheWrap for two days of hard-hitting, intimate conversations and networking opportunities set at one of the most beautiful hotels in Beverly Hills.

As a bonus, Friday, September 18 only, tickets will be available at a special price during a FLASH SALE for THREE HOURS ONLY! Reserve your tickets today and get a 20 percent off discount with the promo code FLASHSALE. This offer expires at 12 noon PT so don’t wait!

For more information, go to: http://thegrill.thewrap.com

The Scene at TheGrill 2014: TheWrap's Media Leadership Conference (Photos)

Industry power players Sean Bailey, Doug Belgrad, Bill Bromiley, Josh Goldstine, Sue Kroll, Greg Silverman and Marc Weinstock formed a lively discussion on day two of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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TheWrap CEO and Editor in Chief Sharon Waxman and Time Warner Inc. Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Bewkes speak on stage during day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Guests of TheGrill 2014 listen as TheWrap CEO and Editor in Chief Sharon Waxman speaks on stage.
Actress Abigail Spencer addresses the crowd during day two of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Guests of TheGrill 2014 listen as TheWrap CEO and Editor in Chief Sharon Waxman speaks on stage.
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Filmmaker, producer and screenwriter Morgan Spurlock and TheWrap CEO and Editor in Chief Sharon Waxman at day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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EPIX's Nora Ryan (L) and President of Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution for Warner Bros. Pictures, Sue Kroll, catch up during day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Filmmaker Morgan Spurlock is interviewed by TheWrap CEO and Editor in Chief Sharon Waxman while guests of TheGrill 2014 enjoy dinner on the patio.
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NBCUniversal Vice Chairman Ron Meyer reflected on his career with producer Jason Blum during day two of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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“We pretty much own the whole value chain. We created new sports, new series," Red Bull Media House Managing Director Werner Brell says during day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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TheWrap's Executive Editor Joseph Kapsch
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Who's breaking the sound barrier? TheWrap CEO and Editor in Chief Sharon Waxman and PepsiCo, Inc. CMO, Global Consumer Engagement, Frank Cooper III discuss the topic during day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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“We do a lot of good things with Fox and we always have … we work together in all kinds of ways," Time Warner Inc. Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Bewkes says during day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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PepsiCo, Inc. CMO, Global Consumer Engagement, Frank Cooper III and TheWrap CEO and Editor in Chief Sharon Waxman mingle with attendees during day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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AMC Networks President and CEO Josh Sapan gives day two's keynote address during TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Moderator Jon Erlichman (L) and Red Bull Media House Managing Director Werner Brell talk about the future of branded content during day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Saban Films President Bill Bromiley discussed the future of moviemaking, marketing and distribution on day two of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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TheGrill 2014 brings together the leaders, deciders and disrupters.
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Universal Pictures President of Worldwide Marketing Josh Goldstine was part of a "Presidents Roundtable" panel on day two of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Warner Bros. Creative Development and Worldwide Production President Greg Silverman participated in a roundtable panel on day two of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Twentieth Century Fox Film President of Domestic Theatrical Marketing Marc Weinstock was part of a high-profile panel on day two of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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When does a mogul become a legend? NBCUniversal Vice Chairman Ron Meyer and producer Jason Blum discussed that topic on day two of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Moderator Jon Erlichman (L) and Red Bull Media House Managing Director Werner Brell discuss Brell's approach during day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Red Bull Media House Managing Director Werner Brell hits the red carpet on day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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PepsiCo, Inc. CMO, Global Consumer Engagement, Frank Cooper III (L) and Red Bull Media House Managing Director Werner Brell were the two panelists discussing branded content day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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TheWrap contributor Jon Erlichman arrives at TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Box Head of Media & Entertainment Josh C. Kline speaks on stage during day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Moderator Jon Erlichman (L) and Red Bull Media House Managing Director Werner Brell chat during TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Box Head of Media & Entertainment Josh C. Kline goes over new product presentations during day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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TheWrap Deputy Managing Editor Mike Fleeman tells the crowd about the Weekend Wrap iPad app during day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Guests mingle on day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014. This year is the fifth annual conference.
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TheWrap CEO and Editor in Chief Sharon Waxman and Time Warner Inc. Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Bewkes discussed cutbacks, the new NBA deal and more topics during day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Internet marketer Jeffrey R. Gund arrives at TheWrap's Grill 2014.
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C4 R&D Head of Content Assessment Miriam Brin (L) and C4 R&D CEO Vincent Bruzzese hit the red carpet at TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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“Mobile is changing everything,” PepsiCo, Inc. CMO, Global Consumer Engagement, Frank Cooper III says on day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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20th Century Fox International SVP of Digital Strategic Marketing Bettina Sherick (L) and Producer Sev Ohanian attend day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Morgan Spurlock was a hit among the audience on day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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TheWrap CEO and Editor in Chief Sharon Waxman and AMC Networks President and CEO Josh Sapan discuss the state of AMC on day two of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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TheWrap Executive Editor Joseph Kapsch and actress Abigail Spencer kick off day two of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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AMC Networks President and CEO Josh Sapan Sapan is credited with building some of television’s most influential entertainment brands and shows on television.
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NELAT Founder and CEO Salo Zirdok (L) gives a presentation on day two of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Crowdfunder Founder and CEO Chance Barnett helped bring innovation and disruption to early-stage finance for entrepreneurs.
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Box Head of Media & Entertainment Josh C. Kline joined Flink's Dan Steneker and Mark Owens of Corbis Entertainment for a discussion on new product presentations.
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Guests enjoy dinner on the opening day of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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PepsiCo, Inc. CMO of Global Consumer Engagement Frank Cooper III gets interviewed on the red carpet at TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Sharon Waxman with Time Warner Inc. Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Bewkes and PepsiCo, Inc. CMO of Global Consumer Engagement Frank Cooper III on the red carpet at TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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President of Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution for Warner Bros. Pictures Sue Kroll and Time Warner Inc. Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Bewkes pose on the red carpet on day one of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group President Doug Belgrad joined in a lively discussion with other Hollywood execs on day two of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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President of Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution for Warner Bros. Pictures Sue Kroll was promoted to her current role in June 2013.
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Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production President Sean Bailey oversees all aspects of live-action development, film production and physical production for Walt Disney Pictures.
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TheWrap Executive Editor Joseph Kapsch interviews "Rectify" star Abigail Spencer on day 2 at TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Sue Kroll oversees the strategic creation and implementation of marketing campaigns for Warner Bros. Pictures' global releases.
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"Rectify" star Abigail Spencer, Sharon Waxman and AMC Networks President and CEO Josh Sapan pose for the cameras at TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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"Rectify" star Abigail Spencer is a talented actress, writer and producer.
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CAA's Brian Weinstein, Evolution Media Capital's Rick Hess, Shamrock Capital's Andrew J. Howard and Greycroft's Dana Settle speak about entertainment financing at TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Evolution Media Capital Founder and Co-Managing Partner Rick Hess was part of an interesting panel on day 2 of the event.
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Who's financing the future entertainment economy? Shamrock Capital Partner Andrew J. Howard shares his thoughts at TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Greycroft Founding Partner Dana Settle heads the firm's West Coast office.
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Guests enjoy a networking lunch sponsored by C4 of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Guests mingle and converse on day 2 of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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C4 R&D CEO Vincent Bruzzese gives his presentation on day 2 of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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SGN Co-Founder and CEO/MySpace Co-Founder Chris DeWolfe
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Moderator Jon Erlichman talks to YouTube Co-founder and Mixbit CEO Chad Hurley and SGN Co-Founder and CEO/MySpace Co-Founder Chris DeWolfe on day 2 of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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MiTu Network Founder and President Beatriz Acevedo was one of the innovators sharing their expertise at TheWrap's TheGrill 2014's final panel.
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NBCUniversal Vice Chairman Ron Meyer and Jason Blum conduct the spotlight interview at TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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NBCUniversal Vice Chairman Ron Meyer is the former president of the Creative Artists Agency.
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Indiegogo Co-Founder & Chief Development Officer Danae Ringelmann; Crowdfunder Founder and CEO Chance Barnett; Lenore Zerman, Partner at Liberman Zerman Management and Crescendo Productions; and moderator Brent Weinstein revealed the latest in crowdfunding efforts.
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Indie film producer Sev Ohanian, an innovator winner, chats with TheWrap VP Sales Caren Gibbens during day 2 of TheWrap's Grill 2014.
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Guests mingle during day 2 of TheWrap's Grill 2014, which is the fifth annual media leadership conference.
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TheWrap's SVP of Sales Caren Gibbens and Director of Sales Nicole Winters
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Moderator Jon Erlichman, MiTu Network Founder and President Beatriz Acevedo, BuzzFeed Motion Pictures President Ze Frank, TAPP Co-Founder Jeff Gaspin and producer Sev Ohanian discuss how they're shaking up Hollywood during day two of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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BuzzFeed Motion Pictures President Ze Frank is one of the creative innovators recognized at TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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TAPP Co-Founder Jeff Gaspin is an innovative player in the digital media space.
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EPIX Chief of Staff Nora Ryan introduces the Innovators panel during day two of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Producer Sev Ohanian listens to the discussion among his fellow innovators at TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.
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Entertainment, media and technology converge at TheWrap’s fifth annual Grill Conference at the Montage Beverly Hills

Industry power players Sean Bailey, Doug Belgrad, Bill Bromiley, Josh Goldstine, Sue Kroll, Greg Silverman and Marc Weinstock formed a lively discussion on day two of TheWrap's TheGrill 2014.

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The Scene at TheGrill 2014: TheWrap's Media Leadership Conference (Photos)

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