MTV Chair & CEO Speaks at Hollerith Lecture

A new season of Society of Skeptics began with a special event on January 4. This particular program – a Herman Hollerith Lecture on Innovation and Entrepreneurship – featured Judy McGrath, chairman and CEO of MTV Networks, who spoke about “The Creation of MTV.”

According to the MTV website, “McGrath has been the chairman and CEO of MTV Networks since July of 2004. In this role, she oversees the management and operation of MTV Networks’ more than 145 channels and more than 300 websites, which reach more than 510 million households worldwide in more than 160 countries and in 32 languages. A member of the MTV family since its first days, McGrath joined Warner Amex Satellite Entertainment Company (WASEC), MTV Networks’ predecessor company, in 1981 as copywriter, On-Air Promotions, MTV. She subsequently moved up the ranks and became editorial director, MTV; executive vice president and creative director, MTV; and then, president, MTV. Under her direction as president, MTV grew from a maverick cable channel to the maverick global brand it is today, symbolizing a culture, a style, an attitude and a vibrant musical landscape. From the beginning, she helped MTV bring the creativity of music, with its passion, originality and energy, to television.”

The website notes that, before joining the company, McGrath held positions as copy chief of Glamour magazine and senior writer for Mademoiselle magazine. She is on the board of the New York City Ballet, the McCarton School and Rock the Vote, and serves on the advisory board of LifeBeat. She has been honored by GLAAD and the Harlem Children’s Zone, and in 2003, she was named Humanitarian of the Year by the T.J. Martell Foundation. At the 2004 Promax & BDA conference, McGrath received the Television Century Award, which recognizes industry leaders for their contributions to building brands.

To view the upcoming roster of Skeptics programs, click here.

Updated 1/5/11

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