The Paley Center for Media to Honor Firefly3's Tom Freston, 5/31

The Paley Center for Media will honor Tom Freston (principal, Firefly3) at its annual benefit dinner in New York, which will take place on Thursday, May 31, at 6:30 p.m. at Gotham Hall in Manhattan. Freston will be awarded the Paley Prize for Innovation and Excellence for his achievements in leading media transformations and using media to effect social change around the globe. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the Paley Center's ongoing programs to increase the public's understanding of media and its growing significance in today's society through public, industry, international, and education programs for students and teachers. 

"While Tom Freston's career at MTV Networks, Viacom Inc., and now Firefly3 exemplify his penchant for blazing new territory in programs, personalities and networks, what also makes him one of the most widely respected leaders in the media industry is his steadfast commitment to global humanitarian issues," said Pat Mitchell, president and CEO of The Paley Center for Media.  "Tom's inspiring activism and groundbreaking media innovation make him an ideal recipient of the Paley Prize."

Tom is currently a principal in Firefly3 LLC, a consulting and investment company, and was the former CEO and President of Viacom.  He was also CEO of MTV Networks for eighteen years and in that role he was a leading pioneer in the creation of MTV, VH1, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, and other related networks. He is currently Board Chair of Bono's anti-poverty advocacy ONE Campaign.  He is a consultant to Moby Media in Afghanistan and Vice Media here in Brooklyn.  He serves on the boards of Dreamworks Animation, Oprah Winfrey's OWN network, and Asia Society, where he funded a new department focusing on issues in Afghanistan. 

Recent recipients of the Paley Prize are Jeff Skoll, and Frank A. Bennack, Jr.  For more information go towww.paleycenter.org/ny-annual-benefit-dinner-2012.