Fred Seibert

When Fred Seibert was 12 years old, he discovered The Beatles and fell in love with their music, not knowing how they would permanently change his life. He thought that he should follow his family’s plan to become a chemist and enrolled as a chemistry major in college. One day, he looked at his lab mate and said he liked The Beatles better than chemistry. Seibert walked out of the room straight to the radio station. From there he followed his entrepreneurial spirit, trying out different jobs to see what truly excites him. Hear about Seibert’s “five lives”; as a radio DJ and record producer, cable tv pioneer, branding and agency man, internet network executive and now- a television cartoon producer.

Watch Fred Seibert on the StartNow Show

Fred Seibert is an American television producer, most well-known as the co-founder of MTV and the CEO of FredFilms. Seibert considers himself to be a serial media and technology entrepreneur who is driven by the excitement for what he enjoys. He is “attracted to heart and soul and humor, and to things that are wild, weird and unpredictable.” He has explored various career ventures in music, television, technology, startups and more. 

While a student at Columbia University, Seibert became a radio DJ and producer, founding blues and jazz label Oblivion Records. He has held leading roles with MTV Networks, Hanna-Barbera, Next New Networks and founded Frederator Studios and Networks. His work with MTV has garnered awards from various organizations and Adweek named him one of eight leaders of the new media. Seibert has received other awards including an AIGA Medal for his lifetime exceptional achievements and several Annie Awards and Emmy Awards for his television productions. He also started the world’s first media branding company called Fred/Alan which catered to MTV Networks, CBS, Showtime, HBO/Cinemax, TBS, Lifetime, Comedy Central and more. In 2022, he announced the formation of his production company FredFilms which develops multiple adult and children’s animated shows.