Alum creates LGBT network for MTV

MTV2, MTV.com and VH1.com developer and 1984 Wharton graduate Matt Farber is proud of his accomplishments.

"I'm here to share my story," Farber joked at his campus appearance Wednesday evening, "because I have an insatiable ego."

Formerly the executive vice president for MTV and VH1 Programming Enterprises, Farber is currently working on the launch of MTV's newest network, Logo -- a cable channel dedicated to gay and lesbian programming.

Farber, who is gay, feels that it is important to increase visibility of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community.

"I wanted to bring something I personally care about to my business," he said, adding, "It's validating for the LGBT to see programming."

Farber addressed an audience of approximately 15 students in Huntsman Hall.

"It's great to have an example of a guy who did what he really wanted and has become successful," Wharton MBA student Dave Knight said.

Farber has had a varied career, ranging from local radio to Tonos -- an Internet-based music company. From 1991 to 1999, Farber worked in various capacities for MTV.

"I'm on chapter two of my career," Farber said, "which is fitting because some of you are on chapter 1.5."

"The common theme through my career," Farber continued, "has been entrepreneurship."

Indeed, Farber stressed the importance of passion in life, saying, "It's the only way to enjoy a tough industry with strong personalities. If a project doesn't work, it's because it doesn't have passion."

Farber said he feels particularly attached to the Logo initiative.

"We aim to reflect accurately the diversity of the experience" of being LGBT.

Logo will undertake this project by showing movies, documentaries, specials and original programming.

"So often, other networks don't want to present LGBT life, or if they do so, they whitewash it," College junior Jaime Leggett said. "There are issues of importance to the LGBT community that other networks don't address."

It follows, then, that the Logo network has two bottom lines: social and fiscal. This dynamic could cause difficulty if the quality of programming must change in order to attract more viewers.

"Right now, I'm just concerned with a successful launch," Farber said. He added that, "in this case, I believe that authentically representing the LGBT community is an attractive business."

Farber admits that working within a corporation can make it difficult to combine creativity and money-making.

However, he advises all students that "what you do in your career will take up so many waking hours. It's not a means to an end. Be passionate. Always follow your passion."

Farber was brought to Penn by the Wharton Media & Entertainment Club.

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