“Only Tom Freston could give us a magical evocation of the joys of travel—to Afghanistan, to Burma, to Mali and Morocco—while also sharing a front-seat view of life at the top of both Hollywood and MTV. He evokes foreign wonders with a vividness and precision I can only envy, and he shows us how a big-hearted and maverick spirit can throw open the most unexpected doors. Unplugged is pure delight—a history lesson, an adventure story and a handbook on how to succeed in business all at once."
—Pico Iyer, New York Times Bestselling Author
Tom Freston hasn’t just lived life Unplugged—he’s lived it full throttle. From designing and exporting clothes in India and Afghanistan to co-founding MTV and becoming CEO of Viacom, he broke the rules and made his own luck. This memoir takes you along for the ride as Freston comes of age during the Vietnam war and remains a central figure amidst some of the most important cultural influencers over the past fifty years.
—Lee Woodruff, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
A freewheeling and riveting memoir from media honcho Tom Freston that takes us behind the scenes of his global adventures-from hitchhiking around the world, to running a clothing export company out of India and Afghanistan, to cofounding MTV, to becoming CEO of MTV Networks, then CEO of Viacom, then later returning to work in Africa and Afghanistan.
Tom Freston's path to the C-suite was decidedly non-traditional. After getting his MBA, he bartended his way through the United States and the Caribbean, sparking a lifelong passion for travel. After a brief stint on the fast track at an ad agency, he chucked it all and headed to the Sahara Desert and beyond. Entranced by India and Afghanistan, he stayed on for eight years and launched his first big success, Hindu Kush, a company that designed and manufactured contemporary clothing for export to America and other countries.
Freston's next chapter followed his other passion: music. He joined the small original team that launched MTV where he swiftly climbed the ladder, eventually overseeing not only MTV but also Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, VH1, CMT, and other iconic networks. He built a creative powerhouse that transformed global popular culture in cable's all-conquering heyday.
In this unique memoir of risk-taking, rule-breaking, and warm cultural exchanges, Freston shows how to be successful at living your life on your own terms.
1146966547
Tom Freston's path to the C-suite was decidedly non-traditional. After getting his MBA, he bartended his way through the United States and the Caribbean, sparking a lifelong passion for travel. After a brief stint on the fast track at an ad agency, he chucked it all and headed to the Sahara Desert and beyond. Entranced by India and Afghanistan, he stayed on for eight years and launched his first big success, Hindu Kush, a company that designed and manufactured contemporary clothing for export to America and other countries.
Freston's next chapter followed his other passion: music. He joined the small original team that launched MTV where he swiftly climbed the ladder, eventually overseeing not only MTV but also Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, VH1, CMT, and other iconic networks. He built a creative powerhouse that transformed global popular culture in cable's all-conquering heyday.
In this unique memoir of risk-taking, rule-breaking, and warm cultural exchanges, Freston shows how to be successful at living your life on your own terms.
Unplugged: Adventures from MTV to Timbuktu
A freewheeling and riveting memoir from media honcho Tom Freston that takes us behind the scenes of his global adventures-from hitchhiking around the world, to running a clothing export company out of India and Afghanistan, to cofounding MTV, to becoming CEO of MTV Networks, then CEO of Viacom, then later returning to work in Africa and Afghanistan.
Tom Freston's path to the C-suite was decidedly non-traditional. After getting his MBA, he bartended his way through the United States and the Caribbean, sparking a lifelong passion for travel. After a brief stint on the fast track at an ad agency, he chucked it all and headed to the Sahara Desert and beyond. Entranced by India and Afghanistan, he stayed on for eight years and launched his first big success, Hindu Kush, a company that designed and manufactured contemporary clothing for export to America and other countries.
Freston's next chapter followed his other passion: music. He joined the small original team that launched MTV where he swiftly climbed the ladder, eventually overseeing not only MTV but also Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, VH1, CMT, and other iconic networks. He built a creative powerhouse that transformed global popular culture in cable's all-conquering heyday.
In this unique memoir of risk-taking, rule-breaking, and warm cultural exchanges, Freston shows how to be successful at living your life on your own terms.
Tom Freston's path to the C-suite was decidedly non-traditional. After getting his MBA, he bartended his way through the United States and the Caribbean, sparking a lifelong passion for travel. After a brief stint on the fast track at an ad agency, he chucked it all and headed to the Sahara Desert and beyond. Entranced by India and Afghanistan, he stayed on for eight years and launched his first big success, Hindu Kush, a company that designed and manufactured contemporary clothing for export to America and other countries.
Freston's next chapter followed his other passion: music. He joined the small original team that launched MTV where he swiftly climbed the ladder, eventually overseeing not only MTV but also Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, VH1, CMT, and other iconic networks. He built a creative powerhouse that transformed global popular culture in cable's all-conquering heyday.
In this unique memoir of risk-taking, rule-breaking, and warm cultural exchanges, Freston shows how to be successful at living your life on your own terms.
25.99
Pre Order
5
1
Unplugged: Adventures from MTV to Timbuktu
Unplugged: Adventures from MTV to Timbuktu
FREE
with a B&N Audiobooks Subscription
Or Pay
$25.99
25.99
Pre Order
Editorial Reviews
Product Details
| BN ID: | 2940194450770 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Simon & Schuster |
| Publication date: | 11/18/2025 |
| Edition description: | Unabridged |
From the B&N Reads Blog