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Fred Seibert

American television producer and media proprietor

Fred Seibert is a prominent American television producer and media entrepreneur, best known for his significant contributions to the animation industry and as a co-founder of MTV. He has held various influential roles throughout his career, including being the original creative director of MTV and the president of MTV Networks Online. Seibert is also recognized for founding Frederator Studios in 1998, which produced numerous successful animated series, including Adventure Time, The Fairly OddParents, and Dexter's Laboratory .12

In 2021, Seibert launched FredFilms, Inc., a production company focused on developing original animated content for both linear television and streaming platforms. The company has a first-look deal with VIS Kids, ViacomCBS's children’s content division, and is currently working on several projects, including reboots of his earlier works .123 Seibert's career is characterized by his commitment to nurturing new talent and innovative storytelling in animation, reflecting his belief in putting creators first .24

Throughout his career, Seibert has also been an angel investor in various technology and media startups, including Tumblr, and has received accolades for his contributions to the industry, including induction into the Emmys' Gold Circle .134

Highlights

Nov 10 · linkedin

Definition: original [ uh-rij-uh-nl ]: new; fresh; inventive; novel

No amount of market research or executive dithering has ever created anything original.

Throughout a zig zag of a career that's included record production, creating cable TV and streaming video networks, and cartoons I've tried to work with creators who fit the definition. Fresh. Inventive. Novel. And, for someone who strives to be at the top of the pops, making popular cartoon entertainment, it exponentially more complex.

It's not always easy, because after all, there's no formula. That's the exciting part, the high wire act. Characters you can love. Stories that make you laugh out loud, that excite you. Do we always get it right? Not by a long shot. We've certainly failed more than we've succeeded. (My estimate? 95% disappointment.) So it goes, because the ones that work put everyone on top of the world.

Original, always. That's a promise. #promises #original #always #cartoons #animation #BeeandPuppyCat #TheFairlyOddParents #MyLifeasaTeenageRobot #AdventureTime #Castlevana

Nov 5 · linkedin

FredFilms is the second cartoon studio I’ve started, the third I’ve worked at, and before that my partners and I produced hundreds of animated network IDs for cable networks like Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and MTV.

No matter what the venue there are a few beliefs that have followed all the way along. Creator first. Original, always. Your next favorite cartoon.

A promise. Creators first…

Early in my adult life, I produced jazz albums with world class leaders and musicians. A late-to-the-party, excited enthusiast, I knew less about jazz than the average fan, but here I was, supervising sessions. Was I capable of giving them any guidance? Not particularly. Then, the greatest recording engineer in history gave me the advice that has been my North Star ever since, that my primary job was to put the “right person in the room” and get out of the way. "OK," I thought, "I can do that!"

That great guidance came in handy when I, almost accidentally, found myself as the head of the famous, but a little long in the tooth, the Hanna-Barbera cartoon studio. In the thirty years since I’ve been lucky enough to put quite a few “right” cartoon creators in the room. I mean, how could it be any other way? Who was I, someone who'd only watched cartoons, to tell anyone what to do? Of course, giving folks their heads worked out pretty well. You can find out about all the creators I've been honored to work with –so far!– here… https://bit.ly/3WATUYe #creators #leaders #cartoons #animation #promises

Related Questions

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Fred Seibert
Fred Seibert, photo 1
Fred Seibert, photo 2
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Location

New York, New York, United States