ABOUT TODD WAGNER
FOUNDER & CEO, CHARITY NETWORK, 2929 ENTERTAINMENT AND TODD WAGNER FOUNDATION
Todd Wagner is founder and CEO of Charity Network, a company that harnesses the power of celebrity, technology and media to raise awareness and funds for causes around the world. With a mission to help charities transition from analog to digital, Charity Network has raised more than $350 million dollars to date through its digital platforms – Charitybuzz and Prizeo.
Both platforms are leaders in their fields -- Charitybuzz in online charity auctions and Prizeo in online sweepstakes and experiences. Together they reach a broad and diverse group of donors from millennials to baby boomers.
In both business and philanthropy, the transition from analog to digital has been a long-time theme of Wagner’s career. In 1995, he introduced streaming media to the world when he launched Broadcast.com with business partner Mark Cuban. Broadcast.com was one of the first platforms to stream live sporting events, corporate events and radio stations over the Internet. As CEO, Wagner helped take the company public in 1998, where it set an opening-day record with shares climbing 249% from an offering price of $18 to a closing price of $62.75. In 1999, Wagner and Cuban sold Broadcast.com to Yahoo! for $5.7 billion.
In the early 2000’s, Wagner fused his passion for entertainment with his business portfolio to build the Wagner/Cuban Companies: a vertically integrated portfolio of companies spanning content creation, distribution and exhibition through 2929 Entertainment, 2929 Productions, Magnolia Pictures, Landmark Theatres and AXS TV. As CEO of 2929 Entertainment, Wagner pioneered the practice of releasing films simultaneously in theaters, on digital platforms and DVD. He has provided artistic vision and business acumen critical to such important films as the Oscar®-nominated Good Night, and Good Luck and Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room, as well as Akeelah and the Bee, We Own the Night and The Road.
Wagner’s business interests include a stake in the Dallas Mavericks. He also serves on the boards of directors for both the American Film Institute and the Tribeca Film Institute. After successfully challenging traditional content release patterns at Landmark Theatres and helping pioneer high definition television through AXS TV, Wagner/Cuban eventually sold both businesses. However, Wagner continues to feed his passion for bringing compelling stories to life through 2929 Productions and Magnolia Pictures.
In addition to his business endeavors, Wagner has made a substantial commitment of his time, energy and resources to give back through the Todd Wagner Foundation. Since 2000, the Foundation has implemented Wagner’s vision of venture philanthropy and invested tens of millions of dollars in cutting-edge programs that empower underserved communities and at-risk youth. This includes significant support for such notable charities as the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, KIPP (the Knowledge is Power Program), After-School All-Stars, and the First Tee.
In recognition of his business and philanthropic efforts, Wagner has received numerous honors including Town & Country magazine’s 50 Philanthropists of the Year (2017), induction into the Texas Business Hall of Fame (2012), the After-School All-Stars Inspire Award (2010); Special Care and Career Services Milton P. Levy Volunteerism Award (2008); Dallas CASA’s “Champion of Kids” (2005); Kappa Sigma’s National Man of the Year (2003); and Social Entrepreneur of the Year (2002) by Dallas’ Center for Nonprofit Management.
He is a native of Gary, Indiana and received a B.S. from Indiana University, where he was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. He holds a J.D. from the University of Virginia.