Todd Wagner: The Exclusive Biography of a Billionaire

Overview

Todd Wagner is an American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and a known billionaire. He co-founded Broadcast.com, an internet radio company that became one of the biggest success stories of the dot-com boom of the late 90s. After selling Broadcast.com to Yahoo! in 1999 for nearly $6 billion, he went on to create numerous ventures, including 2929 Entertainment, a production and exhibition film company, and The Charity Network, a fundraising platform for nonprofits. Today, Wagner is regarded as one of the most influential business leaders and philanthropists in the United States.

Early Life and Education

Todd Wagner was born on August 2, 1960, in Gary, Indiana. His family moved to Merrillville, Indiana, where he grew up. Wagner went to Merrillville High School and then graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science degree in management.

Career and Achievements

After graduation, Todd Wagner moved to Dallas, Texas, where he worked as a certified public accountant at Cooper and Lybrand. In 1995, he left Cooper and Lybrand to co-found AudioNet, a company that broadcast live sports events and radio programs over the internet. The company later changed its name to Broadcast.com and expanded its services to include video streaming. In 1998, Broadcast.com went public and became one of the biggest initial public offerings (IPOs) in history.

In 1999, Yahoo! acquired Broadcast.com for $5.7 billion in stock. After the sale, Todd Wagner went on to become the CEO and co-founder of 2929 Entertainment, a media production, and distribution company. 2929 produced some successful movies, including Good Night, and Good Luck, and Akeelah and the Bee. The company also owns a chain of movie theaters, Landmark Theatres.

In 2012, Wagner co-founded The Charity Network, a digital fundraising platform that connects donors with causes they care about. The platform includes three brands – Charitybuzz, which offers unique experiences and items to benefit charities; Chideo, which is a video platform that allows celebrities to support their chosen causes; and Auction Cause, which designs online auctions for celebrities and their charities.

Todd Wagner is also known for his philanthropic efforts. He is a member of The Giving Pledge, a commitment by the world’s wealthiest individuals and families to dedicate the majority of their wealth to philanthropy. Wagner has donated millions to various charities, including the Todd Wagner Foundation, which supports education programs that aim to reduce the achievement gap for underprivileged youth.

Personal Life

Todd Wagner is married to Karyn Wagner, and they have three children. Wagner is a Christian and has spoken publicly about his faith. He is also a sports lover and owns a minority stake in the Dallas Mavericks, an NBA team.

Profile