As co-founder of groundbreaking networks including MTV: Music Television, VH1, The Box Television Network, and College Television Networks, Les Garland’s experience is all encompassing. His decades long storied career of expansive and diverse accomplishments was acknowledged when he became the recipient of the prestigious Governor’s Emmy Award for his lifetime achievements, which was presented to him by longtime friend, Eagle Glenn Frey.

Garland has worn many hats, including Radio Personality; Radio Program Director; Record Company Executive; Event Producer; Music Talent Manager; Executive Producer; Brand Marketer; Public Speaker; and Entertainment Industry Consultant.

Early in his career, as Program Director of KFRC, San Francisco, Les achieved groundbreaking accomplishments in radio — taking the station to new heights as the top-rated station in the northern California market. Channeling Orson Welles, he created a KFRC promotional spot that has since become a part of radio history, and netted him a Clio. Entitled “Close Encounters,” the spot stunned listeners by announcing that the station would go silent to communicate with extraterrestrials.

On the heels of his distinguished stint in radio, Garland was hand-picked by Ahmet Ertegun and Doug Morris to leap from radio to records, managing West Coast operations for the most venerable brand in music, Atlantic Records. Atlantic was home to many of the most popular artists in history, including Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Genesis, Abba, Aretha Franklin, Foreigner, The Spinners, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and AC/DC.

Garland was one of the original influencers of ‘80’s culture, bringing about the game-changing development of music television as co-founder of the iconic MTV and VH1.

MTV, the world’s first 24-hour music channel, was home to the anthemic “I Want My MTV” marketing hook, which Garland played a key role in developing. Along with co-founder Robert Pittman, who served as MTV Networks’ Senior Executive Vice President, Garland was Executive Producer of the first six MTV Video Music Awards and oversaw all elements of the music channel’s innovative programming. During his tenure at MTV, he was asked to be the DJ voice embedded in the classic, #1 hit song “We Built This City On Rock & Roll” by Jefferson Starship.

Following his MTV years, Garland and Pittman co-founded Quantum Media, launching popular TV shows , such as: The Morton Downey Jr. Show, Streets (TV’s first reality cop show), and the legendary Marvin Hagler/Sugar Ray Leonard title fight. Les next returned to music and TV, orchestrating a wide national roll-out of The Box Television Network — the world’s first interactive, on-demand music channel. Garland then moved on to Found digital music platform sputnik7.com with music icon Chris Blackwell.

Today, Les continues to lead mass media entertainment at the helm of his company AfterPlay Entertainment, a boutique, multi-disciplinary consulting practice. Garland also executive produced and was the voice of the 2011 Tom Petty Tour radio, television, and media commercials.

Recently, Garland co-founded and participated in the international launch of a new television programming service, called QYou, with longtime friend, award-winning music video producer, and former President of Lionsgate Digital, Curt Marvis.

Garland is a frequently sought after speaker, and has appeared at engagements, including at Brown University, alongside Hunter S. Thompson and Walter Cronkite. He has also been a featured speaker at the Billboard International Music Confab, the Montreux Jazz Festival, the Australian Radio Broadcasters event, the New Music Seminar, the International Music & Media Conference, and Austin’s famed SXSW Conference.

In a heartfelt ode to the meaning of family, Garland also supports entrepreneur and author Rebecca Wilson Macsovits with her children’s book and song, Guion The Lion, in support of diversity and Down Syndrome awareness.