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Todd Wagner

Entrepreneur & Investor | CEO & Co-Founder of 2929 Entertainment

Los Angeles | New York | Dallas

Todd Wagner

David von Rosen

Todd Wagner’s Biography

Todd Wagner is a serial entrepreneur committed to a lifelong career of innovation in the media, technology, entertainment and charitable spaces.

In 1995, Todd left his role as partner in a law firm to follow his entrepreneurial instincts. With business partner Mark Cuban, he launched Broadcast.com, one of the first platforms to stream live sports, corporate events and radio/TV stations over the internet. As CEO, he took the company public in 1998 when it set an opening-day record with shares rising 249% from offering to closing. In 1999, Broadcast.com was sold to Yahoo! for $5.7 billion. As a result of Broadcast.com’s success, he gained widespread media recognition, including the cover of The Wall Street Journal, Forbes 400 and Fortune’s 40 Under 40.

In 2000, he founded The Todd Wagner Foundation, which provides education, technology and enrichment programs for at-risk children. The foundation launched the MIRACLES technology program and brought KIPP charter schools and After-School All-Stars to North Texas.

In 2003, Todd co-founded 2929 Entertainment by vertically integrating... Todd Wagner is a serial entrepreneur committed to a lifelong career of innovation in the media, technology, entertainment and charitable spaces.

In 1995, Todd left his role as partner in a law firm to follow his entrepreneurial instincts. With business partner Mark Cuban, he launched Broadcast.com, one of the first platforms to stream live sports, corporate events and radio/TV stations over the internet. As CEO, he took the company public in 1998 when it set an opening-day record with shares rising 249% from offering to closing. In 1999, Broadcast.com was sold to Yahoo! for $5.7 billion. As a result of Broadcast.com’s success, he gained widespread media recognition, including the cover of The Wall Street Journal, Forbes 400 and Fortune’s 40 Under 40.

In 2000, he founded The Todd Wagner Foundation, which provides education, technology and enrichment programs for at-risk children. The foundation launched the MIRACLES technology program and brought KIPP charter schools and After-School All-Stars to North Texas.

In 2003, Todd co-founded 2929 Entertainment by vertically integrating a portfolio of companies in content production, distribution and exhibition: 2929 Productions, Magnolia Pictures, AXS TV and Landmark Theatres. In 2005, 2929 pioneered the practice of releasing films simultaneously in theaters and on DVD and cable with the release of Steven Soderbergh’s Bubble. Todd has produced or executive-produced over 50 films, including Oscar-nominated Good Night, and Good Luck; The Road; and Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room.

Todd disrupted the charitable space by founding Charity Network in 2014, a company that harnesses the power of celebrity, media and technology to help charities develop effective awareness and fundraising campaigns.

Todd’s latest project is FoodFight, a campaign to get dangerous additives out of America’s food supply. He is a minority owner of the Dallas Mavericks and recently became an owner of a Major League Pickleball team. more less

Todd Wagner’s Newsfeed

Washington Post

Makers of ‘Food, Inc’ sequel launch impact campaign around pressing issues

The filmmakers of 'Food, Inc 2' are launching a campaign to create awareness around farm workers' rights, corporate consolidation and overprocessed food following the release of the documentary. Entrepreneur Todd Wagner has said that many people are starting to realize how tainted the U.S. food supply is with many chemicals used in food production in the United States banned in other countries some time ago.

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Variety

2023 Critics Choice Documentary Awards

Three films from Magnolia Pictures have received nominations, including “Kokomo City” (5 nominations, including Best Documentary Feature), “The League” (3 nominations) and “Little Richard: I Am Everything” (1 nomination).

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Todd Wagner’s Background

2929 Entertainment, LLC

CEO and Co-Founder

2003 - Present

Los Angeles, CA, USA

2929 Entertainment is a vertically integrated portfolio of companies encompassing all aspects of the entertainment pipeline: development, production, distribution and exhibition. Current holdings are 2929 Productions, Magnolia Pictures, AXS TV, Spotlight Cinema Networks and CineLife. Numerous 2929 projects have been recognized with industry accolades, including Oscar nominations.

Magnolia Pictures

Chairman and Owner

2005 - Present

New York, NY, USA

Boasting a library of over 500 titles, Magnolia Pictures is a theatrical and digital distribution company focusing on documentary, independent and select genre films.

2929 Productions

CEO and Owner

2003 - Present

Los Angeles, CA, USA

2929 Productions funds, produces and develops thought-provoking and innovative television projects and feature films for both mainstream and specialized and audiences. Over 25 films have been conceived, produced or financed to date.

Charity Network

Chairman and Founder

2014 - Present

New York, NY, USA

Charity Network, where “Cause Meets Entertainment,” is the parent company of Charitybuzz and Prizeo, both leaders and pioneers in digital fundraising. Charity Network has helped charities raise hundreds of millions of dollars for causes around the world. Charity Network also has an office in Los Angeles.

Cause Reports

Founder

2020 - Present

Dallas, TX, USA

Cause Reports features the first and only investment-style analyst reports providing comprehensive research and rigorous analysis of America’s largest charities by sector. The organization’s goal is to provide tools to help donors make informed giving decisions and charity CEOs pursue their goals more effectively, resulting in greater overall impact for causes around the world.

Roma Fund Investments, LP

Founder

2002 - Present

Dallas, TX, USA

Todd has invested in more than 40 private companies, spanning media, entertainment, technology, healthcare and sports. Roma Fund investments include the Dallas Mavericks, AXS TV, RYOT, Pluto TV, Sharecare, Content Partners, Artists Den Entertainment, Entertainment Data Oracle and William Murray Golf.

Landmark Theatres

Owner

2003 - 2018

Los Angeles, CA, USA

Landmark Theatres is the only national theatre circuit focused on the exhibition of independent and specialized film. Landmark Theatres was purchased in 2003 and sold to Cohen Media Group in 2018.

Broadcast.com

CEO and Co-Founder

1995 - 2000

Dallas, TX, USA

Broadcast.com was a pioneering live-streaming network featuring live sporting events, corporate events and radio shows. After an historic IPO, it was acquired by Yahoo! in 2000. Broadcast.com changed the landscape of entertainment and paved the way for live-streaming services such as Netflix and YouTube.

Hopkins & Sutter

Partner

Dallas, TX, USA

Hopkins & Sutter was a Chicago-based legal practice founded by Harry Sutter and Albert Hopkins. The firm operated from 1921 to 2000 until it merged with Foley & Lardner.

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

Associate

Dallas, TX, USA

International law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is the largest lobbying firm in the US based on revenue.

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Todd Wagner’s Gallery

todd wagner and emmitt smith troy aikman and dan rather at the todd wagner foundation gala

Actor Bradley Cooper, co-founder of Broadcast.com Todd Wagner, Kari Wagner and Jennifer Lawrence attends a screening of "Serena" hosted by Magnolia Pictures and the Cinema Society with Dior Beauty on March 21, 2015 in New York City.

bill murray and todd wagner at the caddyshack charity golf tournament

Todd Wagner being interviewed at a film festival conference

Todd Wagner on the red carpet at a film premiere

Current Board Positions

American Film Institute

Board of Trustees and Board of Directors

Los Angeles, CA, USA

The American Film Institute believes in showcasing film and visual storytelling as an art form that can shape perspectives, promote empathy between people and use entertainment as a uniting culture.

First Tee

Trustee | Campaign for 10 Million Young People

Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, USA

First Tee seeks to raise funds for youth programs in an effort to combat the number of students dropping out of schools in underprivileged communities. Todd Wagner is a national trustee, and his Foundation continues to provide significant support to The First Tee's 'Campaign for 10 Million Young People.'

Previous Board Positions

Tribeca Film Institute

Board of Directors

New York, NY, USA

Tribeca Film Institute recognizes a diverse group of extraordinary filmmakers and media artists and provides them with resources and funding to fully realize their artistic pursuits and connect with audiences.

After-School All-Stars

Board of Directors

Los Angeles, CA, USA

Todd served on the Board of After-School All-Stars for more than a decade after launching the North Texas chapter of the nationwide organization in 2001. Founded in 1992 by Arnold Schwarzenegger, After-School All-Stars encourages the enrichment of children in under-resourced communities.

Philanthropy

Todd Wagner Foundation

Founder

2000 - Present

Dallas, TX, USA

The Todd Wagner Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of at-risk children through education, technology and enrichment opportunities. The Foundation is responsible for launching After-School All-Stars and KIPP charter schools in North Texas, as well as the MIRACLES technology program, which was later adopted nationwide by the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

First Tee

Supporter and National Trustee

Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, USA

The Todd Wagner Foundation supports The First Tee’s initiative to provide programs and enrichment for young people, particularly from disadvantaged communities, through golf. Todd is a national trustee, and his Foundation continues to provide significant support to The First Tee's 'Campaign for 10 Million Young People.'

KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program)

Founder of KIPP Truth Academy

Dallas, TX, USA

The Foundation has been a major supporter of KIPP since shortly after the Foundation was created. In 2003, the Foundation founded the KIPP TRUTH Academy in the Oak Cliff area of South Dallas. Later, KIPP TRUTH merged with KIPP Dallas to form KIPP Texas, which now consists of 59 schools serving over 31,000 pre-K-12th grade students.

After-School All-Stars

Supporter

Los Angeles, CA, USA

Through his foundation, Todd Wagner launched the Dallas chapter of After-School All-Stars in 2001 and served on the national Board for more than a decade. Founded by Arnold Schwarzenegger, After-School All-Stars encourages the enrichment of children in under-resourced communities.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Past Supporter

Dallas, TX, USA

The Foundation first partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs in 2007 to unite the Foundation’s MIRACLES program with BGCA’s ClubTech technology program. MIRACLES is a comprehensive multi-year program designed to serve young people in center city communities by building technology skills to increase employability, enhancing academic skills to strengthen reading, math and life skills.

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Media

‘The League’ Review: A Crucial Baseball Legacy

Jul 2023

New York, NY, USA

The documentary, directed by Sam Pollard and produced by Magnolia Pictures, traces the history of the Negro leagues with stories from authors, historians and — in archival material — the players themselves.

Tribeca 2023: 17 Most Anticipated Films Playing at This Year’s Festival

Jun 2023

New York, NY, USA

The League, one of the films featured on this list and produced by Magnolia Pictures, celebrates the dynamic journey of Negro League baseball's triumphs and challenges through the first half of the twentieth century.

Magnolia Pictures Partners With Peacock to Stream Indie Catalog, From A Royal Affair to Melancholia

Apr 2023

Magnolia Pictures, a leading indie entertainment studio and one of the early leaders in the VOD ecosystem, has partnered with Peacock for streaming distribution, the company’s announced Thursday. Effective immediately, curated film titles from Magnolia Pictures is available on the Comcast-owned platform.

Peter Dinklage and The Actors Fund to be Honored at Gotham Awards

Nov 2021

New York, NY, USA

Magnolia Pictures’ Eamonn Bowles will be honored with the Industry Tribute Award by The Gotham Film & Media Institute. The Gotham Awards are presented to individuals who have made an impact in the independent film industry.

RadicalMedia, Questlove’s Two One Five Entertainment reteam for “The League”

Sep 2021

New York, NY, USA

'The League' will share stories from baseball's Negro League, told from the point of view of umpire Bob Motley. 2929 Productions/Magnolia Pictures has joined the Two One Five Entertainment-led project and will finance and distribute the film.

Charity Network founder Todd Wagner innovates in pursuit of giving back

Interview

Sep 2017

New York, NY, USA

During a conversation with Forbes about Charity Network, Todd said: "Charity Network brings together technology, media and philanthropy to provide nonprofits a more efficient way to generate awareness and engage with a broad base of donors from millennials to baby boomers, through three digital fundraising platforms – Charitybuzz, Prizeo and Chideo."

Dallas billionaire Todd Wagner to nonprofit digital dinosaurs: Click with potential donors or else

Feature Article

May 2017

Dallas, TX, USA

Todd warns nonprofit organizations to utilize the digital space to raise funding, or risk facing a decrease in support. He says: “Technology is a freight train coming down a mountain,” Wagner says. “It is not going to stop. It’s only going to go faster. And either nonprofits embrace it or they get run over by it.”

Click, Tap, Swipe, Give

Feature Article

Apr 2017

Lifestyle Magazine, in an article titled "Click, Tap, Swipe, Give," interviews Todd Wagner, who discusses the inefficiency of traditional fundraising for charities and how Charity Network has been able to tap into the entertainment sector for charitable fundraising.

Todd Wagner Explains Why Philanthropy Hasn’t Been Easy

Interview

Oct 2016

New York, NY, USA

Todd Wagner, CEO and Co-Founder of 2929 Entertainment, explains the road to founding his charitable foundation, Todd Wagner Foundation, and his charity-focused business, The Charity Network.

'Bubble' Vision: With His New Movie, Steven Soderbergh and Co. Hope to Launch a Sweeping Change in the Way Audiences Get to See Films

Featured

Jan 2006

Washington, DC, USA

This article discusses how Steven Soderbergh, along with producing partners Mark Cuban and Todd Wagner, released 'Bubble' simultaneously in theaters, on cable and satellite television and on DVD. The Post called this 'the most visible example of an emerging model that could seismically shift the way Hollywood does business.'

Audionet Scores by Tapping a Mundane Medium

Feature

1998

New York, NY, USA

This featured article raised the profile of Audionet, an innovative internet radio company founded by Todd Wagner and Mark Cuban, within the investment community just months prior to the company's name change to Broadcast.com and its history-making IPO.

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Awards & Recognition

The T&C 50: The Top Philanthropists of 2017

Featured

May 2017

New York, NY, USA

Town and Country named Todd as one of the Top 50 Philanthropists of 2017.

Texas Business Hall of Fame

Honoree

2012

Houston, TX, USA

The Texas Business Hall of Fame Foundation honors the contributions and achievements of outstanding business leaders in Texas. The Foundation celebrates honorees by perpetuating their personal integrity, entrepreneurial spirit, and community leadership in all generations of Texans. Todd was inducted as a Texas Business Hall of Fame Legend in 2012.

IFP Gotham Awards

Tribute Award

2006

New York, NY, USA

Todd Wagner and Mark Cuban were honored at the annual Gotham Awards in New York with a Tribute Award alongside Alfonso Cuarón, Guillermo del Toro and Alejandro Gonzáles Iñárritu; Edward Norton; Tim Robbins; and Kate Winslet.

Good Night, and Good Luck

Honoree | Executive Producer

2005

Todd green-lit and executive produced writer-director George Clooney's 'Good Night, and Good Luck' starring David Strathairn. The film grossed more than $30 million at the domestic box office and won many awards, including an Independent Spirit Award for Best Cinematography, the National Board of Review's Best Film of the Year, and six Academy Award nominations, including one for Best Picture.

Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room

Honoree | Executive Producer

2005

Todd was executive producer of this film which won an Independent Spirit Award for Best Documentary and was nominated for multiple awards including an Academy Award for Best Documentary, Feature.

Kappa Sigma National Man of the Year

Honoree

2003

Charlottesville, VA, USA

Todd was awarded the Kappa Sigma Man of the Year award in 2003 for his exceptional accomplishments in his field.

Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year

Honoree

1998

Each year, Ernst & Young recognizes the accomplishments of entrepreneurs and honors those who have delivered on their ambitious and innovative goals. In 1998, Todd was recognized for his accomplishments.

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Speaking Engagements

Leverage: How Philanthropies Use New Tools to Create Change

Panel member

May 2017

Beverly Hills, CA, USA

At the Milken Institute Global Conference, Todd Wagner joins an esteemed panel to share creative approaches toward social innovation, showcasing social entrepreneurs who are experimenting with new tools and techniques to affect lasting systemic changes.

How to Build Businesses That Change the World

Featured Speaker

Nov 2016

New York, NY, USA

Todd Wagner spoke at IVY Entrepreneur Night, sharing insights from his career and the changing world of philanthropy in the digital age. He also talked about Broadcast.com, the company he founded with Mark Cuban and eventually sold to Yahoo!, and founding The Charity Network, the parent company to three leading digital fundraising platforms.

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Investments

Dallas Mavericks

Investor

Dallas, TX, USA

The Dallas Mavericks are an NBA basketball team playing in the Western Conference. Todd owns a stake in the team.

Content Partners LLC

Founding Investor and Fmr. Co-Chairman

Los Angeles, CA, USA

Content Partners, LLC, is an asset management company with a focus on media companies in the television, music, film and other entertainment industries.

RYOT

Investor

Los Angeles, CA, USA

Founded in 2012 by Bryn Mooser, David Darg, Molly DeWolf Swenson and Martha Rogers, Los Angeles-based RYOT was an immersive media company. It focused on commercial production, documentary films, and augmented and virtual reality. RYOT was acquired by HuffPost in 2016, and later by Apollo Global Management, along with other Verizon Media properties, in 2021.

Pluto TV

Investor

Los Angeles, CA, USA

Pluto TV is a free, advertiser-supported video on demand (AVOD) service. It is owned and operated by ViacomCBS Streaming, a division of ViacomCBS.

Artists Den Entertainment

Investor

New York, NY, USA

Artists Den Entertainment is a music and television series that presents performances from well-known artists in untraditional locations. Notable and prominent artists include Ed Sheeran, Imagine Dragons, Zac Brown Band, John Legend and Shawn Mendes.

AXS TV

Investor

AXS TV is a specialty television programming network with a concentration in live music programming, entertainment, and combat sports. Serving millions of households in the US, AXS is a leading entertainment provider.

Sharecare, Inc.

Investor

Atlanta, GA, USA

Sharecare offers a comprehensive platform that helps people gain control of improving their health. It enables people to go from assessment to action, and connect to the personalized information, evidence-based programs, benefits, community resources, and health services they need to live their best lives.

Entertainment Data Oracle

Investor

Culver City, CA, USA

Entertainment Data Oracle (EDO) is a data, measurement, and analytics company that helps its clients generate the maximum value from its creative endeavors and investments through its research findings.

William Murray Golf

Investor

Austin, TX, USA

William Murray Golf, founded on the ideals of the Bill Murray and the Murray brothers, is a retail company that produces high-quality, comfortable and fashionable golfing apparel designed with the customer's needs in mind.

Global Teaching Project

Founding Investor

Washington, DC, USA

The Global Teaching Project believes that all students should be granted equal access to talented teachers and high-quality classroom instruction. The organization strives to reach this vision by working with under-served schools and communities in order to bring advanced courses and instructors to students.

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Todd Wagner’s Education

University of Virginia

JD

Indiana University

BS