HOWARD N. HANDLER
Howard Handler is a recognized brand builder and transformational leader with a track record of success across a broad range of industries.
With extensive operating experience, Howard has been responsible for creating, building and burnishing the brands and businesses of some of
the most noted companies in the world, including: Virgin Mobile USA, The National Football
League, MTV, Saturday Night Live and The Quaker Oats Company.
Most recently, Howard was Chief Marketing Officer for Virgin Mobile (NYSE: VM) leading marketing, strategy, product and offer development, sales distribution and media relations for the first US mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) and youth-dedicated wireless service. Joining soon after launch in January 2003, Howard built and led the team that grew the subscriber base to over 5 million, revenues to $1.2 billion, positive EBITDA and net income, the JD Power award for the #1 rated pre-paid wireless service two years in a row and an Initial Public Offering in October 2007.
Before Virgin Mobile, Howard served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Burly Bear Network, a venture-backed, early stage cable network and youth marketing company, where he more than tripled revenues in two years before selling the business to National Lampoon.
As Senior Vice President of Marketing and Fan Development at The National Football League, Howard was the NFL's first marketing chief, where he developed and managed a $150 million media and promotional asset across the League's network, cable, and satellite partners, created the NFL's integrated youth initiative, "Play Football," and built an extensive fan database and direct marketing profit center.
Earlier, Howard served as Senior Vice President of Marketing for MTV where he played a central role in the launch of "Beavis & Butt-head," "The Jon Stewart Show," "The Real World," and the Emmy & Peabody Award-winning "Choose or Lose" voter awareness campaign.
Prior to MTV, Howard was Vice President of Marketing and Merchandising for Broadway Video Entertainment, producers of "Saturday Night Live" and "Wayne's World - The Movie."
Howard launched his career in brand management at The Quaker Oats Company in Chicago.
Howard holds a Bachelor of Arts in economics and history and an M.B.A. from The University of Michigan.
