Marc Leonard is Chief Content Officer for Fuse Media, the global leader for inclusive entertainment. In this role, he oversees the Latino-owned company’s content, marketing, and research teams, guiding the creation and promotion of purpose-driven stories and experiences for and with culturally diverse young adults. Leonard has built an accomplished career amplifying underrepresented voices by expanding inclusion in media and entertainment. Under his leadership, Fuse Media is the first media brand dedicated to fully inclusive content that celebrates and amplifies fresh voices while empowering culturally diverse young adults at a time when the majority of Americans under 50 years of age live in multicultural households.

Leonard’s diverse content has continuously drawn international attention and awards such as the Peabody, Emmys, Critics’ Choice Awards, and diversity awards from NAACP, GLAAD, and the Imagen Awards. Leonard is also instrumental in guiding the company’s prosocial initiatives, including the award-winning Future History and Buy Small campaigns, addressing pertinent issues for its young, culturally diverse audience. Celebrating people who are currently using their voices to make a positive impact, the Future History franchise has honored over 50 change-makers who are positively influencing our future. The Buy Small initiative, in partnership with Pharrell’s Black Ambition, supports small businesses with minority, differently abled, LGBTQ, and women owners by providing them with free social media promotion and 30-second streaming and TV spots.

In addition, Leonard introduced the award-winning Fuse Docs and Fuse Films franchises to Fuse, which serve to elevate and celebrate diverse young voices. As well he oversees Fuse Media’s in-house production company, Fuse Studios, dedicated to creating and producing many Fuse’s culturally diverse original series; and Ignition Studios which assists outside brands and platforms with their goals by pairing them with a team of award-winning diverse content specialists that have a proven record of developing shows that connect and engage with young audiences globally. 

Prior to joining Fuse Media, Leonard spent 22 years at Viacom Media Networks, most recently as SVP, Programming for Logo, where he was responsible for programming strategy, content management and acquisitions, and was part of the team that greenlit RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Leonard began his career as an intern at Comedy Central and held a series of program planning, development, and production roles. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication with a focus on multicultural communications, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in art history from Rutgers College. He continues to mentor Rutgers students who are thriving in academics, athletics, the arts, and public service. He is also on Rutgers University's advisory board for student life, where he helps the university navigate modern challenges. 

Speaking on: Production Partners