Erik Logan

NEW EXCLUSIVE
  • Former CEO of World Surf League
  • Former President of the Oprah Winfrey Network
  • Former President of Harpo Studios
  • Leader at XM Satellite Radio, Citadel Broadcasting, and CBS/Infinity

Transformational leader Erik Logan has a diverse portfolio that spans talent management startups, technology, cable networks, and sports league management, most notably as the CEO of the World Surf League (WSL) and President of the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). At WSL, Logan redefined the sport by introducing game-changing formats and partnerships with platforms like ABC, HBO, and Apple TV+, achieving record audiences and revenues. His previous role at OWN was marked by a turnaround that led the network to unprecedented ratings and revenues, reinforcing his reputation for innovation and growth.

Throughout his career, including tenures at XM Satellite Radio, Citadel Broadcasting, and CBS/Infinity, Logan has excelled in nurturing new talent and fostering innovative environments. His leadership style is characterized by a commitment to executive growth, a passion for business excellence, and an aptitude for recognizing industry trends, making him a catalyst for change and success in diverse sectors.

Whether leading a sports league to its best performance in over 40 years or driving a media network to become #1 in its key target demographics, Logan consistently demonstrates an uncanny ability to revolutionize how audiences interact with content. As an avid supporter of the growth mindset, Logan inspires a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and adaptability through his leadership and motivational speaking engagements.

 


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Past Hosts Include:
  • Big Machine Records
  • World Surf League
  • University of Oklahoma
  • Flashpoint Academy
  • Pipeline Entrepreneurs
  • Big Machine Records
Rave Reviews About Erik Logan
Erik does an amazing job of sharing the stories of his incredible life experiences with such deep perspective, authenticity and humility that it makes him both inspirational and approachable all at the same time. In both the Fireside Chat and Keynote address, Erik eloquently used his experiences to remind us that achieving the highest levels of success requires creativity, resilience, and unwavering determination. Months after the event, attendees are still talking about what an inspiration Erik was.

Erik Logan's Personal Advice To New Grads | #OWNSHOW | Oprah Online - Get Sharable Link
Talks & Conversations with Erik Logan
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Riding the Waves of Passion and Profession: An unforeseen journey through Discovery, Loss, and Rediscovery

After four decades in the workforce and a late-in-life discovery of surfing, ERIK LOGAN thought he had found the ultimate blend of passion and profession when he joined the World Surf League. However, the experience eroded his love for the sport, making him realize that sometimes passion and work ar ...

After four decades in the workforce and a late-in-life discovery of surfing, ERIK LOGAN thought he had found the ultimate blend of passion and profession when he joined the World Surf League. However, the experience eroded his love for the sport, making him realize that sometimes passion and work are better kept separate. He learned that while being passionate about your job is excellent, turning your true passion into your profession can risk losing the joy it initially brought you. After stepping away from the professional surf world, he’s rekindled his love for the ocean and is more mindful about protecting his passions as he ventures into his next chapter. It is an unusual and often unheard lesson and story that makes people think about this reunion of passion and profession.  

Beyond the Degree: Life’s Unexpected Teaching on Success and Leadership

Raised in Oklahoma with dreams of college, ERIK LOGAN worked full-time by senior year of high school, beginning his career as a mascot named "Chuck the Duck." (Yes, an actual mascot with a foam head!) Emphasizing that formal education wasn't in the cards, he took an unconventional career path that l ...

Raised in Oklahoma with dreams of college, ERIK LOGAN worked full-time by senior year of high school, beginning his career as a mascot named "Chuck the Duck." (Yes, an actual mascot with a foam head!) Emphasizing that formal education wasn't in the cards, he took an unconventional career path that led him through various industries and cities over three decades. Erik summarizes that the essential skills that propelled his success are not typically taught in traditional educational settings but were learned through adaptability and real-world experience. He takes these lessons and showcases them for not only young executives as they propel into the workforce, but veterans, as the lessons are universal to us all. 

The Art of the Turnaround: Lessons in Resurrecting Businesses and Cultures

With a career kick-started as a young teenager, ERIK LOGAN quickly discovered the innate ability to revitalize struggling businesses and galvanize teams toward success. Later known as a "turnaround specialist," he’s orchestrated pivotal shifts for notable organizations, XM Satellite Radio, and Numer ...

With a career kick-started as a young teenager, ERIK LOGAN quickly discovered the innate ability to revitalize struggling businesses and galvanize teams toward success. Later known as a "turnaround specialist," he’s orchestrated pivotal shifts for notable organizations, XM Satellite Radio, and Numerous media radio properties, The Oprah Winfrey Network. In this compelling keynote, he will unravel the art of the turnaround, offering a blend of hard-won wisdom, actionable strategies, and lessons from failures essential for business rejuvenation. 

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Transformational leader Erik Logan helps groups embrace the growth mindset, leading to record-setting success

Transformational leader ERIK LOGAN helps groups of all kinds embrace the growth mindset, leading to record-setting success. During his tenure as Chief Executive Officer of the World Surf League (WSL), Logan amplified the league's profile, leading it to widely reported record audience levels and revenues. His focus on maximizing the WSL's Intellectual Property saw content expansion beyond its core league platform, landing partnerships with ABC, HBO, and Apple TV+. Logan’s leadership invigorated the sport, propelling its performance to be the best in over 40 years.

Before the WSL, Logan served as President of the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) and Harpo Studios for a decade. Through this time, he was responsible for the turnaround of OWN, driving it to all-time rating and revenue highs, and #1 in its key target demographics. His entrepreneurial journey includes positions at XM Satellite Radio, Citadel Broadcasting, and CBS/Infinity. Logan’s leadership style is defined by a genuine commitment to nurturing executive growth and a deep-seated passion for propelling businesses toward unprecedented success. As an avid supporter of the growth mindset, Logan inspires a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and adaptability through his leadership and motivational speaking engagements.

Watch Erik Logan’s advice to recent grads on #OwnShow >>

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Biography

Erik Logan, with a remarkable portfolio ranging from talent management startups to technology, cable networks, production studios, content creation, and media sports league management, has been a transformative figure in the media and sports industries. Building decades of driving growth and innovations at the organizations he's led; Logan has displayed an uncanny ability to revolutionize how audiences interact with content and sports.

During his tenure as Chief Executive Officer of the World Surf League (WSL), Logan utilized his media and business acumen to amplify the league's profile, leading it to widely reported record audience levels and revenues. His focus on maximizing the WSL's Intellectual Property saw content expansion beyond its core league platform, landing partnerships with ABC (The Ultimate Surfer), HBO (24/7: Kelly Slater), and Apple TV+ (Make or Break), Amazon (Surf Girls Hawai’i), where he also served as Executive Producer as well as CEO of the company.

His tenure as the CEO at the WSL was marked by significant changes in the sport, introducing the first-ever one-day finals competition, a midseason cut, and a pathway for relegated surfers to re-qualify for the Championship Tour within one calendar year on the Challenger Series. His leadership invigorated the sport,
propelling its performance to be the best in over 40 years.

Before the WSL, Logan served as President of the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) and Harpo Studios for a decade. Through this time, not only did he aid in successfully ending the longest-running and highest-rated Syndicated TV show (The Oprah Winfrey Show), but was responsible for the turnaround of OWN, driving it to all-time rating and revenue highs, and #1 in its key target demographics.

Logan's entrepreneurial journey through his entire background, including positions at XM satellite radio, Citadel Broadcasting, and CBS/Infinity, leveraged his wide-ranging expertise to identify and nurture new talent, fostering the next generation of innovative minds.

His leadership style is defined by a genuine commitment to nurturing executive growth and a deep-seated passion for propelling businesses toward unprecedented success. As an avid supporter of the growth mindset, he inspires a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and adaptability within the teams and organizations he guides.

Throughout his diverse career, Logan has consistently demonstrated an ability to foresee industry trends and align company strategy to navigate changing landscapes. He has used this talent to drive significant growth across various sectors, from startups to established media entities.