Simon Fuller, one of the most influential forces in entertainment, received honoree status at the Bulgari Save the Children benefit last night in Los Angeles. Fuller received the honor from host Mark Shriver, US Save The Children’s Managing Director. Honoree Fuller was awarded for his creation Idol Give Back, the show and music event that raised over $175 million to benefit worldwide charities, including a substantial amount for Save the Children. A very thrilled Mark Shriver spoke out at the benefit in his appreciation for Simon Fuller’s continued charitable support and honoured his award-winning shows American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance.
“Simon Fuller’s creative genius made Idol Gives Back one of the most powerful philanthropic efforts in television history,” said Mark Shriver, Senior Vice President, Save the Children’s U.S. Programs. “Simon demonstrated extraordinary leadership by engaging one of television’s largest audiences in the fight against childhood poverty in the U.S. We are grateful to Bulgari for creating and underwriting this event honoring Simon’s remarkable philanthropic achievements.”
Nephew of John F Kennedy, Shriver introduced Fuller as “the genius behind American Idol, a man who has transformed a TV audience into a community.” He later thanked him for “having created the most powerful event in TV history.” Surrounded by an audience of Hollywood greats, including Adrian Brody, Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore and Josh Brolin, Fuller received rounds of applause.
The man behind the worldwide entertainment phenomenon, the Idol series, Simon Fuller’s business brains precede him. Founder of 19 Entertainment, he has found success in the media, entertainment and sports industries, and cut his salt working with now-notable industry names such as David Beckham, Simon Cowell and Annie Lennox. Fuller later sold 19 Entertainment in 2005 to CKX Inc, a deal which was worth over $200 million, and saw Fuller become Chief Executive of CKX Inc. In January 2010, Fuller opted to start a new firm, XIX Entertainment. As well as his business acumen Fuller shows ardent support for a number of other charities, including Save The Children. These include: Greenpeace, Amnesty International, Keep A Child Alive, The Muhammad Ali Center, The Prince’s Trust and Comic Relief.
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