Discovery's Clark Bunting Gets Steve Irwin Award
May 10, 2007
(Silver Spring, MD) – Clark Bunting, president of Discovery Studios, this week received the inaugural Steve Irwin Memorial Goodwill Ambassador Award from the State Government of Queensland, Australia.
Bunting was recognized for being an integral part of the success of Steve Irwin’s “Crocodile Hunter” phenomenon around the world. Queensland Premier Peter Beattie bestowed the award in a ceremony in New York.
A veteran of more than 20 years at Discovery Communications, Bunting launched Animal Planet network in 1996, and under his leadership it became the fastest-growing cable network in television history.
Animal Planet’s most notable successes included introducing international wildlife superstar Steve Irwin, the “Crocodile Hunter” – himself regarded as Queensland’s greatest cultural and tourism ambassador in the United States.
Bunting and Irwin worked closely together on the production of more than 200 episodes of the wildly popular series THE CROCODILE HUNTER, CROC HUNTER DIARIES AND CROC FILES.
“These programs quickly brought Steve Irwin’s conservation efforts and passion for wildlife into millions of lounge rooms across the world and catapulted him to international fame. It helped make ="on">Queensland and his Australia Zoo a must-see tourist destination,” Beattie said.
In a dedication sent from Australia, Terri Irwin praised Bunting for being an integral part of the success of the “Crocodile Hunter.”
“Your faith in Steve and the Croc Hunter brand is very much an important part of the huge popularity that Steve’s legacy enjoys to this day,” she said.
“It makes me feel very proud that for the first time this year the Queensland Government has implemented an award in memory of Steve called the Steve Irwin Memorial Goodwill Ambassador Award,” said Terri Irwin. “And it makes me even more honored to know that the very first recipient chosen by the premier to receive this prestigious award is a well deserving individual and loyal friend such as you.”
About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications is the number-one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries. Through TV and digital media, Discovery's 100-plus worldwide networks include Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Discovery Health, The Science Channel, and Discovery HD Theater. Discovery Communications is owned by Discovery Holding Co. (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB), Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, Discovery's founder and chairman. For more information please visit www.discovery.com .