British TV and music impresario Simon Fuller, known for helping create the “American Idol” and “Pop Idol” talent shows on either side of the pond, will receive the Producers Guild of America’s 2008 Visionary Award.
Fuller, whose 19 Entertainment and related interests extend to business partnerships with soccer icon David Beckham and other nontraditional entertainers, will be feted at Feb. 2 the 19th annual PGA Awards at the Beverly Hilton.
“Already having a background in producing many of the world’s top musical talents, Simon Fuller has innovated the merging of music and television into the empire that is ‘American Idol,’ ” PGA Awards co-chairs Hawk Koch and Mark Gordon said. “His foresight has resulted in a global phenomenon.”
In addition to shaping several musical careers spawned by “Idol,” including those of Carrie Underwood and Kelley Clarkson, Fuller has managed such recording artists as Annie Lennox and the Spice Girls. Fuller also is the co-creator of Fox TV’s “Next Great American Band” and “So You Think You Can Dance.”
Previous recipients of the PGA’s Visionary Award include, most recently, music awards show veteran Ken Ehrlich.
