The Genesis Awards were founded as an annual event in 1986 by the Broadway actress and animal advocate Gretchen Wyler, under the aegis of the Fund for Animals. Wyler believed that rewarding members of the media encouraged them to spotlight more animal issues, thus increasing public awareness and compassion toward animals. The first event, a luncheon, drew 140 attendees, and in subsequent years it grew into a large gala averaging 800 guests.
In 1991, Wyler founded the Ark Trust, Inc., to present the Genesis Awards. Dr. Michael A. Giannelli (Ph.D. in clinical psychology; UCLA) served as the Founding Executive Director from 1991 through 1997. In 1990, it became a television special airing first on the Discovery Channel and then on Animal Planet. In August 2002, the Ark Trust joined with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). Wyler, as Vice President of HSUS Hollywood, continued her role as chair of the event and Executive Producer of the Genesis Awards television special until her retirement in 2006.
Beginning with the first ceremony in 1986, Genesis Awards entries have been submitted by members of the public as well as by media professionals. Categories span television, film, print, radio, music, and the arts. The Genesis Awards Committee—via a process of submission, nomination, candidate selection, debate, and secret ballot—makes the final decisions regarding the winners. The 13 committee members are selected based on their personal histories in working for animal causes. The members include people from various animal-protection organizations and diverse walks of life.
Gretchen Wyler, founder of the Genesis awards, with The HSUS supporters at the 20th Annual Genesis Awards at the Beverly Hilton in March 2006
The Genesis Awards is the only event of its kind honoring the entertainment industry and news media for raising awareness of animal-protection issues.[citation needed] Celebrating the power of the news and entertainment media to shape and change societal attitudes for the good, Genesis Awards acknowledge outstanding works in TV, film, print and the arts.
Sponsors for the Genesis Awards have included Warner Bros., Gardein, One Car One Difference, Honda, Bank of America, HBO, Market Development Group Incorporated and more.
A special Genesis Award was given to Dr. Michael A. Giannelli (Founding Executive Director, 1991–1997): "In Appreciation of Your Words, Your Wisdom and for Helping Develop the Soul of the Ark Trust"
Bubble Guppies: "Puppy Love" - Best Children's Programming
An Apology to Elephants; Battle for the Elephants; Nature: "Parrot Confidential" - Best TV Documentary
ABC News, "Turn Off That Camera! Animal Cruelty Exposés Being Blocked"; CNN, "Smugglers Drive Thailand's Grim Trade in Dog Meat"; NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, "Making a Difference"; Univision News Network, "Primer Impacto: 'Butterball: Making History Against Abuse'"; "Primer Impacto: 'Puppy Mills: The Horror Story'" - Best National News
Issues with Jane Velez Mitchell: "'Puppy Doe' beaten and left for dead"; Nightline: "Nightline Investigates: Going Undercover"; "The Exotic Pet Insurance Business" - Best News Magazine
Today: Rossen Reports-"AKC-registered breeders raising dogs in 'miserable' conditions"; "Horses Are Wild-but Not Free" - Best Morning Show
America Declassified: "Missing Mustangs"; Inside: Secret America: "Animal Undercover" - Best Reality Series
KGO-TV San Francisco, California, "Bay Area restaurants still selling banned foie gras"; KHOU 11 News Houston, Texas, "Houston man sets out to dispel pit bull myths"; KTNV ABC 13 Action News, "Deadly force against dogs: Are police officers going too far using deadly force against dogs?"; "Deadly force against dogs: When police kill pets"; "Action News viewers sound off on police killing pets" - Best Local News
ABC News Hotline, "Giraffes: A Silent Extinction"; "Blood Horns" - Outstanding National TV News Magazine
Univision Network News, "Harvey, the Dog Who Survived the Hurricane" - Outstanding National TV News Feature
FOX 28/ABC6, Columbus, Ohio, "12 Ohio Puppy Mills on Humane Society's List of the 'Horrible Hundred'" - Outstanding Local News Feature
FOX 31 KDVR-TV Denver, Colorado, "Cyanide Bombs"; "Unsanctioned Horse Racing Exposed"; KING 5 News Seattle, Washington, "Hound Hunting for Bears Continues Despite Ban" - Outstanding Local News Series
FOX 40 Sacramento, Studio 40 Live, "Meat-less Memorial Day" - Outstanding Daytime Show
Mission Critical: Orangutan on the Edge; War Dog: A Soldier's Best Friend - Outstanding TV Documentary
Dian Fossey: Secrets in the Mist - Outstanding TV Documentary Series
The Loud House "Frog Wild" - Outstanding Children's Programming
NPR Weekend Edition, Simon Says, "Arcade Hunting: No Tribute to the Great Outdoors" - Outstanding Radio
Natasha Daly - Reporter of the Year
TIME, "The Future of Zoos: Challenges Force Zoos to Change in Big Ways"; TIME Special Edition, "The Animal Mind: How They Think, How They Feel, How to Understand Them" - Outstanding Magazine Feature
Chicago Tribune, "Trump Should Keep the Ban on Elephant Trophies"; "A Smart Reprieve for Great Lakes Wolves"; "Memo to the West: When You Hunt Grizzlies and Wolves, You Lose Midwest Tourists"; Los Angeles Times, "There's a Grim Reality Behind Your Thanksgiving Turkey"; USA Today, "A Christmas Puppy: The Tale of Animal Welfare" - Outstanding Editorial
The Washington Post Sports Columnist: Norman Chad "Animal Cruelty has given me a change of heart on animals used in sporting competition" - Outstanding Commentary
Business of Fashion, Multiple Articles; National Geographic Wildlife Watch, "Months After Raid on Infamous Tiger Temple, Plans for Off-Shoot Zoo Forge Ahead" - Outstanding Online
The Guardian, Exclusive Footage Shows Elephants Being Captured in Zimbabwe for Chinese Zoos; The Observer, Africa's New Elite Force: Women Gunning for Poachers and Fighting for a Better Life - Brigitte Bardot International Print/Online
Univision NetworkFacebook "To Eat or Not Eat Meat?" - Social Media
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