MEDIA RELEASE
December 14, 2009
For further information:
Victoria Buchan/Niki White
The Lantern Group
Victoria@lanterngroup.com.au
02 9383 4034
MARK BURNETT TO ADDRESS ASTRA CONFERENCE
Mark Burnett, one of television’s power house executive producers, will be a keynote speaker at the ASTRA
2010 conference, The Future is Now on March 18.
“Mark has revolutionized television programming around the world with programs such as Survivor, The
Contender, The Apprentice and Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader – his speech at our conference will no
doubt provide insight and ideas for our industry in 2010,” said Petra Buchanan, ASTRA CEO.
"The opportunity to share my experiences in the television production and development business with the
Australian subscription television community is exciting. I know from experience with our programs that the
audience in Australia is sophisticated and at the cutting edge of what is happening internationally. I look
forward to sharing a view of the future and program directions with the ASTRA conference attendees," said
Mark Burnett.
Burnett’s current hit cable series in 2009 include “Bully Beatdown” (MTV), “StarMaker” (MTV), and “How’d
You Get So Rich” (TV Land). Burnett served as executive producer for the MTV Movie Awards in 2007,
2008 and 2009. Additionally, Mark will produce the 36th annual People’s Choice Awards which will air on
CBS in January of 2010. Since 2001, Burnett’s productions have garnered a total of 60 Emmy nominations
including two wins for best reality series, along with four People’s Choice Awards, also for favorite reality
series. Burnett has been named one of the most influential people in the world by TIME magazine and
named TV Guide’s most valuable player. He has won BRANDWEEK’S Marketer of the Year Award, The
Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Award, and the prestigious ROSE D’OR FRAPA Format Award. In 2007, Burnett
was inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame. In July of 2009, Burnett was honored by the
Hollywood Chamber of Commerce with a star on the Hollywood walk of fame. In 2010, Burnett is to receive
the Norman Lear achievement award from the Producer’s Guild of America.
Also of note at the ASTRA 2010 Conference, the ASTRA Industry Excellence Awards will debut bringing
these important marketing and promotional awards to the fore; recognising excellence in the promotion of
subscription television. Call for entries will be live from December 11 on the ASTRA 2010 Conference site at
The Future is Now ASTRA 2010 Conference will draw together Australia's subscription television industry
for a timely look at the media landscape and what lies ahead. An innovative and thought provoking range of
topics and speakers will focus on how enhanced technology and viewer demand is impacting the industry
today.
NEWS 
