MUMBAI: Simon Cowell will receive the 2010 International Emmy Founders Award. International Academy president and CEO Bruce L. Paisner said that Cowell will accept the Award at the 38th International Emmy Awards Gala, on 22 November, 2010 in New York City.

Cowell is an A&R executive, producer and star of three television shows in the US and the UK. In 2002 he founded his UK-based media and entertainment production company, Syco. Cowell first became publicly known as a judge on Pop Idol and later American Idol.

Meanwhile, with Syco, Cowell was responsible for developing two of the biggest hit formats in the world, in the Got Talent and X Factor franchises. In 2007, he became the first producer to simultaneously have the number one program in the UK and the US as Britain’s Got Talent and America’s Got Talent topped the television charts. Got Talent is Europe’s leading entertainment format and was the fastest selling format in 2007 as well as 2008. The X Factor, having recently completed season six was awarded Entertainment Show of the Year by the 2009 UK National Television Awards.

"Simon Cowell is an entrepreneur and performer in equal measure. He has built an international empire and in so doing has changed the face of television around the world," said Paisner.

A 20-year veteran of the music industry with his own record label, Cowell is an A&R executive within Sony Records and is responsible for some of the biggest acts of the last decade including Leona Lewis, Westlife and Susan Boyle.

"I’m delighted. I’ve been very lucky to be able to make shows that I love," said Cowell.