CLARK BUNTING | Shark Week Creator

Launched in 1988, “Shark Week” is the world’s longest running cable TV programming event, broadcast in 72 countries. Its creator, Clark Bunting, served as President and General Manager of Discovery Channel and Animal Planet, and joins us on the Let Them Lead podcast to tell us how it started, how leadership works in cable TV, and how it succeeded – and other ideas failed, often spectacularly. Here Clark, a proud Michigan State alumnus, brings his Midwest charm, humility, and humor to our conversation about cable TV in particular – including inside info even the most avid viewer wouldn’t know – and leadership in general, including: the importance of finding great mentors who “know more than you do,” showing respect for his colleagues and their audience; and always giving credit where credit is due. “As you rise the ranks,” he says, “the skills you need tend to be less technical and more personal.” Along the way we get great stories about everyone from Mike Rowe to Steve Irwin to Jane Gooddall. “No one trains you to be famous,” Bunting says, “so it’s interested to see how they handle it.” About our Host: For info about the book or this podcast please visit our website: http://www.letthemleadbybacon.com http://www.johnubacon.com You can connect with John via these platforms: https://www.facebook.com/johnubacon https://twitter.com/Johnubacon

Episode 19 of the Let Them Lead podcast, hosted by Clark Bunting, John U Bacon, titled "CLARK BUNTING | Shark Week Creator" was published on July 24, 2023 and runs 31 minutes.

July 24, 2023 ·31m · Let Them Lead

Summary

Launched in 1988, “Shark Week” is the world’s longest running cable TV programming event, broadcast in 72 countries. Its creator, Clark Bunting, served as President and General Manager of Discovery Channel and Animal Planet, and joins us on the Let Them Lead podcast to tell us how it started, how leadership works in cable TV, and how it succeeded – and other ideas failed, often spectacularly. Here Clark, a proud Michigan State alumnus, brings his Midwest charm, humility, and humor to our conversation about cable TV in particular – including inside info even the most avid viewer wouldn’t know – and leadership in general, including: the importance of finding great mentors who “know more than you do,” showing respect for his colleagues and their audience; and always giving credit where credit is due. “As you rise the ranks,” he says, “the skills you need tend to be less technical and more personal.” Along the way we get great stories about everyone from Mike Rowe to Steve Irwin to Jane Gooddall. “No one trains you to be famous,” Bunting says, “so it’s interested to see how they handle it.” About our Host: For info about the book or this podcast please visit our website: http://www.letthemleadbybacon.com http://www.johnubacon.com You can connect with John via these platforms: https://www.facebook.com/johnubacon https://twitter.com/Johnubacon

Episode Description