Every year, The Genesis Awards pays tribute to the major news and entertainment media for producing outstanding works that raise public awareness of animal issues.
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Ian shows off his Wyler Award backstage. Tim Long/Long Photography
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Posing for the cameras on the red carpet. Tim Long/Long Photography
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Snuggling with "The Artist's" Uggie on the red carpet. Tim Long/Long Photography
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With HSUS President & CEO Wayne Pacelle and HSUS Hollywood Outreach program Senior Director Beverly Kaskey. Tim Long/Long Photography
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Accepting his award on stage. Tim Long/Long Photography
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Getting close to host Carrie Ann Inaba. Tim Long/Long Photography
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Chatting with presenter Sophia Bush. Tim Long/Long Photography
The 2011 Wyler Award Goes to Ian Somerhalder
Each year The Wyler Award is awarded to a celebrity or public figure who has raised awareness of animal issues via the media. At the March 24 Genesis Awards ceremony, Ian Somerhalder demonstrated why he is a worthy recipient of the coveted Wyler Award.
This "Bad boy" does so much good
There can be no doubt that Ian Somerhalder, who plays bad boy vampire Damon Salvatore in the CW series, "Vampire Diaries," has a big stake in protecting animals.
He blogs; he tweets; and he talks about critical animal issues in interviews—shark-finning, the Canadian seal hunt, puppy mills, and more. Somerhalder has even addressed Congress about endangered species.
In his own words
"The tireless efforts of The Humane Society of the United States to protect animals around the world has always been an inspiration to me, and I’m honored to be recognized with this year’s Wyler Award," says Somerhalder. Addressing the audience at the ceremony, Ian’s passion shined through as he called for a new approach to controlling pet overpopulation.
Celebrating a multi-media advocate
“Ian is the epitome of a new kind of advocate who leverages his fame and an array of media platforms (he has a million plus followers on Twitter) to draw public attention to animal protection concerns and other issues that he cares deeply about,” says Beverly Kaskey, senior director of The HSUS’s Hollywood Outreach and executive producer of the annual Genesis Awards.
Backstage bonus
Want to know what's in those presenters' gift bags? Take a peek »
