Latest in MPAA

The MPAA promoted five executives on Thursday, the latest moves at the global film and TV industry trade group that has been revamping its global operations since May, when the organization upped Gail MacKinnon to Senior EVP Global Policy & Government Affairs. MPAA chairman and CEO Charles Rivkin said Thursday in an…

The Motion Picture Association of America has appointed Emily Lenzner as EVP for Global Communications and Public Affairs. She will report to MPAA Chairman and CEO Charles Rivkin and oversee the trade group's communications team in the U.S. and internationally. Lenzner will start August 1 and be based at the MPAA’s…

Hollywood has been slow in reacting against Georgia’s Living Infants Fairness and Equality Act, legislation known as the “heartbeat bill” that prohibits most abortions in the state once doctors can detect a fetal heartbeat. Signed into law this week, the bill – now one of the nation’s most restrictive abortion laws…

The MPAA has promoted Gail MacKinnon to Senior EVP Global Policy & Government Affairs, a move that will add oversight of international advocacy and policy to her role at the industry trade group. The news was announced internally today via memo to staff by chairman and CEO Charles Rivkin. “Today's film, television…

As an official member of the MPAA, Netflix “will benefit from Chinese access, if they wish to go into the market,” MPAA chief Charles Rivkin told Deadline today. Rivkin was addressing ongoing discussions surrounding a new film agreement with the Middle Kingdom, saying the contract “is being reexamined” and that the…

MPAA CEO and chairman Charles Rivkin today continued to tubthump the huge 2018 box office year, sharing lessons he learned in his first year at the job and that “our industry and our partnership is in for the long game.” “Success depends on evolution and growth, so you must adapt and deliver what consumers wants,&#8221…

A week and a half prior to the exhibitor-distributor love-in CinemaCon, the Motion Picture Association of America has released their annual entertainment industry report, showing that the theatrical and home ancillary sectors were vibrant at a record $96.8 billion in revenues in 2018, +9% over 2017. Global box office…

UPDATED with Netflix officially joining: It’s official, Netflix is a member of the MPAA. The Washington, DC-based organization just dropped the following release: The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) has added Netflix as a new member of the global trade association that advocates on behalf of the film and…

MPAA communications executives Chris Ortman and Adria Marquez have been promoted to senior vice president and vice president, respectively. In an email to all employees of the organization, global communications EVP Matt Bennett called the uppings “well-deserved.” Ortman is chief spokesperson for the film lobbying…

UPDATED, 9:52 AM: IFC Films issued a statement this morning about the flap over Wednesday’s screenings of an unrated version of The House That Jack Built that the MPAA says broke it ratings rules. “IFC Films has not received any written notice from the MPAA regarding sanctions in connection with The House That Jack Bui…

The MPAA has named Kelly McMahon to succeed Joan Graves as chair of the Classification and Rating Administration, the group that assigns film ratings. Graves, a 77-year-old grandmother of two, retires next year after 30 years with the organization. The MPAA’s corporate counsel, McMahon, will succeed her after a…

The commoditization of film continues apace. By the counts on Boxofficemojo.com, theatrical feature releases have reached 648 for the year. That's about two films per day, a rate that promises another 98 movies by December 31, even if we don't get a year-end rush. The 2018 total, if current patterns hold, would be…