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Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America, Dan Glickman, has confirmed that he will be leaving his position when his contract expires next September.
Glickman joined the MPAA in 2004, following an illustrious political career. Prior to his position with the MPAA, Glickman served as Director of the Institute of Politics located at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. He was also the secretary of agriculture during Bill Clinton’s term, as well as a congressman in Kansas.
Glickman has served as head of the MPAA during a less than smooth-sailing period. He was brought in at a time when more and more studios are under the direction of conglomerates, which results in conflicting agendas being a commonality.
This year, Glickman has had to deal with more discontent within the film industry, as the year’s stimulus bill didn’t give tax breaks to Hollywood producers.
Additionally, Glickman has worked hard to increase federal antipiracy resources, as well as offering states greater incentives for filmmaking.
There’s currently no word as to who will follow Glickman as the next MPAA Chairman, but speculation ranges from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to Disney’s lobbyist to current MPAA executive vice president.
Beyond the curiosity surrounding who will take over Glickman’s position, there is also curiosity as to how the MPAA’s role may change after Glickman leaves. Studios have already cut the MPAA’s budget by 15-20%, and could be cut down even further as more studios begin relying largely on their in-house lobbyists.
