An Excellent Choice At MPAA

It's finally official. Former Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd will lead the MPAA. After 30 years in the Senate, including the passage of landmark bills like Family and Medical Leave, The FIRE Act, the Affordable Care Act of 2010, Financial Regulatory Reform, and countless other bills, the former Senior Senator will head to Hollywood, or at least be their main man in DC. To say they got clout is an understatement. A close friend of both the Vice-President and Senator Mitch McConnell, not to mention Teddy Kennedy's best friend in the Senate, Dodd brings countless connections to this job. Note here, I'm biased, I used to work for the guy, but they got one of the most fun-loving, capable members of the Senate in the last 30 years to lead their lobbying effort.

The official announcement text:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2011

MPAA APPOINTS SENATOR CHRISTOPHER J. DODD
AS CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
WASHINGTON — The Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (MPAA)
today announced it has named former U.S. Senator Christopher J. Dodd
as its new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
Senator Dodd, who completed five terms in the United States Senate in
January, will assume his new role on March 17th (St. Patrick’s Day).
“Senator Dodd is a battle tested leader whose reputation as a strong
leader on major issues facing this country has prepared him to serve
as the Ambassador for the movie business. I, along with my colleagues,
agree that he was worth the wait,” said Fox Filmed Entertainment
Chairman Jim Gianopulos. He added, “We’re also grateful to Bob Pisano,
who has done an excellent job of leading the MPAA during this
transition period.”
Senator Dodd, a Democrat, represented Connecticut in the U.S. Senate
from 1981 to 2011, where he was Chairman of the Senate Banking
Committee and the author of the historic Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform
and Consumer Protection Act. Dodd also served as Acting-Chairman of
the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee
during the 2009 consideration of the Health Care Reform Act. He also
was a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He has
been widely respected as an effective lawmaker able to successfully
reach across party lines.
"I am truly excited about representing the interests of one of the
most creative and productive industries in America, not only in
Washington but around the world,” said Senator Dodd. “The major
motion picture studios consistently produce and distribute the most
sought after and enjoyable entertainment on earth. Protecting this
great American export will be my highest priority.”
“In several important ways, taking this step represents a continuation
of my work in the Senate, from advancing the interests of children and
families and creating and safeguarding American jobs to the protection
of intellectual property and the expansion of international trade,”
said Senator Dodd.
"It is also an honor to follow in the footsteps of Jack Valenti and
Dan Glickman, both of whom I worked with on many occasions over the
years. I look forward to working with the studios, the Association
staff and all who work in our industry on the major issues facing it
during this time of economic and technological challenge and global
growth.”
“We conducted a thorough search to identify the very best individual
to lead the MPAA," said Sony Pictures Entertainment Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer Michael Lynton. "We're convinced we have found that
person in Chris Dodd. He is uniquely qualified to represent and
protect our industry globally."
“Chris Dodd not only has the political instincts and experience, but
he’s the right person to lead the film industry through its toughest
challenges regarding content protection and piracy on a domestic and
global scale,” said Barry Meyer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
of Warner Bros.
Alan Braverman, Senior Executive Vice President and General Counsel at
the Walt Disney Company and MPAA Search Committee Member added, “This
is a critical time for the motion picture industry and we couldn’t be
more pleased that Chris Dodd is leading our team. His vast experience
in consensus-building and innovative approaches to resolving complex
issues make him the ideal choice to lead this organization.”
Born in Willimantic, Connecticut, Senator Dodd attended Providence
College, served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Dominican Republic,
and then received his law degree from the University of Louisville
Brandeis School of Law in 1972. He served in the Connecticut National
Guard and the U.S. Army Reserves and practiced law in Connecticut
before being elected to Congress in 1974. He also served as the
General Chairman of the Democratic National Committee during the re-
election campaign of President William J. Clinton in 1995-1996.
Senator Dodd and his wife, Jackie Clegg Dodd, have two daughters,
Grace and Christina.
About the MPAA
The Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (MPAA) serves as the
voice and advocate of the American motion picture, home video and
television industries from its offices in Los Angeles and Washington,
D.C. Its members include: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures;
Paramount Pictures Corporation; Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.;
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation; Universal City Studios LLC;
and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
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For more information, contact:

MPAA Washington, D.C.
Howard Gantman
(202) 293-1966
Howard_Gantman@mpaa.org
MPAA Los Angeles
Elizabeth Kaltman
(818) 995-6600
Elizabeth_Kaltman@mpaa.org