The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences, the body best known for handing out the Oscars every year, has chosen its new president. The Board of Governors voted Tuesday to pick Cheryl Boone Isaacs as president.
The Academy announced Boone Isaacs will take the position after Hawk Koch, whose one-year term as president just came to an end. She has been on the Board of Governors for 21 years as a representative of the Public Relations Branch. Last year, she produced the Governors Awards ceremony.
Disney and Pixar’s John Lasseter was named first vice president, while Jeffrey Kurland and Leonard Engelman were also named vice presidents. Dick Cook will be treasurer and Phil Robinson is the new secretary.
Boone Isaacs is the current head of CBI Enterprises, Inc., consulting on Oscar winning films like Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire, The Artist and The King’s Speech. Her previous positions include president of theatrical marketing at New Line Cinema and executive vice president of worldwide publicity for Paramount, where she put together campaigns for Forrest Gump and Braveheart.
On Wednesday, the Academy also announced the creation of a new branch just for casting directors. Previously, they joined the Academy as Members-at-Large.
“Casting directors play an essential role in the filmmaking process,” Boone Isaacs said. “Their inclusion on our board will only broaden our perspective and help ensure that the Academy continues to accurately reflect the state of filmmaking today.”
For the record, the 2014 Oscars - which will honor the best films of 2013 - will be held on March 2, 2014 to avoid the Winter Olympics.
image: ABC