MPAA Names Emily Lenzner Executive Vice President for Global Communications and Public Affairs
WASHINGTON – Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) Chairman & CEO Charles H. Rivkin today announced the appointment of Emily Lenzner as Executive Vice President for Global Communications and Public Affairs. Lenzner will report to Rivkin and oversee the trade association’s communications team in the U.S. and internationally. She will join the MPAA on August 1 and be based at its global headquarters in Washington, D.C.
“Emily is one of the leading communications strategists in the media industry,” said Rivkin. “Her expertise in managing global, highly visible brands while navigating some of our industry’s biggest challenges will be invaluable not only to the MPAA but for each of our member studios. I am confident that her strong leadership skills and strategic communications experience will only enhance our ability to shape public policy debates around the world in support of our advocacy goals.”
Lenzner’s appointment comes at a time of evolution for the MPAA and its member companies. With the addition of Netflix as a member studio this year – joining Disney, Paramount, Sony, Universal, and Warner Bros. – the MPAA is better positioned to advance the creative industry, protect its members’ content across all screens, defend the creative and artistic freedoms of storytellers, and support innovative distribution models that bring an expansion of viewing choices to audiences around the world.
“I am excited to join the MPAA during such a dynamic and pivotal time for the film and television industry,” said Lenzner. “I look forward to working with our members in our effort to advance the business and art of storytelling.”
Most recently, Lenzner was the Senior Vice President of Global Communications and External Relations at Atlantic Media, where she led communications strategy for all divisions of the media company, including The Atlantic, Quartz, National Journal Group, and Government Executive Media Group and its subsidiaries. During her tenure she managed the communications roll-out of Atlantic Media’s sales of The Atlantic and Quartz in 2017 and 2018, respectively.
Prior to joining Atlantic Media, Lenzner was a managing director for public affairs at SKDKnickerbocker and the executive director of communications for ABC News in Washington, managing PR for programs This Week with George Stephanopoulos and Nightline and the network’s political coverage. Early in her career, Lenzner worked in film production and development for Diane Keaton’s production company and was a local news producer in Seattle after serving in the Clinton White House as an assistant to then senior advisor George Stephanopoulos.
Lenzner was named in-house PR Professional of the Year by PRWeek in 2016 and is a 2016 PR News “Top Woman in PR.” She serves on the board of trustees for the Shakespeare Theatre Company and is a board member for Running Start and City Dance. She is a graduate of Vassar College, where she earned a BA in English.
Lenzner succeeds Matt Bennett, who was recently named Vice President and Chief Communications Officer at American University.
# # #
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. Its members include: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures; Netflix, Inc.; Paramount Pictures Corporation; Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.; Universal City Studios LLC; and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
For more information, contact:
MPAA Washington, D.C.
Chris Ortman
(202) 378-9145