PR Veteran John Mercurio Joins Motion Picture Association

Pete Hammond Awards Columnist/Chief Film CriticGiving new meaning to the word museum, the new Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is going back, waaaay back, with its latest acquisition the Richard Balzer Collection, which just by its sheer breadth will fill in most of the blanks that actually led to the creation of what we now know as cinema.In conjunction with the Academy’s Margaret Herrick Library, the Academy Museum said Tuesday that it is the recipient of the collection, widely considered to

Andreas Wiseman International EditorEXCLUSIVE: Thomas Jane (The Predator) is joining Sam Worthington (Avatar) and Colson Baker aka Machine Gun Kelly (The Dirt) in thriller The Last Son Of Isaac LeMay.The Expanse star Jane will also executive-produce alongside Courtney Lauren Penn for their production shingle Renegade Entertainment.Tim Sutton (Donnybrook) is directing from the Black List script by Greg Johnson.

Amanda N'Duka pmc-editorial-managerEXCLUSIVE: Westbrook Studios has brought on former Will Packer Productions exec Heather Washington to serve as Vice President of Development for Motion Pictures.

Denise Petski Senior Managing EditorEXCLUSIVE: John Hoogenakker (Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan) is set as a series regular in Dopesick, Hulu’s eight-episode limited series based on Beth Macy’s bestselling book. The project is from The Handmaid’s Tale executive producer Warren Littlefield and Touchstone Television.

Amanda N'Duka pmc-editorial-managerWill Packer Productions has hired Johanna Byer as Executive Vice President of Motion Pictures.

Will Packer Productions has tapped Johanna Byer to be the executive vice president of motion pictures, reporting directly to the banner's president, James Lopez. In her new role, Byer, who joins Will Packer Productions from France's Gaumont, will develop and produce the company’s feature film projects, working closely with filmmakers, directors and other talent.

A3 Artists Agency has added another four former Paradigm Talent Agency execs to its ranks, including Valarie Phillips as partner and co-head of its motion pictures literary division. The Hollywood talent and literary agency has also hired Martin Spencer as an agent in the film literary division, and boarded Antoni Kaczmarek and Kasey Muraszko as agents in its TV literary department.

Anthony D'Alessandro Editorial Director/Box Office EditorA3 Artists Agency has hired veteran agent Valarie Phillips as partner and co-head of the firm’s Motion Pictures Literary Division.Phillips will co-run the Motion Pictures Literary Division alongside Adam Kanter who was named Partner and Co-Head of Motion Pictures earlier this summer when he was hired together with A3’s new Partner and Co-Head of the Television Literary Division, Andy Patman.In addition, A3 Artists has tapped Martin Spencer

Justin Kroll Senior Film ReporterDavid Kopple is joining Management 360.Kopple comes to the management company from CAA, where he worked with such creatives as Narcos exec producer José Padilha, Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, The Hunt Craig Zobel, ZeroZeroZero show runner  Pablo Trapero Peter Sollett , Adam Robitel, Joe Swanberg, Emily Jerome and John Curran.

Spotify has tapped a veteran Hollywood dealmaker to lead its podcast business affairs as it continues to expand its global audio offerings. Jean Chi is joining the tech company from Paramount, according to a source familiar with the hiring.

Motown Records is set to launch in the UK with its own division. 

DEALSWarner’s Atlantic Records UK has signed rapper Tion Wayne. “Tion is one of the most exciting new voices in the UK today”, says the label’s co-President Briony Turner.

four of the five Academy Awards it was nominated for.Along with Rami's win John Ottman took home the Best Film Editing honour, while team Paul Massey, Tim Cavagin and John Casali earned the Best Sound Mixing honor.

 Sarah Jessica Parker  is quite the saleswoman! The actress spent most of the summer at her Hamptons home with her husband,  Matthew Broderick , and their three children, 17-year-old James and 11-year-old twin daughters, Marion and Tabitha, according to the Daily Mail. Now it seems the “Sex and the City” star is back to business in New York City.

Anthony D'Alessandro Editorial Director/Box Office EditorEXCLUSIVE: Motion picture agent Niki Montazaran has departed ICM Partners for WME, Deadline has learned.Montazaran began her career at Paradigm, rising through the ranks from the mailroom before joining ICM.During her five year tenure at ICM in their Motion Picture Literary Group, Montazaran represented a broad array of diverse clients including Pulitzer-nominated playwright Theresa Rebeck (who also wrote the upcoming Simon

Ted Johnson John Mercurio is joining the Motion Picture Association as its senior vice president of corporate communications.He’ll have joint oversight of global communications, digital media and events practices, and he will manage media relations, including advocacy communications and rapid response. He will report to Emily Lenzner, exec VP of global communications and public affairs, and also serve as her deputy. He starts on Sept.

Even though Robert De Niro is 77 years old, it doesn’t appear that the legendary actor is slowing down anytime soon.

Tom Grater International Film ReporterEXCLUSIVE: Here’s the first look still for Everybody Hates John, the Norwegian comedy that TrustNordisk is launching sales on at the forthcoming Toronto International Film Festival.The movie is a hybrid animation / live action project, as you will see from the image. It chronicles the life of Johan, a small town loner with a flair for dynamite who finds himself in constant conflict with the rural community.

In the same Alpine resorts where well-to-do Brits enjoy care-free skiing holidays, migrants are risking their lives to make a border-crossing. Reporter Adnan Sawar meets Hasan, a young man who has already travelled thousands of miles from his war-torn home in Sudan and must keep moving, if he is to survive.