Former Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd, a veteran Washington insider, is Hollywood’s new chief lobbyist.
The Motion Picture Assn. of America said Tuesday that Dodd will become the new chief executive of the MPAA, the lobbying arm for the main studios that also oversees the film ratings system.
Dodd succeeds Dan Glickman, a former Kansas congressman and Secretary of Agriculture, who stepped down a year ago after five years on the job. Dodd will pull down more than $1.5 million in salary, 25% greater than the $1.2 million Glickman received.
In selecting Dodd, the MPAA’s board is counting on the one-time U.S. presidential hopeful to restore some of the clout that the organization had during the four decades it was run by the legendary Jack Valenti, the former aide to President Lyndon Johnson who turned the lobbyist’s role into a starring turn.
Full story: Chris Dodd: Former senator Chris Dodd new leader of the MPAA