Jack Valenti
Jack Joseph Valenti (born September 5, 1921) was "special assistant" to Lyndon Johnson's White House. In 1966, he resigned and became the president of the Motion Picture Association of America. He is generally regarded as one of the most influential pro-copyright lobbyists in the world.
In 2003, he found himself at the center of the so-called screener debate, as the MPAA barred studios and many independent producers from sending screener copies of their films to critics and voters in various awards shows. Under mounting industry pressure, conceded a small victory to pro-screener forces to allow screeners to be sent out to Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences voting members only (and only on condition that voters sign an extensive contract agreeing to not distrubute their copy), leading to further outcry from film critics, producers, non-voting Academy members (legendary agent Ed Limato resigned his Academy membership over the issue) and other awards.
In March 2004, Valenti, 82, announced his retirement.
See also
[need more info on the influence he has wielded in particular negotiations]
Valenti has also written some books:
- A Very Human President
- Speak Up With Confidence
- Protect and Defend (Doubleday)
