MOVIE ACADEMY MAKES SURPRISING CHOICE FOR CEO

Dawn Hudson has been selected to replace Bruce Davis as the new CEO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In naming Hudson, the Academy unexpectedly went outside is own organization; Hudson is currently head of Film Independent and is credited with making the annual Independent Spirit Awards a respected annual honors event. Current executive director Ric Robertson, who many had expected would succeed Davis, was named COO of the Academy, reporting to Hudson. In a statement, Academy President Tom Sherak said, “With the leadership team of Dawn as our CEO and Ric as our COO, we have the ideal combination of new vision and institutional continuity to move us forward.”