Last night, veteran Hollywood marketing executive Cheryl Boone Isaacs was elected to head the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The Academy is the organization that decides every year who wins an Oscar.
Boone Isaacs is the first African-American to be elected president of the AMPAS and the third woman to hold the post in the organization’s 86 year history.
Before now, the longtime academy insider had served in every office within the organization except president. Her previous position was first vice president.
The marketing mogul will serve will serve a one-year term and will be eligible to stay in the role for three additional years.
After previous employment as president of theatrical marketing at New Line Cinema and executive vice president of worldwide publicity at Paramount Pictures, Boone Isaacs currently heads her own marketing firm, CBI Enterprises, Inc.
Her company has worked with multiple award-winning films such as The Artist, The King’s Speech and Precious.
Boone Isaacs’ new job as president of the AMPAS comes at a time when the organization is working to address the issue of diversity.
A recent Los Angeles Times article highlighted a study that found the Academy is still overwhelmingly old, white and male.
