Bob Pisano to take over as interim MPAA head

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Bob Pisano, the former head of the Screen Actors Guild, has been named interim chief executive of the Motion Picture Assn. of America as Dan Glickman exits his role as Hollywood’s top lobbyist five months sooner than expected.

[Note: An earlier version of this post said that Pisano would be interim president and that he would take over on April 1.]

Glickman announced his resignation in October after five years on the job. At the time, Gickman said he’d stay until September. But the MPAA announced today that Glickman was leaving April 1 to become president of Refugees International, an advocacy group that deals with refugee crises. “Our industry has been well served by Dan’s efforts and advocacy worldwide, and we appreciate the job he has done on our behalf. He is a great humanitarian and will be very effective in his new role,” said Bob Iger, chief executive of Walt Disney Co.

Pisano has been the MPAA’s president and chief operating officer, based in Los Angeles, since 2005. Pisano takes over as interim CEO immediately, though Glickman will remain on the job. Pisano has been mentioned as a possible permanent replacement for Glickman. The MPAA said he would serve as its interim chief ‘while the search continues for Glickman’s replacement.’

Pisano was a senior executive at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. and Paramount Pictures Corp. before moving to SAG in 2001, where he served as chief executive and national executive director.

-- Jim Puzzanghera