Howard Stringer to Lead AFI Into the 21st Century;Stringer Elected Chair of New AFI Board of...

Entertainment Editors

LOS ANGELES--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Jan. 10, 2000

Howard Stringer has been elected chair of the American Film Institute's Board of Trustees as part of a newly created board structure designed to address the organization's evolving role and growth opportunities

Trustee membership will be expanded and 25 current trustees were appointed to serve on a new board of directors that will focus on the organization's priorities and oversee its activities.

Tom Pollock, after having served as chair of the Board of Trustees from 1996-1999, a period of tremendous expansion for AFI, has been elected the first chair of the AFI's new board of directors. The directors will meet more frequently in overseeing programs and fiscal matters.

Howard Stringer, chairman and chief executive officer of Sony Corporation of America, is the 10th Board Chair in the AFI's 32-year history. Prior to joining Sony, he was chairman and CEO of media and technology company, Tele-TV, and previously he held major posts at CBS as a journalist and producer, before becoming president of the CBS Broadcast Group in 1988.

Stringer stated: "AFI is a remarkable organization that has provided leadership in saving our moving image heritage and in training our nation's future storytellers. The board recognizes that in the 21st century, AFI's goals must include a new leadership role in redefining the moving image in the digital era.

"Its impact and support also now extend beyond film and television to encompass national corporations, communications, new media and the larger arts world. The board restructuring reflects this expanding base of stakeholders and provides a way for the Trustees to play a key role in the exciting transition to the digital age."

Pollock added: "AFI is fortunate to have Howard Stringer, head of the Sony Corporation of America, assume chairmanship of the board. Howard has a tremendous respect for our country's film and television heritage. He also recognizes that a national educational and cultural organization cannot only reflect on the past, but must imagine what the future holds as well.

"AFI must play a leadership role in shaping our national culture. Sony is at the cutting edge of the transition to the digital age, and Howard's understanding of the impact of the digital transformation on art and culture will be extremely valuable. I look forward to working with him to make AFI the nation's screen educational leader at this extraordinary moment in time."