The National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) has experienced another staff departure, with Jerry Pierce resigning from his role as technical advisor in protest. Pierce’s resignation comes just months after the departure of NATO chief John Fithian and the exit of exec vp and general counsel Jackie Brenneman. The shakeup within NATO has raised concerns about the association’s future direction and its relationship with Hollywood.
Pierce’s resignation letter, obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, cites his disappointment in NATO’s new leader, Michael O’Leary, and accuses him of disrespecting the knowledge and experience of his staff. Pierce also expresses concern that NATO may be moving away from Hollywood, questioning the focus on technology and critical topics for exhibition that are centered in the industry. However, the letter does not provide further details about these concerns.
In regards to Brenneman’s removal, Pierce criticizes O’Leary’s decision, calling her “one of the most dedicated, hardworking and insightful members of the NATO team” and expressing confusion about the logic behind removing such an important contributor to the exhibition industry. Despite requests for comment, NATO declined to provide any additional information on these staffing changes.
Brenneman, who had been considered a candidate to replace Fithian as NATO chief, joined the association in 2014 as counsel and director of industry relations. Previously, she served as general counsel to the Global Cinema Federation. Pierce, a former senior vp at Universal, is known in the industry as a tech insider who played a significant role in the transition from film to digital cinema projection. He remains the chairman of the Inter-Society Digital Cinema Forum, an organization co-founded by Pierce in 2006 with the goal of supporting the launch of digital cinema. NATO is one of the sponsoring organizations of this forum.
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Amidst these staff changes, The Cinema Foundation announced the second National Cinema Day, scheduled for August 27. The event aims to highlight the role of movies and offer discounted admissions at participating U.S. theaters in all formats, with tickets priced no more than $4. Brenneman, as president of the Cinema Foundation, supported this initiative and expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to celebrate and gather at the movies.
It remains to be seen how the recent departures at NATO will impact the association’s future decisions and relationships within the industry. Pierce’s resignation underscores concerns about the leadership under O’Leary and the potential shift away from Hollywood. As the association continues to navigate these changes, industry professionals and stakeholders will be closely watching for any further developments that may affect the exhibition industry and its ties to Hollywood.
