Motion Picture Association Hires Josh Levin as Vice President of State Government Affairs for the Northeast Region
Newly Created Position Reflects Industry’s Impact in the Northeast Region
WASHINGTON – The Motion Picture Association (MPA) today announced Josh Levin as Vice President of State Government Affairs for the Northeast Region. Levin will be based in New York, creating an official office in the region and continuing the shift towards a regional approach for the association’s state government affairs work. He will begin on March 27 and report to Kathy Bañuelos, Senior Vice President of State Government Affairs at the MPA.
“For the last decade, Josh has worked in city and state politics successfully navigating complex policy matters with an extensive network of community, business and government stakeholders,” said Bañuelos. “Considering the rapid growth of productions throughout the northeast and key investments in the region by our industry, his expertise and skillset will be immensely valuable for the MPA, our member studios, and everyone who has a job or business supported by productions. I’m excited to have him join our team.”
“I’m excited that Josh is joining the MPA and taking on this exciting new role representing the Northeast region for our member studios,” said Patrick Kilcur, Executive Vice President, U.S. Government Affairs at the Motion Picture Association. “Under Kathy’s leadership, our state advocacy has transformed. She has brought on top executives based in key production hubs across the country, which will maximize our advocacy and deliver results for the entire film, television, and streaming industry.”
Levin’s career in in public service has focused on community affairs and economic development. He most recently served as the Associate Commissioner of Intergovernmental and Community Affairs at the New York City Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME), where he ensured the efficiency of film, television, and streaming productions by liaising with the community, government, and industry. Prior to MOME, he worked for the Brooklyn Borough President as the Director of Economic Development and Capital Budget. He has also held roles in New York City’s office of the Comptroller and the New York State Assembly.
“New York has been one of the film, television, and streaming industry’s most iconic locations for over a century, and states throughout the northeast have made the region one of the most attractive places to make a film or TV show,” said Levin. “The investments made by local governments and those made by the MPA member studios have spurred immense growth and impact – pumping millions of dollars into local communities, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs, and supporting local businesses. I look forward to joining the MPA to help maximize the impact productions can bring to our region.”
Levin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Affairs from Indiana University and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning degree from the University of Colorado. He has served in AmeriCorps with the Montana Conservation Corps. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and son.
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About The Motion Picture Association:
The Motion Picture Association, Inc. (MPA) serves as the global voice and advocate of the motion picture, home video, and television industries. It works in every corner of the globe to advance the creative industry, protect its members’ content across all screens, defend the creative and artistic freedoms of storytellers, and support innovative distribution models that bring an expansion of viewing choices to audiences around the world.
Its member studios are: Netflix Studios, LLC; Paramount Pictures Corporation; Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.; Universal City Studios LLC; Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures; and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Charles Rivkin is Chairman and CEO.
Media Contact:
Tom Zigo, Motion Picture Association
Tom_Zigo@motionpictures.org
202.378.9110