Cinema United has announced the renewal of its CEO and President, Michael O'Leary's, contract for an additional five years, demonstrating the organization's confidence in his leadership and vision for the future of the global theatrical exhibition industry.
"Representing the great people who own and operate theaters across the United States and around the world has been one of the great honors of my professional career, and I am energized by the opportunities that lie ahead for this iconic industry," said O'Leary in a press release announcing his contract extension. "I want to thank Chairman Mike Bowers, outgoing Chair Bob Bagby, and the entire Cinema United Executive Board for this opportunity. I also want to thank my dedicated colleagues at Cinema United. Our success is a direct result of their hard work and creativity, and I am excited to continue our work supporting and advocating on behalf of this industry."
O'Leary first joined Cinema United in May 2023, stepping into the role during a pivotal moment for the movie theater business as it continued to rebuild and reimagine itself in the post-pandemic era. Since then, he has been a driving force behind Cinema United's efforts to champion the economic, cultural, and community impact of cinemas both in the United States and abroad. During his tenure, O'Leary has worked to bridge gaps across the industry, promoting collaboration among exhibitors, studios, and policymakers, while advocating for the essential role that movie theaters play as cultural gathering spaces.
Cinema United Board Chair and Harkins Theatres CEO Mike Bowers praised O'Leary's steady leadership and deep understanding of both the creative and business sides of the industry. "Michael has proven to be a tireless and passionate advocate for the exhibition industry," said Bowers. "Leveraging his broad experience in the motion picture industry as well as on Capitol Hill, Michael's focus on unity, strategy, and continuous improvement has earned the confidence and respect of members of all sizes, as well as our studio partners. The next five years present unique and exciting opportunities for our industry. We are thrilled to have the long-term stability and steady hand of Michael and the talented Cinema United team representing us during this time."
O'Leary's leadership has coincided with a period of renewed investment and optimism within the exhibition sector. In September, Cinema United released a report revealing that the domestic film industry invested more than $1.5 billion in theater reinvestment over the past twelve months.
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