The National Association of Theatre Owners has named PR veteran and former Variety journalist Andrew Stewart as Chief Communications Officer.
In the role, Stewart will lead all efforts for the exhibitor trade organization’s communications and media-relations strategy. He’ll be based out of the Los Angles office and report directly to NATO president and CEO Michael O’Leary.
Stewart plans to spearhead a comprehensive and aggressive communications strategy to raise awareness of exhibition’s vital role in the entertainment industry’s success and help map its innovative future, such as promoting the results of exhibition’s recent $2.2 billion commitment to modernize and upgrade theatres of all sizes over the next three years. An immediate priority for Stewart will involve NATO’s annual exhibitor-major studio spring summit, CinemaCon, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. He will also work in close partnership with the Cinema Foundation on efforts to promote moviegoing.
Stewart comes to NATO from 42West, where he served as VP in the LA office of the firm’s Strategic Communications division. There he worked with a wide range of clientele across industries including entertainment, gaming, technology and social impact, as well as in crisis communications and issues management.
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“We were so impressed with Andrew’s drive and strategic know-how in navigating today’s ever-evolving media landscape,” O’Leary said. “Andrew will be invaluable to ensuring that exhibition is a part of the ongoing conversation about the future of filmed entertainment. Not to mention, it’s clear he has a deep passion for going to the theatre, with a desire to see the business of moviegoing not only succeed, but innovate and grow.”
Said Stewart: “For me, storytelling is at the heart of communications, so the opportunity to join a venerable organization such as NATO, to tell their story on behalf of the exhibition community, is nothing short of perfect. I couldn’t be more excited to roll up my sleeves and roll back the curtain in telling this next chapter in the theatrical exhibition story.”
Prior to 42West, Stewart served in communications roles for Participant and Imax Corp. During his time at Participant, he worked on campaigns for such box office hits as Wonder, The Post, RBG and Green Book. At Imax, he was part of the team for such record-setting releases as Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Jurassic World and The Fast & Furious franchise among others. Stewart began his career as an entertainment journalist for Variety, where he reported on box office, film distribution, digital and on-demand platforms, as well as independent film and theatrical exhibition. While there, he was honored multiple times by the Southern California Journalism Awards.