Christina Kounelias has been named to the newly created post of Chief Marketing Officer for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, it was announced today by Academy CEO Dawn Hudson. Kounelias will assume her new role on August 1 and will report directly to Hudson.

"As the Academy expands and fosters the achievements of the film community and its legacy, we are proud to have an executive of Christina's caliber join us in this vital role," said Hudson. "Christina brings a wealth of experience and a strategic perspective from working within the film community, which makes her the right person at the right time to lead our marketing initiatives and build upon the Academy's on-going achievements."
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with an extraordinary organization," said Kounelias. "I am so honored to be working with Dawn, Ric Robertson, Tom Sherak, and the Academy's talented team."
In this new position, Kounelias will oversee all planning, strategy and marketing execution of Academy initiatives including its signature Oscar telecast, the Governors Awards and year-round educational outreach and screening programs. The marketing, communications and online staff will report to her.
Kounelias joins the Academy from WB-based New Line Cinema, where she served as Executive Vice President, Marketing. She worked at the studio for 17 years and held senior posts in marketing and PR during her tenure there – highlights of which include innovative campaigns for Peter Jackson's landmark "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Prior to New Line, Kounelias worked at Miramax Films, where she established their PR department. Additionally, she has worked on campaigns for a diverse array of films including "Sex and the City," "Wedding Crashers," "Hairspray," "Little Children," "About Schmidt," "A History of Violence," the "Austin Powers" and "Rush Hour" franchises, "Boogie Nights," "Cinema Paradiso," "My Left Foot" and "Seven."
Kounelias has been a member of the Academy for nine years.# # #Editors: A photo is available for download at http://photos.oscars.org/
ABOUT THE ACADEMY
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the world’s preeminent movie-related organization, with a membership of more than 6,000 of the most accomplished men and women working in cinema. In addition to the annual Academy Awards – in which the members vote to select the nominees and winners – the Academy presents a diverse year-round slate of public programs, exhibitions and events; provides financial support to a wide range of other movie-related organizations and endeavors; acts as a neutral advocate in the advancement of motion picture technology; and, through its Margaret Herrick Library and Academy Film Archive, collects, preserves, restores and provides access to movies and items related to their history. Through these and other activities the Academy serves students, historians, the entertainment industry and people everywhere who love movies.