MPA Names Urmila Venugopalan President of Asia-Pacific Region as Belinda Lui Steps Down

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As a long-time fan of the global film industry, I am absolutely thrilled to witness the well-deserved ascension of Urmila Venugopalan to the role of President and Managing Director for the Asia-Pacific region at the Motion Picture Association (MPA). Having started her career in the policy planning staff at the US State Department, and later as a senior consultant at the Albright Stonebridge Group, Urmila has consistently demonstrated an unparalleled understanding of the complexities and nuances of global affairs that will undoubtedly serve her exceptionally well in this new position.

Urmila Venugopalan has been appointed as the fresh president and managing director for the Asia-Pacific region by The Motion Picture Association.

Previously serving as the Executive Vice President for Strategy and Global Operations at MPA, Venugopalan will take over from Belinda Lui, who is resigning after a tenure of five years. This transition in leadership takes place on January 31st.

In 2017, Venugopalan became a member of the MPA and since then, he’s been focusing on harmonizing the U.S. and overseas divisions, improving global efficiency, and enhancing collaboration between the legal and policy departments.

Located in Tokyo, Venugopalan will work under the supervision of Gail MacKinnon, who holds the position of senior executive vice president for global policy and government affairs at the MPA.

In his fresh position, the MPA announces that Venugopalan will carry on broadening the access of U.S. studios and streaming platforms to local markets, encourage content creation in new regions, and fortify advocacy, operations, and staff across the Asia-Pacific region.

As a devoted admirer, I’m excited to share that I’ll be collaborating closely with MPA’s anti-piracy unit, the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), in my role. My primary focus will be on safeguarding the business and artistic endeavors of studios, streamers, and local screen communities, as well as our homegrown creative industry. Additionally, I’ll continue to serve as the MPA’s corporate board liaison, ensuring smooth communication between us and the higher-ups.

Charles Rivkin, Chairman and CEO of the MPA, praised Urmila as an experienced leader who excels at navigating the intricate junctions between business, public policy, and international affairs. He noted that Urmila joined the MPA during a crucial period of transformation, significantly improving and redefining the organization’s structure and goals. Rivkin expressed his faith that her extensive knowledge of global business operations, combined with her current corporate board liaison duties, will foster the achievements of our members throughout the Asia Pacific region and beyond.

Excitedly, I’m pleased to bring Urmila aboard my team. She’s not just a reliable guide but a respected figure whose wisdom is admired by peers and industry stakeholders alike. Her influence has already left its mark across all aspects of our organization, and she keeps an eagle eye on the big political and sectoral shifts – all while staying committed to our mission of showcasing the transformative power of creativity in fueling local economies, creating jobs, and fostering global connections. With her at the helm of our APAC division, I’m confident we’ll make an even bigger difference in this rapidly expanding region. I also want to express my gratitude to Belinda for her outstanding leadership and guidance, which have significantly advanced the MPA and our member studios in this part of the world.

Before diving into the gaming world, I was part of the foreign policy scene, serving as a team member on the policy planning staff at the U.S. State Department in the nation’s capital (Washington, D.C.), and later, as a top advisor at the Albright Stonebridge Group.

Venugopalan expressed her excitement about her new position: “The Asia-Pacific area has had a significant impact on our industry’s past, and it is poised to become central to the future of compelling narratives. With the film, television, and streaming industries at a pivotal point, MPA members are more enthusiastic than ever about the potential of this region – its passionate and involved audiences, its constant innovation, and its incredibly talented production teams. I’m eager to assist our studio members and their local collaborators in their endeavors to stimulate local economies and enrich regional cultures.

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2024-12-20 11:54