Greg Hessinger, Former SAG Leader, Tapped to Head AMPTP

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Greg Hessinger, who previously served as the head of the Screen Actors Guild, has been appointed as the new CEO, making him the third individual to hold this position in the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

As a cinephile speaking about my role, I’ll be handling negotiations for numerous labor contracts across various Hollywood studios coming up next year. These contracts involve key organizations like the Directors Guild of America, Writers Guild of America, and SAG-AFTRA, which we all know play significant roles in the film industry.

I feel incredibly humbled and privileged to take on this position at the AMPTP, especially during such a crucial period in our industry’s history.

or

It’s an immense honor for me to assume this role at the AMPTP, given the significant changes happening within our industry right now.

or

I am profoundly grateful and excited to join the AMPTP team during such a transformative time for our industry.

All these sentences convey the same meaning but are slightly different in tone and emphasis.

Hessinger must respond to a group of traditional studios and online broadcasters who sometimes have conflicting goals, as they strive to adapt to the digital shift and grapple with the workforce repercussions of artificial intelligence.

The sector is yet to fully recover from the writers’ and actors’ unions’ strikes that halted productions for six months straight in 2023. Despite not being directly involved in the negotiations, Hessinger provided legal counsel to the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers during that period.

The Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) stated that they undertook a thorough investigation before selecting Hessinger, primarily because of his impressive history of bridging gaps between parties and finding mutual understanding, as well as his extensive connections and background on both sides of the negotiating table.

Throughout my career, I’ve been dedicated to establishing and maintaining opportunities in the entertainment and media sector, and I am eager to collaborate with our member companies and union heads so that the talented individuals who propel our industry can keep producing captivating content for global audiences,” Hessinger stated.

Hessinger takes over from Carol Lombardini, who has been at the helm since 2009 and declared her retirement in the autumn. Lombardini will continue to provide guidance within the organization.

It’s been a privilege to collaborate with numerous gifted studio heads and esteemed union reps, collectively addressing challenges within our creative realm,” I express. “I am confident that Greg is ideally suited to carry on this unifying mission, fostering more opportunities for artists who breathe life into our entertainment world.

On April 14th, Hessinger commences his tenure. At present, he serves as the head of Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp, a law firm renowned for its substantial labor and employment practice.

In the ’90s, he launched his career in entertainment at CBS, serving as the director of labor relations. Later, he moved to the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, a union for broadcast performers. As its executive director, he advocated for a merger with the Screen Actors Guild in 2003. However, the plan didn’t gather enough support among SAG members at that time. Eventually, the unions combined in 2012.

In 2005, Hessinger assumed the role of the National Executive Director for SAG (Screen Actors Guild). However, he was removed from his position just six months later following a power shift. The Membership First action group within the union seized control of the national board and advocated for a tougher stance during negotiations, eventually leading to Hessinger’s dismissal.

Hessinger continued his career by taking up positions at legal firms in Philadelphia and New York. As stated on the MSK website’s biography, he represented corporations against allegations of unfair labor practices, and assisted a local sports network in thwarting two attempts at unionization.

In a recent announcement on Tuesday, the DGA, known for leading labor negotiations, revealed that Jon Avnet and Karen Gaviola will head their 2026 bargaining team, with Avnet serving as chair and Gaviola as vice chair. Previously, they both held co-chair positions within the same committee in 2023.

Given the difficult circumstances we’re facing right now, it’s surprising how quickly preparations are being made for another round of talks with the studios,” commented Lesli Linka Glatter, the union’s head, in a statement.

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2025-03-25 21:18