Exhibition trade organization Cinema United has promoted Amanda Martin to the newly created role of SVP, External Affairs, and Erin Von Hoetzendorff to VP, Membership and Global Affairs.
“As exhibition continues to evolve, Cinema United is evolving with it,” said Michael O’Leary, President & CEO of Cinema United. “These two well-deserved promotions will allow us to strengthen our partnerships across the entertainment ecosystem, deepen our advocacy on behalf of all theatre owners, and expand our engagement with international theatre owners, ensuring that every constituency we serve has a strong voice within our organization. Amanda and Erin are critical to our success, and in these new roles, they will have even greater impact on the direction and future of Cinema United.”
Martin was previously Cinema United’s Chief of Staff, a role she held since joining the org in 2023.
She will continue to serve as a senior member of Cinema United’s leadership team, leading the org’s advocacy efforts and strategic partnerships across the motion picture industry with allied organizations, coalitions and stakeholders central to the exhibition business. In addition, Martin will oversee Cinema United’s state government affairs function. Martin will also lead and shape all educational programming for Cinema United’s signature industry events, including CinemaCon and the Fall Summit. Martin along with O’Leary continue to serve as a federal advocate before Congress and relevant federal agencies.
In her new role, Cinema United eight-year vet Von Hoetzendorff will lead the org’s expanded engagement with international theatre owners, building on their existing membership function to deliver substantive representation and support for exhibitors around the globe.
“Together, these roles will help Cinema United serve exhibition more completely and effectively than ever before,” O’Leary added. “One strengthens our connections across the industry itself and elevates our advocacy on behalf of our members; the other strengthens our connection to theatre owners around the world. Both are essential to how we grow and represent our members going forward.”
The announcements were made during the second day of Cinema United’s annual Fall Summit, an internal conference among theater owners where they discuss industry business matters. One of the high points of the conference is Wednesday night’s Will Rogers Pioneer Dinner. The event benefits the Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation’s Pioneers Assistance Fund which provides financial support and social services to individuals in the theatrical distribution and exhibition community who are encountering an illness, injury or a life-changing event. This year, Marvel Boss Kevin Feige is being honored as the Pioneer of the Year. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has delivered over $35 billion at the global box office across 38 titles.