Motion Picture Academy COO Ric Robertson steps down
After 32 years with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, Chief Operating Officer Ric Robertson will step down from his full-time position. Academy Chief Executive Dawn Hudson informed the staff of Robertson’s decision Friday in an email.
Robertson, who was on a three-month sabbatical this summer, will transition into a consulting role focused primarily on the Oscars telecast, the award rules and categories. The move is effective immediately, Hudson’s email said.
A replacement will not be named. Rather, the remainder of his duties will be fulfilled by the existing academy staff, she said.
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Robertson could not be reached for comment, but in a letter to the staff, he wrote: “I arrived at this decision with considerable deliberation.... The summer off was fantastic. It gave me time to travel, relax and try to find CBS on my television. It also gave me the opportunity to think about how I can more fully realize my goals. This is just the first step on that path.”
Robertson served as the deputy to former executive director Bruce Davis for years. Many assumed he would take over Davis’ role when Davis retired in 2010.
However, at that time the academy looked outside to fill Davis’ position and hired Hudson from Film Independent to run the organization, creating the CEO position for her. Robertson was given the title of chief operating officer at that time.
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