No Consensus on Valenti Exit

Jack Valenti isn’t ready to hit the road just yet.

A meeting of top studio executives Monday didn’t produce any definitive timetable or plan to find a successor for Hollywood’s top lobbyist, although a half-dozen or so names of potential candidates whom executives like were discussed. Sources said there is no consensus at this point, adding that studio executives promised to take up the issue again after Labor Day.

Valenti, 81, Hollywood’s representative in Washington for 37 years, has hinted for more than a year about leaving his post as president of the Motion Picture Assn. of America and is urging studios to start planning for succession.

Sources said names discussed Monday included the top choice on the wish list of several Hollywood executives, Rep. W.J. “Billy” Tauzin (R-La.), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

But Tauzin, who wields considerable clout on media issues in Washington, has denied interest and said he plans to run for reelection next year.

Other legislators discussed include Rep. David Dreier (R-San Dimas) and Sen. John B. Breaux (D-La.), along with two retired senators, George Mitchell of Maine and Fred Thompson of Tennessee.

Other names discussed include a former assistant secretary of Defense for public affairs, Victoria Clarke.

Whether any of those mentioned would be interested in the job is unknown. Complicating matters is that any selection must be unanimous.

Such complete agreement may not come easily, since today’s association -- in contrast to the days when it was simply made up of movie studios -- represents huge media giants that often have conflicting agendas because they are in divergent businesses.

Sources said that executives participating in the meeting in person or by conference call included Warner Bros. Chairman Barry Meyer, News Corp. President Peter Chernin, Walt Disney Co. President Robert Iger, Viacom Entertainment Group Chairman Jonathan Dolgen, Universal Studios Inc. President Ron Meyer, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Chairman Alex Yemenidjian and Sony Pictures executive Jeff Blake.

A spokesman for the MPAA declined to comment.