After a lengthy search, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has tapped PBS POV exec Cynthia Lopez as the new commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting. We’ve learned Lopez’s appointment will be officially announced tomorrow at a noon press conference in NYC. Her exact start date has not yet been set. Lopez will replace Katherine Oliver, who exited in December at the end of former Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s third and final term. With Lopez’s lack of experience in the city bureaucracy, sources tell Deadline that a key selection will be who the deputy commissioner could be in this new regime. The commission has been bullish about revitalizing the city’s film and TV production through generous tax credits and a streamlined permit process. Most recently Mayor de Blasio called Leslie Moonves, personally asking him to keep the Late Show in the Big Apple after David Letterman retires next year.
Lopez joined American Documentary POV in 2000 and has served as EVP, co-executive producer of PBS’ award-winning POV (Point Of View) documentary series since 2006. She has been responsible for all aspects of the organization’s development, including programming, community engagement, digital strategies, communications and overall strategic growth of the organization. During her tenure, POV has earned numerous awards. Last year, it was one of only 13 nonprofit organizations worldwide to receive a $1 million MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions.
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