VIENNA, Va.-ITS, headquartered in Vienna, Va., is actively looking to hire a lobbyist whose primary responsibility would be to seek tax relief for postproduction companies that need to reinvest in equipment for DTV.
The lobbyist would also take on a sort of "watchdog" role, explained ITS chairman Rob Henninger, who is CEO of Arlington-headquartered Henninger Media Services. The association has set aside $30,000 from its fiscal budget to cover the expense.
ITS has also been preparing an industry white paper on the DTV transition to aid in lobbying efforts. Henninger reported that it would likely be completed in June.
Separately, ITS president Terry Rainey offered an association update. ITS will hold board elections at its Annual Forum in July. Henninger is completing his two-year term as board chairman, and board executive vice chair David Case, president of Pittsburgh-based Production Masters, is expected to assume Henninger’s position. Two board seats will also be filled at the Forum. Leaving the board are ITS past chairman Ron Burdett, CEO of Glendale, Calif.-based Sunset Post; and board member Mike Fayette, president of Chicago-based Post Effects.
ITS/UK has changed its name to Image Industry Alliance-or I2A. It has dissolved its relationship with the Producers’ Alliance for Cinema and Television (PACT), a U.K.-based trade association that was acting as ITS/UK’s chapter administrator. I2A is now searching for an executive director. Rainey said the group is also looking to expand its reach to include production companies as members.
Lastly, Philips Digital Video Systems, Salt Lake City, has become an ITS gold sponsor and a member of the ITS manufacturers advisory council.
