Boxoffice - June 2018

EXECUTIVE SUITE
NATO AND ITS
DOMESTIC MEMBERS
WORKING TOGETHER ON ISSUES IN THE UNITED STATES
by John Fithian, President & CEO, NATO
In a separate column on page 16, we describe the recently announced policy
positions and initiatives of the Global Cinema Federation (GCF). The five subjects
described there affect cinema operators everywhere in the world, and the work
of the GCF will bring together exhibition leaders from more than 90 countries to
address those concerns. NATO and our global membership will support the work
of the GCF, alongside our friends at the Union Internationale des Cinemas (UNIC)
and the exhibitor members of the GCF Executive Committee.
JOHN FITHIAN
>> At the same time, though, NATO and our
domestic members continue to address challenges
and opportunities unique to the exhibition market
in the United States. NATO’s Executive Board
of Directors is currently considering a multiyear
strategic plan, which we will describe more fully
in next month’s publication. For now, this column
will highlight some of the ways NATO and its
domestic members work together in the U.S.
ADMINISTER, PROTECT, AND ENFORCE A
VOLUNTARY MOVIE RATING SYSTEM
NATO: Work with the Motion Picture Association
of America to administer and promote the
voluntary movie ratings system both as a useful
guide for parents and as a successful deterrent to
government censorship. Provide educational materials
for members to inform the public. Provide
training materials to inform staff. Coordinate with
NATO member companies through their appointed
ratings-compliance officers.
U.S. Members: Appoint a company ratings-compliance
officer to work with NATO and
take responsibility for ratings-compliance efforts
at the company. Enforce the voluntary ratings
system in cinemas by training staff, posting
policies, checking IDs at the box office, and
including ratings information on websites and
ticketing portals.
STRENGTHEN SUPPORT FOR DOMESTIC
THEATRICAL WINDOWS
NATO: Promote exclusive theatrical exhibition
as the best platform for new movies, and
12 BOXOFFICE ® JUNE 2018