John Mercurio
John Mercurio

John Mercurio, a veteran of Burson-Marsteller, Purple Strategies and CNN, will join the Motion Picture Assn. on Sept. 28 as senior VP-corporate communications.

Based in DC, he will oversee media relations, digital media and events and report to Emily Lenzner, executive VP-global communications & PA, for the group that includes Walt Disney Studios, Netflix, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Universal City Studios and Warner Bros. Entertainment.

Mercurio, a journalist by training served as political director at CNN, where he managed the network's reporting on US politics and government and provided on-air analysis.

He also did a stint as executive editor of National Journal's Hotline and earlier reported for Roll Call and the Washington Times.

Mercurio moved into the PR arena, serving as senior director at B-M's PR & crisis practice and managing director at Purple Strategies.

Most recently, he was global head of global communications & marketing at INATBA, the organization formed by the European Commission to advise governments, businesses and institutions on blockchain regulations.

Lenzner said Mercurio's deep understanding of emerging technologies, policy and advocacy, and expertise in media and crisis communications will be of tremendous value to the MPIA and its member studios.