LOS ANGELES — Cheryl Boone Isaacs, a veteran film marketer, was named president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Academy said on Tuesday. Ms. Isaacs is the first woman to hold the Academy’s presidency since Fay Kanin, who was president from 1979 to 1983, and is the first African-American to serve as president in the group’s 86-year history. She previously held various Academy offices, and was most recently the group’s first vice president.

Ms. Isaacs succeeds Hawk Koch, who served for only one year but was precluded by an elaborate term-limits system from running again. A president may serve for four successive terms, but must come from the governing board, and may not run again if — as with Mr. Koch — the permitted period as a governor has expired.

As she steps into the presidency, Ms. Isaacs, who may serve for as many as four years, faces decisions that include those surrounding the renewal of contracts for the Academy’s top staff executives. Those are Dawn Hudson, the chief executive officer, and Ric Robertson, the chief operating officer. She is also expected to oversee the opening of a Los Angeles movie museum, which promises to become the Academy’s largest venture to date. The Academy, which includes about 6,000 film professionals, is best known for its annual Oscar ceremony. Custom precludes active campaigning for its top office, though Ms. Isaacs and Robert G. Friedman, the co-chairman of Lionsgate’s movie group, were widely considered to be the leading prospects for the presidency.

The election of Ms. Isaacs by the group’s governing board was announced via Twitter, even as the governors continued meeting to elect other officers on Tuesday.

Article source: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/31/movies/cheryl-boone-isaacs-chosen-to-head-film-academy.html?partner=rss&emc=rss