“2012 CINEMACON® PASSEPARTOUT AWARD” TO BE PRESENTED TO UNIVERSAL PICTURES INTERNATIONAL’S JACK LEDWITH

WASHINGTON D.C. (March 13, 2012) – Jack Ledwith, Senior Vice President of International Distribution for Universal Pictures, will receive the “2012 CinemaCon Passepartout Award” at CinemaCon’s International Day Luncheon, it was announced today by the convention’s managing director, Mitch Neuhauser. The “CinemaCon Passepartout Award” is presented annually to an industry executive whose dedication and commitment to the international marketplace is unparalleled. CinemaCon, the official convention of The National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO), the largest and most important gathering of cinema owners and operators from around the world, will be held April 23 – 26, 2012 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The International Day Luncheon will take place on Monday, April 23, 2012, where more than 800 industry executives from the international market are expected to be on hand.

“Jack Ledwith is one of the most outstanding, dedicated and respected executives working in the industry today,” said Neuhauser. “Throughout his long and illustrious career, he has made significant contributions to furthering the advancement of the international marketplace, and because of his many accomplishments, it is our great pleasure to bestow him with the 2012 CinemaCon Passepartout Award.”

Ledwith is currently the Senior Vice President of International Distribution for Universal Pictures, a position he has held since 2007. In this role, he oversees all aspects of international distribution for the studio’s feature film slate including the assessment of release dates and box office results, as well as managing the Los Angeles international office. He joined Universal in 1996 as Director of International Planning and Analysis, and during Ledwith’s tenure at Universal, the studio had its three highest grossing years at the international box office. He has worked on several international blockbusters including: “Jurassic Park,” “Mamma Mia!,” “Inglourious Basterds” and the “Bourne,” “American Pie” and “Fast and Furious” franchises. Before coming to Universal, Ledwith worked in domestic distribution at Avco Embassy Pictures in New York City. He started working in international distribution at DeLaurentiis Entertainment Group in 1988 and moved over to Carolco Pictures from 1990 to 1996. He is currently on the steering committee of Universal’s Content Protection Team, and he is also an active member of the NBC Universal Mentoring Program.

About CinemaCon

CinemaCon will attract upwards of 5,000 motion picture professionals from all facets of the industry – from exhibition and distribution, to the equipment and concession areas – all on hand to celebrate the moviegoing experience and the cinema industry. From exclusive Hollywood product presentations highlighting a slate of upcoming films, to must-see premiere feature screenings, to the biggest stars, producers and directors, CinemaCon will help jumpstart the excitement and buzz that surrounds the summer season at the box office. CinemaCon 2012 will be held from April 23-26, 2012 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. In returning to Caesars Palace, CinemaCon is able to offer its delegates a modern and upscale conference facility and a one-of-a-kind moviegoing experience in The Colosseum, the 4,200 seat theatre and crown jewel of Caesars Palace.

CinemaCon is delighted to have both the International Cinema Technology Association (ICTA) and National Association of Concessionaires (NAC) as its tradeshow partners. Cinemacon is also delighted to have as its official presenting sponsor, The Coca-Cola Company, one of the industry’s greatest and highly regarded and respected partners in the world of the movies. Additional information on CinemaCon, the Official Convention of NATO, can be found at www.cinemacon.com.

About NATO

The National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) is the largest exhibition trade organization in the world, representing more than 30,000 movie screens in all 50 states, and additional cinemas in 50 countries worldwide. NATO’s membership includes the largest cinema chains in the world and hundreds of independent theatre owners, too.

Media Contacts:

Heather Lewandoski
Rogers & Cowan
310.854.8147
hlewandoski@rogersandcowan.com

Jessica Erskine
Rogers & Cowan
310.854.8129
jerskine@rogersandcowan.com