The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) has named Stewart McLaurin as executive vice president of education affairs.

In this newly created position McLaurin will lead the association's education and outreach programmes. Specifically he will target university and K-12 administrators, educators and students and lawmakers and other government officials to promote awareness about intellectual property protection.

He most recently served as chief of staff to the president of Georgetown University and has extensive experience in strategic programme development and external affairs.

McLaurin will serve as a member of the MPAA's senior management group, jointly reporting to chairman and chief executive officer Dan Glickman and president and chief operating officer Bob Pisano.

'Education is the single most important tool we have available to help change perceptions about protecting intellectual property, change the behaviour of those who are already engaging in piracy, and connect with our nation's youth before they begin pirating,' Glickman said. 'Stewart brings with him the expertise and enthusiasm necessary to lead that charge.'

McLaurin also has considerable communications and public affairs experience and served in positions across diverse sectors including government, politics, health care and non-profit organizations. He began his career in the Reagan Administration.