Jean M Prewitt has been named president of the American Film Marketing Association (AFMA), the LA-based organisation which represents the independent film industry in the same way the MPAA relates to the major studios. AFMA has 180 member companies.

Prewitt was previously a principal with Podesta.com, a Washington-based lobbying and public relations firm. Prior to that she held positions as an official for US Department of Commerce and a senior vice president of United International Pictures (UIP).

While at UIP (1982-1989) she was senior vice president and general counsel based in Amsterdam and London. During her tenure, she was responsible for all legal and government relations for UIP and its 40 operating subsidiaries. She also negotatiated independent film acquisitions and distribution agreements.

From 1989 to 1994, she was with the National Telecommunications & Information Administration of the US Department Of Commerce; there she was the senior international official responsible for advising the White House on communications and information policy.

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