Cinema United boss Michael O’Leary extends contract through 2030

Two years after joining exhibition trade group Cinema United as CEO and president, Michael O’Leary has renewed his contract through 2030.

The group’s executive board approved the measure unanimously at its meeting in Los Angeles last week. Mike Bowers, the newly-installed board chair and Harkness Theatres CEO, said: “Leveraging his broad experience in the motion picture industry as well as on Capitol Hill, Michael’s focus on unity, strategy and continuous improvement has earned the confidence and respect of members of all sizes, as well as our studio partners.”

So far during his tenure, Washington DC-based O’Leary has focused on promoting the economic and cultural impact of cinemas across the world. Cinema United recently released its report highlighting that the North American industry spent more than $1.5bn on theatre reinvestment in the past year.

Earlier this year O’Leary oversaw the group’s name change from National Association Of Theatre Owners to Cinema United. In 2026 he will preside over CinemaCon in Las Vegas under the theme of “Innovation and Experiences”.

“Representing the great people who own and operate theatres across the United States and around the world has been one of the great honours of my professional career, and I am energised by the opportunities that lie ahead for this iconic industry,” said O’Leary.

He has served in senior positions at The Entertainment Software Association, 21st Century Fox, the Motion Picture Association, and on Capitol Hill and the Department of Justice.

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