Motion Picture Association Of America chairman and CEO Dan Glickman is leaving the organisation early on April 1 to become president of advocacy group Refugees International.

Bob Pisano, who has served as the MPAA’s president and COO since 2005, will take over in the interim until a permanent replacement is found.

“In making this announcement, I want to thank Barry Meyer, Jim Gianopulos, Brad Grey, Bob Iger, Michael Lynton, Ron Meyer, and the entire MPAA board of directors, for their guidance and leadership,” Glickman said.

“It has been an honour to have worked so closely with them. I also want to thank Bob Pisano and all the MPAA staff for their dedication during a time of major transition in our business

Glickman took over in 2004 from Jack Valenti. He had previously announced that he would not renew his contract beyond September 2010.