Veteran Hollywood marketing executive Cheryl Boone Isaacs was elected, yesterday
evening, as the new president of the Academy
of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, who you will know better as the
organization that hands out the Oscars
every year.

Isaacs, the first African American to hold the
post and only the third woman in the organization’s 86 year history, is a
longtime academy and industry insider, who most recently held the job of first vice
president. She will serve a one-year term, with eligibility to stay in the role for
three additional years.

Isaacs, who previously worked as president of theatrical marketing
at New Line Cinema and executive vp of
worldwide publicity at Paramount
Pictures, has served in every office within the organization except
president.

Of course, without saying, the election of Isaacs comes at
a time when the Academy is interested in addressing the issue of diversity.

According to a recent  Los Angeles Times article, they found “that
the academy was (still) overwhelmingly white, male and older,” which is not exactly a huge surprise.