Contact:
Lisa Simmons, MOTT
Lisa.Simmons@state.ma.us
617-973-8508
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FILM, TELEVISION INDUSTRY VETERAN SELECTED TO LEAD MASSACHUSETTS FILM OFFICE
Lexington-native Lisa Strout chosen to grow the Commonwealth’s film and television industry
BOSTON – May 23, 2011 – The Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT) today announced that Lisa Strout, a veteran in the film and television industry and the former director of the film division in New Mexico’s Economic Development Department, will lead the Massachusetts Film Office (MFO) beginning June 15th.
Strout, a native of Lexington, Massachusetts, began her nearly 30-year career in the Commonwealth, working on a number of local film and television projects. She served as location manager on high-profile productions in Massachusetts and Los Angeles before joining the New Mexico Film Office in 2001. During the last seven years as the division’s director, Strout has helped grow the New Mexico film industry’s economic impact to $3.6 billion and expanded the local workforce from 300 to nearly 3,000. She was also instrumental in attracting such top Hollywood movies as No Country for Old Men, 3:10 to Yuma and The Avengers to the state and, in total, managed 156 major film and television productions throughout her tenure.
“Lisa is a stand-out in the industry and is the right person to lead the Massachusetts Film Office into the future,” said Betsy Wall, Executive Director of MOTT. “She will bring nearly three decades of experience to her new role, and promises to build on our efforts to make Massachusetts the premier destination for film and television projects.”
“I am truly honored by this opportunity to work for the Patrick-Murray Administration and my home state of Massachusetts,” said Strout. “The Commonwealth’s leaders are committed to supporting an industry that creates high-wage jobs and supports local businesses, attracts private investment and grows our creative economy. Together, we will make the Massachusetts film industry tops in the nation.”
Since the start of the year, three major film productions have come to Massachusetts and several more are scouting locations here. Moviemaker Magazine recently ranked Boston the number one city in the country to film and several Massachusetts-based films received Golden Globe and Academy Award honors this past awards season. Local production activity has increased significantly since the 2006 film tax credit law went into effect, generating $161.2 million in new revenues, creating more than 1,800 new jobs and marketing the state to national and international audiences.
MOTT and the MFO remain committed to ensuring Massachusetts is a choice destination for film, commercial and advertising investment and maximizing the return on investment of the film tax credit program.
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About the MFO
The Massachusetts Film Office is the official state agency charged with assisting movie-making in Massachusetts. It is located at 10 Park Plaza, Boston – within the Mass. Office of Travel & Tourism. Betsy Wall, Executive Director. Phone # 617-973-8400.
Website: www.mafilm.org.
About MOTT
The Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT) is the state agency dedicated to promoting Massachusetts as a leisure-travel destination. An integral part of the state’s economy, tourism generates more than $915 million in state and local taxes and $14.4 billion in travel related expenditures and supports 121,500 in-state jobs.
Website: www.massvacation.com