Mouse veteran now a SAG man
New top exec comes from outside
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SAG's 105-member national board, often plagued with bitter infighting, approved Cooke's appointment unanimously in a special session Monday morning following a sweeping recommendation by a search committee that vetted more than 200 candidates. The appointment marks the first time in decades that SAG -- with close to 100,000 members -- has chosen an outsider as its top exec.
"I love challenges and I love the industry," said Cooke, who has been exec VP external affairs at the J. Paul Getty Trust for the past 15 months. "I'm about as happy as anyone can be in Los Angeles."
He accepted the multi-year offer and was introduced at an upbeat afternoon news conference at SAG's Hollywood headquarters Monday. "I'm told that this is the last time in my life I will ever get a unanimous vote," Cooke joked at one point.
SAG has been without a top exec since the January retirement of Ken Orsatti, who mostly worked from home during his last two years. Associate national exec director John McGuire said last fall that he did not want the post.
Cooke's appointment comes at a time when SAG is nearing the conclusion of film-TV contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers, but stressed he will not become actively involved in the talks and refused to comment further, other than praising the negotiating team led by Brian Walton.
"I think we're well represented," he said of SAG's reps, who face a Saturday contract expiration.
Cooke, who served as prexy of the Disney Channel from 1985 through 1995 and headed Times Mirror's cable businesses, said he will start work at SAG with an a review of operations, which includes a $50 million budget and 25 offices.
Cooke said he has reviewed the findings of the SAG-funded Towers Perrin report, which painted a disturbing picture of a dysfunctional organization on shaky financial footing and recommended sweeping organizational changes. "There are efficiencies and there are way ways to operate better and serve the members better," he said. "Beyond that, it would be imprudent to talk about that right now. You don't get a complete feel just by looking at the pages."
Cooke, 59, said he will be willing to serve as chief negotiator for other upcoming contracts. He also listed SAG's ongoing stalemate with Hollywood agents as a key concern.
"I think I understand the industry well," he said. "I know all the players. I have a good understanding of government relations. I have an appreciation for talented actors, writers and directors, and I have an overwhelming appreciation for the protection of intellectual property."
Cooke brings strong Democratic credentials to the post, having served as a fund-raiser on campaigns for former Vice President Al Gore dating back to 1988. He said he will not engage in such activities if the board tells him not to.
SAG's search committee, headed by prexy William Daniels, hired Korn Ferry to help identify candidates and managed to keep Cooke's selection confidential. Other search committee members included Tony Roberts, Valerie Harper, Gary Epp, Steven Fried, Nat Benchley, George Coe, Richard Herd and Sam Waterston.
Board member Sally Kirkland said, "I'm excited by the unity we're showing. He an excellent choice since he's spent his life as a heavy-duty player in the industry."
