MOVIES

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences elects movie producer Sid Ganis as its president.

By Barbara A. Serrano, Times Staff Writer

Sid Ganis, a movie producer and former marketing chief at Paramount, has been elected president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences by the organization's board of governors, the academy announced this morning.

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Ganis, who has served as first vice president of the academy for two years, was elected Tuesday night to succeed Frank Pierson, who had served as head of the academy for the maximum four years.

Also elected were Robert Rehme, a past academy president, as first vice president; actors branch governor Tom Hanks and music branch governor Arthur Hamilton as vice presidents; sound branch governor Donald C. Rogers as treasurer; and actors branch governor Kathy Bates as secretary.

Ganis, a producer of "Mr. Deeds" and "Big Daddy," founded Out of the Blue ... Entertainment in 1996 and has held various positions at Sony Pictures, including vice chairman of Columbia Pictures and president of worldwide marketing of Columbia Pictures. Before joining Sony, he was president of the motion pictures group at Paramount.

Ganis, a member of the academy's board of governors off and on since 1973, will help oversee one of Hollywood's most prestigious organizations. Its members nominate and vote on the annual Oscar awards.

Academy spokesman John Pavlik said one of Ganis' first tasks is to hire a producer for the 78th annual awards show, which is to air March 5 on ABC. This year's telecast, hosted by comedian Chris Rock, drew an average 42.1 million viewers, making it one of the least-watched Oscars since 1977.