Former NATO chief John Fithian begins consulting for an exhibition with Jackie Brenneman and Patrick Corcoran

Former National Association of Theater Owners executives John Fithian, Patrick Corcoran and Jackie Brenneman have launched a new consulting firm, The Fithian Group, to advise global exhibition clients on strategy, partnerships, innovation and strategic communications.

“Over the decades, we’ve helped guide the film industry through some of its toughest challenges,” said Fithian, who resigned from NATO in May after more than two decades at the helm. “Having overcome these challenges, we want to help our industrial customers seize opportunities and grow. Digital cinema, the long battle for exclusive rights at the box office, the pandemic and Hollywood going full steam ahead on streaming – we’ve been through it all, and now Hollywood’s big labor deals are another sign that it’s time to build something.

NATO worked under Fithian to include the exhibition in the $15 billion Covid-19 Relief (Save Our Stages Initiative) conference for small and medium-sized theaters and venues with 500 employees or less, to provide theaters with access to business loans and the Paycheck Protection Program.

He was joined by Brenneman, who resigned in August as NATO’s former EVP and general counsel. Brenneman was one of the founders and chairman of NATO’s sister organization The Cinema Foundation.

“Our work is always about collaboration,” says Brenneman. “We extend this way of working to the way we create value for our customers. In our time as a trade association, we knew that theater owners needed allies, whether other theater owners around the world, technology companies, the creative community or distributors, and we worked tirelessly to build those connections. They have paid dividends in times of crisis and we believe we can use these partnerships to help our clients grow in times of opportunity.”

Corcoran, the former NATO vice president and communications chief who left in June, said: “We have always believed that the film industry is important and strong. Telling this story to the press, the public and Wall Street has always been a priority for us. What the film industry needs is more: more films, more innovation, more diversity and more investment. We will continue to tell this story on behalf of our customers in the industry.”

Fithian announced his plans to retire last fall, and Michael O’Leary (formerly of Entertainment Software Association, 21st Century Fox and MPA) was tapped to replace him. The official broadcast took place at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, where both were present.