Vans Stevenson

Vans Stevenson is responsible for the MPA's state and local government affairs department, which represents member companies before state and local government legislative, executive and regulatory offices. He also manages the member companies' interests on all production, facilities and labor issues. Stevenson is responsible for issues and matters that include proposed legislation, rules and regulations that affect motion picture, television and home entertainment distribution, production and business practices of MPA member companies, including all tax issues, and the MPA-administered Motion Picture Rating System in all 50 states, four U.S. territories and at the local level. He joined MPA in 1989. Since 1978, he has been a public relations, marketing, business, and government affairs executive in the media business. Prior to joining MPA, he was vice president of corporate affairs for Blockbuster Entertainment Corporation, responsible for financial and stock market relations as well as federal and state government affairs. Prior to Blockbuster, he was director of public affairs and corporate projects for Erol's, a 200 video store chain that was acquired by Blockbuster. He holds a B.S. degree, cum laude, in journalism from Ohio University and has completed post-graduate studies at New York University and the University of Cincinnati, in public affairs, marketing, business finance and strategic planning.