From entertainment to education.
Michael Lynton, CEO of Sony Entertainment, will join the USC School of Cinematic Arts (SCA) Board of Councilors, where he will help direct the prestigious film school's overall planning and development.
“It gives me great pleasure to be able to count Michael Lynton as an official supporter of the School,” Elizabeth M. Daley, Dean of the USC School of Cinematic Arts, said in a statement Wednesday. “Michael understands and appreciates the full range of our programs, and his input will be invaluable as we continue to grow our seven divisions.”
Also read: Michael Lynton Re-Ups as CEO of Sony Entertainment
Lynton joins a board that is stacked with prominent figures in entertainment such as IAC chairman Barry Diller, David Geffen, Fox Filmed Entertainment chief Jim Gianopulos, producer Brian Grazer, Paramount Pictures chief Brad Grey, DreamWorks Animation chief Jeffrey Katzenberg, George Lucas, Sidney Poitier and Steven Spielberg.
USC is frequently mentioned along with NYU and UCLA in rankings of top film schools and has expanded its offerings to include programs in animation and gaming.
As Sony, Lynton oversees the technology giant's global entertainment businesses, including Sony Music Entertainment, Sony/ATV Music Publishing and Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Prior to joining Sony Pictures, Lynton worked for Time Warner and served as CEO of AOL Europe, President of AOL International and President of Time Warner International. From 1996 to 2000, Lynton served as Chairman and CEO of Pearson plc's Penguin Group, where he oversaw the acquisition of Putnam, Inc. and extended the Penguin brand to music and the Internet.
Lynton joined The Walt Disney Company in 1987 and started Disney Publishing, serving as its President. From 1992 to 1996, he served as President of Disney's Hollywood Pictures.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in history and literature from Harvard College and a Masters of Business Administration from Harvard Business School and is a member of Harvard's Board of Overseers.
His other charitable interests include the Council on Foreign Relations, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Rand Corporation.