Gary Shapiro

Remembering Jack Valenti
May 1, 2007

The nation lost Jack Valenti last Thursday. Much will be written in praise of his exemplary military service, historic role in the Kennedy and Johnson administrations, iconic leadership of the MPAA, and his generosity and leadership of charities. But as a long time adversary who grew to love Jack, even as we fiercely fought our war of ideas and industries, I gained a different perspective on the enormous influence of this great American.

The day Jack died was also World Intellectual Property Day, which celebrates the robust innovation of artists, producers and musicians. A day earlier, the FCC filed a report with Congress asking for new power to restrict violent content on television. These two events, bookmarking Jack’s passing, help frame the legacy of his enormous contributions in protecting both motion picture studio copyright interests and their First Amendment rights. 

Intellectual property and television violence also marked two issues where our two industries were not always on all fours.  As such, in our respective jobs, Jack and I debated often before Congress, the media and potential allies. Jack was masterful, turning phrases, evoking images and exuding confidence and goodwill. And he was so gracious. A gentleman, always respectful, impeccably polite, he deferred often, did not interrupt, and even when I was a green twenty-something he treated me as his equal.

Since formally retiring from the MPAA a few years ago, he took on many causes, one of which he seduced me and other warring industry leaders to join. Only Jack could have gathered the technology industry, broadcasters, cable, satellite, and others to promote parental control technology. He not only created this unprecedented alliance, he got us to fund an advertising campaign costing hundreds of millions of dollars. And he did it all because everyone around the table knew Jack, loved him, and wanted to help him do the right thing.

Although my opponent in numerous disputes between device manufacturers and the content community, he became my colleague, then my friend, and these past few years, my mentor. Jack taught me so much. Paint a picture when you speak. Believe passionately in your cause. Know your facts. Keep your word. Treat everyone with respect. Take responsibility. Understand that relationships matter. Share with others the magic of your industry.

Jack also practiced humility. Keynoting our trade show, the International CES, a dozen years ago, he admitted he was wrong to have fiercely challenged the legality of the VCR twenty years earlier. He recognized it had made billions for Hollywood. He told us he strived to embrace new technology, and he quickly proved it. As DVD technology left the labs, he reached out to me and we agreed on a standard which allowed DVD viewing but restricted copying. We created a special committee for technical experts to hash out and share new technical approaches to copyright protection. As a result, the DVD became a phenomenally successful product for both the consumer electronics industry and for MPAA members.

The Journal of Association Leadership recently analyzed the most successful associations and noted that, "remarkable associations demonstrate a paradoxical combination of fierce self-confidence and honest humility, recognizing what they were truly good at." While Jack's MPAA legacy may be the movie rating system, greater copyright protection or even a world leading motion picture industry, I see even more. Jack's near biblical humility lead him to reach the heart of his opponent and touch it deeply and often and pull us together to a greater good. Today, because of these efforts, millions more enjoy movies in their homes, parents understand the viewing choices they have and this association head is a much better person for having such an incredible adversary and mentor.

Jack Valenti made our industries better.  He made our nation better.  And he made me a better person.  Those who he has touched will never forget him.

Posted by Gary Shapiro on May 1, 2007 | Comments (0)