December 14, 2000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:  John Pavlik - (310) 247-3000

Beverly Hills, CA - Kirk Smith, a Los Angeles Police Department Metro Division sergeant, has been named traffic and security chief for the 73rd Academy Awards^® telecast by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Smith, who will work the telecast while on leave from LAPD, succeeds Jerry Moon, who retired in July after 30 years as awards security chief. Smith has worked in both on-duty and off-duty capacities at the last 12 Academy Awards broadcasts.

Smith will coordinate all police, fire and traffic control and private security activities associated with the Academy Awards ceremonies.

"Smitty has been one of the people working the Awards who has always impressed everyone who worked with him," said Academy Executive Director Bruce Davis. "When Jerry stepped down, he concurred with our thought that if we could get Kirk Smith to step in, we'd be in terrific shape security-wise.

"Our goal with security is to provide an environment in which our guests can feel safe and comfortable, and we believe Smitty's experience with the Awards security operation will permit us to achieve that goal again this coming year."

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2000 will be presented on March 25, 2001, at the Los Angeles Shrine Auditorium. Sunday at the Oscars^® will be televised live by the ABC Television Network beginning at 5 p.m. (PST), with a half-hour arrivals segment preceding the presentation ceremony.