At its annual Studio Technology Leaders Dinner last night, The Entertainment Technology Center @ the University of Southern California (ETC) announced that Universal Filmed Entertainment Group CTO Michael Wise has been named the new chairman of ETC’s executive board of directors. ETC executive director & CEO Ken Williams opened the evening by introducing and congratulating Wise on his new leadership position on the board. Williams also took a moment to thank the outgoing chair and former CTO of 20th Century Fox Film Corporation, Hanno Basse, who has served as ETC’s executive board chair since December 2016.

Wise, who leads the development and execution of a comprehensive technology strategy for Universal Pictures and is responsible for the day-to-day delivery of all technology initiatives and operations in support of the studio, has been a member of ETC’s executive board for the past four years since coming to Universal Pictures.

“I’m honored to chair the ETC,” commented Wise, “and along with my fellow board members, I look forward to creating opportunities for our industry at a time when rapid advances in technology continue to drive unprecedented innovation in how we create and tell stories.”

On behalf of the ETC, Williams remarked, “We are thrilled that Michael has agreed to serve in this new capacity as chair and extend our best wishes and appreciation to Hanno as outgoing chair.”