Dee Dee Myers, ex-managing director of the WB, says “there has been a lot of progress” in Hollywood after the #MeToo movement

11:30 am PST 03/06/2021

by

Chris Gardner

Corporate communications veteran has become senior advisor to California Governor Gavin Newsom, adding “there has been a lot of progress” since 2014 as a result of the #MeToo movement.

Chapman University’s Dodge College Master Class series has been in the news lately thanks to appearances by Bryan Cranston (who explained how to be successful in Hollywood) and Lena Waithe (who teased a stage production with Debbie Allen). The latest virtual event – held Feb. 17 and featuring Dee Dee Myers – continued the trend as Warner Bros. Executive Vice President of Corporate Communications became Senior Advisor to Governor Gavin Newsom spoke about her tenure at Hollywood.

Myers, former White House press secretary and author of the book Why women should rule the world, said she was “really taken aback” by the lack of women in decision-making positions when she arrived in Hollywood in 2014.

“They would literally say things like, ‘Well, we just hire the best. It’s a very demanding industry and really only the most talented people can be successful here.’ I couldn’t believe my ears,” he says. she.

Myers also generally commented on the #MeToo movement, a topic that struck near his home at the studio when two years ago this month CEO Kevin Tsujihara was ousted after a scandal involving actress Charlotte. Kirk.

“Suddenly people had to look at their behavior, not only with regard to sexual harassment, but also the attitudes that allowed it to continue.… It was not unique to the entertainment industry, but the The entertainment industry had gotten a bit of a blind eye, ”she continued. “And it’s changed things a lot faster than I could ever have imagined. So we’re here about six years later, and there’s been a lot of progress. We still have a long way to go but there have been very substantial changes in the last five, six, seven years.

Speaking of change, Myers is still at the heart of yet another controversy as Governor Newsom is currently the subject of a widespread recall effort that has gained momentum in recent weeks.

This story first appeared in the March 3 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.