Hollywood Labor Shakeup: Carol Lombardini to Step Down as Head of AMPTP After More Than 40 Years With Powerful Bargaining Unit

After more than 40 years with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, Carol Lombardini is preparing to step down from her role as chief negotiator of labor contracts for Hollywood’s major studios and streamers.

Lombardini had long planned to retire in 2025, AMPTP confirmed. She will remain at the helm as the organization conducts a search for her successor.

“We are incredibly grateful to Carol for her many years of leadership at the AMPTP and wish her the very best in her retirement,” the organization said in a statement. “She has been a steady and invaluable advocate at the bargaining table, strengthening relationships with our union partners every step of the way. We are glad Carol isn’t going far as she will continue to serve as President while we continue to conduct a full search for her successor, and that she will then move to an advisory role as we continue our transition to the next generation leaders at the AMPTP.” 

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Lombardini joined the AMPTP around the time of its inception in 1982 as a powerful bargaining unit representing all of Hollywood’s major studios. She was promoted to president in 2009 following the death of its longtime leader, Nick Counter.

Lombardini generally maintained a low public profile for most of her career but she has worked shoulder to shoulder with leaders of studios, networks and now streamers for the past five decades. She’s respected by top brass as a strategist and for her voluminous knowledge of precedent and the history of Hollywood labor contracts.

Last year Lombardini became a highly visible target of labor’s frustation during last year’s actors and writers strikes. She was relentlessly attacked and ridiculed on social media and on picket signs.

Lombardini and the AMPTP are poised to end 2024 on a better note than 2023, which was rocked by dual strikes by the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA. This year, Lombardini navigated months of hard negotiations with IATSE without a work stoppage. She also reached a deal with the American Federation of Musicians in February that went down to the wire.

The Hollywood Reporter first reported news of Lombardini’s retirement.

More to come