This story broke on Friday, but when I saw it I couldn’t believe it. Hell has frozen over, pigs are flying, all of that.
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association– long the recipients of swag that would blow your mind — are putting in a policy against it. No more gifts, trips, meals, greenbacks, shiny things from the studios.
Wait! What? The World’s Happiest Guests are going to try and make it on their own. Publicists all over Hollywood, the world, must be LOL and ROF. Giving gifts to the HFPA is almost an American pastime. And as Stevie Wonder might sing, they were living in a pastime paradise.
Some members must be distraught enough to seek grief therapy. What will they do? How will they function?
Anyway, here’s their statement.
“The HFPA remains dedicated to the transformational change it outlined in its May reform plan and timeline. Yesterday, the organization put several more key pieces in place to move forward with reform.
HFPA membership approved the draft bylaws for a final vote with no amendments, demonstrating its continued commitment to foundational change. Official ballots will now go out via mail to the membership, with a final vote tally in early August.
The HFPA also approved new gift, travel and conflict of interest policies. Under these new policies, HFPA members shall not be permitted to accept promotional materials or other gifts from studios, publicists, actors, directors or others associated with motion pictures and television programs.
With these updates, our members have completed virtually all of the reforms agreed upon in May — including establishing a functioning hotline (with grievances to be investigated by an outside group), approving a new code of conduct, and bringing on trusted DEI advisors.
We will continue to update the industry on our progress as we vote on new bylaws that will create an inclusive, diverse, and accountable organization — one that our members, stakeholders, and partners will be proud of.”
The HFPA, of course, still has no Black members. They’re weighing an offer to split the Golden Globes off from the philanthropic side of their organization and form an LLC with MRC/Dick Clark Productions to give the show transparency and inclusivity. New members, if the above goes through, will have to listen to stories about all the great trips and gifts of he past. Dang! They’ve removed the whole reason to join!
