About
Vance Van Petten is the Executive Director of the Producers Guild of America, the preeminent organization representing producers of motion pictures and programming for television and new media. As the Guild’s Executive Director, Vance is responsible for spreading the PGA’s message throughout the entertainment industry. He does this by making many public appearances to speak about the various issues important to the producing profession. Under the auspices of the PGA’s Board of Directors, Mr. Van Petten oversees the Guild’s strategic initiatives on behalf of its member producers, including its “Campaign for Fair Credits,” directs the PGA’s member services, and acts as principal executive liaison to studios, networks, guilds and other industry organizations. Under Van Petten’s stewardship since January 2000, the Guild’s membership has grown from 350 to over 3500 members, with a prestigious Board of Directors led by President, Marshall Herskovitz.
Prior to joining the PGA, Van Petten was Executive Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs at Studios USA/Universal Television where he oversaw all television production and distribution, including series such as Law & Order, Hercules & Xena, and The Maury Povich Show. He was previously Twentieth Television’s Executive Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs, where he oversaw all reality television production and distribution for such series as America’s Most Wanted, A Current Affair and Cops. During his tenure at Fox, he was in charge of all business affairs for the successful launch of the FX Cable Channel and also served as General Counsel for the launch of Fox’s Latin American cable channel, Canal Fox. From 1984-1992, Van Petten was Senior Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs at Paramount Domestic Television, where he was in charge of all syndicated series, such as Entertainment Tonight, Hard Copy and The Arsenio Hall Show. Prior to Paramount, Van Petten was a partner in the entertainment law firm of Irwin and Rowan where he represented actors, producers, writers, production companies, and comedygroups such as Second City and The Groundlings.
In 1978, Van Petten simultaneously received two postgraduate degrees from the University of Southern California, a Juris Doctorate and a Masters of Public Administration. He received his Bachelors of Arts degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1975, with Phi Beta Kappa distinction. During the past several years, Van Petten has taught for the L.A. County Bar Association, UCLA Extension, and Whittier Law School.Entertainment Tonight, Hard Copy and The Arsenio Hall Show. Prior to Paramount, Van Petten was a partner in the entertainment law firm of Irwin and Rowan where he represented actors, producers, writers, production companies, and comedy groups such as Second City and The Groundlings.
In 1978, Van Petten simultaneously received two post graduate degrees from the University of Southern California, a Juris Doctorate & a Masters of Public Administration. He received his Bachelors of Arts degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1975, with Phi Beta Kappa distinction. During the past several years, Van Petten has taught for the L.A. County Bar Association, UCLA Extension, and Whittier Law School.
In 2007, Van Petten recieved the “Speaker of the Year” Award from Columbia College in Chicago.
