Hollywood Sign Lends Its Luster to Plymouth Rock Studios

The birth of a new industry in Massachusetts - film and television production - brings with it the iconic Hollywood sign in a licensing deal brokered by Plymouth Rock Studios.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has licensed Plymouth Rock Studios to be able to use the historic Hollywood Sign image to promote their studio. The uniquely staged hillside lettering that comprises "Hollywood" will be merged with "East" to complete a new imprimatur for New England. The sign, one of the most iconic symbols in global entertainment brings together two Chambers of Commerce, Hollywood's and Plymouth's.

Plymouth Rock Studios is a development project based in Plymouth, staffed by Hollywood veterans. The studio will build the first LEED-certified production campus in the world.

The CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, Leron Gubler, announced today that the Chamber has concluded a long term license agreement with the Hollywood veterans at Plymouth Rock Studios.

"We are delighted to be working with our sister chamber and Plymouth Rock Studios. We know they will take great care in using the Hollywood Sign image to promote the studio," says Gubler.

Denis Hanks, Executive Director of the Plymouth Area Chamber says, "With a world class, user-friendly studio complex including sound stages, offices, theatres being built in the Plymouth area, Plymouth really will become Hollywood East. Massachusetts will be on the cutting edge of the future of entertainment."

The licensing agreement for the Hollywood sign was the inspiration of Earl Lestz, President of the Studio Group for Plymouth Rock Studios. Mr. Lestz is the former President of Paramount Picture's Studio Group, a position he held for 21 years, and still serves as the Vice Chairman for the Hollywood Trust and serves on the Board of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

"This is a great deal as two places I love - Hollywood and Plymouth - both end up winners," says Mr. Lestz. The arrangement includes an annual fee for licensing and a revenue sharing model on merchandizing.

"We have been approached by a number of entities over the years, but the idea that this pact is being made with Earl Lestz who has done so much positive work for the Hollywood community seems to make perfect sense," says Leron Gubler.