MICHAEL GIACCHINO TO CONDUCT ORCHESTRA AT THE "81ST ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS,�" AIRING SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2009, ON THE ABC TELEVISION NETWORK

Michael Giacchino will serve as the musical director for the 81st Academy Awards� telecast, producer Laurence Mark and executive producer Bill Condon announced today. Though Giacchino has composed music and conducted orchestras for both film and television, this will be his first time with the baton for the Oscar telecast and for a live broadcast.

"Michael is an extraordinarily talented and versatile musical artist," said Mark and Condon in a joint statement. "We couldn't be happier that he is game to come onboard."

Last year Giacchino received an Academy Award nomination for Music � Original Score for his work on the animated film "Ratatouille." His film credits also include "Speed Racer," "Mission: Impossible III," "The Family Stone" and "The Incredibles." He has also composed and conducted the scores for the upcoming "Star Trek," "Land of the Lost" and Pixar's "Up." In 2005 Giacchino won an Emmy� for Outstanding Music Composition for a Series for ABC's hit drama "Lost." His credits also include work on the popular ABC series "Alias" and several interactive games, including titles in the "Medal of Honor" series.

The 81st Academy Awards nominations will be announced on Thursday, January 22, 2009, at 5:30 a.m., PT in the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater. Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2008 will be presented on Sunday, February 22, 2009, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center�, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.

About the Academy

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the world's preeminent movie-related organization, with a membership of more than 6,000 of the most accomplished men and women working in cinema. In addition to the annual Academy Awards � in which the members vote to select the nominees and winners � the Academy presents a diverse year-round slate of public programs, exhibitions and events; provides financial support to a wide range of other movie-related organizations and endeavors; acts as a neutral advocate in the advancement of motion picture technology; and, through its Margaret Herrick Library and Academy Film Archive, collects, preserves, restores and provides access to movies and items related to their history. Through these and other activities the Academy serves students, historians, the entertainment industry and people everywhere who love movies.