Writers Guild, West, Names Exec Director

Board members of the Writers Guild of America, West, named David J. Young as the guild’s executive director, a job he had been doing on an interim basis since September.

Young replaces John McLean, who was ousted last year. Young’s appointment must be confirmed by the 9,500-member guild, which represents Hollywood TV and film writers.

The veteran labor official brought more aggressive tactics to the guild as it seeks to make major gains for writers in such areas as reality TV, animation and digital downloading.