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Publicist Howard Dietz is the man who came up with MGM's motto Ars Gratia Artis and the distinctive logo featuring Leo the Lion. Before coming to the film industry, the New York City-born Dietz served with the Navy during WW I. After his discharge from the Navy he worked as both a reporter and an advertising executive before becoming publicity director of Goldwyn Pictures in 1924, staying with them when they merged with Metro. He became the vice president in charge of publicity in 1940 and remained in that position through his retirement in 1957. In his spare time, Dietz had success as a lyricist and writer of opera and musical comedy librettos.