EXCLUSIVE: Amazon MGM Studios continues to build its international theatrical team with the hire of eOne, Pathé and True Brit vet Chris Besseling as Head of Theatrical Marketing, U.K. & Ireland.
Besseling will be based in London and report to Head of International Theatrical Marketing, Charlie Coleman. In the key UK market, he will partner with Scott Sargeant, Head of Theatrical Distribution, UK & Ireland. As we previously revealed, Amazon’s international theatrical team is being overseen by longtime Paramount exec Helen Moss.
In a note to staff, Coleman described Besseling as a “proven marketing leader” and a “superb addition” in “one of the most competitive geographies in which we’ll be operating.”
The studio is understood to be filling other leadership positions in key overseas territories as it scales its distribution efforts.
Besseling cut his teeth at UK indie Metrodome more than 20 years ago. He has subsequently helped launch more than 200 films in the UK during tenures at eOne (as head of marketing), Pathé and True Brit, spearheading UK campaigns for movies including 1917, Suffragette, Green Book, Selma, The Death Of Stalin, Stan & Ollie, I, Tonya and Marching Powder. He most recently served a two year-stint as Head of Theatrical Distribution, Marketing & Publicity at Zygi Kamasa’s True Brit.
No word yet on first major movies for Amazon’s revamped international theatrical operation but the studio has been active in acquiring foreign rights at markets so between third party pickups and in-house productions it should have solid choices available.
The UK film market could be getting a shot in the arm with the return of Amazon as a theatrical player and the recent news we broke that Neon is looking at setting up in the territory too.
