David Kosse

David Kosse was named President, International, Universal Pictures in 2009, reporting into Adam Fogelson, Chairman of Universal Pictures. In this role, he leads Universal’s strategy for film product throughout its entire lifecycle across all of NBCUniversal’s international divisions, and he oversees the company’s international marketing and distribution arm Universal Pictures International (UPI). Kosse is a key decision maker in Universal’s greenlight process alongside Adam Fogelson and co-chairman Donna Langley. Previously he served as President, Universal Pictures International from 2006 to 2009.

Kosse is credited with creating UPI in 2006, a move that established Universal’s standalone marketing and distribution operations for films released outside of North America. Previously Universal was part of UIP, a joint venture with Paramount Pictures. UPI currently operates 14 OpCos in key markets and continues to manage its interest in UIP in more than 17 territories internationally.

Under Kosse’s leadership, UPI has doubled the size of its business since 2007, with successes in 2011, including Fast Five (more than $600m global box office to date – $417.2m internationally), Bridesmaids (nearly $120m international box office to date) and Johnny English: Reborn (nearly $150m international box office to date).

Universal Pictures has reached more than $1bn in international box office for five consecutive years with two of its best years recorded in 2007 and 2008. In 2008, UPI reached $1.714 billion propelled by the global box office phenomenon Mamma Mia! which grossed over $460 million in territories outside of North America. Kosse also oversaw 2008 hits The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor ($267m), Wanted ($206m), The Bourne Ultimatum ($215m) and Mr Bean’s Holiday ($196m).

Additional international successes under Kosse include Illumination Entertainment’s hit animated franchise Despicable Me (more than $255m) and Ridley Scott’s epic Robin Hood ($206M) in 2010 and Inglourious Basterds (more than $350m worldwide) – Quentin Tarantino’s biggest film ever – Fast & Furious ($207m) and Public Enemies ($118m) in 2009.

Prior to serving as President of UPI, Kosse served as President, International Marketing and Distribution for Universal Pictures from 2004 to 2006 overseeing its international theatrical interests. During that time, he shepherded several hit campaigns, including The Bourne Supremacy ($112m), King Kong ($331m) and The Holiday ($142m).

Before joining Universal in 2004, Kosse launched and ran UK-based Momentum Pictures, which he built into one of Europe’s largest independent film distributors. Kosse has also served in several senior executive roles at PolyGram, HBO and Ogilvy and Mather Worldwide.

Kosse is a member of the of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) where he has headed two BAFTA juries. He graduated from the University of Oregon in Eugene in 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Journalism. He is married and he and his wife have three children.