Amazon MGM Studios names Chris Besseling Head of Theatrical Marketing for U.K. and Ireland

Amazon MGM Studios has hired Chris Besseling as its new Head of Theatrical Marketing for the U.K. and Ireland, as the studio continues building out an international film team, according to an exclusive report published July 16 by Deadline.

Deadline reported that Besseling will be based in London and will report to Charlie Coleman, who leads Amazon MGM Studios' International Theatrical Marketing. The outlet also described Besseling as a veteran of U.K. and Ireland theatrical marketing work with experience at eOne, Pathé and True Brit.

In the U.K. market, Deadline said Besseling will partner with Amazon MGM Studios’ existing theatrical marketing staff and oversee the studio’s efforts to promote releases across theatrical and related distribution channels. The reporting characterized the move as part of a broader effort to increase international theatrical reach as Amazon MGM Studios develops its film slate.

The hire comes as major film distributors continue to rely on coordinated marketing teams to manage regional release plans, theater relationships and press campaigns, particularly in markets where publicity and exhibition partners play a direct role in audience turnout.

A central element of the appointment, Deadline said, is Besseling’s role in strengthening Amazon MGM Studios’ U.K. and Ireland theatrical marketing capabilities under Coleman’s international marketing structure. That structure is intended to keep regional campaigns aligned with the studio’s broader distribution and brand approach.

Deadline’s report did not specify which projects Besseling will immediately focus on or the size of the budget or team changes tied to the role. The story also did not provide dates for when Besseling’s duties begin beyond the July 16 announcement.

For studio marketing operations, the immediate practical effect is staffing and leadership continuity in a key European territory, with the new head role intended to support how Amazon MGM Studios plans, coordinates and executes theatrical promotional activities for U.K. and Irish audiences.

The studio has not publicly detailed additional organizational changes in the report beyond the appointment and reporting line, but the move indicates continued investment in international theatrical marketing as Amazon MGM Studios expands its worldwide film operations.