UNIVERSAL PRESIDENT OF INT. DISTRIBUTION, DUNCAN CLARK STEPS DOWN IN UK

Universal President of International Distribution, Duncan Clark will exit the company in August, and transition to a consulting role within the studio. Former Veronika Kwan Vandenberg President of International Distribution and Growth Initiatives at Warner Bros will be replacing Clark. She will be based in Los Angeles and report to Donna Langley, Chairman of Universal Filmed Entertainment Group. “I understand the parting with London-based Clark is amicable and might have been influenced by the relocation of the post to L.A.,” Langley said in a note to staff. “With Kwan Vandenberg in Universal City, this effectively moves oversight of Uni’s offshore distribution out of London and back to Hollywood. Niels Swinkels, EVP International Distribution, already is based there, though Simon Hewlett, President of International Marketing, will remain in the UK.”  

Clark has worked at Universal in London for 14 years, but contributed to the international distribution and marketing business for more than four decades. During his time with Universal, he contributed to the studio’s success at the global box office. Under his leadership, Universal experienced some of its most profitable years, like 2015, when UPI achieved its best year ever by breaking numerous records at the international box office, becoming the first studio to gross more than USD 4 Billion overseas. Clark managed the international success and growth of the studio’s most notable brands and franchises, including “Jurassic World,” “Fast & Furious,” “Despicable Me/Minions” and films from Blumhouse.

Vandenberg will be joining Universal with a strong track record of innovation and fluency in the international marketplace, along with well-established relationships with filmmakers and exhibitions. She spent 28 years at Warner Bros. before resigning in 2018, most recently overseeing international theatrical distribution activities, including local productions and a special focus on theatrical strategy and partnerships in China, managing WB franchises such as the Harry Potter movies, “The Dark Knight” trilogy,” “The Hobbit” trilogy” and “The Matrix” trilogy. She also collaborated on aligning business and technology and supporting new in-theater experiences.

Vandenberg will work closely with Clark, Swinkels, and Hewlett over the next months to smoothen the transition. She will oversee a highly experienced distribution organization across Los Angeles, London, and other territories worldwide, which will still be led by Swinkels. Kwan Vandenberg will also work closely with Peter Levinsohn, Universal Filmed Entertainment Group’s Vice Chairman and Chief Distribution Officer, and Jim Orr, President of Domestic Distribution, as well as President of Worldwide Marketing Michael Moses.