Marc Shmuger



Entertainment Executive and Producer
 

bio

Over the course of thirty years, Marc Shmuger has distinguished himself through hands-on business and creative leadership in the entertainment industry. Since February of 2016, he has served as CEO of Luc Besson's French film production and distribution giant, EuropaCorp. This role has reunited him with Besson after a working relationship dating more than 20 years, beginning with THE PROFESSIONAL. 

In 2010, Shmuger founded Global Produce, a feature film and television production company. Global Produce and Shmuger most recently produced ZERO DAYS, which was in official competition at the 2016 Berlin International Film Festival, and is currently shortlisted for an Academy Award for Best Documentary. 

Global Produce and Shmuger's first two productions WE STEAL SECRETS: THE STORY OF WIKILEAKS and THE SPECTACULAR NOW both premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival and garnered significant critical acclaim. WE STEAL SECRETS was awarded BAFTA, WGA and IDA nominations and won the Producers Guild of America's top prize for Best Documentary of the Year. THE SPECTACULAR NOW won the Special Jury Prize for Acting at Sundance and was named one of 2013's Top 10 Independent films by the National Board of Review. In 2014, Shmuger Executive Produced Luc Besson's worldwide action hit, LUCY.  

Prior to EuropaCorp and Global Produce, he worked for 12 years at Universal Pictures rising from President of Marketing to Vice Chairman and then to Chairman in 2006. As Chairman, Shmuger greenlit, developed, and distributed many highly successful movies, including THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM, AMERICAN GANGSTER, INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS, WANTED, KNOCKED UP, and MAMMA MIA! Universal's films under Shmuger's leadership were among the industry's most acclaimed by critics and award groups, earning a notable 54 Oscar nominations, 78 BAFTA nominations, and 45 Golden Globe nominations.

Prior to joining Universal, Shmuger worked for seven years in marketing positions at Sony Pictures Entertainment, rising to Executive Vice-President of Marketing, where he created and supervised campaigns for many successful films, including MEN IN BLACK, AIR FORCE ONE, BRAM STROKER'S DRACULA, IN THE LINE OF FIRE, and GROUNDHOG DAY.

Shmuger's long history of innovative achievement in marketing and distribution has been recognized with top prizes from every major advertising festival, including multiple Clio's, Telly's, Addy's, New York Festival Awards, and Key Art Awards. Advertising Age honored Shmuger in 1999 and 2000 as The Entertainment Marketer of the Year, making him the first person ever to receive this distinction twice.

Shmuger is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and has served on the Board of Trustees for The American Film Institute. He is married to Louise Hamagami and together they are actively involved in and serve on the board of charities helping underprivileged children, education and Africa. The couple has two sons. Shmuger is a Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Wesleyan University.