Stephen A. Unger (born May 31, 1946) is a recruiter who served as managing partner of the media and entertainment divisions at the three largest executive search firms in the world. From 2004-2005 he wrote a regular weekly column on leadership for the Daily Variety.Son of film producer, distributor and exhibitor Oliver A. Unger, Stephen Unger was born in New York City, NY, and lived there until age 13 when he and his family moved to Beverly Hills, California. He graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1963. Unger graduated from Syracuse University in 1967 and attended New York University’s Graduate Institute of Film and Television. He then lived and worked in various countries outside the United States over ten years. Unger speaks six languages: English, French, Spanish, Italian, German and Portuguese.In 1971, he co-founded, built, owned and operated Fosters Hollywood - Spain’s first American-food/Hollywood-themed restaurants. He and his partners sold the restaurant chain in 1976. As of 2009, Fosters Hollywood is the 11th largest franchise restaurant chain in Europe with over 140 restaurants in Spain.Unger served as Associate Producer on the telefeature Verna: USO GIRL, starring Sissy Spacek, William Hurt and Howard Da Silva. Subsequently, Unger held a number of senior corporate positions, including Vice President, International Sales and Acquisitions of Universal Pictures (NBC Universal); Vice President, International Distribution of CBS Theatrical Films (CBS, Inc.); and Senior Vice President, International Sales of Filmways Pictures, Inc. (later absorbed into MGM).In 1988, Unger became an executive recruiter and joined Korn/Ferry International, where he served as a Partner and a Managing Director of its Worldwide Entertainment and Communications Practice. He remained there until 1991 when he joined Spencer Stuart as a Partner and Managing Director of its Worldwide Entertainment and Communications Practice. In 1998, Unger joined Heidrick & Struggles’ Global Media and Entertainment Practice as Managing Partner, and news of his own recruitment to the firm was reported on the front page of the Wall Street Journal. In 2003, he started KSMU LLC, a boutique executive search firm.Leonard Armato, longtime Association of Volleyball Professionals Commissioner, described Unger as one of the top people in sports and entertainment as far as searching for top executives, and he has been recognized by Sporting News 14-member panel of executives and editors in their annual 100 Most Powerful list, including #63 in 2001. He has also been named #65 on CableFAX Magazine’s “100 Most Influential in Cable” List.Unger led the recruitment search for Michael Wolf in his move from Booz-Allen to McKinsey & Company in 2001, which shook up the industry. He has been quoted in the media regarding senior executive searches, succession plans, remuneration, retention, and contract negotiations, as well as market trends and suggestions for terminated employees. He has been invited to speak as a guest lecturer at a number of major universities, including Stanford and UCLA.His wife of over 30 years is Kathleen S. M. Unger, M.B.A., J.D. Mrs. Unger is Of Counsel at the law firm Freeman, Freeman & Smiley as well as President & Chief Executive Officer of the non-profit organization VoteRiders.
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