Koos Guis

Koos Guis (1947) was educated in retail and marketing, management, finance, organization development and strategic planning. In 1972 he started his career at the Dutch media company VNU. In 1977 he became Managing Director of Intermediair and Diligentia, the Amsterdam based subsidiaries of VNU’s Business Press Group. Three years later he was appointed Managing Director of the VNU’s Business Press Group and became responsible for the Group’s activities in the Netherlands and Belgium.

In 1983, Koos Guis joined the consumer magazine business and was appointed Member of the Management Board of VNU’s Magazine Group. This Group comprised VNU’s magazines interests within the Benelux countries.

From the start of VNU’s move into Central and Eastern Europe in 1992, Koos Guis has been at the helm of VNU Magazines International. After the first step in Hungary, VNU Magazines International entered the Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia and Croatia. After the acquisition of VNU’s consumer magazines by SanomaWSOY in 2001, Koos Guis was appointed member of the Management Board of Sanoma Magazines.

Sanoma Magazines International, Sanoma Magazines’ business focussed on Central and Eastern Europe, subsequently entering Bulgaria, Serbia, Russia and Ukraine. And, through the joint venture with Gruner + Jahr, Slovenia was added to the range of countries where Sanoma Magazines International is active.

Koos Guis, exploring positions through acquisitions, new launches and joint ventures, keeps a consistent focus on business opportunities with market leadership potential. He welcomes an open, informal management style.