Kurt Osenlund
Vice President, Client Relations, Mark Allen & Co. and Head of PrideNOW
PrideNOW
R. Kurt Osenlund is a multifaceted, award-winning media professional with nearly 20 years of editorial and PR experience – specifically in culture, advocacy and arts. In his role at Mark Allen & Co., he provides cultural and creative counsel across the firm’s client roster, leads the firm’s Los Angeles office and oversees day-to-day account operations for a variety of Mark Allen & Co. accounts. He also leads Mark Allen & Co.’s PrideNOW offering, a specialized PR consulting service for brands and marketers looking to build connections with the LGBTQ+ community. Before becoming VP, Kurt served as the firm's Account Director and Creative Director, and previously held creative director roles at content houses like PROSE Productions Media.
Prior to joining the firm, Kurt served as the editor of Out Magazine, the premier LGBTQ+ magazine in the world. While at Out, Osenlund led the development and production of the 2018 Out100 – hailed as the most successful and diverse in its history. He has also held senior editorial positions at a wide variety of arts and culture publications, including Managing Editor at Slant Magazine and Contributing Editor at Playboy. A messaging pro, he's led vital cultural dialogues both onstage and off.
An empathetic media vet with a refined cultural sweet tooth, Kurt is most passionate about culture, creativity and storytelling, ensuring that people – from A-List actors to C-Suite execs – are seen and heard as their authentic, best selves. These highly adaptable creative comms skills have made him a malleable asset and leader throughout his career, from NYC to LA, and in additional roles ranging from film programmer and LGBT Center volunteer to podcast pundit and, most importantly, ally.
Prior to joining the firm, Kurt served as the editor of Out Magazine, the premier LGBTQ+ magazine in the world. While at Out, Osenlund led the development and production of the 2018 Out100 – hailed as the most successful and diverse in its history. He has also held senior editorial positions at a wide variety of arts and culture publications, including Managing Editor at Slant Magazine and Contributing Editor at Playboy. A messaging pro, he's led vital cultural dialogues both onstage and off.
An empathetic media vet with a refined cultural sweet tooth, Kurt is most passionate about culture, creativity and storytelling, ensuring that people – from A-List actors to C-Suite execs – are seen and heard as their authentic, best selves. These highly adaptable creative comms skills have made him a malleable asset and leader throughout his career, from NYC to LA, and in additional roles ranging from film programmer and LGBT Center volunteer to podcast pundit and, most importantly, ally.