Shaun Barber has been promoted to executive vp and general manager of domestic theatrical distribution at Lionsgate.
Barber will oversee domestic film sales and distribution, including overall distribution strategy for the studio and its nine labels. He will report to Lionsgate Motion Picture Group domestic theatrical distribution co-presidents Richie Fay and David Spitz.
“His strategic vision, innovation and strong relationships with our theatrical exhibition partners will enable him to help maximize the performance of our growing film slate and capitalize on distribution opportunities in an evolving marketplace,” Fay and Spitz said on Tuesday in a joint statement.
Barber, most recently senior vp and assistant general sales manager at Lionsgate, based in Los Angeles, helped release the blockbuster Hunger Games and Divergent franchises for the studio. He also helped roll out Now You See Me, John Wick, Warm Bodies, The Age of Adaline and Pantelion Films’ Instructions Not Included.
Previously at Summit, acquired by Lionsgate in Jan. 2012, Barber helped release the Twilight Saga franchise and the Oscar-winner The Hurt Locker. He joined Summit in 2007 from Warner Bros., where he served as branch manager, domestic theatrical distribution, and before that worked in domestic distribution at then 20th Century Fox.
Barber’s promotion follows Lionsgate expanding its movie operations to around 40 releases annually studio-wide. Upcoming releases include The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2, Now You See Me 2 and Gods of Egypt.
