Lionsgate Promotes Distribution Executive Shaun Barber
Lionsgate has promoted veteran executive Shaun Barber to exec VP and general sales manager of domestic theatrical distribution.
Barber played a key role in overseeing “The Hunger Games” franchise, which has grossed over $2.3 billion worldwide for its three films. The final movie, “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2,” is due out Nov. 20.
The studio said the promotion reflects its expanding motion picture operations, including “The Hunger Games” and “Divergent” franchises, “Now You See Me 2,” “Gods of Egypt,” “Deepwater Horizon,” “The Last Witch Hunter,” “John Wick 2,” “La La Land” and the first film based on Saban’s Power Rangers.
Lionsgate has been expanding its development on mainstream titles that will receive wide releases, aiming to boost its output from 15 or 16 in 2016 to about 18 to 20 in 2017.
The announcement was made by Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Domestic Theatrical Distribution Co-Presidents Richie Fay and David Spitz. Barber takes over the post formerly held by Spitz, who was elevated to his current position earlier this year.
Barber, who’s been a senior VP, has overseen the releases of “The Hunger Games” and “Divergent” franchises, and “Now You See Me,” “John Wick,” “Warm Bodies” and “Instructions Not Included.” While at Summit, he also played a key role in “The Twilight Saga” franchise and “The Hurt Locker.”
“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.
As general manager, Barber has oversight of all the company’s distribution operations, including Codeblack, Pantellion, Roadside Attractions and Grindstone.
Barber came to Lionsgate after the studio’s acquisition of Summit Entertainment in 2012. He joined Summit in 2007 after working for Warner Bros. and Fox.
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