Michelle Hooper and Stephanie Allen have been promoted to executive vice-presidents of marketing and Sheila DeLoach to executive vice president of distribution at Fox Searchlight, effective immediately.

Allen and Hooper will jointly manage all aspects of marketing while DeLoach will manage all aspects of distribution. The trio reports directly to studio presidents Nancy Utley and Stephen Gilula.

“Stephanie, Sheila and Michelle are invaluable and integral members of the Searchlight team who have crafted campaigns that are unparalleled in the specialised film business,” Gilula and Utley said. “These promotions allow them to continue using their cutting edge creativity and vast knowledge throughout the organisation to help us continue to grow.”

Allen joined Searchlight in 2000 after previously serving as Rolling Stone Magazine’s associate photo editor and vice-president of creative advertising at Tri-Star Pictures, among other posts.

Prior to joining the studio in 1997, DeLoach served as vice-president, Eastern Sales manager, for Orion Pictures. She began her career as a booker’s clerk at Columbia Pictures and rose through the ranks before she joined 20th Century Fox as senior vice-president, regional sales manager.

Hooper joined Searchlight in 2006 following four years at Fox Broadcasting where she was vice-president of entertainment publicity. Prior to joining the Fox fold Hooper was director, entertainment communications at CBS Entertainment in New York.