Shaun Barber

Source: Paramount Pictures

Shaun Barber

Shaun Barber has been appointed head of domestic theatrical distribution overseeing North American strategy and operations at Paramount Pictures, effective December 1.

Barber replaces the departing Chris Aronson and will work closely with Mark Viane, who will continue to oversee international theatrical distribution. Both executives report directly to Josh Goldstine, president of global marketing and distribution.

The new arrival is a 28-year industry veteran who most recently served as Lionsgate co-president, worldwide theatrical distribution. His tenure at Lionsgate and Summit Entertainment spanned 18 years and more than $9.3bn at the box office through the John Wick, The Hunger Games, and Twilight franchises, and films like Knives Out, La La Land, and The Hurt Locker.

Barber began his career at 20th Century Fox in New York City before moving to Los Angeles in 1998 to join Warner Bros, where he spent nearly a decade in theatrical distribution, rising through the ranks from accounts receivable to sales. During his tenure, he was involved in the release of franchises like Harry Potter, The Matrix, and Ocean’s Eleven, as well as Batman Begins, Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, 300, and Superman Returns.

He joined Summit Entertainment in 2007 as SVP of the Western Division and helped launch the company’s domestic distribution arm. Following Lionsgate’s acquisition of Summit in 2012, Barber rose up and ultimately oversaw theatrical sales and distribution across North America with additional oversight in the UK and Ireland.

Separately, Lionsgate has announced that former head of global revenues at Comscore’s film division Michael Viane had joined as EVP worldwide theatrical distribution and operations at the motion picture group. He will report to Kevin Grayson, president, worldwide theatrical distribution. 

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