Searchlight marketing veteran Michelle Hooper steps down after 20 years

Searchlight Pictures, the film studio known for its awards season dominance, has confirmed a leadership change in its marketing department.

Michelle Hooper, the studio's executive vice president of marketing, is departing the company. She joined Searchlight in 2006 and spent two decades in the role.

During her tenure, the studio's publicity and creative marketing efforts generated nearly 200 Oscar nominations. Of those, the company won 49 awards. Best picture trophies went to 'Nomadland,' 'The Shape of Water,' 'Birdman,' '12 Years a Slave,' and 'Slumdog Millionaire.' The studio also secured more than 130 Golden Globe nominations, including best picture nods for the same titles plus 15 other films.

Hooper was currently managing campaigns for the films 'Wild Horse Nine' and 'Behemonth!' as part of the current awards cycle. A longtime colleague described her as a leader who could identify a film's place in the cultural moment. The colleague noted that Hooper was a strong collaborator who used real-time feedback to close campaigns.

Before joining Searchlight, Hooper worked in entertainment publicity at major television networks. She served as the director of entertainment communications at CBS Entertainment, where she helped shape the publicity strategy for the show 'Survivor.' She also spent four years as the vice president of entertainment publicity at Fox Broadcast, working on campaigns for 'The Simpsons,' 'Arrested Development,' and 'American Idol.'

In 2025, Variety included Hooper in its Women's Impact Report alongside Searchlight executives Rebecca Kearey, DanTram Nguyen, and Katie Goodson. The report noted that their marketing team achieved 10 Academy Award nominations for 'A Complete Unknown' and 'A Real Pain,' including a best supporting actor win for Kieran Culkin.

In a joint statement, the team explained that Searchlight relies on adventurous film choices and close relationships with filmmakers to navigate industry challenges. They stated that the company trusts audiences still want films that entertain, challenge, and provoke.