20 Years, 200 Oscar Noms: Hooper Leaves Searchlight

After two decades with Searchlight Pictures, Michelle Hooper has announced her departure as EVP of marketing. Her tenure, beginning in 2006, was marked by exceptional success in publicity, awards campaigns, and creative marketing strategies. These efforts led to nearly 200 Oscar nominations and more than 130 Golden Globe nominations for the studio.

During her time at Searchlight, Hooper played a key role in achieving 49 Oscar wins, including multiple best picture accolades for films like 'Nomadland,' 'The Shape of Water,' and 'Birdman.' This awards season, she was actively involved in campaigns for 'Wild Horse Nine' and 'Behemonth!.'

A longtime colleague praised Hooper as a stellar leader with a keen ability to understand a film's place in the cultural zeitgeist. They also highlighted her formidable collaborative skills, noting her real-time feedback integration. Hooper previously held marketing roles at CBS Entertainment and Fox Broadcast, contributing to campaigns for shows such as 'Survivor,' 'The Simpsons,' and 'American Idol.'