Arianne Fraser

CEO

Ms. Fraser’s first experience in the business was as a producer on the film WASSUP ROCKERS, directed by Larry Clark, where she handled the sale of the film’s worldwide rights. This led to a career in film sales. In August, 2005, Ms. Fraser became Director of Foreign Sales and Distribution for First Look International, where she handled sales of the company’s library consisting of over 800 titles and the then-current film slate including: SMILEY FACE (with Anna Faris and Adam Brody, directed by Greg Araki); THE BREED (starring Taryn Manning and Oliver Hudson, produced by Wes Craven); and AN AMERICAN CRIME (with Catherine Keener and Ellen Page). In March of 2008, Ms. Fraser became VP of International Sales and Distribution with Arsenal Pictures, focusing on the acquisition of completed content for worldwide sales. Ms. Fraser decided to take the entrepreneurial plunge in early 2010 with the formation of Highland Film Group (HFG), where she partnered with Delphine Perrier.Ms. Perrier previously worked at Paramount Vantage, Odd Lot International, and Mandate Pictures. Highland’s highlights include the sleeper hit INSTRUCTIONS NOT INCLUDED (directed and starring Eugenio Derbez) which grossed over $44 million in the U.S. box office; THE BAYTOWN OUTLAWS (with Billy Bob Thornton and Eva Longoria); REVENGE FOR JOLLY (with Kristen Wiig, Elijah Wood, Ryan Phillippe and Adam Brody) and SOMEDAY THIS PAIN WILL BE USEFUL TO YOU (with Ellen Burstyn, Marcia Gay Harden, and Lucy Liu).

Ms. Fraser has also successfully financed multiple films using a combination of pre-sales to cover senior and subordinated debt, gap, tax credit, and facilitated capital for mezz and equity. Ms. Fraser and Ms. Perrier have most recently financed the films BARELY LETHAL (with Hailee Steinfeld, Samuel L. Jackson, and Jessica Alba), JACKIE & RYAN (starring Katherine Heigl and Ben Barnes), EXTRACTION starring Bruce Willis, with Kellan Lutz and Gina Carano) FEBRUARY (starring Emma Roberts and Kiernan Shipka, with James Remar, Lucy Boynton and Lauren Holly), THE TRUST (starring Nicholas Cage and Jerry Lewis, with Elijah Wood and Sky Ferreira), and WILD FOR THE NIGHT (with James Maslow, Tommy Flanagan, Lane Garrison, Bianca A. Santos and Casper Smart).

Ms. Fraser continues to use her unique and integral approach for film sales and her passion for commercial and quality packages to assist in financing films and bringing them to audiences worldwide.

Delphine Perrier

COO

Mrs. Perrier brings with her a significant amount of legal expertise and international sales experience within the entertainment industry. Mrs. Perrier has a law degree from the Sorbonne University Law School in Paris. She started her career in the entertainment industry as a contract administrator at Kushner & Locke where she managed an extensive library of over 200 films. She was one of the key players in the debut of Mandate Pictures where she lead the International Legal Affairs department and was responsible for collecting outstanding receivables for box office hits including The Grudge 1& 2, Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle, Juno, Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium, Stranger Than Fiction, The Messengers, Boogeyman 1 & 2, and 30 Days of Night. Ambitious to complement her legal expertise in the industry, she joined Odd Lot International as the Vice President of International Sales where she developed her relationships with Hollywood producers and promoted Odd Lot International Sales Agent Service. She was then offered the challenging opportunity to be part of one of Hollywood’s major studios, Paramount where she became the second in command of International Sales of the Studio’s specialty branch, Paramount Vantage. Her slate include films such as The Crazies, Shutter Island, Capitalism: A Love Story, Traitor, Last Chance Harvey, and Ondine.

JJ Caruth

President of Domestic Marketing and Distribution

Having worked at four major studios, JJ Caruth has over 15 years marketing and distribution experience in the entertainment industry. She has extensive knowledge of the independent film market, the global theatrical and home entertainment markets, consumer trends and emerging distribution platforms.

Currently, she is the President of Domestic Marketing and Distribution at The Avenue, a subsidiary of Highland Film Group Inc, responsible for the marketing and distribution strategy for acquisitions in North America. This role links content from filmmakers to distribution platforms throughout the product lifecycle and is key to the commercial success of the brand.

Most recently, she was the Vice President of Content Strategy and Marketing at Universal Content Group, responsible for the marketing and distribution of a diverse slate of independent films including Loving Pablo, The Public, An Evening With Beverly Luff Linn and Piercing (winner of seven Clios and one Golden Trailer award.). Prior to that, JJ was the Head of Marketing and Distribution at Focus World, a division of Focus Features and NBC Universal. Working with a small but nimble team, she developed integrated marketing plans and innovative distribution tactics. The Focus World release slate set new milestones for the company such as #1 non-traditional release (5 Flights Up) and #1 distributor of non-traditional releases in 2015, 2nd largest foreign film debut of 2016 in the US (A Tale of Love and Darkness) and winner of Golden Trailer award (Raw) in 2017.

Prior to UPHE, JJ worked in various marketing roles in theatrical and home entertainment at the Walt Disney Studios, Twentieth Century Fox and MGM. Originally from London, England, JJ studied at UCLA and began her entertainment career in international television sales at MGM.

Caleb Ward

VP of Acquisitions

With several years of distribution and acquisitions experience in the entertainment industry, Caleb Ward joins Highland Film Group in 2021 as Vice President of Acquisitions. Caleb oversees feature acquisitions and production development for Highland’s global sales slate as well as its domestic releasing arm, The Avenue.

Caleb has also served as Director of Acquisitions for Byron Allen’s Entertainment Studios/Freestyle. He is the Director of the Late-Night program for the Colorado-based festival SeriesFest and also served as a programmer for North Carolina’s Cucalorus Film Festival. Prior to Freestyle, Caleb served as film acquisitions coordinator for The Orchard/1091 and before that as the marketing, theatrical and digital sales coordinator for Gravitas Ventures.

Caleb graduated from University of Carolina Wilmington with a B.A. in Film and Cinema Studies as well as another B.A. in Creative Writing. At his time at University of Carolina Wilmington Ward Directed the film Children of Salt and participated in the Atlantis Creative Magazine, Treehouse Magazine, and co-founded the Treehouse Magazine.

Erik Gonzalez

Director of Marketing and Distribution

With nearly two decades in the entertainment industry, Erik Gonzalez joined Highland Film Group in 2020, starting as a Marketing Manager and rising to Director of Domestic Marketing and Distribution. In his current role, Erik oversees all marketing efforts and shapes comprehensive theatrical and home entertainment distribution plans, aligning them with The Avenue's strategic vision.

Erik is a recognized Marketing Executive known for his dedication to 360-degree marketing strategies. He excels at translating complex subjects into tangible design concepts, driving impactful branding and marketing initiatives. Erik's enthusiasm for marketing parallels his passion for crafting bespoke distribution strategies, spanning day-and-date models to traditional theatrical releases.

As Head of Digital Marketing at Universal Content Group, Erik executed digital campaigns for films like "Driven," with Jason Sudeikis and Lee Pace, "The Public" by Emilio Estevez, and "JT LeRoy" starring Kristen Stewart and Laura Dern. Previously, he led content production at Neoganda Creative Agency working with STX Films, Sony Pictures, and others. Erik also consulted for Focus World, contributing to award-winning digital campaigns for "Raw" which rewarded him a Silver Honor, Best Multi-Platform Campaign.

Earlier, Erik held marketing roles at Universal Pictures and Walt Disney Studios, contributing to campaigns for various films, including "Children Of Men," "Smokin’ Aces," "Knocked Up," "The Bourne Franchise," "The Fast & Furious Franchise," "Charlie Wilson’s War," "Leatherheads," "The Incredible Hulk," "Wanted," "The Mummy Franchise," "Public Enemies," "Greenzone," "Kick-Ass," "Despicable Me," "Scott Pilgrim vs The World," "Lilo & Stitch," "The Santa Clause Franchise," "The Pirates of the Caribbean Franchise," "Brother Bear," "National Treasure," "The Pacifier," and "The Chronicles of Narnia Franchise."

Erik holds a B.A. in Communications and Theatrical Arts from the University of Southern California and a B.S. in Computer Science and Animation from the Art Institute. Beyond his career, he's an avid 2D and 3D artist and animator, passionate about storytelling.