As a seasoned observer of the dynamic world of entertainment law, I find myself consistently astounded by the caliber and diversity of talent represented by the esteemed attorneys featured here. From John Branca, who continues to navigate the complexities of Michael Jackson’s estate, to Stephen Barnes, whose partnership with Snoop Dogg spans over a quarter-century, these individuals have built impressive careers that span decades and genres.
Over the past few years, the entertainment industry has faced numerous significant challenges. After surviving a global pandemic, it was struck twice (WGA and SAG-AFTRA) causing prolonged labor disputes, which were then followed by a slowdown in work due to the bursting of the streaming bubble, further complicated by the threat of strikes from below-the-line unions.
Despite facing a less abundant and less lucrative deal landscape, the honorees featured in EbMaster’s 2024 Dealmakers report have remained dedicated to their clients’ interests. In response to this situation, they’ve often shown greater ingenuity in their approach. As they embark on the new year, they carry a blend of optimism and apprehension, as they grapple with the potential of artificial intelligence – a technological innovation that could be the most disruptive yet – while keeping an eye on the incoming administration in Washington D.C., which is perceived to be more favorable towards corporate mergers and acquisitions, but potentially hostile towards Hollywood, despite its leader’s past connections to the entertainment industry.
Tony Khan
CEO, All Elite Wrestling (AEW)
Five years following Tony Khan’s establishment of professional wrestling promotion AEW as a rival to Vince McMahon’s WWE, he secured a multi-year media rights agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery, estimated at $185 million annually. This deal mandates that AEW’s shows and events will air on TBS, TNT, and stream on Max. As a result, the company is now valued above $2 billion, positioning it as the third-most-valuable combat sports organization globally.
Khan states confidently, “It’s not boasting when it’s factual: ‘Our new agreement marks a historic milestone for AEW, making us the first professional wrestling promotion to broadcast events weekly across top cable networks and a leading streaming service,'” he says.
Chris Spicer, Marissa Román Griffith, Alissa Miller, Vanessa Roman
Chris SpicerMarissa Román GriffithAlissa MillerVanessa RomanPartnersAkin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld
Over the past year, the Akin team successfully completed transactions worth over $3.5 billion across various sectors such as media, entertainment, and sports. Lately, they have represented CAT5, a new action film label funded by Fifth Season, in their debut production, “Levon’s Trade” (Black Bear Pictures), penned by Sylvester Stallone. Additionally, they offered strategic guidance to HarbourView Equity Partners during their investment in Mucho Mas Media, the creators of films like “Rosario” and “The Long Game.
“Adopt a receptive attitude”: “AI is undeniably going to affect every aspect of the media and entertainment sector, but we’re yet to determine the exact magnitude and direction,” a collective statement from the group suggests. “Regardless of whether you’re a legal expert, financial analyst, creative artist, or any other role in the industry, our recommendation is to educate yourself on this technology to improve your efficiency and excel at your job. Instead of fearing it, welcome the change and seek opportunities to leverage it for your benefit.
Lisa Alter, Katie Baron
PartnersAlter Kendrick & Baron
Alter and Baron closed almost $1 billion worth of music publishing and master recording catalog acquisitions and sales in the past year, representing Primary Wave Music Publishing (Neil Sedaka), BMG Rights Management (Peter Frampton), Reservoir Media Management (Louis Prima), Iconic Artists Group (Rod Stewart) and Influence Media Partners (Enrique Iglesias).
Focus intensifying on NIL agreements: “Various buyers are not only being offered, but also seizing the chance to contribute to projects, as some rights in this area can be challenging to assess, especially when those rights have not been extensively used before. Sellers are seeking collaborators to help them produce that long-desired biopic or Broadway musical they’ve always envisioned,” explains Alter.
Pat Shah, Rhonda Adams Medina, Kristin Lang
At Audible, the following individuals hold key positions: Pat Shah serves as the Global Head of Content Acquisition, Strategy, and Partnerships. Rhonda Adams Medina is the Head of Business Affairs, while Kristin Lang holds the position of Senior Director of Content Acquisition.
If there was any uncertainty that Audible primarily focuses on audiobooks and podcasts, it has been cleared up. This became evident when Shah’s team struck a deal for Audible’s first musical, “Dead Outlaw,” which premiered Off-Broadway and won a Drama Desk Award. They also established agreements with MGM Studios to develop TV adaptations of original Audible audio titles and Imagine Entertainment to produce a fictional audio series investigating unsolved murders from the perspective of church confessions, in addition to traditional audiobook deals such as acquiring multi-language audio rights for Andy Weir’s next novel and Matt Dinniman’s “Dungeon Crawler Carl” series.
Robyn Polashuk, Adrian Perry, David Lefebvre, Mike Hill
Robyn PolashukPartner; co-chair, entertainment and media industry groupAdrian PerryPartner; co-chair, entertainment and media industry group and music industry groupDavid LefebvreMike HillSpecial counselCovington & Burling
Remarkably skilled in structuring multi-billion dollar deals, Covington & Burling’s Perry, Polashuk, Lefebvre, and Hill can be considered more than just a dream team. They recently represented The Walt Disney Company in the media licensing aspects of its $8.5 billion merger with Reliance’s Viacom 18, and advised Paramount Global on network distribution matters for its proposed $8 billion merger with Skydance Media. In sports, Hill provided advice to the NBA for an 11-year, $76 billion media rights agreement with ABC/ESPN, NBCUniversal, and Amazon. This year has seen a surge in the use of AI technologies, creating a new market for content licensing and monetization for their media and other clients.
Brad Miller, Elizabeth Zee, Cheryl Wei, Diana Palacios
PartnersDavis Wright Tremaine
The Davis Wright Tremaine legal team experienced a bustling year, managing tasks ranging from talent agreements to lawsuits. Miller provided counsel on top-tier contracts, tax incentives, and production services for Seasons 2 and 3 of Amazon MGM Studios’ “The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power.” Zee oversaw more than 60 development deals for ITV Studios America’s collaborations with Tomorrow Studios and Bedrock Entertainment. Wei addressed distinct legal issues in production, including the evaluation of “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver’s” proposal to provide Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas $1 million annually and a new RV in exchange for his resignation from the Supreme Court. Palacios advised on various documentaries for studios such as Imagine Entertainment and Netflix and is currently serving as the lead defense counsel for Cinemart in a defamation suit stemming from its docuseries “Bug Out.
Abel Lezcano, Gordon Bobb, Ethan Cohan, Lily Tillers
PartnersDel Shaw Moonves Tanaka Finkelstein Lezcano Bobb & Dang
These Del Shaw Moonves attorneys cover a wide range of entertainment sectors, including film, television, documentaries, and live theater. In the past year, Bobb has brokered deals for various talents such as director Malcolm D. Lee (Blumhouse/Universal thriller “Help”) and actor David Oyelowo (who starred in the National Theatre’s production of Shakespeare’s “Coriolanus”). A prominent figure in the unscripted space, Cohan expanded his sports-related business, securing deals for Box to Box Films, Vox Media Studios, Pro Shop, and the NFL, while representing figures like French chef and chocolatier Amaury Guichon and journalists Soledad O’Brien and Antonia Hylton. Lezcano negotiated Sterlin Harjo’s overall deal with FX, which resulted in the pilot “The Sensitive Kind,” starring Ethan Hawke, and producer Gareth Neame’s deal for a third “Downton Abbey” film as well as his new multi-year contract to continue serving as chairman of Carnival Television. Besides regularly handling deals for high-profile entertainment executives, Tillers arranged for Quinta Brunson to write, produce, and star in the Universal comedy feature “Par for the Course,” (with founding partner Nina Shaw), and Becky Hartman Edwards’ showrunner deal for Netflix’s reboot of “One Tree Hill.
“Bobb mentions that the overall remuneration isn’t as generous as before and fewer episodes are being commissioned compared to usual. Therefore, there needs to be some flexibility in the agreements,” he explains.
Nina Shaw
Founding partnerDel Shaw Moonves Tanaka Finkelstein Lezcano Bobb & Dang
A longstanding leader in the entertainment law community, Shaw had another year of big deals, including pacts for Lupita Nyong’o to join the all-star cast in Christopher Nolan’s next movie, Quinta Brunson to co-write, produce and star in the Universal feature comedy “Par for the Course” (with partner Lily Tillers), Ayo Edebiri to co-star in Luca Guadagnino’s “After the Hunt,” Victoria Mahoney to direct the Amazon MGM rom-com “Clean Air” and Jurnee Smollett to star in the Apple TV+ series “Firebug.”
No profit participation for you!: “We always had really tough definitions of payouts, but a lot of people still got paid,” Shaw says. “Now, more and more, we see this concept that people don’t actually deserve to participate in the upside.”
Tom Ara
Partner; global co-chair, media, sport & entertainmentDLA Piper
Last year, Ara was involved in establishing multiple revenue channels for Caryn Mandabach Prods., including its acquisition by Banijay U.K., a renewed first-look deal with Netflix by animation studio Titmouse (“Big Mouth”), and a partnership between Korean streaming service Coupang Play and Major League Baseball for the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres to compete in preseason games in Seoul, 2024. In his words, “We are constantly seeking out new avenues of income generation as we navigate the music industry’s evolving landscape, and this involves not only securing deals but also consolidating existing assets and maintaining consistent cash flow.
Benjamin Mulcahy
Mulcahy serves as the head of the national advertising team at DLA Piper and has played a pivotal role in numerous significant transactions involving sports and entertainment. One of his most notable representations was for Amazon Prime Video in its 11-year, $21 billion global media rights contract with the National Basketball Association (NBA), which secured an exclusive package of NBA and WNBA games until the 2035-2036 season. This deal, sealed in July, signifies the NBA’s first streaming-only media rights agreement.
Shift towards digital platforms: “Live sports are swiftly moving towards digital media outlets, becoming increasingly costly to procure and utilize. To meet the required scale for these expenses, competition is joining forces to combine their offerings and enter the market as a unified force,” remarks Mulcahy.
Stacy Marcus, Katherine Imp, Michael Isselin, David Markman
Stacy Marcus, Katherine Imp, Michael Isselin are partners at DLA Piper. Alongside David Markman, they jointly chair the entertainment transactions practice of the firm.
In this DLA Piper team, key contributions have been made in industry-wide influencing cases, with Marcus standing out as chief negotiator for the Joint Policy Committee during SAG-AFTRA’s commercials contract negotiations. He is supported by Isselin in a legal advisory role. Among Imp’s roles are acting as lead external counsel for iHeartMedia’s podcast collaboration with Shondaland, and representing Lego Group in content production and distribution agreement negotiations with studios such as Disney and Netflix. Markman oversees all aspects of Women of Wrestling, including the negotiation of its multi-year distribution deal with Paramount/CBS Studios. In simpler terms, Marcus emphasizes the versatile benefits of AI for enhancing creativity and efficiency across various sectors, be it brands, film and TV production, creators, or performers, provided there are adequate protections in place.
Robert J. Sherman, Richard Petretti, Claire Hall
Robert J. Sherman (Partner), Co-Chair of the Entertainment Finance Practice; Richard Petretti and Claire Hall (both Partners) at DLA Piper law firm
The team of Sherman and Hall are thriving in the vibrant heart of the lucrative music catalog industry. In March, they successfully obtained around half a billion dollars in funding for HarbourView Equity Partners, with their music royalty portfolio, featuring hits from artists like Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac, Wiz Khalifa, and Brad Paisley. They also represented Concord Music, a leading independent label, in its issuance of $850 million in asset-backed notes, which will be utilized for further music acquisitions. Meanwhile, Petretti played an administrative role in JPMorgan’s adjustment of its $675 million term loan and revolving credit facility (expandable to $875 million) for Arnon Milchan’s Regency/Monarchy Entertainment group of companies. Essentially, the market for music securitizations is maturing, according to Sherman, and he anticipates that platforms for music acquisitions supported by institutional investors and other sophisticated capital providers will expand within this niche sector of the ABS (asset-backed securities) market.
Francisco Arias
General counsel and head of business legal affairsFifth Season
Arias assisted in securing a $225 million strategic investment from Toho, Japan’s largest film studio, which empowered Fifth Season to continue expanding its premium content slate. He’s provided ongoing oversight of business and legal practices for Emmy-nominated Apple TV+ series “Severance” and Max’s “Tokyo Vice,” and on the film side overseen the thriller “She Rides Shotgun,” starring Taron Egerton, and the comedies “Friendship,” starring Tim Robinson, and “Nonnas,” starring Vince Vaughn.
Election impact on dealmaking: “We could see an easing of regulation on M&A in the media business, which could lead to more consolidation, while possibly boosting companies that have faced challenges being competitive, which is very good for the industry,” Arias says.
Darrell Miller
Partner; founding chair, entertainment & sports law departmentFox Rothschild
One door swings open and …: ‘I perceive a transformation that’s disrupting traditional monopolies, paving the way for fresh avenues of income and opportunities for those quick-witted enough to discover a novel approach, carve out their unique space, and grow their following,’ Miller explains.
Cynthia Katz, Heidy Vaquerano
PartnersFox Rothschild
Katz and Vaquerano have been associated with HarbourView Equity Partners since its inception in 2021, overseeing all phases of negotiations – ranging from due diligence to post-closing – on transactions valued at over a billion dollars. This year, they played a crucial role in procuring $500 million in financing for HarbourView, which was supported by its music royalties catalog featuring hits by artists such as Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie, Wiz Khalifa, Brad Paisley, and James Fauntleroy. The geographically diverse duo (Katz based in New York; Vaquerano in Los Angeles) also recently represented Merch Collective in its sale of a majority interest exceeding $25 million to Sony Music Entertainment.
Marc Simon
Partner; chair of entertainment & sports law departmentFox Rothschild
Simon is a force in the nonfiction space, closing deals for clients such as Oscar-winning director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy (Hulu’s Diane von Furstenberg doc “Woman in Charge”), Alex Stapleton’s House of Nonfiction Prods. (Netflix docuseries about Sean “Diddy” Combs, produced with 50 Cent), longtime AMC Network exec Josh Sapan (overall deal with IFC Films), the Obamas’ Higher Ground Prods. and Bloomberg Media.
Streaming for the future: The continued championing of new talent is something that Simon feels is vitally important to the marketplace. “I would like to see the emergence of a strong, consolidated and commercially viable SVOD platform for the smart and bold independent voices of our time and those to come,” he says.
J. Eugene (Gene) Salomon Jr., Donald S. Passman, Ethan Schiffres, Daniel S. Passman
J. Eugene (Gene) Salomon Jr., Managing Partner, is joined by partners Donald S. Passman, Ethan Schiffres, and Daniel S. Passman at the law firm Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown & Passman.
As a movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled to be part of The Gang, Tyre quartet, a star-studded roster representing music, film, and television heavyweights like Taylor Swift, Stevie Wonder, Timothée Chalamet, Zac Efron, and Heidi Klum. Over the past year, we’ve solidified our position as major players in the music scene, securing deals for Green Day’s “Saviors” album and tour, P!nk’s Summer Carnival World Tour grossing over $693.8 million, and the transfer of Randy Newman’s recorded music and publishing rights to Litmus Music. On the film and TV front, we facilitated Emma Corrin’s role in “Deadpool & Wolverine” and Ridley Scott’s producer-director deal for the upcoming Bee Gees biopic, “You Should Be Dancing.
Kevin Masuda, Benyamin (Ben) Ross, Steve Tsoneff, Sarah Graham
Kevin Masuda, Partner and Co-Chair of the Media, Entertainment, and Technology Practice Group; Benyamin (Ben) Ross, Partner and Co-Chair of the same practice group; Steve Tsoneff and Sarah Graham, both Partners at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher.
The law firm of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher recently provided counsel to Iconic Artists Group, a company co-founded by Eagles manager Irving Azoff, on its strategic investment from HPS Investment Partners, securing $1 billion for further growth of their portfolio. They also represented RedBird Capital Partners in their investment into Charles Barkley’s Round Mound Media and acquisition of All3Media, an independent TV production and distribution company, as well as advised on the launch of Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop Dogg, a beverage company co-founded by Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Jimmy Iovine and Main Street Advisors. In a statement, they expressed that there has been an increase in private equity involvement in M&A within the entertainment industry, with a concentration on catalogs, production companies, content libraries, and businesses centered around talent such as talent agencies, management firms, and talent-driven consumer brands.
Matt Galsor, Sally James, Alla Savranskaia, Mark Muir
PartnersGreenberg Glusker Fields Claman & Machtinger
The Greenberg Glusker group worked together to finalize numerous high-profile agreements, including Tom Cruise’s alliance with Warner Bros. Discovery and a subsequent arrangement to produce an Alejandro G. Iñárritu movie for the studio, which were managed by Galsor and Muir. This team also represents actors like Tom Hanks, Chris Hemsworth, Vin Diesel, and Alice Braga; filmmakers such as Joe and Anthony Russo, James Cameron, and David Fincher; authors J.K. Rowling and Jocko Willink; production companies Silent House Prods., costumer Colleen Atwood, Ubisoft Entertainment, Riot Games; the estates of J.R.R. Tolkien and Ray Bradbury; and Togethxr, a company founded by female athletes Alex Morgan, Chloe Kim, Simone Manuel, and Sue Bird.
According to Galsor, there’s no universally accepted method, and the proposed strategies might not persist in the long run since they seem to be ineffective.
Sherrese Clarke Soares
Founder & CEOHarbourView Equity Partners
Established in 2021, Soares’ HarbourView Equity Partners has made a strong impact in the entertainment, sports, and media industries, managing approximately $1.5 billion in assets. Lately, Soares has invested in two media production companies specializing in inclusive storytelling: Charles D. King’s Macro (“Judas and the Black Messiah,” “Mudbound”) and Mucho Mas Media (“The Long Game, “Rosario”).
Matthew Johnson
PartnerJohnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole
Johnson has secured over $1 billion in production commitments for Tyler Perry Studios, including Netflix deals that closed in 2024 — a multi-year, first-look series pact and an agreement to produce multiple faith-based films — adding to a deal he made with the streamer in October 2023, calling for eight films over four years. He also handled Perry’s BET series producing agreement and the launch of two free ad-supported streaming channels featuring all of Perry’s BET output. Johnson’s non-Perry work included a joint-venture agreement between Andy and Barbara Muschietti and Skydance to create horror division Nocturna.
Gaming the deflating production bubble: “Platforms are being more discerning in what they are investing in, so we need to work harder to show the value proposition to secure long-term, multi-part deals,” he says.
Seth Traxler
PartnerKirkland & Ellis
This year has seen Traxler involved in some significant music catalog transactions, acting as a representative for Blackstone during their $1.6 billion acquisition of Hipgnosis Songs Fund in April and Universal Music Group when they purchased a 25.8% stake in Chord Music Partners for approximately $240 million in February.
Music Catalog Market Revival: “The majority of clients I interact with regarding acquisitions believe that as interest rates lower and global economies improve, opportunities will resurface to purchase catalogs,” he states. “There remains a wealth of intriguing catalogs at various sizes and levels that can attract diverse music companies. We must put in extra effort to demonstrate the value proposition and secure long-term, multi-faceted deals.
Nancy Bruington, Kendall Johnson, Liliana Paparelli Ranger, Jonathan West
PartnersLatham & Watkins
In the team at Latham & Watkins’ entertainment, sports, and media group, Bruington excels in debt financing transactions, West manages music catalog acquisitions and represents talent in IP joint ventures and brand sponsorships, while Johnson and Ranger are versatile in various transactional areas. Over the past year, they facilitated Blumhouse’s acquisition of Atomic Monster and ITV’s buyout from Blumhouse Television, provided advice for Skydance Media during its merger with Paramount, negotiated KKR’s sale of Chord Music Partners, and represented Brittney Griner in an exclusive life rights and producing agreement with ESPN and ABC. Essentially, turbulent times have opened up new possibilities, as Ranger explains: “The key development is that private capital has become more agile in the entertainment sector. There are now a greater number of investors who are willing to invest using diverse strategies, moving beyond traditional equity and debt deals.
Joshua Grode
CEOLegendary Entertainment
Grode spearheaded Legendary’s acquisition of Wanda Group’s remaining stake in their studio in October, making the management team and Apollo Global Asset Management its sole owners. Grode explains that this move grants them the liberty to explore M&A deals without the increased regulatory risks associated with foreign ownership within their industry. This strategic move was possible due to the substantial revenue generated by back-to-back hits like “Dune: Part Two” and “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” which collectively grossed approximately $1.2 billion globally.
James Feldman, Stephen Clark, Melissa Rogal, Jonathan Shikora
James Feldman serves as the Managing Partner at Lichter, Grossman, Nichols, Feldman, Rogal, Shikora & Clark. Alongside him are Stephen Clark, Melissa Rogal, and Jonathan Shikora, who are all Partners in the same firm.
Feldman struck partnership agreements, for instance, with the Safdie brothers – Benny (writer/director of “The Smashing Machine”) and Josh (co-writer/director of “Marty Supreme”). Feldman and Rogal arranged Viola Davis for HBO’s series “Waller,” while Rogal and Shikora worked out a multi-script development contract with Amazon for the creators of “Poker Face,” Lilla and Nora Zuckerman. Clark handled clients such as Rian Johnson, Ram Bergman (Netflix’s Will Ferrell golf comedy series), and the duo behind “Shōgun,” Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo.
Why today’s streamers share viewer data: Feldman explains that it isn’t solely about complying with WGA and SAG-AFTRA contract requirements. It’s also because all the streaming platforms are aiming to sell advertisements, and these advertisers have a stronger bargaining power than writers to request ratings-like data, he points out.
Christopher Chatham
PartnerManatt, Phelps & Phillips
In the April debut of his media network Merit Street Media, Dr. Phil (McGraw) was represented by Chatham. This network is accessible to over 80 million households through partnerships with a variety of broadcast, cable, satellite, and streaming platforms. Besides Dr. Phil, other clients handled by Chatham include Logan Paul, Gabriel Macht, Demi Moore, and Gabrielle Reece.
Products strategically arranged: “Now we’re discussing agreements where content, commerce, and community intertwine,” he explains. “Our clients are establishing strong first-party data systems through their content, which they then use to launch a variety of products such as spirits, sports drinks, condiments, and lifestyle brands. Essentially, the content acts as a spark for the growth of their broader business ventures.
John Meller
PartnerManatt, Phelps & Phillips
Guiding the Manatt team: Meller oversaw the advisory role his team played for Chord Music Partners during its sale, where KKR’s controlling share was purchased by a group comprising Universal Music Group and Dundee Partners for $240 million. This transaction valued the company at $1.85 billion following its completion in February.
Expanding business opportunities: “The music industry is moving towards artists and songwriters having more control over their copyrights, rather than relying heavily on companies and gatekeepers,” he explains. “Empowering artists to chart their own course is essential. We assist our songwriter clients in self-administration and maximizing the worth of their works. Additionally, developing brands beyond the traditional entertainment industry plays a crucial role in ensuring an artist’s lasting financial prosperity.
Eric Custer
PartnerManatt, Phelps & Phillips
For the past year, Custer has been involved in 23 significant music catalog transactions, with a majority (21) acting as the buyer. Among these, he managed deals for Reservoir Media Management (which included the publishing assets of Tupac Shakur’s producer Big D Evans), and Seeker Music (including B.o.B.’s royalties). On the seller side, he finalized major transactions for Pat Benatar and Jay Gruska. Additionally, he serves as the legal advisor for artists such as Neil Young and the Pixies.
These are the golden times we’re living in for the music industry: Ever since Custer started his journey back in 1997, it’s been quite a bumpy ride. However, he’s content with how things stand now. As streaming platforms have risen to prominence and concerts continue to draw crowds, there’s never a moment of boredom, he notes.
Beau Stapleton
PartnerManatt, Phelps & Phillips
Stapleton advised Pophouse Entertainment on its $300 million acquisition of the catalog, brand name and IP of rock band Kiss and its purchase of a majority share of Cyndi Lauper’s publishing and recording revenue. He also serves as counsel for Jack White’s Third Man Records, recording artists Em Beihold and La Lom, and Emmy-winning director-producer Jeff Zimbalist (“Skywalkers: A Love Story”).
Wolf at the door, thy name is AI: “Performers and songwriters have been fighting for well over a decade to get their fair share of streaming revenues,” he says. “Now, with AI technologies boosting the occurrence of streaming fraud and flooding DSPs with authorless music, artists are facing a new threat to their hard-won share of the streaming ecosystem.”
Navid Mahmoodzadegan, Carlos Jimenez
Navid Mahmoodzadegan serves as the Co-founder and Co-President at Moelis & Co., while Carlos Jimenez holds the position of Global Head of Media, Sports, and Entertainment for the same company.
Mahmoodzadegan and Jimenez played pivotal roles in one of the most significant deals in Hollywood this year, counseling Skydance Media throughout their $8 billion merger with Paramount, which was finalized in July. According to Jimenez, “This transaction was quite a thrilling ride, perhaps the steepest.
Eric Greenspan, Steven Arnst
PartnersMyman Greenspan Fox Rosenberg Mobasser Younger & Light
Prior to Dead & Company earning over $130 million from their 30-day stint at the Sphere in Las Vegas last summer, Greenspan and Arnst negotiated comprehensive deals covering various aspects of the innovative venue. These included contracts that granted rights and clearances for merchandise and visual intellectual property used in the concerts. Additionally, Greenspan represented Anthony Kiedis, lead singer of Red Hot Chili Peppers, during Universal’s acquisition of movie rights to his autobiography “Scar Tissue,” and Giada De Laurentiis, chef and TV personality, in her endorsement deal with Oceania Vista cruise ships.
The traditional approach continues to dominate: According to Greenspan, there was a time when everyone seemed to be focusing on TikTok artists, as if TikTok had taken over the role of the A&R department. However, for a lasting and successful career, he advises performing live, sharing your music with people personally, and letting them get to know you.
Mark Marshall
Chairman, global advertising & partnershipsNBCUniversal
As a movie reviewer, I’d put it like this: “In the role of a strategic visionary, I stood at the helm of a dynamic team that shattered records, securing an unprecedented $1.25 billion in advertising revenue for NBC’s Summer 2024 Olympics and Paralympics coverage. Seventy percent of our clients were first-time advertisers, injecting a staggering $500 million into the final tally. This was made possible, in part, by my initiative to open the once-exclusive television arena to smaller marketers through strategic programmatic ad buys.
Advertising Analyst:“In terms of assessing ad effectiveness, we’re moving from using indirect measures to a validated system that truly demonstrates the influence of a client’s media goals,” he explains. “With the improvement in the feedback mechanism, it’s clear that the most effective advertising campaigns are found in high-quality video content that is being broadcast on both traditional and streaming platforms.
Amy Siegel, Matthew Syrkin, Lindsay Conner, Silvia Vannini
Amy Siegel serves as Partner and shares responsibilities as co-chair for the entertainment, sports, and media group. Matthew Syrkin is also a Partner and jointly chairs the media tech group. Lindsay Conner and Silvia Vannini are both Partners at O’Melveny & Meyers.
To address ongoing issues stemming from the strikes in 2023, the team at O’Melveny & Meyers came up with innovative solutions to guide their clients towards resilience. Under Siegel’s leadership, they represented Fifth Season in the sale of a 25% equity to Japanese studio Toho for $225 million and provided counsel to HighPoint Media Advisors regarding Shamrock Content Strategy’s acquisition of a media portfolio encompassing over 550 feature films, 2,000 hours of TV content, and 450 songs. Meanwhile, Cooper spearheaded multiple transactions for ITV, such as the return of the 45% stake in Blumhouse Television previously acquired in 2017 and the co-production agreement with Amazon MGM Studios for the television series “The Better Sister.
“AI technology is reshaping the way content is generated and how Hollywood operates, presenting both advantages and risks for our clients,” notes Siegel. “We’re keeping a close eye on the legal aspects of AI, as they continue to develop.”
Josh Love
Partner, entertainment & media groupReed Smith
Love’s expertise lies at the crossroads of music, digital media, and new technologies, which makes him a reliable figure for both rising and established musicians, songwriters, record labels, and financial investors. He has served as counsel in various transactions for PleasrDAO, YG Entertainment (South Korea), nu metal band Korn, and Thelonious Monk’s estate, while also serving as the lead music attorney during Concord Music Group’s $468.8 million acquisition of Round Hill Music Fund. For Love, his own success is tied directly to that of his clients.
“Engaging in commendable deeds:” “This year, we’ve handled more than $1 billion worth of music catalog transactions, but nothing fills me with greater pride than assisting Kesha in establishing Kesha Records and watching her flourish as an entirely independent artist,” says Love.
Steve Sessa
Partner; co-chair, entertainment & media industry groupReed Smith
Last year, a significant portion of Sessa’s time was dedicated to managing significant music acquisition contracts for clients such as Concord, Sony, Lyric, Kobalt, Hipgnosis, Litmus, Shamrock, Seeker, Pophouse, and Flexpoint. Other notable achievements include counseling the Smashing Pumpkins on a stadium tour with Green Day and Bon Jovi (including matters related to their Hulu docuseries “Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story”) and aiding Kesha in establishing her new record label.
“It’s anticipated that this year will be another strong one for music catalog sales: ‘Music rights have become a reliable investment category for the finance sector,’ he explains. ‘The strategy is successful, which means we can expect even more investors joining the market.’
Leif Cervantes de Reinstein, Shaun Clark, Aerin Snow, Joseph Ireland
Leif Cervantes de Reinstein partners with Shaun Clark, Aerin Snow, and Joseph Ireland (associate) at the law firm Sheppard, Mullin, Richter, and Hampton.
Cervantes de Reinstein and Snow successfully completed significant transactions for their high-profile clients like Lionsgate (the $375 million acquisition of eOne, an indie content platform from Hasbro), while providing corporate counsel services for equity financing and joint ventures for 101 Studios. Notable projects include a strategic partnership with Paramount Global for multiple series produced by top-tier executive producers such as Antoine Fuqua and George Clooney. Clark and Ireland were equally active, representing Creative Wealth Media Lending in the acquisition of Bron Studios and Sony Pictures in the purchase of Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. Other clients include studios like Legendary Pictures and Fremantle, along with well-known brands such as Peloton, Mazda, QVC, and The Hershey Company.
Clark is hopeful about the upcoming year: “We anticipate that we’ll witness ongoing strategic partnerships among companies across various sectors, such as tech firms teaming up with content creators, brands partnering with influential figures, sports associations collaborating with entertainers, and networks exploring innovative methods to boost revenue.” Clark adds, “The M&A marketplace appears to be on an upward trend as well.
Robert A. Darwell, Ramela Ohanian, Nicolas Urdinola, Tiago Aquino
At Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton, we have Robert A. Darwell as our Senior Partner and Head of Global Media. Alongside him, Ramela Ohanian is a Partner, while Nicolas Urdinola serves as a Senior Associate. Tiago Aquino holds the position of Associate in our firm.
Darwell’s multilingual team has been actively managing various aspects of international projects, including development, manufacturing, and contract negotiations, for companies like Meta, Paramount, TelevisaUnivision, Gaumont, Globo, and notably Amazon MGM Studios. In their role as external advisors for Amazon MGM, they’ve been instrumental in finalizing deals for several high-profile projects, including the Spanish film “La Virgen Roja,” the Mexican series “Cada Minuto Cuenta,” the Colombian movie “Pimpinero” featuring Medellín-born rock star Juanes, and an eight-part limited series adaptation of Isabel Allende’s novel “House of Spirits,” which is Amazon’s most expensive Latin American production to date. They also aided Meta’s in-house legal team in negotiating talent agreements for a collection of AI chatbots based on public figures such as Tom Brady, Kendall Jenner, and Naomi Osaka.
“Explore interactive forms of entertainment that foster audience interaction: As Ohanian explains, these methods not only facilitate audience engagement but also provide additional income opportunities for production companies and artists.
Matthew C. Thompson
Partner; co-leader, global entertainment, sports and media practiceSidley Austin
If Thompson were exclusively representing Dwayne Johnson as his client, he would undoubtedly remain a very occupied individual. Over the past year alone, this attorney has overseen the launch of Johnson’s Papatui line of personal care products, brokered the merger between the XFL (which Johnson and others purchased out of bankruptcy in 2020) and the USFL to form the United Football League in collaboration with ESPN and Fox, and facilitated an agreement for Johnson to join the board of TKO Group Holdings, return to wrestling under his moniker “The Rock,” and claim full control over his wrestling name.
Increasing investments in unique intellectual properties: Although this may not seem like the most financially sound decision at first glance, it offers a broader spectrum of daring and innovative content, thereby fostering healthy competition for audience attention, according to Thompson. Notably, he also represented Alex Cooper, host of the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, in her recent $125 million deal with SiriusXM.
Simran A. Singh
Managing PartnerSingh, Singh & Trauben
A onetime in-house lawyer for Universal Music, Singh occasionally moonlights as a producer, most recently with the 2024 Peacock docuseries “Reggaeton: The Sound that Conquered the World,” which he exec produced with client Daddy Yankee. But his day job is cutting deals for the likes of Missy Elliott (“Out of This World” tour), Latin music star Ozuna (publishing catalog sale to Kobalt/KMR Holdings), Flow La Movie (catalog sale to Cinq Music), FloyyMenor (deal with UnitedMasters) and Grupo Firme (new distribution agreement with Virgin and publishing deal with Universal).
The power of music catalog sales: “This trend has reshaped how legacy artists, songwriters and producers approach their long-term financial strategies,” he says.
David Eisman, Glen Mastroberte
As a keen observer, I can’t help but express my admiration for the dynamic duo at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. I’m particularly impressed by David Eisman, the charismatic leader of their media and entertainment group, and Glen Mastroberte, another esteemed partner in this same division. Their expertise and leadership within this field are truly commendable.
Eisman and Mastroberte, experts in mergers and acquisitions within the entertainment field, have been actively involved in a variety of transactions encompassing film, television, music, gaming, and sports. As the industry recovers from last year’s strikes, they’ve facilitated significant deals for independent labels such as Drake’s OVO Sound and DJ Khaled’s We the Best Music. Additionally, they’ve represented Parkwood Ventures in Beyoncé’s partnership with Moët Hennessy and the creation, promotion, and launch of her SirDavis whiskey brand.
Eisman’s Pinnacle Moment in 2024: For Eisman, it was masterfully overseeing UTA’s acquisition of the leading European soccer agency, Roof. “That was the most significant transaction that UTA has ever executed,” he noted.
Rick Offsay, Justin Hamill
Rick Offsay serves as Partner and Global Co-Chair of the Entertainment, Sports & Media Practice at Latham & Watkins. Justin Hamill also holds the position of Partner and Global Co-Chair for the Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity Practice at the same firm.
Hamill and Offsay specialize in intricate strategic deals such as counseling Skydance Media during a merger with Paramount and an investor group on an $8 billion-plus investment in Paramount Global, as well as the acquisition of National Amusements. Simultaneously, Offsay advised Carlyle on a $800 million asset-backed credit facility for Park County (“South Park”), while Hamill counseled Endeavor on a $25 billion take-private acquisition of the company by Silver Lake.
Maria Anguelova
Exec VP, global head of corporateSony Pictures Entertainment
As a passionate movie enthusiast, I was thrilled to be part of the team that facilitated Sony Pictures Entertainment’s purchase of the dine-in theater chain, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. This deal marks a significant milestone, as it’s the first time a major studio has returned to the theatrical exhibition business since the 2020 lifting of the Paramount Consent Decrees from 1948. Sony aims to leverage Alamo’s four million loyalty club members to transform their intellectual property (IP), such as content from Crunchyroll, an anime-focused subscription VOD streamer, into exciting events.
Adjusting in a challenging time: “Indeed, we’re modifying our deal structures to better suit the current market conditions and cater to both sellers and buyers,” explains Anguelova. “The market is demonstrating robustness for top-tier companies, as proven by recent significant deals such as the All3Media acquisition by RedBird.
Greg Akselrud, Cathleen Green
As a passionate cinephile, I’m Greg Akselrud, partner and chair of the internet, digital media, and entertainment practice at Stubbs Alderton & Markiles. Alongside me, we have Cathleen Green, a seasoned senior counsel, who together, we strive to provide expert guidance in the dynamic world of movies, digital platforms, and media.
I, as an admirer of strategic decisions, could’ve imagined Influential Network opting for a large, prestigious white-shoe law firm for their $500 million acquisition by Publicis Groupe. Similarly, Ben Sherwood, ex-Disney exec, and Joanna Coles, former Hearst chief content officer, might have chosen the same route when they seized the editorial leadership at the Daily Beast, securing nearly half of the publication’s equity. However, they chose a mid-sized law firm based in Sherman Oaks, Stubbs Alderton & Markiles instead. Akselrud suggests this decision was driven by the firm’s deep understanding of the intricacies involved and their unique ability to anticipate potential pitfalls in a deal, aptly referred to as “thinking around the corner.
A famous face can help kickstart a brand, but it’s essential to invest in advertising to foster its expansion, according to Akselrud.
Ole Obermann
Global head of music business developmentTikTok
In May 2024, Obermann played a significant part in reinstating Universal Music Group’s catalog on TikTok under a fresh licensing contract that incorporated advanced AI safeguards. Furthermore, he has been instrumental in the platform’s collaborative ventures with artists such as Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Sabrina Carpenter, and Post Malone, offering promotional and creative assistance.
There’s no reason to be alarmed by AI: “A year and a half ago, the mood in the music industry was one of impending doom due to the rapid advancement of AI. We weren’t sure if we had the necessary safety measures in place,” he explains. “We experienced incidents like ‘Fake Drake’ [in April 2023] and a few other significant moments involving AI in music, but since then, things have become relatively calm when you consider it.
Justin Connolly
President, platform distributionThe Walt Disney Company
For about two weeks in September, Disney’s collection of networks (which includes ABC, Disney-named channels, ESPN, FX, and National Geographic) were off the air on DirecTV. However, Connolly, who was serving as the main negotiator, eventually reached an agreement. The extensive deal he brokered allowed for the broadcasting of Disney’s traditional TV channels, in addition to giving consumers the option to subscribe to Disney’s streaming services (Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+) through certain DirecTV packages or individually.
Advantages of tough times, as per Connolly: In his view, the slump in production has led to a higher demand for content in the market and provided us with more chances to strategically license our top-tier, non-branded library content to other parties.
Adam Glick, Matt Matzkin, Shanon Muir
As a cinephile enthusiast, I’m thrilled to represent myself as one of the executive leaders within the Warner Bros. Television conglomerate. Specifically, I hold the esteemed positions of Executive Vice President for Business Operations, Executive Vice President for Operations at both Unscripted Television and Animation, and Senior Vice President for Legal Affairs, all under the umbrella of the Warner Bros. Television Group – Animation. Here’s to creating memorable experiences through captivating stories!
Together, this Warner Bros. team managed nearly 90 television shows across various platforms. Glick brokered direct-to-series agreements for a comedy without a title from Bill Lawrence featuring Steve Carell, as well as the medical drama “The Pitt” produced by John Wells. In the unscripted realm, Matzkin introduced the Food Network’s “Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking,” Max’s “Fast Friends,” and the syndicated “True Crime News.” Additionally, they secured renewals for “Extra” and “The Jennifer Hudson Show.” Lastly, Muir worked on securing new orders for three Cartoon Network series: “Foster’s Funtime for Imaginary Friends,” “Adventure Time Side Quests,” and an unnamed “Regular Show” project.
“Matkzin shares that we create several podcasts independently, and we’re working together with other podcast creators who aren’t part of our team, aiming to feature our talent in their productions,” he says.
Shaun Gordon
PartnerWeintraub Tobin
Gordon successfully arranged numerous significant agreements for “Call Her Daddy” host and producer Alex Cooper. Among these deals is a new multi-year contract worth $125 million with SiriusXM, which will make Cooper’s Unwell Network of podcasts available on the platform starting from 2025. In addition to Cooper, Gordon represents actors such as Diane Lane and Zosia Mamet, podcasters including Guy Raz and Caleb Pressley, author Maria Semple, multi-talented personality Niana Guerrero, and comedian Jenny Lorenzo.
As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but notice the growing impact of video content in today’s digital landscape. Video podcasts are increasingly captivating audiences, and this trend makes video an essential tool, not just for engaging viewers, but also for boosting promotional opportunities through snippets shared on social media platforms.
Ariel Emanuel, Nick Khan, Mark Shapiro, Andrew Schleimer
Here are the executives at TKO and WWE: Ariel Emanuel is the CEO, Nick Khan is the President at WWE, Mark Shapiro serves as both the President and Chief Operating Officer for TKO, and Andrew Schleimer holds the position of Chief Financial Officer at TKO.
The year before last, TKO Group Holdings combined Ultimate Fighting Championship and World Wrestling Entertainment under one banner. In January 2024, the management team of TKO finalized a $5.2 billion, ten-year contract with Netflix. This deal granted Netflix exclusive rights to air WWE’s main program “Raw” in the U.S., Canada, UK, Latin America, and various other regions starting from January 2025. With this agreement, all WWE shows and specials outside the U.S. will be exclusively available on Netflix from that date forward, providing approximately 80% of international territories with immediate access to 100% of its content. The remaining parts of the world will gradually gain access to WWE programming as existing contracts run out.
As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but be thrilled about the added value Netflix brings. It’s not just about the money; it’s also about the tremendous potential and secondary advantages that come with partnering with such a distributor, serving nearly 300 million homes worldwide. That’s what really gets me pumped!
Kevin Yorn
“Partner and Co-founder at Yorn Levine Barnes Krintzman Rubenstein Kohner Endlich Goodell & Gellman”. The goal is to provide a version that maintains the same meaning while being more natural and easier to read.
Yorn kept his 29-year-old firm at the front of the entertainment law pack in 2024, cutting deals for clients including Scarlett Johansson (starring role in “Jurassic World Rebirth”), Ellen DeGeneres ($20 million pact for Netflix comedy special), Zoe Saldaña (Golden Globe-nominated role in “Emilia Pérez”), Jonah Hill (write, produce and act in Apple TV+ movie “Outcome”) and Matthew McConaughey (Apple TV+ series “Brother From Another Mother”).
“Double safeguard approach for AI: He explained that they aim to provide additional security beyond what SAG has already accomplished in relation to film and TV studio agreements. They strive for a policy where no use of AI is necessary, yet they remain open to exploring if AI could potentially benefit everyone involved.
Stephen Barnes
PartnerYorn Levine Barnes Krintzman Rubenstein Kohner Endlich Goodell & Gellman
Barnes has been working in Snoop Dogg’s industry for over two decades, and this year has proven particularly successful. The lawyer was instrumental in securing key deals for the rapper, including his high-profile roles in NBC’s Summer Olympics broadcast and as a judge on their singing competition show “The Voice.” During this time, he also played a crucial role in establishing the premium spirits company Still G.I.N., a venture launched in collaboration with Dr. Dre.
Brace Yourself for Trump 2.0: “There could initially be a freeze in hiring and projects that promote diversity,” he states. “Given the significant ideological differences within various sectors, including entertainment and beyond, some individuals might face job denials or financial restrictions based on their beliefs.
Jeff Endlich
PartnerYorn Levine Barnes Krintzman Rubenstein Kohner Endlich Goodell & Gellman
Endlich recently negotiated comedian Bert Kreischer’s deal for two upcoming Netflix stand-up specials, and director/producer pacts for Taika Waititi’s Sony feature adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel “Klara and the Sun,” starring Amy Adams, and Jaume Collet-Serra’s Netflix thriller “Carry On,” starring Taron Egerton. He also set D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai to star in A24’s “Warfare.”
“Expanding influence on a global scale can bring about certain advantages:” “With the vast international reach of major streaming services, there’s an increased chance to collaborate with clients from different countries and create groundbreaking deals with foreign production companies that are in partnership with these streamers to produce content for both domestic and global audiences,” he explains.
John Branca
PartnerZiffren Brittenham
As the joint administrator and overseeer of Michael Jackson’s estate, Branca orchestrated a 50% deal where Sony Music purchased the rights to Jackson’s music publishing and record masters for approximately $600 million. Despite this sale, the estate managed to maintain control, which has generated an estimated $2 billion from ventures such as the Tony-winning “MJ: The Musical” up until now.
Constant Evolution of an Industry through Technology: “As you examine the impact of technology on various industries, observing its progression from piano rolls to vinyl discs, albums, 45s, and digital downloads to streaming platforms, it is clear that the landscape undergoes continuous transformation,” Branca notes. “What content owners are primarily focusing on is safeguarding their intellectual property rights while preventing unauthorized use, all the while someone else benefits by creating a new asset.
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2024-12-19 01:21