Media Clips

GHJ Entertainment Practice Leader Ilan Haimoff speaks with GHJ Tax Services Expert Dan Li and GHJ Profit Participation Services Expert Tracy Liang to examine two real-world client case studies where specialized industry knowledge and insight supported entertainment leaders in addressing their complex business challenges.

The three leaders discuss:

• Tax complexities of M&A in entertainment, particularly on a global scale
• Key tax planning, structuring and international tax considerations of a global transaction
• The purpose of valuing a profit participation interest
• Factors to consider in an entertainment valuation
• Aspects that make valuing entertainment assets different from a traditional business valuation
• Guidance for entertainment companies considering a merger, acquisition or significant investment and how to maximize value
• Best practices for leaders looking to sell or value a profit participation interest

Listen to the episode to hear more.

In GHJ’s Media Clips podcast episode, Entertainment Practice Leader Ilan Haimoff speaks with USC Annenberg's Center for the Digital Future Director Dr. Jeffrey Cole about Jeffrey’s new book that examines why even successful entertainment companies often fail to recognize risks until it is too late.

The podcast explores:

• Common blind spots entertainment executives, consultants and advisors face and why these continue to threaten film and media businesses
• How the entertainment industry addresses disruption compared to other sectors
• Trends in streaming, AI and consumer behaviors that have permanently impacted film and television
• Predictions for future disruption and how the industry can prepare
• Guidance for studio leaders as they look to lead disruption, not react to it

Listen to the episode to hear more. Look for Jeffrey’s book, Disrupters at the Gate: When Visionaries, Trailblazers and Two Guys in a Garage Turn the World Upside Down, here.

This episode of GHJ’s Media Clips podcast features Entertainment Practice Leader Ilan Haimoff and guests:

• Manatt Entertainment Transactions and Finance Practice Leader Sophia Yen
• TPC Executive Vice President Viviana Zarragoitia
• Salem Partners Managing Director Ivar Combrinck

The industry leaders discuss:

• How the financing and dealmaking landscape has changed, and how this was reflected at the Cannes Film Festival
• Guidance for producers and entertainment companies working to get deals done
• Current trends and predictions for the future of the entertainment industry, from streaming and short-form content to financing

In the latest episode of GHJ’s Media Clips podcast, Entertainment Practice Leader Ilan Haimofftalks with Akin Partner and Head of Entertainment, Media and Sports Chris Spicer, Bank of America Head of Entertainment Industries Group Randy Hua, and Salem Partners Co-founder and Managing Director Stephen Prough. The group discusses the latest in motion picture and television financing and deal making.

The four industry leaders explore:

• Opportunities and challenges for co-finance partners, investors and production companies
• How entertainment deals are changing
• How banks evaluate risk today in the entertainment industry
• The types of entertainment businesses that attract investment

GHJ’s Entertainment Practice Leader Ilan Haimoffspeaks with:

• Loyola Marymount University Associate Professor of Finance David Offenberg
• Professor Emeritus at USC School of Cinematic Arts Jason Squire
• USC Annenberg's Center for the Digital FutureDirector Dr. Jeffrey Cole

The group of industry experts discuss what has happened thus far in the year that is likely to impact entertainment and media for the remainder of 2026. They also explore new opportunities, such as AI, and discuss pressing challenges, including contraction and job loss in the industry.

In GHJ’s latest episode of the Media Clips podcast, Entertainment Practice Leader Ilan Haimoffspeaks with Elaine about:

• How her journey from acting to accounting and contingent compensation for film and television shaped her approach to client service
• Changes in the film and television industry that influence entertainment businesses and projects today
• How she helped establish Hacker, Douglas & Company (now part of GHJ) as one of Hollywood’s top profit participation practices

In GHJ’s latest episode of the Media Clips podcast, Entertainment Practice Leader Ilan Haimoffinvites distinguished guests to discuss opportunities production companies can take advantage of to improve cash flow and cost efficiencies. Ilan is joined by:

• O’Melveny & Myers’ Entertainment and Media Industry Group Co-chair Amy Siegel
• Monarch Private Capital’s Director of Film Finance and Tax Credit Investments Marco Cordova
• Enspire Media Group’sPresident Jordan Yospe

The group covers:

• What holders of passive, contingent compensation should know about the value of their profits
• Considerations when selling production tax incentives and how to make the most of them
• How to partially fund production through production integration and what to know about this process
• Other opportunities to increase liquidity

In this episode of GHJ’s Media Clips podcast, Entertainment Practice Leader Ilan Haimoff explores how the Profit Participation Services Practice’s culture was built and how it contributes to a stronger client service model and better business outcomes.

Ilan is joined by members of GHJ’s Profit Participation Services Practice, including:

• Principal Alan Perry
• Manager Heather Clayton
• Experienced Associate Cristina Gahan

In the conversation, the team discusses:

• Times the team’s culture and ability to serve clients were challenged and how the group overcame these obstacles
• How learning and mentorship contribute to a successful team culture and bring advantages to the clients team members serve

GHJ’s Search and Staffing Practice Leader Derrick Coleman and Search and Staffing Entertainment Expert Holly Register cover:

• How entertainment businesses are rethinking their finance model structures and outsourcing financial leadership roles
• What film and motion picture companies look for in candidates of finance positions, including experience in digital transformation, AI and other technologies
• Best practices to maximize companies’ search for finance candidates

This episode follows an article on top considerations for entertainment professionals when choosing a search firm.

GHJ’s latest podcast episode with host and Entertainment Practice Leader Ilan Haimoffexplores the current state of the entertainment industry, as well as predictions for what the future of the film and motion picture business ecosystem may hold.

Ilan and Ken discuss:

• What a decline in volume of film and television releases signifies for the industry
• How trends in streaming services, including a potential Warner Bros. acquisition, change the business landscape
• What decreases in subscriptions and waning audience engagement mean for film and television
• And more

In GHJ’s latest episode of the Media Clips podcast, Entertainment Practice Leader Ilan Haimoff invites back Akin Partner and Head of Entertainment, Media and Sports Chris Spicer and Bank of America Head of Entertainment Industries Group Randy Hua. The trio welcomes Content PartnersExecutive Vice President and Revolution StudiosChief Executive Officer Scott Hemming to discuss the latest trends in entertainment financing and deal making.

The four industry leaders cover:

• Challenges in domestic distribution
• Trends in consolidation across the entertainment industry
• Potential opportunities resulting from a broader market and fewer studios
• The surge in demand for branded IP
• The importance of audits for related party transactions

Listen in to learn more.

Follow the Media Clips podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to hear past episodes and listen to new episodes as soon as they become available.

In this episode of GHJ’s Media Clips podcast, GHJ Entertainment Practice Leader Ilan Haimoff speaks with renowned industry experts, including:

• O’Melveny & Myers Partner Lindsay Conner
• USC Annenberg's Center for the Digital Future Director Dr. Jeffrey Cole
• Brecheen, Feldman, Breimer, Silver & Thompson Partner Leigh Brecheen

The panel breaks down what a Warner Bros. deal would mean for the film and television industry. This features discussion around:

• What Netflix and Paramount would gain from acquiring Warner Bros. (or parts of it)
• What the entertainment landscape will look like if Netflix achieves this deal
• What it will look like if Paramount does
• How a Netflix or Paramount acquisition of Warner Bros. will affect producers, investors, co-finance partners and talent
• Regulatory challenges ahead for these companies
• Action steps for entertainment professionals to take now

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

In the episode, discussion surrounds:

• Federal, state and local tax developments shaping year-end planning for studios, production companies and entertainment executives, covered by GHJ Entertainment Tax Expert Dan Li and GHJ SALT Practice Leader Frances Ellington Gutierrez
• International tax updates from film credits to digital taxes and transfer pricing, as well as how to plan for international production in 2026, explained by GHJ International Tax Expert Andreas Koller
• The evolution of finance departments in entertainment, including the latest trends in integrating technology, AI and outsourcing into accounting practices, covered by GHJ Client Accounting and Advisory Service Practice Leader Arna Erazo
• Market trends in the entertainment sector and expectations for increased capital availability in 2026, described by GHJ Transaction Advisory Services Practice Leader David Sutton
• Updates to GAAP accounting, covered by GHJ Audit and Assurance Expert Dan Landes
• Lastly, Ilan discusses considerations and best practices for profit participation audits going into 2026

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This podcast follows the article, “5 Things to Know About International Tax Opportunities for the Entertainment Industry.”

Follow us on social media:

LinkedIn: @GHJ

Twitter: @GHJ_Updates

Facebook: @GHJAdvisors

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Follow us on social media:

LinkedIn: @GHJ

Twitter: @GHJ_Updates

Facebook: @GHJAdvisors

YouTube: @GHJ Advisors

The podcast references the article: 5 Things for Entertainment Professionals to Know When Considering a GAAP Financial Statement Audit.

Five Things Every Entertainment Leader Should Know can be accessed here.

Follow us on social media:

LinkedIn: @GHJ

Twitter: @GHJ_Updates

Facebook: @GHJAdvisors

YouTube: @GHJ Advisors

Follow us on social media!

LinkedIn: @GHJ

Twitter: @GHJ_Updates

Facebook: @GHJAdvisors

YouTube: @GHJ Advisors

Follow us on social media!

LinkedIn: @GHJ

Twitter: @GHJ_Updates

Facebook: @GHJAdvisors

YouTube: @GHJ Advisors

Follow us on social media!

LinkedIn: @GHJ

Twitter: @GHJ_Updates

Facebook: @GHJAdvisors

YouTube: @GHJ Advisors