The Hollywood Reporter is set to publish its highly anticipated Power Business Managers list, spotlighting the entertainment industry’s most powerful financial strategists, on Wednesday.
In conjunction with the annual list, THR will once again host its annual invitation-only breakfast celebrating excellence in business management and providing a closer look at the individuals steering Hollywood’s financial engine and offering insights into the evolving financial landscape of entertainment.
Platinum Financial Management Inc. CEO Michael Ullman will be honored with THR’s Business Manager Icon award, presented by longtime client and friend Sugar Ray Leonard. In 2003, Ullman independently founded Platinum Financial Management Inc., guided by a vision of combining sophisticated financial expertise with highly personalized service. Today, the firm has grown to a team of 35 professionals, serving a distinguished clientele across the entertainment industry and beyond. With more than 35 years of experience, Ullman has built an Illustrious career as one of the entertainment industry’s most trusted business managers, known for his financial acumen, discretion and long-standing relationships with prominent entertainers and high-net-worth individuals, including Jennifer Aniston, Miles Teller, Brooke Shields, Julie Bowen, Chrissy Metz, Linda Cardellini and, of course, Leonard.
This year’s Power Business Managers event, to be held at Wolfgang Puck’s Spago on Oct. 21, will feature a keynote Q&A with United Talent Agency CEO David Kramer, moderated by THR editor-in-chief Maer Roshan, and a fireside chat with Lisa Callif, founding partner at Donaldson Callif Perez, in conversation with THR business and legal writer Winston Cho.
As CEO of United Talent Agency, Kramer oversees all strategic planning and operations for the company’s global business. He recently served as UTA’s president and board member, guiding the company’s day-to-day business and helping shape UTA’s strategic growth across a number of business lines.
Callif is a founding partner at Donaldson Callif Perez and co-author of one of the filmmaking and entertainment industry’s most prominent guides, Clearance & Copyright, 4th Edition & 5th Edition. She negotiates license, acquisition and distribution deals with all of the major studios and platforms, including Netflix, Apple and HBO, and specializes in development, production and clearance matters for clients including Safdie Brothers’ Elara, the documentary division of Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s Artists Equity and Richard Linklater.
THR’s 2026 Power Business Managers list will be unveiled in the Oct. 21 issue of the weekly magazine. City National Bank — which has served the entertainment industry for more than 70 years, working with clients in business management, film, television, music and sports industries — is returning as the presenting sponsor of the event. “Great business managers give creative talent the freedom to take risks and focus on their work,” said JaHan Wang, head of Entertainment & Sports Banking. “City National Bank is honored to return as presenting sponsor of the Power Business Managers event, recognizing the people who keep the business of entertainment running.”
Venable LLP, a leading national law firm, will also sponsor the event. The firm’s L.A. office has served the entertainment and media community for more than 20 years, helping clients navigate the increasingly complex legal and business issues that accompany successful careers and growing enterprises. With capabilities spanning advertising, intellectual property, corporate and tax transactions, private wealth planning and litigation, Venable brings a broad perspective to the evolving opportunities and challenges shaping the industry.
Last year’s event, held at CUT Beverly Hills, featured a keynote conversation with Linda Lichter, founding partner of Lichter, Grossman, Nichols, Feldman, Rogal, Shikora, & Clark. Uzo Aduba presented Anna DerParseghian, managing partner at PTD Business Management, with THR’s Business Manager Icon award.