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NewsM&A

Focus Financial acquires entertainment business manager MLM

MLM, founded in 1988, joins a business management line Focus formalized in December 2024.

$550BFocus advised assets as of June 30, 2026

At a glance

  1. Financial terms were not disclosed.
  2. Founder Mark Landesman said clients, who include on- and off-camera talent, producers, directors, writers and executives, will keep the same service with Focus infrastructure behind it.
  3. Focus reported more than $550 billion in advised assets as of June 30, up from more than $500 billion at the start of the year.

Focus Financial Partners acquired ML Management Partners, a New York business management firm for television and film talent, InvestmentNews reported Nov. 9. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Founder Mark Landesman said clients, who include on- and off-camera talent, producers, directors, writers and executives, will keep the same service with Focus infrastructure behind it. He founded MLM in 1988, working mostly with comedians. The firm also provides family office services and has offices in New York City and Los Angeles.

Focus reported more than $550 billion in advised assets as of June 30, up from more than $500 billion at the start of the year. The deal extends a business management line Focus formalized in December 2024, when it named Gelfand, Rennert & Feldman as its first hub.

For advisors and acquirers evaluating entertainment-focused business managers, the transaction adds Focus to a field that already includes Wealthspire and Hightower. Wealthspire's Ground Control division and Hightower's relationship with GTBA are other consolidator moves into the niche this year.

Reported by the M&A desk from InvestmentNews. Published . Corrections

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