Media Finance Structures, LLC is the professional services offering from John Zabel, a nationally recognized CPA with 40+ years of senior level financial executive experience (Sony Pictures Entertainment and Mandalay), the former Temporary Conservator of the Estate of Britney Spears and the go-to compliance resource for major senior entertainment lenders.

Media Finance Structures, LLC is the professional services offering from John Zabel, a nationally recognized CPA with 40+ years of senior level financial executive experience (Sony Pictures Entertainment and Mandalay), the former Temporary Conservator of the Estate of Britney Spears and the go-to compliance resource for major senior entertainment lenders.

We help you navigate the complex world of entertainment finance and operations while providing studio-level COO/CFO services and bank compliance on either a project or on-going basis.

Contact Us

Media Finance Structures, LLC is the professional services offering from John Zabel, a nationally recognized CPA with 40+ years of senior level financial executive experience (Sony Pictures Entertainment and Mandalay), the former Temporary Conservator of the Estate of Britney Spears and the go-to compliance resource for major senior entertainment lenders.

We help you navigate the complex world of entertainment finance and operations while providing studio-level COO/CFO services and bank compliance on either a project or on-going basis.

Contact Us

Media Finance Structures, LLC is the professional services offering from John Zabel, a nationally recognized CPA with 40+ years of senior level financial executive experience (Sony Pictures Entertainment and Mandalay), the former Temporary Conservator of the Estate of Britney Spears and the go-to compliance resource for major senior entertainment lenders.

We help you navigate the complex world of entertainment finance and operations while providing studio-level COO/CFO services and bank compliance on either a project or on-going basis.

Contact Us

Our Services

Litigation

Expert witness in all manner of film and television disputes with substantial testifying experience at trial and arbitration. Extensive experience in all areas of film financing, presales, accounting requirements and library valuations. Trial strategy regarding all manner of entertainment contracts.

  • International pre-sale contract disputes

  • TV series and motion picture financing claims of talent and financiers involving industry accounting standards, financing protocol norms and copyright valuations

  • Establishing profit expectations for distribution contracts

  • Determining value of loss of earnings claims

  • Analyzing the composition and relevancy of Film Databases to support financial products

Examples & Experience (22)

Examples & Experience (22)

Examples & Experience (22)

Examples & Experience (22)

Valuation

Prepare and evaluate media target valuations for potential lenders, investors and asset owners.

  • Damages and enterprise value for companies undergoing involuntary dissolutions

  • Start-up development, production and animation companies

  • Motion Picture and TV libraries

  • Profit entitlements under contractual terms

  • Interests in motion picture and TV products

Examples & Experience (8)

Examples & Experience (8)

Examples & Experience (8)

Examples & Experience (8)

Consultancy & Compliance

All manner of oversight and advisory services for media companies currently operating or considering entrance into the space. Experience managing studio film assets, financial and administrative functions. Preparation, due diligence, and development of all manner of entertainment initiatives. Trusted resource for compliance testing for all the major senior lenders credit agreements that have asset backed structures.

Investment Oversight and Advisory:

  • Senior credit commitments for under-staffed lenders

  • Motion picture production companies for passive investors

  • Distribution strategies for motion picture exploitation for investors and owners

  • Administration for profit participants’ accountings and reporting

Business Plans & Strategy Development

  • Preparation, due diligence, and development of all manner of entertainment initiatives

Financial Due Diligence

  • Acquisition (pre & post) analysis

Compliance Related

  • Debt covenants and value representations from senior credit borrowers

  • Profit participation contracts

Examples & Experience (10)

Examples & Experience (10)

Examples & Experience (10)

Examples & Experience (10)

Outsourced CFO/COO

With experience running the financial and operational arms of major studios, leading independents, financing companies and media funds, we take care of all your management, operations, production and administration needs on a non-exclusive basis.

  • Management of operations and accounting needs on a non-exclusive basis

  • GAAP Financials and audit coordination

  • Administration

  • Production

  • Participation & residuals

  • Negotiations

  • Investor relations

  • Credit relationships

Examples & Experience (6)

Examples & Experience (6)

Examples & Experience (6)

Examples & Experience (6)

Global Audit Solution

Focused oversight and contractual compliance on global review of documentation with specialization in studio co-productions and multi-picture slate financings by an affiliated senior executive with extensive experience in both the major studio and independent worlds.

Examples & Experience (2)

Examples & Experience (2)

Examples & Experience (2)

Examples & Experience (2)

Financial Structuring

Complex contract negotiations and financial structuring including bank debt and international funds, credits and shelters.

Financial Structuring

  • Licensing deals with major international companies throughout the world

  • Credit agreements with major global banks

  • Tax and incentive structures for motion picture production throughout the world

  • Acquisitions of business interests

Contract Negotiations

  • All manner of motion picture and TV related arrangements

  • Distribution agreements

  • Production agreements

  • Financing agreements

  • Profit entitlements

  • Disposition agreements

Examples & Experience (6)

Examples & Experience (6)

Examples & Experience (6)

Examples & Experience (6)

Custom Services

With 40+ years of experience, we can help you with any custom projects you might have. Contact us for help with any custom services.

Client List

Working with the finest in the industry

Media Finance Structures works alongside some of the finest clients in the industry. A selection of clients can be found below with a comprehensive list available by request.

About Us

40+ years of financial executive experience

John Zabel is a former Senior Media Finance Executive & national award winning CPA (top 100 score out of over 75,000 candidates) with 40+ years of international negotiation, project financing, capital raising and accounting/general management experience, primarily in the motion picture and television areas.

Writing, Presentations and Speaking Engagements

  • Guest lecturer for Peter Guber’s UCLA Film School class, speaking on film finance and licensing realities

  • Featured speaker at California CPA Society Entertainment Conference, June 2002, speaking on the Studio Environment in the 21st Century

  • Lead article in February 2003 Century City Lawyer, entitled "New Film, TV and Distribution Accounting Rules: Looking Behind SOP 00-2’s $4 billion in Writeoffs"

  • March 2003 CC Bar MCLE Presentation on Film Financing Techniques

  • Lead article in August 2003 Century City Lawyer entitled – Distribution Deals –Minor Provisions can have Major Impact

  • Presentations, 2005 & 2006, for the Women in Film International – Film Finance Symposiums – Equity Options for Motion Picture Investment Opportunities

  • Featured speaker on Film Finance at the Savannah Film Festival, October 2006

  • Featured speaker on Global Film Audits for the Los Angeles Licensing Executives Society, January 2012

Employment History

Media Finance Structures, LLC

Founder and CEO

2002 – present

Mandalay Pictures, LLC

Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

1995 – 2002

Sony Pictures Entertainment

SVP – Joint Venture Finance & Film Controller

1984 – 1995

Arthur Young & Company (Big 8 Accounting)

Member FASB 53 AcSec Task Force (SOP-00-2)

California CPA #38834

ELIJAH WATTS SELLS AWARD, November 1981 Exam

1981 – 1984

Education

UCLA Executive Program

#72

1990

California State University, Long Beach

B.S., Business Administration, Professional Accounting with Great Distinction

1981

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