Julie Haffner has recently been appointed as the head of motion picture business affairs at WME. In this new role, she will be responsible for overseeing client deals in the motion picture industry, as well as providing consultation to WME agents, executives, and clients on how to structure and negotiate talent deals. Haffner will also offer advice on overall strategies for adapting to the constantly evolving media landscape.
Before joining WME, Haffner was the senior director of business and legal affairs at Netflix, where she successfully negotiated high-level deals for the original studio film group’s lineup of movies. Some of the successful projects she worked on include “Hillbilly Elegy,” “Yes Day,” “The Christmas Chronicles,” “Lift,” and the upcoming films “The Union” and “Back in Action.”
In addition to her work at Netflix, Haffner managed overall deals for notable producers such as Shawn Levy’s 21 Laps, Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat, Prince Harry and Meghan’s Archewell, and McG’s Wonderland. Her wealth of experience comes from her previous roles at Paramount Pictures and The Weinstein Company, where she oversaw business affairs.
Haffner’s career in the entertainment industry began at Warner Bros. Pictures before transitioning to private practice representing talent in negotiations with studios. She was recognized in Variety’s Dealmakers Impact Report in 2020 and will continue teaching Entertainment Law at the USC Gould School of Law.
WME is known for being one of Fast Company’s most innovative companies and represents a diverse range of creatives in the entertainment industry. The agency has recently added several high-profile clients to its roster, including comedian Kevin Hart and his entertainment company Hartbeat, Rachel Bloom from “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” singer Becky G, and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex.
