44GREENWICH
ABOUT
Operating at the Intersection of Capital & Content
44GREENWICH is a boutique investment and advisory firm focused on the global entertainment industry. The firm specializes in complex acquisitions, media finance, and special situations, while selectively co-investing in content, intellectual property (IP), and emerging technologies.
$3B+
Media Transactions
$500M+
Capital Originated
Historical figures reflect aggregate experience of firm principals as of July 2026.
25+
Years Industry Experience
PLATFORM
01 //
CORPORATE Advisory
Advisory services relating to buy and sell-side M&A, capital formation, growth strategy, content libraries, and strategic partnerships.
02 //
SPECIALTY FINANCE
Specialty credit solutions for film productions, distribution, emerging technologies, and other intellectual property-backed assets.
03 //
SPECIAL SITUATIONS
Originating and executing complex, event-driven transactions involving distressed assets, credit, corporate carve-outs, and restructurings.
04 //
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
Development, packaging, and financing of feature films through partnerships with creators, studios, and capital providers.
LEADERSHIP
Matthew Wilkens
MANAGING PARTNER
Matthew Wilkens is an investment executive with more than 20 years of experience across private equity, entertainment finance, and special situations. He has advised institutions, corporations, and high-net-worth individuals on complex investments, financings, and strategic transactions. A former Goldman Sachs derivatives trader, Mr. Wilkens co-managed a rates portfolio exceeding $1 billion during the 2008 financial crisis before structuring more than $500 million in multi-asset transactions across the United States, Latin America, and the Middle East. Throughout his career, Mr. Wilkens has advised on studio acquisitions, major film slate financings, feature film packaging, and strategic investments. He has also served on investment committees overseeing investments in more than 30 media and technology companies. Mr. Wilkens serves on the Board of Directors of the Navy League of the United States (New York Council) and holds an MBA from Yale University.
Joseph Brandifino
SENIOR ADVISOR, AI | EMERGING TECH
Joseph Brandifino is a Senior Advisor at 44 Greenwich and Head of Policy at Reflection AI. He is an expert in artificial intelligence, geopolitical risk, and the responsible deployment of frontier AI systems. At 44 Greenwich, he leads the firm's Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies practice, advising across the media and entertainment industry on next-generation technologies. Previously, Mr. Brandifino held senior leadership roles at Netflix, Scale AI, and Iyuno, focused on AI policy, security, and innovation. Earlier in his career, he served as an Operations Officer at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Mr. Brandifino earned an MBA from Yale University, graduate degrees from Harvard University and the University of Oxford, and a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania.
Sanford R. Climan
PARTNER
Sanford (Sandy) Climan is a senior entertainment executive and producer with more than 30 years of leadership across media, film, and technology. As the founding head of Creative Artists Agency's corporate practice, he advised global institutions on transformative media transactions, including Sony's acquisition of Columbia Pictures and Matsushita's acquisition of MCA/Universal. He later served as President of Worldwide Business Development at Universal Studios and held senior leadership positions at MGM. A BAFTA and Golden Globe-winning producer, Mr. Climan produced The Aviator, directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Mr. Climan also serves as an advisor on entertainment and media to the World Economic Forum and is Chief Executive Officer of Entertainment Media Ventures. He holds an MBA from Harvard University.
James Di Bartolo
SENIOR ADVISOR, SPECIALTY CREDIT
James Di Bartolo is a Senior Advisor to 44 Greenwich, where he focuses on specialty finance, structured credit, and complex financing solutions. Mr. DiBartolo has over 15 years of experience spanning principal investing, structured credit, and investment banking. He has held senior roles at Goldman Sachs, Varadero Capital, Lazard, and Barclays, where he executed complex transactions, and capital solutions across the public and private markets. He currently serves as CIO of Endurance Financial LLC, a private investment fund, and CFO of Elauwit Connection Inc., a public telecommunications company. Mr. Di Bartolo is a CFA Charterholder and holds a B.S. from New York University and an MBA from Yale University.