Martin Poyner is a specialist consultant working across the creative industries, helping people navigate complex commercial relationships, resolve disputes & turn complex situations into workable agreements.

With a calm, fair & methodical approach, he advises production companies, producers, directors, creative businesses, artists, agencies, brands, record labels, HoDs, crew & legal teams across film, music video, advertising, art & entertainment — from negotiating contracts & resolving contentious situations to developing new business opportunities, partnerships & strategies.

With 20+ years’ experience spanning international executive production, senior roles within the APA and CFPE & co-founding the British Music Video Association (BMVA), Martin brings strategic clarity, sound judgement & meticulous attention to detail to high-stakes work.

His involvement can range from ongoing advisory partnerships to targeted, ad hoc support — always focused on finding fair, practical solutions, protecting relationships & making ambitious ideas hold up in the real world, not just on paper.

Feel free to get in touch for a no-cost, no-obligation chat.

  • "I'm General Counsel for a global media company and have worked with Martin for many years. With Martin in our corner, I simply never have to worry about anything that he is working on. Things just get done, and done well. He exercises keen judgment, refreshing independence, and has a sharp eye for potential issues and roadblocks - and how to get through them. I strongly recommend Martin's services."

    Stuart Goldstein / General Counsel @ Vice

    - - - - - - - - - - -

    “Martin is a rare gem – the tough negotiator you want to have on your side, but an incredibly kind and warm person at the same time. Having him on board puts my mind at ease.“

    Marta Bobic / Managing Director @ Canada

    - - - - - - - - - - -

    "Martin is an integral part of my process, reviewing and providing support on all contracts & agreements with extraordinary attention to detail."

    Hannah Bellil / Global Head of Stink Rising & Music Videos @ Stink Films

    - - - - - - - - - - -

    "Martin supercedes all expectations with his willingness to help others along with his expertise and knowledge on all things within the advertising industry mechanism. Beyond this Martin is a team player and a considerate one at that, I have worked with Martin for a number of years now and he has never let me down."

    Mia Powell / Head of Business and Strategy @ Prettybird‍ + EP @ Caviar

    - - - - - - - - - - -

    "I’ve known and worked with Martin for over a decade and can honestly say that he’s one of the most dedicated, conscientious, fair and trustworthy people I’ve come across in the industry, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him as an excellent business affairs consultant. He will always go the extra mile to ensure that any matter is dealt with thoroughly, and has a very pleasant demeanour in his dealings with people. Highly recommended!"

    Sasha Nixon / Founder & Executive Producer @ Forever

    - - - - - - - - - - -

    "Martin is always there with sage advice on the trickiest of jobs and willing to go above and beyond. A true asset in production."

    Daniella Manca / Head of Music & Content @ Caviar + EP @ new-land + Untold + Somesuch

    - - - - - - - - - - -

    "Martin worked with me as manager of the CFP-E (Commercial Film Producers of Europe), a Federation of over 20 member countries. His professional performance, knowledge and pro-activity in having things done impressed me. I believe the CFP-E has become a greater organization because he manages to come up with pragmatic and ‘spot on’ ideas as well as help with their realization. I would work with Martin on any project again!"

    Indre Petrukaitiene / Managing Director @ Grandma & Lithuanian Advertising Producers Association board member

    - - - - - - - - - - -

    "Martin is a legend, always and forever"

    Juliette Larthe / Partner & Executive Producer @ Prettybird

    - - - - - - - - - - -

    "Martin is a fountain of knowledge, and an almost daily life saver and valuable resource for all of us at Somesuch! Couldn’t speak more highly of him."

    Zoë Hibbard / Head of Business & Legal Affairs (UK & USA) @ Somesuch + SeniorDirector, Legal (APAC) @ Monks

    - - - - - - - - - - -

    "Martin provides an informed and incisive input regarding all matters that are business affairs and contract related queries on commercials and content production. I have dealt with him for many years & know that a lot of high profile clients rely on his advice regularly."

    Mark Good / Director @ Tysers Insurance Brokers

    - - - - - - - - - - -

    “We regularly sought his guidance when working through alternative contracts to the APA ones, both in Commercials & Music Videos. His advice surrounding Covid and the challenges that poses was so helpful. He’s always so calm and thorough, taking the time to explain complex legal terms in an understandable way.”

    Ella More O'Ferrall / Head of Production @ Partizan

    - - - - - - - - - - -

    “Martin is thorough, diligent and ever the professional! He's great to work with and very experienced with dealing with production contracts.“

    Vanessa Suri / Finance Director @ Pulse Films + 72 Films

    - - - - - - - - - - -

  • Martin’s expertise extends beyond traditional film production and commercial frameworks, embracing creative, exploratory work across the arts, cultural initiatives, and experimental collaborations.

    Drawing on his award-winning art practice alongside his strategic experience, he is particularly comfortable in situations that resist easy categorisation — bringing calm guidance, lateral thinking, and rigorous precision.

    If you’re developing an unusual idea, a complex proposition, or something that doesn’t neatly fit established structures, he’d love to help make it work, end to end.

    > tell Martin about your project <

  • Examples of counterparties, stakeholders and rights-holders engaged across recent production and advisory work:

    record labels

    Universal Music Group · Sony Music · Warner Music Group · HYBE · Beggars Group · 88rising · Warp

    agencies

    Mother · Wieden+Kennedy · Uncommon · Above+Beyond · New Commercial Arts · Wonderhood Studios · Mox · AndCo · Freuds · WPP · Omnicom Group · Publicis Groupe · Interpublic Group · Havas · Stagwell

    brands & organisations

    OpenAI · Nike · Adidas · McDonald’s · Pepsi · TikTok · Playstation · Coach · Bank of America · British Airways · Jo Malone · Hilton · Shell · Pinterest · H&M · New Balance · EE · Sports Direct · KFC · Wise · Madri · Department for Education · LEGO

    recording artists

    U2 · Harry Styles · BTS · Gorillaz · Stormzy · Little Simz · Skepta · Chase & Status · Fontaines D.C. · Loyle Carner · Doechii · Joy Crookes · Sudan Archives · RM · Jade Thirlwall · The Hives · AntsLive · NoNa

    sport

    DAZN · Copa90 · Formula E · Manchester City Football Club · Liverpool F.C.

    media, broadcasters & platforms

    BBC · Channel 4 · Condé Nast · NOWNESS