Phillip Sun Discusses M88’s Impactful Journey, The Power Of Community, And The Firm’s Vision On Creating An Inclusive Industry

Hello, and welcome to the Scene 2 Seen Podcast. I am Valerie Complex, an associate editor and film writer at Deadline!

Today I’m chatting with M88 Managing Partner and Co-Founder Phillip Sun who has a unique outlook and philosophy and uses that forward thinking to propel the firm to the top of the business. This is why he’s ascended the ranks as one of the most dynamic representatives.

As a former partner at management company WME, Sun, Launched M88, a full-service management firm, in August 2020. This was done in partnership with MACRO Founder & CEO Charles D. King. The firm represents a diverse generation of talented artists who bring fresh perspectives to create a much needed cultural shift. As the first major BIPOC-led representation company, M88 is behind some of today’s biggest filmmakers and sought after talent of color, passionately elevating clients at all levels (studio fare to Sundance sales titles), building out their businesses, production companies and more. 

M88’s client roster includes Michael B. Jordan (Creed Franchise), Ryan Coogler (Black Panther), Issa Lopez (True Detective Season 4), Taraji P. Henson (The Color Purple), Gemma Chan (Crazy Rich Asians), Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Aquaman) and Naomi Scott (Aladdin), Caleb McLaughlin (Stranger Things), Blitz Bazawule (The Color Purple), and many more. Sun and M88 continue to be at the forefront of culture as an extension of their clients.

“When I see the executives here, and the managers working with their clients, pushing the mission to bring it to fruition is gratifying,” said Sun when asked about journey M88 has taken within the last three years. “It’s fun to watch and just reinforces that we’re doing the right thing, the right way, and doing it at the highest level.”

Sun has graced THR’s Next Generation list, Empowerment list and A100 Most Impactful Asians list. He was one of the first Asian American agents to be promoted to partner at WME and has used his platform to push for change internally by co-founding Empower, WME’s company-wide program that ensures that employees at all levels feel supported rising through the agency — and externally as a board member of USC Annenberg’s Inclusion Initiative.

In this episode, Phillip and I talk about the creation of M88, the importance of teamwork and community, and what he thinks the future holds for film and television industry.

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