36. MODI WICZYC
AGE 35
JOB TITLE Co-CEO, Media Rights Capital
SMART BECAUSE With his partner, Asif Satchu, he created a new model for film financing. The former agent gives stars control: For Sacha Baron Cohen’s Brüno, he got Universal to fork over $42.5 million for distribution rights, while securing the actor long-term copyright ownership. Also: linked with Google to pair star-generated content with advertisers.
JERRY MAGUIRE MOMENT In 1999, wrote a memo predicting a power shift from studios to filmmakers.
