Rainmakers #20 Thomas Tull: Global Mogul
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Sep 4, 2025 Dive into the astounding journey of a mogul who transitioned from tax prep to producing iconic films like The Dark Knight. Discover his groundbreaking approach to music promotion using soda lids and how strategic partnerships transformed visibility for artists. Explore the evolution of film financing, as key figures adapted to change while leveraging data science to connect with audiences. Learn essential lessons on merging technology with creativity, mastering salesmanship, and the importance of timing in the ever-evolving entertainment industry.
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From Laundromats To Tax Franchises
- Thomas Tull bought laundromats and later Jackson Hewitt tax franchises, then recruited Harry Buckley to scale the business.
- Timing and the Sendit acquisition created cross-marketing and rapid franchise growth opportunities.
Learning Dealmaking From Jeff Arnold
- Tull joined Convex Group and worked under Jeff Arnold, learning high-velocity dealmaking and fundraising.
- He observed Arnold's ability to sell wild ideas and close partnerships with major industry players.
Exploiting The Funding Gap In Hollywood
- Tull discovered studios lacked institutional capital and used that gap to structure Legendary as an investor-backed studio partner.
- He secured a 40-film slate with Warner Bros and $500M from institutional investors to build a film portfolio.