Matthew Earnest is a founding Principal of Entertainment + Culture Advisors, specializing in market and financial analysis of large scale entertainment and cultural attraction development. Prior to forming ECA, Mr. Earnest was a senior member of the Entertainment Practice at Economics Research Associates (now Economics at AECOM) and Regional Director, managing the Los Angeles and San Francisco offices.

Clients and project sponsors include media and consumer product companies focused on location based entertainment, non-profit organizations, attraction operators, real estate developers, private investors, financial institutions, and public agencies. As a leader in ECA’s global practice, project work has included assignments in China, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Thailand, Korea, Japan, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, United Kingdom, Spain, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Turkey, and across the United States.

Prior to forming ECA, Mr. Earnest was a senior member of the Entertainment Practice at Economics Research Associates (now Economics at AECOM) and Regional Director, managing the Los Angeles and San Francisco offices for Economics at AECOM. Before joining the Entertainment Practice Group at Economics Research Associates, Mr. Earnest was an independent consultant specializing in analysis of branded attractions and entertainment retail development. Clients included private equity, non-profits, and a multi-national consumer products company. For his clients, Mr. Earnest provided financial analysis, attendance estimates, program strategies, and operational feasibility.

Mr. Earnest holds a B.S. from Stanford University and M.B.A. from UCLA’s Anderson School of Management. He is a member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI), International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), and the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA).