Girl Culture Films–the production company founded by award-winning documentarian Lauren Greenfield, along with her partner Frank Evers–has made its first major hire with Melinda Nugent coming aboard as executive producer. Nugent will run all commercial and branded content productions, as well as development and production of projects for film and television.
Greenfield, the director behind the viral ad campaign #LikeAGirl founded Girl Culture Films to address the lack of diversity behind the camera in the advertising industry and to bolster opportunities for women-led businesses. #LikeAGirl earned Greenfield one of her two DGA Award nominations (in 2015 in the commercials competition), the other coming in the documentary category (in 2013) for The Queen of Versailles.
To that end, Girl Culture Films has enlisted all female domestic representation for its commercial opportunities with Gay Guthrey (Samuel Guthrey) for Midwest/South regions; Jill Reehl and Maggie Davis (Get Reehl/Get Davis) for the West Coast; and Gisela Limberg (Hunky Dory) who handles the East Coast. This team has already secured a campaign with K-Y and has landed a second job with a major client and agency which will be announced at a later date.
Nugent was previously an executive producer for Stink Films, 1stAveMachine and Strangelove Productions. She has two decades of producing experience for commercial and film projects including Adidas, Apple, Nike, and Google.
“I have long admired Lauren and Frank and what they have built. When the opportunity to work with them on Girl Culture Films presented itself, I jumped at the chance,” said Nugent. “At a time when women in leadership positions has never been more crucial, I look forward to working with the roster of amazing talent to create innovate and diverse campaigns with a point of view that is fully inclusive.”
Represented filmmakers at Girl Culture Films include Catherine Hardwicke (Miss Bala, Twilight, Thirteen), Karyn Kusama (Destroyer, Girlfight), Amy Berg (West Of Memphis), Maya Forbes & Wallace Wolodarsky (Infinitely Polar Bear), Marina Zenovich (Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind), Rachel Grady & Heidi Ewing (One Of Us), Yance Ford (Strong Island), Lana Wilson (The Departure), and Nonny de la Pena (known as the Godmother of virtual reality).
Looking ahead, Greenfield is presenting on the Girl Culture Panel at the SXSW festival on March 11 from 5-6 pm, joined by Nugent and de la Peña, with Margaret Johnson (CCO of Goodby Silverstein & Partners) and Ukonwa Ojo (former CMO of Covergirl). The panel will discuss the evolving female voice in advertising and Hollywood culture.
