Freelance Senior Art Producer

melissalenicol@gmail.com
melissalenicol.com
312-285-5270
(remember, contact info is for job opportunities only.  Please no solicitations)

In a Nut Shell

Experienced Senior Producer and former Production/Cost Consultant having worked with companies such as AbelsonTaylor, Allstate, APR, Cramer Krasselt, DDB, FCB Health NY, Leo Burnett, and Ogilvy. Clients ranging from wines/spirits, airlines, pharmaceuticals, fashion, financial, and non-profit.

Melissa has over 20 years of experience collaborating with creatives, artists, and clients to create memorable and effective award-winning content. Thoroughly enjoys the hunt for the best photographers, art, and production solutions to fit a variety of budgets and timelines. 

What Does She Do?

Advertising • Photo Production • Integrated Content Production • Art Production• Post Production • Creative Development • Budget Management • Digital Media • Print Media

Website/Resume/Other Links
Website

Where Does She Live and Where Would She Work?
Melissa lives in Houston, TX (1 year), but spent my career in Chicago and most recently freelancing for agencies in New York. Also, as a dual citizen in the EU (Luxembourg), I am open to international travel/productions, and even relocating.

What Do People Who Have Worked With Melissa Have to Say About Her?

Brittany Saito – Brand Builder, Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants

I worked with Melissa at Cramer Krasselt on Corona Extra. No matter the situation and urgency, I knew I could always count on thorough above and beyond answers and options for solutions with a smile. Melissa has a great deal of knowledge, great relationships with artists and is always keeping up with new talent! She’s a pleasure to work with and I hope to cross paths again!I worked with Melissa at Cramer Krasselt on Corona Extra. No matter the situation and urgency, I knew I could always count on thorough above and beyond answers and options for solutions with a smile. Melissa has a great deal of knowledge, great relationships with artists and is always keeping up with new talent! She’s a pleasure to work with and I hope to cross paths again!

Cheryl Lindquist – Senior Creative Integrated Producer, Freelance

Melissa is one of those extraordinary producers–there is no task given that she cannot fulfill. I worked with her on the Corona Luna Digital spot that won a Cannes Gold Lion in 2014–Melissa was one of the key sources for winning the award for the agency. She has amazing taste, great connections with photographers and a key negotiator for any job large or small. A great asset to any company.
Melissa is one of those extraordinary producers–there is no task given that she cannot fulfill. I worked with her on the Corona Luna Digital spot that won a Cannes Gold Lion in 2014–Melissa was one of the key sources for winning the award for the agency. She has amazing taste, great connections with photographers and a key negotiator for any job large or small. A great asset to any company.

Brian Nienhaus – Executive Vice President, Managing Director, Cramer-Krasselt

Melissa is a talented and resourceful creative professional. She doesn’t create drama or fanfare in going about her work as our lead art buyer. She simply works effectively to find the right resource, negotiate fair price and terms and secure amazing talent for our clients. She’s a pro and we’re lucky to have her.Melissa is a talented and resourceful creative professional. She doesn’t create drama or fanfare in going about her work as our lead art buyer. She simply works effectively to find the right resource, negotiate fair price and terms and secure amazing talent for our clients. She’s a pro and we’re lucky to have her.

Rob Jaeger – Freelance Executive Producer

Melissa and I have worked together for three years. She is a tremendous talent with excellent taste. Melissa has a profound knowledge of photographers, both domestic and international. As well as an in-depth knowledge of the process and the administrative portion. She is well versed in bidding, logistics and rights management. And an indispensable asset, working side by side with Content Producers, making film and print work seamlessly.Melissa and I have worked together for three years. She is a tremendous talent with excellent taste. Melissa has a profound knowledge of photographers, both domestic and international. As well as an in-depth knowledge of the process and the administrative portion. She is well versed in bidding, logistics and rights management. And an indispensable asset, working side by side with Content Producers, making film and print work seamlessly.

Meghan Pearson – Senior Art Producer, Saatchi & Saatchi Los Angeles

Melissa is extremely organized and is a skilled negotiator. She has vast knowledge of current artists. She is smart, articulate and is an excellent mentor. She has a dynamic personality and a general passion for learning.Melissa is extremely organized and is a skilled negotiator. She has vast knowledge of current artists. She is smart, articulate and is an excellent mentor. She has a dynamic personality and a general passion for learning.

Karen Blatchford – Senior Content/Art Producer, VMLY&R

Melissa and I worked together at DDB when we were both art buyers. Everyone loved working with her and she’s a great problem solver. She has great relationships with photographers, reps and her co-workers and knows how to get things done quickly and efficiently. I miss working with her!Melissa and I worked together at DDB when we were both art buyers. Everyone loved working with her and she’s a great problem solver. She has great relationships with photographers, reps and her co-workers and knows how to get things done quickly and efficiently. I miss working with her!

Lynn Kyle – Executive Producer / Art Producer / Photo Editor, Found Artists

I love working with Melissa.
Her work style is confident, direct, efficient, honest and always creative.
Managing projects in a way that client, creatives, photographers, and suppliers are all satisfied with the end result.I love working with Melissa. Her work style is confident, direct, efficient, honest and always creative. Managing projects in a way that client, creatives, photographers, and suppliers are all satisfied with the end result.

Charlie Holtz – Senior Photography Agent, Ray Brown Productions

I have been fortunate enough to recently have the opportunity to work with Melissa. The campaign was perfectly suited to my artists’ strengths and their talents. Her attention to detail and dedication to the job made for a very seamless production and a fair estimating process.

Melissa has the eye and the resources to bring in a pool of talent that gives her creatives a range of choices. Working with her is a pleasure and I highly recommend her!

Kristen Hoh – Commercial Insights Acceleration, 84.51″

During my time working with Melissa, I quickly learned she’s one of the most dedicated, team-oriented and positive people and art buyers I’ve worked with during my career. She always exhibits a proactive, can-do attitude and can effectively problem-solve any situation to ensure the projects she manages come in on budget, to a higher quality level and that her team and clients are covered in terms of any usage details. For example, two of the latest projects I’ve worked with her on had some serious challenges when it came to very tight deadlines and restricted budgets for photography shoots. Melissa didn’t bat an eye, though, and immediately set to work organizing every detail of the shoots and negotiating fair rates with an excellent photographers that could fit in our budget. She always communicated the necessary details to our internal group in a clear manner to keep the team aligned during the tight deadline, and both shoots went smoothly and produced work at a quality that exceeded client expectations. In this way, Melissa is a true team player and an invaluable asset to our team.

What Are Some Fun Projects She Has Worked On?