People on the Move

The SIM Group has hired Suzanne Lezotte as director of marketing. In this position, Lezotte will take the lead in creating a streamlined marketing solution for the company’s divisions, which include SIM Digital, PS Production Services, Bling Digital and Chainsaw.

Rob Sim, president and CEO of The SIM Group, said of Lezotte, “Her impressive background and extensive network within the cinematography and production community will help us promote our services on a broader scale.”

The SIM Group provides an array of services: cameras and production equipment rentals through SIM Digital, grip and lighting (in Canada) through PS Production Services, and postproduction services through Bling Digital and Chainsaw.

“With the merger of Chainsaw to our group of families, we are committed to providing a workflow from production through postproduction,” said James Martin, chief strategy officer. “Suzanne’s ability to promote and communicate our services through cohesive marketing strategies will help us reach a new level of company recognition.”

Prior to joining The SIM Group, Lezotte was director of marketing for Bexel, a worldwide provider of broadcast solutions, and a division of the Vitec Group. She led the creation and deployment of cohesive marketing strategies and campaigns, including social media. She worked closely with other divisions of the Vitec Group, including Anton Bauer, Litepanels, O’Connor and Autoscript.

Before Bexel, Lezotte served as worldwide marketing communications director for Panavision, where she was responsible for all communications both internally and externally, including maintaining relationships with magazines and online publications. In addition, she coordinated well-received events for production facilities including Panavision Atlanta, Panavision Hollywood and Panavision Woodland Hills. Her role also included promoting greater visibility for Panavision with the community via web stories and social media. Before her work at Panavision, Lezotte served as communications manager for ARRI as well as editorial director at Creative Planet and editor of ICG Magazine.

After her eldest son was born with Down syndrome, Lezotte served as the Southern California committee chair for the Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Foundation. In her tenure with the organization, she has been successful in creating greater awareness within various organizations and has helped to raise more than $100,000 in research funds. She was also the spokesperson for a nationwide PSA produced by Women in Film, which garnered an Aurora and a Telly award.

Lezotte is a graduate of Western Michigan University. She, her husband and their three children reside in Southern California.

Brenda Surminski has joined KBS Toronto as head of broadcast, a newly created role at the agency. She had most recently been freelancing and is perhaps best known professionally for having served as head of broadcast at Ogilvy & Mather, Toronto, from 2000-2010. At Ogilvy she was a key player in groundbreaking work for Unilever’s Dove brand, which included the web campaign “Evolution,” winner of two Cannes Grand Prix honors, among assorted other awards.

At KBS, Surminski will oversee all aspects of film and video production. She will report to chief creative officer Matt Hassell.

Omelet, an L.A.-based branding, marketing and entertainment company, has appointed Mike Wallen to the newly created position of chief content officer. Wallen, who has been serving as partner and EVP, content & development, will continue to oversee Omelet Studio, the company’s branded content division, which is currently working with roster clients like Microsoft and AT&T, while also producing License to Operate, Omelet’s first feature-length film which follows ex-L.A. gang leaders turned street saviors.

Since joining Omelet in 2011, Wallen has brought in marquee clients including Walmart and Red Bull, as well as developed Omelet Studio into a full-fledged content division. Under his leadership, the company recently began development on its second feature-length documentary and in his new role, he will continue to shape the future of Omelet-created branded content while also playing an important part in the creation and publication of Wake Up, the company’s strategic quarterly magazine.

A graduate of Art Center, Wallen has co-created and written several animated comedies with networks that include 20th Television and Spike TV.  Prior to joining Omelet, Wallen was head of Fox Mobile Studios, a unit of NewsCorp, where he developed and produced original and licensed content that was tailored specifically for mobile and online distribution worldwide.  

Artists and Derelicts (AND) has added director Gil Green to its commercialmaking roster. This represents an expansion of their relationship as Green continues to be handled by the company for music videos. His credits include international campaigns for Pepsi, Timberland and Bud Light. He has also creative directed and directed the opening introductions for the NBA’s Miami Heat for the past four years.

A Miami native, Green went on to attend NYU film school, where his thesis music video appeared on nationally recognized music networks MTV, BET, and The Box. Today, he has directed upwards of 150 music videos for artists including P. Diddy, Lupe Fiasco, and Trey Songz, which garnered three consecutive BET Awards for “Director of the Year,” and an MTV VMA for “Best Hip Hop Video” for directing Lil Wayne’s “Lollipop.”

From music videos to commercials, Green draws inspiration from music, sports, and lifestyle. He is also venturing into film, and recently spearheaded a successful Kickstarter campaign to raise money for ALS with an inspiring 9-minute short titled Who is Lou Gehrig?

Prior to joining AND, Green was repped for commercials by The Cavalry Productions.