People on the Move

God-is Rivera has been promoted to director of inclusion and cultural resonance at VML, a newly created position within the agency. 

In 2016, Rivera joined VML’s social media practice, and has since pushed for a wide range of perspectives both within the work and across the agency.
 
“There is nothing more important to us as a VML family than ensuring all VMLers have the opportunity to thrive in a diverse and inclusive workplace. And that our client partners can experience the level of perspective in our work that results from that type of agency,” said Jon Cook, global CEO. “God-is has been making this type of impact in her work across VML since the day she started. But it became clear that we needed to formalize and expand this as a new, official role to truly continue the momentum and needed progress we want as an agency in this critical aspect of our culture and capability. I could not be more excited about the role and about God-is being the one who embodies it.”  
 
Rivera will focus on enriching an atmosphere of inclusion at VML, from internal communication and education efforts to building partnerships in the communities that VML offices serve. She will also continue to stay connected to client work.
 
As a member of the HR team, Rivera will:

• Focus on expanding the foundation and spirit of inclusivity in VML’s internal culture and offices so employees feel safe, comfortable and open to learning about, considering and supporting diverse perspectives. 
• Examine and expand hiring practices--from researching diverse talent pools and sources to developing programs aimed at increasing diverse candidates. 
• Create and shape practices and methodologies that ensure inclusion within agency work and outputs.

Rivera recently led “Woke, Lit & Ready,” a presentation that explores the immense influence Black Twitter has had on American culture, for several audiences including the Social Media and Diversity Steering committees of the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4A’s). She is spearheading a panel on the topic at Advertising Week NY on Sept. 26.
 
Rivera is also one of three finalists for this year’s AdColor Change Agent award and was featured by the 4A’s in “Beyond the Brief.”
 
Rivera will report to Ronnie Felder, VML’s managing director of human resources.

Creative content studio Ntropic has hired Helena Lee as executive producer in its New York office, which recently moved into new digs.

Her range of experience includes having served as sr. producer and an EP at post houses such as Red Car and Rock Paper Scissors, and freelance producing at agencies including CP+B, TBWA\Chiat\Day and Berlin Cameron. She has worked with such brands as Hulu, MTV, Coca-Cola, Slim Jim and Saturn.

“Helena will be a driving force as Ntropic harnesses the power of recent achievements and looks forward to the vast possibilities ahead,” said Nathan Robinson, founder and executive creative director at Ntropic. “Her ability to build long-lasting relationships and foster creative environments makes her a vital addition to our team. We know her leadership will help our enterprising New York office thrive.”

Production company tinygiant has promoted producer Ella Nuortila to the role of executive producer.

Nuortila is excited about her expanded role as EP, and for the future of Brooklyn-based tinygiant, saying, “We are able to stay competitive because we are not a huge machine, but a nimble, small company capable of handling all sized jobs. tinygiant is all about being current and adaptable in the 2017 media landscape, while still being able to meet the old-school expectations.”

Company founder Veronica Diaferia added, “Nothing makes me more proud than being able to nurture talent. Having someone like Ella become executive producer adds priceless value to the company. She has been with us since day one. This is someone who knows the directors, someone whose work ethics perfectly match with mine, so there is no adjusting, no training, only hitting the ground running and growing the company.”
 
After graduating in her native Finland, Nuortila moved to New York to work for SALTY Features, a critically acclaimed documentary production company. She was promoted from production assistant to co-producer in a short amount of time. During her tenure with SALTY Features, the company won an Oscar and had a film at Sundance. While there, she co-produced the feature documentary (Dis)Honesty - The Truth About Lies, as well as music videos and numerous short films, including the award-winning short Six, and feature-length films, like one of China’s biggest action films, MOJIN: The Lost Legend.

ArsenalFX Color has promoted Rory Gordon and Greg Werner from colorists to sr. colorists. The company provides comprehensive post services to such hit TV shows as “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Ballers,” “Designated Survivor,” “Shades of Blue,” “Silicon Valley” and “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”
 
Colorist Larry Field, ArsenalFX Color’s managing partner, said, “We have made a concerted effort during the past few years to help bring new people up within the field of color. We foresee a real void of new blood within our craft--today’s television industry is in need of young, exciting people who show real talent and have an affinity for color. Rory Gordon and Greg Werner are two such individuals--they have been working with us for some time now, and have evolved into the top tier of working colorists.”
 
Gordon is a colorist with a life-long passion for both the science and art of image capture. That passion has taken her from makeshift basement darkrooms in her home state of Oklahoma, to the Munsell color laboratory at the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY, where she earned a BFA in Film Production, to Hollywood, where she has worked steadily for the last seven years.
 
Gordon has worked on over a dozen television shows as a colorist, executing many different styles, and always working in support of the creative choices made by cinematographers, directors, and producers.

Gordon’s work has involved her with many TV shows that have implemented cutting edge technology, including pushing the limits of dynamic range with HDR, 4K workflow, and a never-ending drive to make all cameras match, flow, and work in service to storytelling. She never shies away from a challenge and enjoys being a part of an ongoing quest for technical and artistic improvement with both colorists and color scientists alike.

Werner is a final colorist who has worked in the television postproduction industry since 1995.  He attended the University of California at San Diego, taking an interest in communication and visual media practices, which led to his earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications. 
 
With an affinity for the film and video mediums, he began his career in Los Angeles as a tape operator/telecine assistant, working on a plethora of film and television projects.  Gaining knowledge and hands on experience, Werner naturally progressed to the role of dailies colorist.
 
He has garnered a wealth of experience in his chosen field, working primarily on such high profile episodic television series as “Freaks and Geeks,” “The West Wing,” “24,” HBO’s “Creature Features,” and various MOWs.
 
Werner has worked on a wide array of material over the years and as a result of his strong work ethic and total dedication to his craft, progressed to final colorist. In that role, he has worked on such top TV shows as “Bones,” “Prison Break,” “Outsiders,” and “TURN:  Washington’s Spies.”