The Mill Los Angeles Welcomes Rani Melendez as Managing Director

Rani Melendez, a recognised Executive Producer in the advertising industry, has joined The Mill’s studio in Los Angeles as Managing Director. Melendez comes from the world-renowned Traktor collective, where for the last 17 years he progressed into Head of Production and then Executive Producer.

Melendez’s appointment reinforces the focus of The Mill in Los Angeles in partnering with agencies and clients to help deliver outstanding work. This marks the continued creative and strategic excellence of the existing management team in Los Angeles: Phil Crowe (ECD), Sue Troyan (Senior EP) and Damien Macaulay (COO). Melendez will report to Robin Shenfield, Chief Executive Officer of The Mill.

The Mill in Los Angeles positions itself to continue effective collaboration with exciting narrative partnerships and is dedicated to pioneering new media initiatives in VR and AR, as recently noted by their groundbreaking project ‘Help’, for Google Spotlight Stories and director Justin Lin of Bullitt Branded. The Mill added to its archive of iconic commercial work this year for Super Bowl 50 with multiple USA Today Ad Meter-rated spots. The work continues to be recognised with recent accolades from VES, D&AD, Shots and AICP.

Robin Shenfield, The Mill’s CEO commented: “The addition of Rani provides us with the bandwidth in strategy and vision to gain further ground in executing great work in The Mill’s LA office and further enhance our precious culture of excellence.”

He added: “Rani’s entrepreneurial spirit makes him a perfect fit with our Los Angeles team and a great leader for our highly creative VFX content studio. His portfolio of work and creative producing credits are second to none. His knowledge and understanding of what our clients require at a time of change in the industry will be invaluable to LA and to our other studios.  It’s a real pleasure to welcome him on board.”

Melendez commented: “The Mill’s reputation combined with their incredible team, crafting some of the best work in the business, makes it a unique place with which any creative production person would want to join forces. I’m looking forward to the challenges and to continuing their legacy of working with agencies, production companies and directors in achieving the best visual storytelling possible.”

He added: “There are so many new avenues of opportunity being created, and the technology and talent to achieve outstandingly great work is here at The Mill. Over the years, The Mill has constantly changed and developed by responding quickly and effectively to changing client needs. I am greatly looking forward to helping support and nurture those clients and to helping lead the evolution of the company.”

Melendez’s shared scope of work has been recognised by the Emmys, Cannes Lions and D&ADs among many other industry awards, through producing high-impact work and campaigns for a plethora of high-profile clients.