Sweetshop founding partners, Melanie Bridge & Sharlene George, have been appointed global co-chief executive officers. The two women founded Sweetshop more than two decades ago in new Zealand with chairman, Paul Prince, and have guided its evolution ever since.
The pair replace Wilf Sweetland, who is stepping down from his global chief executive officer position and leaving the production company after five years. Sweetland, who started out at Sweetshop overseeing the company’s Australian business, has been with The Sweetshop for 12 years. He commented, “It has been such a pleasure to be involved with everyone at The Sweetshop and to play a part in this great company, producing some of the best work in the world. I thank Paul dearly for his support and guidance over the years, and I’m thrilled that my successors Sharlene and Melanie are leading as co-CEOs into the next chapter.”
Splitting the responsibilities is a strategic set-up for the duo, and their uniquely complementary skillsets enable them to drive the company forward more effectively. “Sharing the CEO job plays to each of our strengths perfectly,” Bridge stated. “Sharlene’s skills are more in the production areas, while mine focus more on the creative. My experience as a director is a wonderful asset, as every executive decision comes through this filter.
“As we step up to Co-CEOs, I feel incredibly lucky to have my friend and business partner Sharlene by my side and be the yin to my yang. I feel that this is the perfect time to step back from directing and return to the forefront of the company.
George has recently been harnessing her production skills on longer-form content and will now bring that in-house. The Sweetshop will continue to produce crafted commercials and expand into documentary and scripted feature films, digital and television series, and ambitious, outside-of-the-box branded content. George and Bridge aim to support the directors on their roster who have their eyes set on the long-form as well as those who already have a knack for critically-acclaimed features.
The production company has won multiple Cannes Lions and D&AD Pencils itself over the years, as well as the exceptional achievement of being honoured Production Company of the Year ten times at the Commercial Communications Council’s CAANZ Axis awards. It now has offices in L.A., London, Shanghai, Bangkok, Sydney, Melbourne and the Auckland flagship.
“Our global reach allows us access to the best the industry has to offer—but we are still the same Kiwi Company that started in 2001, one that upholds values of kindness, inclusion, sustainability and ingenuity,” George commented. “Our heritage as a brand is important to us, and we’re also really mindful about keeping the company modern and fresh.”
The company’s most ambitious (and well-underway) endeavour is seeking the prestigious B-Corp certification.
“I am very excited to circle back to where we started and reconnect with the company’s roots. Sharlene and Melanie are two of the most experienced, passionate, hardworking and smart people I know,” commented Paul Prince, who will continue to serve as board chairman. “Of course, I have so much gratitude for Wilf and everything he has done for The Sweetshop. A global production company has many moving parts, and his strength in production and relationships has been an enormous asset. We wish him the best of luck with his future endeavours.”
Cover image l-r: Sharlene George & Melanie Bridge
