Merryn Hughes
Gold Coast
Summary
Accomplished Executive Producer with over 30 years of experience leading large-scale international events and cultural programs. Proven track record in securing and delivering multi-million-dollar projects, managing teams of 450+ professionals, and collaborating with government officials and cultural institutions worldwide. Specialist in arts and culture events and festivals, large scale ceremonies for sporting and cultural programs and corporate brand events.
Knowledgeable with solid background in orchestrating complex projects and managing high-performance teams. Successfully led multiple high-stakes productions, ensuring seamless execution from pre-production to final delivery. Demonstrated proficiency in creative problem-solving and effective communication, consistently driving team collaboration and client satisfaction.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Founder/Executive Producer
Shine On Productions Pty Ltd
01.2022 - Current
- Established new creative production company led by leading creative artsworkers to create new creative arts and cultural projects and build strong partnerships with other businesses to allow for collaboration and more significant opportunities for growth.
- Created the new Shine On Gimuy Festival, led by First Nations Artistic Director, Rhoda Roberts AO together with leading First Nations cultural practicioners.
- Led the strategic planning process to define business goals and ensure alignment across all departments.
- Built a positive organizational culture that fostered creativity, innovation, and employee engagement.
- Oversaw financial management activities such as budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow monitoring for improved financial stability.
- Developed strong partnerships with key industry players, contributing to an increased market presence.
- Secured funding for new projects by cultivating relationships with investors and presenting compelling pitches.
- Made presentations to investors, financiers and other project stakeholders to obtain project funding.
- Collaborated closely with directors and other key personnel to develop cohesive artistic visions for each project.
- Kept key stakeholders informed of status and vision through milestone updates and work-in-progress presentations.
- Determined project budgets to estimate and control overall project costs.
- Built strong relationships with clients, fostering a positive working environment and promoting long-term business partnerships.
- Facilitated communication between production staff and other departments to synchronize work.
- Developed project budgets and managed production costs.
- Remained highly composed and calm in very fast-paced, stressful and constantly changing environments to provide optimal leadership and achieve desired results.
Senior Producer
UAE National Days
04.2022 - 12.2022
- Delivered live event for 3,000 person dignitaries andDevlinebroadcast accross the UAE,
- Collaborated with international creative directors Es Devlin, Francisco Negrin, Bryn Walters, Gavin Robins
- Collaborated with creative teams on ideation and development of engaging multimedia content for diverse audiences.
- Built strong internal networks across departments, leveraging synergies for seamless collaboration on complex projects involving multiple stakeholders.
- Drafted production schedules for every department on production team.
- Managed cross-functional teams for successful project completion within tight deadlines and budgets.
- Implemented risk management practices to mitigate potential issues and ensure smooth project execution.
- Facilitated communication between production staff and other departments to synchronize work.
- Conducted meetings with staff to discuss production progress and to attain production objectives.
Executive Producer
Gold Coast Commonwealth Games
01.2018
- Executive Producer for Opening and Closing Ceremonies
- Led successful bid development and execution
- Managed collaboration between international stakeholders and local Indigenous communities
Creative Producer
World Expo 2020 Dubai
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Led creative and delivery team of 500+ professionals
- Managed delivery of 15,000+ events across the Expo site
- Orchestrated daily entertainment programming for 6-month duration
Executive Producer & Project Director - International Public Events
Shine on Productions
01.2023 - 01.2024
- Company Overview: Website: shineonproductions.au
- Created and delivered Queensland's newest Indigenous-led Arts Festival
- Attracting over 33,000+ attendees in inaugural year
- Successfully integrated local First Nations culture and contemporary arts
- Website: shineonproductions.au
Education
Leadership & Corporate Communications -
Macquarie Graduate School of Management
International Relations -
University of Sydney
Diploma of Communication Management -
University of Technology Sydney
Production Design & Documentary Production -
Australian Film and Television School
Skills
- Strategic leadership of large-scale international events
- High-stakes bid development and winning execution
- Government and stakeholder relationship management
- Creative direction and cultural programming
- Cross-cultural team leadership
- Indigenous cultural event management
- Crisis management and problem-solving
- Organizational development
- Status reporting
- Partnership development
- Production leadership
- Creative vision implementation
- Team leadership
- Client relations
Major Event Portfolio
World Expo Dubai 2020 Site Wide Entertainment; Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Opening/Closing ceremonies 2018; Pacific Games Opening/Closing Ceremonies, Port Moresby, 2015; Vancouver Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony, 2010; Sochi Winter Olympics Handover Ceremony, 2010; Rugby World Cup Opening/Closing Ceremonies, Auckland, Sydney, 2011; Doha Asian Games Closing Ceremony, 2005; Rugby World Cup Opening Ceremony 2003; Qasr Al Hosn Cultural Festivals, Abu Dhabi, 2013, 2014; Australia's Arts & Culture Programs, World Expo Hannover, 2000, World Expo Nagoya, 2005, World Expo Shanghai, 2010
Corporate Leadership
- Toyota
- Westpac
- Telstra
- Optus
- Qantas
- Flight Centre
- Microsoft
- McDonalds
Professional Collaborations
- Es Devlin
- Stephen Page AO (Bangarra Dance Theatre)
- Wesley Enoch
- Rhoda Roberts AO
- David Atkins AO
- Francisco Negrin
- Ignatious Jones
- Nigel Jamieson
- Lyn Williams AO
Awards
- National Nominee and State Winner Australian Event Awards, 2024, Shine on Gimuy Festival, Best Community Event
- UAE National Day 51, 2022, Best Event Middle East
- Qasr Al Hosn Cultural Festival
- 2013
- 2014
- Best Event Middle East
- Rugby World Cup Opening Ceremony, 2012, Best Export, Australian Event Awards
Signature Achievements
- Shine on Gimuy Festival, 01/01/23 - 12/31/24, Created and delivered Queensland's newest Indigenous-led Arts Festival, Attracting over 33,000+ attendees in inaugural year, Successfully integrated local First Nations culture and contemporary arts
- World Expo 2020 Dubai, 01/01/21 - 12/31/22, Led creative and delivery team of 500+ professionals, Managed delivery of 15,000+ events across the Expo site, Orchestrated daily entertainment programming for 6-month duration
- UAE National Days, 01/01/22, Senior Producer for UAE National Day 51, Delivered live broadcast event for 3,000-person audience, Collaborated with international creative director Es Devlin
- Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, 01/01/18, Executive Producer for Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Led successful bid development and execution, Managed collaboration between international stakeholders and local Indigenous communities
Timeline
Executive Producer & Project Director - International Public Events
Shine on Productions
01.2023 - 01.2024
Senior Producer
UAE National Days
04.2022 - 12.2022
Founder/Executive Producer
Shine On Productions Pty Ltd
01.2022 - Current
Creative Producer
World Expo 2020 Dubai
01.2021 - 01.2022
Executive Producer
Gold Coast Commonwealth Games
01.2018
International Relations -
University of Sydney
Diploma of Communication Management -
University of Technology Sydney
Production Design & Documentary Production -
Australian Film and Television School
Leadership & Corporate Communications -
Macquarie Graduate School of Management
Similar Profiles
Danielle PatinoDanielle Patino
Recruiter/Casting Producer at Freelance/ Fox Entertainment, Endemol Shine, Bread & Butter ProductionsRecruiter/Casting Producer at Freelance/ Fox Entertainment, Endemol Shine, Bread & Butter Productions
JESSICA D'SOUZAJESSICA D'SOUZA
Production Crew at TIME TO SHINE PRODUCTIONSProduction Crew at TIME TO SHINE PRODUCTIONS
Onesmus Hidipohamba HanhapoOnesmus Hidipohamba Hanhapo
Founder and Managing Director at Shine Technologies Solutions (Pty) Ltd.Founder and Managing Director at Shine Technologies Solutions (Pty) Ltd.