Emmy nominated writer/producer Melissa Berg brings a wealth of network television experience to her new producer’s role at Plum Productions.
She replaces Kellye Blosser, who moved to the agency side, and works with Plum’s longtime producer Lisa Goepfrich for Plum’s video clients.
Berg, a Grand Rapids native, headed for college at California State Northridge and started her career in network television working as an intern on “General Hospital” and moving up at “Dr. Phil” and CNN.
She spent the last six years working in Boston at PBS flagship station WGBH. She’d been a writer on children’s staple “Curious George,” coproduced with Universal Studios, on seasons 9-12 that will start airing next spring.
Earlier, she’d been a WGBH producer on kids’ favorites “Arthur,” and “Postcards from Buster” along with “Curious George.”
The experience allowed her to hone a unique edge that she looks forward to wielding for Plum’s clients.
“I’m a big story teller,” she says. “I want to help clients find the right story and tell it in an entertaining way.”
Berg’s work for “Curious George” earned her a 2014 Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Pre-School Children’s Animated Program.
“It was an honor to be recognized,” she says. “And it looks awesome on a resume.”
While Plum executive director, Tim Plum, agrees that “the Emmy nomination catches your eye,” it was Berg’s unique energy and presence that ultimately landed her the job at his 17-year old video production company.
In light of Berg’s proven knack for getting things done, it is nearly impossible to overstate her dedication.
In 2012, Berg, who describes herself as a “big baseball fan,” made sure that an episode of “Curious George” featured the song, “Take Me out to the Ball Game,” during a scene in a ballpark where George learns to count to ten.
Unfortunately, the other producers didn’t share her love for the game and wanted to cut it.
Berg convinced them to reconsider in the most passionate way she knew how. “I sang it for the co-producers in the studio and for Universal Studios over the phone,” she says.
“And then they got it.”
Plum Productions is located in Firehouse Studios, a 104-year old Edgewater firehouse that the company bought in 2010 and converted into a production facility. Berg calls it “a very cool, creative place to work.”
