Draft:Niels Juul

Niels Juul is a Danish businessman, film producer and the founder of No Fat Ego. Juul is best known as an executive producer of Silence (2016 film), The Irishman and Killers of the Flower Moon (film) by Martin Scorsese and Ferrari (2023 film) by Michael Mann.

Early Life
Juul was born in Denmark. Juul went to Aarhus University, School of Business and Social Sciences and went on to complete the executive training program at the JP Advertising Agency in Copenhagen. Juul moved to the United States in 1989, where he went on to study film at University of California, Los Angeles.

1982 - 2001: Early Career
Juul started his career at JP & Link Advertising Agencies in Copenhagen where he spearheaded international advertising campaigns for brands such as Sony, Mobil Oil, H&M, Bestseller (company) and Ericsson.

In 1989, Juul was headhunted to initiate the New York City, US arm of startup Danish designer eyewear brand, Pro Design. In three years, he helped grow the brand into a multi-million dollar business. Whilst there, he also helped open the Italian branch.

Juul was then recruited in 1992 to start the international division of Filtenborg, a Danish, luxury eyewear company. He helped distribute the brand across the United States, Asia, Europe, and Australia. Through Filtenborg, in collaboration with IP owners, he successfully launched several eyewear lines internationally, including Cerruti 1881, Porsche Design, Georg Jensen and other high-end Japanese, US, and Danish designer labels.

2001-2009: The Rise and Fall of Von Dutch
In 2001, Juul was brought in as the Vice President of Von Dutch Originals by owner, Tonny Sorensen, to restructure and refocus the struggling brand. In 2002, he was promoted to CEO.

During his tenure, Juul was instrumental in building the brand into a global phenomenon and increased the brand's revenue from 2 million to 400 million in five years.

Juul oversaw the management of a global network of retail stores, distributing partners, and over 300 global staff. Through his innovative marketing approach, he was able to generate mass media exposure through collaborations with celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Jay-Z, Britney Spears, and more.

As Von Dutch began to decline in the late 2000s, Juul was brought on as the CEO of Hot Tuna Clothing by Elle Macpherson in 2007 to restructure and oversee the selling of the brand.

In 2016, Juul was invited to speak at a Tedx conference where he discussed his time at Von Dutch and how he helped the company create Paris Hilton.

In 2021, Hulu released a 3-part docuseries about the rise and fall of Von Dutch. Juul was interviewed and featured in the series.

Cecchi Gori Group
In 2009, Juul was recruited as the CEO of the US branches of struggling, multi-Academy Award winning production company, the Cecchi Gori Group, after it was declared bankrupt in 2006.

He continued to operate the U.S branches: Cecchi Gori U.S.A and Cecchi Gori Pictures, out of Los Angeles, where he has been instrumental in turning properties owned by Vittorio Cecchi Gori into feature films.

Juul secured the group's first major film production in 10 years as an executive producer on Martin Scorsese's Silence (2016 film), starring Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver and Liam Neeson. This brought the company to profitability for the first time in 20 years.

In 2022, a group of silent investors purchased Cecchi Gori U.S.A and Cecchi Gori Pictures and their assets. Juul retains his executive producer position as they look to relaunch the brand.

Subsequent Projects
Between 2012 and 2023, Juul was directly sought after and hired by directors, producers, IP owners, or studios to spearhead and manage films from their inception and their development.

Such films include, Martin Scorsese's The Irishman starring Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci; Killers of the Flower Moon (film) starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone, Brendan Fraser, and Robert De Niro; and Michael Mann's Ferrari (2023 film) starring Adam Driver, Penelope Cruz, and Shailene Woodley.

Present: No Fat Ego Productions and Consultancy
In 2008, Juul founded No Fat Ego, with offices in Los Angeles and London, an encompassing creative house that advises within the fashion industry and manages and develops film IP for production, with over 15 feature, tv, and animation projects in development.

Since it's inception, No Fat Ego has been hired for senior consultant and advisory positions for brands and companies such as Adidas, the Frank Sinatra estate, Fred Segal, Everlast (brand), Skechers, No Fear, Walmart, the Valentino Fashion Group and more.

As of 2024, No Fat Ego is developing a multitude of film projects, partnering with the likes of SF Studios, Neile Adams , Robert J. Sherman and Sherman Theatrical Entertainment , the son of Michel Petrucciani , Adidas and the family of founder Adolf Dassler , and more.

Personal Life
Juul holds dual citizenship in both the United States and Denmark. He is fluent in Danish, Swedish, German, Italian and French. Juul currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife and has three children.