{{Short description|Australian director}} {{Use Australian English|date=May 2026}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox person | name = Kim Gehrig | image = | caption = | birth_date = | birth_place = Sydney, Australia | occupation = Film director | partner = | children = 2 | years_active = }} '''Kim Gehrig''' is an Australian director whose body of work spans television shows, commercials, music videos, documentaries, short films and branded entertainment. Gehrig directed "The Woman Who Ate Photographs", an episode of Apple TV+ series, "Roar", starring Nicole Kidman. Her notable commercial works include Run This Town and Stay for Rihanna's Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show, The Greatest for Apple, Viva La Vulva for Libresse, Life Needs Truth for The New York Times, the This Girl Can campaign, and work for many more for brands including Airbnb, Google, Lyft, Nike, IKEA, GAP, and Amnesty International. In music videos, Gehrig has collaborated with artists such as Chaka Khan, Brittany Howard, Wiley, Calvin Harris, and Basement Jaxx. In 2023, Gehrig became the 2nd woman of all time to win the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials and her films have won a plethora of awards including Cannes Lions, D&AD pencils, BTAA Arrows and UKMVA's.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Framke |first=Caroline |date=2022-04-11 |title='Roar' Throws Nicole Kidman, Issa Rae, Alison Brie and More Into a Mixed Bag of Feminist Fables: TV Review |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/reviews/roar-review-apple-nicole-kidman-1235228844/ |access-date=2025-11-20 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Elmes |first=John |title=Kim Gehrig: Roar shines spotlight on unseen female characters |url=https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/international/kim-gehrig-roar-shines-spotlight-on-unseen-female-characters/5169610.article |access-date=2025-11-20 |website=Broadcast |language=en}}</ref>
== Career == One of her first major works as a director was the 'You are Powerful' video for Amnesty International, released on the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://theinspirationroom.com/daily/2008/amnesty-you-are-powerful/|title=Amnesty You Are Powerful|date=2008-12-17|website=The Inspiration Room|language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.promonews.tv/videos/2009/01/12/amnesty-international’s-you-are-powerful-kim-gehrig/1845|title=Amnesty International's You Are Powerful by Kim Gehrig {{!}} Promonews|website=Promonewstv|language=en|access-date=2019-02-01}}</ref> For this she won a Silver Lion at Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2010 and a broadcast award by the Young Director Awards.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.youngdirectoraward.com/kim-gehrig-what-i-wish-id-known-at-18-and-more/|title=Kim Gehrig: What I Wish I'd Known at 18... and more|date=2010-04-27|website=Young Director Award|access-date=2019-01-26}}</ref>
Gehrig is represented by Somesuch, who were awarded Advertising Age's 2018 Production Company of the Year.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://somesuch.co/kim-gehrig/|title=Kim Gehrig » Somesuch|website=Somesuch|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-26}}{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://adage.com/article/special-report-agency-alist-2018/somesuch/312449/|title=Somesuch Is Ad Age's 2018 Production Company of the Year|website=adage.com|language=en|access-date=2019-01-26}}</ref>
=== Music Videos === Gehrig has directed numerous music videos in addition to her advertising work. She won 'Best Urban Music Video' at the 2009 UK Music Video Awards for Wiley 's ''<nowiki/>'Cash in My Pocket'<nowiki/>'', and was nominated in 2018 for her music video for Chaka Khan's ''<nowiki/>'Like Suga'''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wiley's Cash In My Pocket by Kim Gehrig {{!}} Promonews |url=https://www.promonews.tv/videos/2008/11/25/wiley's-cash-my-pocket-kim-gehrig/1650 |access-date=2019-02-01 |website=Promonewstv |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Female Artists Lead the Way in UK Music Video Awards 2018 Nomination {{!}} LBBOnline |url=http://lbbonline.com/news/female-artists-lead-the-way-in-uk-music-video-awards-2018-nominations-2/ |access-date=2019-02-01 |website=lbbonline.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Associates |first=Casarotto Ramsay & |title=Kim Gehrig |url=https://www.casarotto.co.uk/clients/kim-gehrig |access-date=2019-02-01 |website=Casarotto Ramsay & Associates |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=- ukmva 2019 |url=https://www.ukmva.com/Pages/Detail/83-2009 |access-date=2019-02-01 |website=www.ukmva.com |archive-date=15 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115030539/https://www.ukmva.com/Pages/Detail/83-2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
=== Television === Gehrig directed "The Woman Who Ate Photographs", an episode of Apple TV+ series, "Roar", starring Nicole Kidman written by Liz Flahive and Carly Mensch.
=== The Greatest (Apple) === Her recent film for Apple, 'The Greatest,' challenged common stereotypes about people with disabilities while highlighting accessibility features available on the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. The 2-minute film was made with the partnership and feedback of the disability community, both in front of and behind the camera. The lyrics of the film's soundtrack are based on speeches by Muhammad Ali, who became an advocate for disability after developing Parkinson's disease. The Australian group Spinifex Gum sang the song, which was then remixed by Cola Boyy along with improvised piano by Matthew Whitaker. Apple also released an audio-described version of the film to bring awareness to the needs of blind and low-vision audiences.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aquino |first=Steven |title=Apple Releases Accessibility-Centric Short Film 'The Greatest' Highlighting Disability In Tech |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenaquino/2022/11/30/apple-releases-accessibility-centric--short-film-the-greatest-highlighting-disability-in-tech/ |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>
=== Viva la Vulva (Libresse) === Gehrig directed the award-winning 'Viva la Vulva' advert for Libresse, a celebration of the vagina and women body confidence. The video contains many items from normal life which resemble vaginas as well as puppetry and outfits resembling genitalia. It was set to the music of Camille Yarbrough's '''Take Yo' Praise'.''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-12-18 |title=Kim Gehrig's latest advert is an eclectic, inclusive ode to the vulva |url=https://www.itsnicethat.com/articles/kim-gehrig-libresse-viva-la-vulva-advertising-film-181218 |access-date=2019-02-01 |website=It's Nice That}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-12-03 |title=Libresse "Viva La Vulva" by Kim Gehrig |url=https://www.stashmedia.tv/libresse-viva-la-vulva-kim-gehrig/ |access-date=2019-02-01 |website=STASH |language=en}}</ref>
=== This Girl Can (Sport England) === Gehrig directed the multi award-winning advert for the This Girl Can campaign by Sport England to encourage more women to take part in sport. The video features personal and unfiltered clips of women exercising as they would be normally.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.adnews.com.au/news/aus-director-s-ad-campaign-goes-viral|title=Aus director's ad campaign goes viral - AdNews|website=www.adnews.com.au|language=en|access-date=2019-01-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.itsnicethat.com/features/review-of-the-year-2015-director-kim-gehrig|title=Review of the Year 2015: director Kim Gehrig|last=Fulleylove|first=Rebecca|date=2015-12-14|website=It's Nice That|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-02-02}}</ref> The advert was praised for its bold and empowering message, winning awards including a Glass Lion for Good at Cannes Lions 2015.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/kim-gehrig-wants-show-female-directors/1425543|title=Kim Gehrig wants to show other female directors they can|website=campaignlive.co.uk|access-date=2019-01-26}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://www.adnews.com.au/news/cannes-lions-health-awards-winners-this-girl-can-jwt-and-gpyandr|title=Cannes Lions Health Awards: winners – 'This Girl Can', JWT and GPY&R - AdNews|website=www.adnews.com.au|language=en|access-date=2019-01-26}}</ref> Sport England estimated that an additional 2.8 million women decided to take up a sport after the advert's release.<ref name=":1" /> The first advert was followed by 'Phenomenal Women', showcasing women from all walks of life engaging in sport set to Maya Angelou's recital of ''Phenomenal Woman''.<ref name=":1" /> Gehrig stated in 2018 that 'This Girl Can' is the video she is most proud of.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.freethebid.com/kim-gehrig-droga5-covergirl/|title=KIM GEHRIG x DROGA5 x COVERGIRL|date=2018-07-25|website=Free The Bid|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-26}}</ref>
=== Man on The Moon (John Lewis) === Later in 2015 Gehrig premiered the first John Lewis Christmas advert to be directed by a woman; 'Man on The Moon'. The advert constituted part of John Lewis' partnership with Age UK to raise awareness of loneliness in the elderly, showing a lonely old man living on the moon being sent a gift by a young girl on earth. The video was set to a cover of Oasis' ''<nowiki/>'Half the World Away''<nowiki/>' by Aurora.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lbbonline.com/news/kim-gehrig-channels-up-in-emotional-john-lewis-christmas-ad/|title=Kim Gehrig Channels 'Up' in Emotional John Lewis Christmas Ad {{!}} LBBOnline|website=lbbonline.com|language=en|access-date=2019-02-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/john-lewis-christmas-ad-2015-watch-the-man-on-the-moon-a6723606.html|title=Here's this year's John Lewis Christmas advert|last=Sheffield|first=Hazel|date=2015-11-06|website=The Independent|language=en|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-02-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cityam.com/228108/john-lewis-christmas-advert-2015-everything-you-need-to-know-about-man-on-the-moon-including-when-it-will-air-online-and-on-tv-who-sings-the-cover-song-and-what-its-all-about|title=Everything you need to know about John Lewis' Christmas ad|last=Neilan|first=Catherine|date=2015-11-06|website=www.cityam.com|language=en|access-date=2019-02-01}}</ref>
=== The Best Men Can Be (Gillette) === Gehrig again rose to prominence in 2019 for 'The Best Men Can Be' advertising video by razor company Gillette, which challenges its earlier tagline of "The Best a Man Can Get" and the effects of toxic masculinity. The advert was praised by some for its message against the traditional concepts of how men should be, and how this impacts mental health as well as women.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8" /> However, the advert was criticised by others for its negative portrayal of men. Multiple commentators, such as Piers Morgan, were incensed by the campaign and vowed to boycott the company.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Santiago |first=Ellyn |date=2019-01-16 |title=Kim Gehrig: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know |url=https://heavy.com/news/2019/01/kim-gehrig-gillette-ad-director/ |access-date=2019-01-26 |website=Heavy.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/15/gillette-metoo-ad-on-toxic-masculinity-cuts-deep-with-mens-rights-activists|title=Gillette #MeToo razors ad on 'toxic masculinity' gets praise – and abuse|last1=Topping|first1=Alexandra|date=2019-01-15|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-01-26|last2=Lyons|first2=Kate|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|last3=Weaver|first3=Matthew}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kristifaulkner/2019/01/17/how-boys-will-be-boys-is-being-challenged-for-the-better/|title=How "Boys Will Be Boys" Is Being Challenged For The Better|last=Faulkner|first=Kristi|website=Forbes|language=en|access-date=2019-01-26}}</ref> ''Marketing Week'' saw the backlash towards the ad as backfiring on Gillette following declining sales metrics for the brand that led to a $8bn writedown on the ''carrying value of Gillette’s goodwill''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-46874617|title=Backlash over Gillette's '#MeToo advert'|last=Baggs|first=Michael|date=2019-01-15|access-date=2019-12-16|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/media/a-lot-of-men-have-lost-it-over-the-gillette-ad-calling-for-a-furious-boycott-of-the-shaver-brand/news-story/84040733902f27b023ff0b872ba23ae2|title=The world has imploded over that Gillette ad|date=2019-01-17|website=NewsComAu|access-date=2019-12-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.marketingweek.com/gillette-brand-takes-hit-as-metoo-ad-backfires/|title=Gillette brand takes a hit as '#metoo' ad backfires|date=2019-01-18|website=Marketing Week|language=en|access-date=2019-12-16}}</ref> Gehrig responded to some of the criticism by saying: "The project had actually been conceived, written and edited by men. But because I'm a female director, it fitted neatly into a troll's narrative."<ref name=":9">{{Cite web|url=https://shots.net/news/view/kim-gehrig-cutting-edge-creativity|title=Kim Gehrig: Cutting edge creativity|website=shots|language=en|access-date=2020-02-02}}</ref>
== Personal life == Gehrig was born in Sydney, Australia, and moved to London to study at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London. The first eight years of her career were spent as a Creative at advertising agency Mother.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kim Gehrig |url=https://www.freethebid.com/directors/kim-gehrig/ |access-date=2019-01-26 |website=Free The Bid |language=en-US}}</ref>
Gehrig has two daughters, and currently lives in the United States.<ref name=":9" />
== Awards ==
*'''2008''' Thinkbox October award for 'You are Powerful' (Amnesty International).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thinkbox.tv/Creative/The-Thinkboxes/Thinkboxes-winner-October-2008|title=Thinkboxes October 2008 Winner: Amnesty International 'You are powerful' Mother|website=thinkbox|language=en|access-date=2019-02-01}}</ref> *'''2009''' Best Urban Video for Wiley's 'Cash in My Pocket' at the UK Music Video Awards.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" /> *'''2010''' Broadcast Award by Young Director Awards for 'You are Powerful' (Amnesty International).<ref name=":4" /> *'''2010''' Silver Lion by Cannes Lions for 'You are Powerful' (Amnesty International)<ref name=":4" /> *'''2015''' Top director of the year by Campaign.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/top-10-directors-2015/1376233|title=Top 10 directors of 2015|website=www.campaignlive.co.uk|access-date=2019-01-26}}</ref> * '''2015''' Most creative people of the year by Fast Company.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/person/kim-gehrig|title=Kim Gehrig, Most Creative People 2015|website=Fast Company|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-26}}</ref> * '''2015''' Grand Prix at the Glass Lion for Good Awards Cannes Lions for 'This Girl Can' by Sport England.<ref name=":2" /> *'''2015''' Twelve total awards, including Gold for Best Direction - Single at Creative Circle for 'This Girl Can' by Sport England.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://creativecircle.co.uk/2015.html|title=Creative Circle 2015 Winners|last=|first=|date=|website=creativecircle.co.uk|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-02-01}}</ref> *'''2016''' Three silver British Arrows for 'This Girl Can' by Sport England.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britisharrows.com/awards-2015/winners/entry/a15-100012-sport-england-a15-100012-this-girl-can/|title=This Girl Can|website=British Arrows|access-date=2019-02-01}}{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> *'''2016''' Graphite and White D&ad Pencils for 'This Girl Can' by Sport England.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dandad.org/awards/professional/2015/white-pencil-creativity-for-good/24194/this-girl-can/|title=This Girl Can {{!}} FCB Inferno {{!}} Sport England {{!}} D&AD Awards 2015 Pencil Winner {{!}} Advertising & Marketing Communications - Brand {{!}} D&AD|website=www.dandad.org|access-date=2019-02-01}}</ref> *'''2016''' Two silver and one bronze British Arrow for 'Man on the Moon' by John Lewis.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britisharrows.com/awards-2016/winners/entry/a16-100016-john-lewis-a16-100016-the-man-on-the-moon/|title=The Man on the Moon|website=British Arrows|access-date=2019-02-01|archive-date=29 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329130602/http://www.britisharrows.com/awards-2016/winners/entry/a16-100016-john-lewis-a16-100016-the-man-on-the-moon/|url-status=dead}}</ref> *'''2017''' Wood D&ad Pencil for 'This Girl Can: Phenomenal Women' by Sport England.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dandad.org/awards/professional/2017/film-advertising-crafts/26141/sport-england-this-girl-can-phenomenal-women/|title=Sport England 'This Girl Can: Phenomenal Women' {{!}} Trim Editing {{!}} Sport England {{!}} D&AD Awards 2017 Pencil Winner {{!}} Editing for Film Advertising {{!}} D&AD|website=www.dandad.org|access-date=2019-02-01}}</ref> * '''2018''' Most creative advertising campaign of the year by Advertising Age for 'Viva la Vulva' by Libresse.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://adage.com/article/special-report-creativity-top-5/top-5-creative-brand-ideas/315792/|title=The Top 5 most creative brand ideas you need to know about now|website=adage.com|language=en|access-date=2019-01-26}}</ref> * '''2018''' Advert of the year by Creative Review for 'Viva la Vulva' by Libresse.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.creativereview.co.uk/ads-of-the-year-2018/|title=Ads of the Year 2018|last=Williams|first=Eliza|date=2018-12-17|website=Creative Review|language=en-UK|access-date=2019-01-26}}</ref> *'''2019''' Black D&AD Pencil for 'Viva La Vulva' by Libresse.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dandad.org/awards/professional/2019/direction/230187/viva-la-vulva/|title=Libresse 'Viva La Vulva' {{!}} D&AD Awards 2019 Pencil Winner {{!}} Directing {{!}} D&AD|website=www.dandad.org|access-date=2019-02-01}}</ref> *'''2021''' Adage<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-25 |title=Director Kim Gehrig raises the storytelling bar with her impressive range and unique perspective |url=https://adage.com/article/special-report-agency-list-creativity-awards/creativity-awards-2022-winner-kim-gehrig/2410826 |access-date=2023-03-15 |website=Ad Age |language=en}}</ref> Director of the Year *'''2022''' Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials for directing Apple's ''Accessibility'' and ''Run Baby Run'' *'''2024''' Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials for directing ''Run This Town'', Apple Music – Apple (Client Direct) and ''The Travelers'', Expedia – Wieden & Kennedy<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/2024-dga-awards-winners-list-1235821741/|title=DGA Awards: Winners List (Updating Live)|first1=Hilary Lewis, Tyler Coates, Kirsten|last1=Chuba|first2=Hilary|last2=Lewis|first3=Tyler|last3=Coates|first4=Kirsten|last4=Chuba|website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=11 February 2024}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{official website|https://kimgehrig.com/}} * {{IMDb name|7951461}}
{{DirectorsGuildofAmericaAwardCommercials}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gehrig, Kim}} Category:Australian directors Category:Australian feminists Category:Advertising in Australia Category:Alumni of the University of the Arts London Category:Alumni of Central Saint Martins Category:Directors Guild of America Award winners Category:Living people Category:Year of birth missing (living people)