5 Pound Media

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the marketing creative director at eeva, a home management platform. I handle everything from branding and marketing to any sort of creative production.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with 5 Pound Media?

We needed help creating a commercial video to increase our brand awareness and engagement.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

5 Pound Media created our first commercial video. We had an in-person brainstorming meeting with their team, where we discussed different ideas. Once we settled on an idea, they supported us with the initial script drafting, and we collaborated on it. They created a mood board and a storyboard, prepared all the different preproduction documents, and helped us choose an actor and a location and figure out what props we needed.

My co-founder and I attended the shoot day during the production. In postproduction, 5 Pound Media created a few different edits and asked for feedback. They provided a horizontal version of the video and a vertical version for ads. The video included 2D animation. They handled all the video editing and audio mixing.

What is the team composition?

We worked with a creative producer, a production manager, and the two co-founders, who acted as the director and the head of production, respectively. 5 Pound Media also contracted a makeup artist, a set designer, and someone to help film on set.

How did you come to work with 5 Pound Media?

We found them through a Google search. I liked their portfolio, and their other projects seemed personable and well done. Additionally, they were close by in Montreal.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $15,000 CAD.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from August–December 2024.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

We launched the video around two weeks ago, and it’s still very new. So far, we have over 300 views on YouTube. The biggest thing is that we’ve started using it for ads, and it’s our most converted ad in the history of the ads we’ve done. 

How did 5 Pound Media perform from a project management standpoint?

They delivered the work on time and communicated well with us through phone calls, Google Meet, emails, Google Docs, and Google Sheets. They always asked for feedback at every stage, which was helpful because I was part of the creative direction.

Are there any employees from the service provider's team that you would like to give a shout-out to in this review?

Rukia was a big support for this project. She was the lead in ensuring we were as involved as possible throughout the preproduction and production. She was collaborative when it came to creative ideas and ensured the video aligned with our vision.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The video quality was excellent, and all the different stages of the preproduction and production were professional and collaborative, including the vibe on set. 5 Pound Media was also willing to make changes.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We had a lot of back and forth over email, and it would have been easier if we had a different communication platform. Having many different threads got confusing. Although nothing slipped through the cracks, I found email overwhelming. Also, they involved everyone on their team in every call and email, and I don’t know how effective that was because not everyone needed to be involved at every stage.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure you have a clear vision of what you’d like so that it’s easier to find the right direction that aligns with your brand. Also, be open to collaborating with 5 Pound Media because that’s their strong suit.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the executive creative director at a company that creates digital content for the medical industry. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with 5 Pound Media?

The challenge we had was creating engaging video content and raising the quality of what we produce for our clients. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

5 Pound Media offers video production services for us and creates interviews and video vignettes specialized in the medical industry. The team is responsible for managing the video's pre-production phase, setting the creative tone, creating the mood board and storyboard, and organizing the filming and logistics required. 5 Pound Media is also responsible for the postproduction phase.

5 Pound Media has produced 6–7 videos for us of different durations, ranging from 30 seconds to seven minutes, the longest videos being interviews. The team has a studio and provides the required technical equipment.

What is the team composition?

I've worked with 7–10 teammates from 5 Pound Media, depending on the production stage we're working on. 

How did you come to work with 5 Pound Media?

I previously worked in the video production space for a company with a Clutch profile, and I went to the site to search for top video production service providers. I conducted an RFP process, and 5 Pound Media was the company that impressed me the most.
How much have you invested with them?

We've spent around $30,000 so far, although our spending will increase.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with 5 Pound Media in October 2023, and our engagement is ongoing. The team has become our agency of record.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

5 Pound Media is professional and navigates the production process well. The team's work meets our expectations and has received positive feedback from end clients. 5 Pound Media delivers innovative and great-quality work for a reasonable price. The videos are highly specialized and are placed on healthcare professionals' sites. 

How did 5 Pound Media perform from a project management standpoint?

5 Pound Media is very organized throughout the production process, and I like how quickly they respond to my communications via email and Microsoft Teams. I also like how 5 Pound Media sets expectations and isn't afraid to tell us if the time doesn't work. When the team gives a time expectation, they meet it. 

One of our end clients uses Dropbox and requested 5 Pound Media use their tools, including Frame.io. This tool is critical for the review process and increases the speed at which feedback is given. The team has jumped right on board with using that tool.

What did you find most impressive about them?

5 Pound Media is nimble, small, and honest. The team is cohesive and wants to do good work. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I've talked with 5 Pound Media about them increasing their rates. As I bring more sophisticated projects, I expect the equipment to be more sophisticated and for the teams to push the production limits. I hope 5 Pound Media continues to work as they do and increases the budget to keep reinvesting and pushing the boundaries of their creativity within the video production space.

Additionally, 5 Pound Media is really quick to deliver the first version of videos. Still, I'd like it if they would take more time to refine their work and focus on putting their mark on that first version to deliver more polished work. 

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

I suggest knowing what you want. In any creative work, the briefing stage is important, so be clear about what you want when talking to the team. 5 Pound Media is a small team and doesn't have the luxury of overcharging. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the team lead of marketing and communications for Welcome Hall Mission. We’re a large nonprofit organization in Montreal, Quebec. We help people who are experiencing homelessness and food insecurity, in addition to others living in precariousness.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with 5 Pound Media?

We hired 5 Pound Media to help us with video production services for a fundraising campaign that would be featured on various portals throughout Montreal.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement? 

We initially came together to brainstorm some ideas. We exchanged thoughts until we finally settled on the concept that we decided to pursue. I let them take the lead with the creativity because we are a nonprofit organization and don't necessarily have creative internal on our end. 

They created a storyboard and a mood board that fit our branding and the story we wanted to tell. Afterward, we proceeded to book talent and locations before commencing production. The production process included two days of filming and photography. 

The 5 Pound Media team handled all aspects of production and post-production tasks, including graphics, artwork, editing, and audio mixing. We worked on approvals and made necessary iterations. In the end, the entire project took approximately two months to finish.

What is the team composition?

There were 5–7 people, including a product manager, a project manager, a videographer, and a photographer. 

Are there any employees from the service provider's team that you would like to give a shout-out to in this review?

I worked closely with Rukia (Creative Producer) throughout the project. 

How did you come to work with 5 Pound Media?

A friend of mine had previously worked with 5 Pound Media and recommended them. 

How much have you invested in them?

We invested $50,000 CAD (approximately $36,900 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with the 5 Pound Media team from April–June 2023.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

We've seen a massive increase in views on our paid ads on Google and Facebook. It's a fundraising campaign, so it's hard to gauge metrics. We don't know for sure how many people saw the ad. 

The quality was excellent, and we were super happy with it. We've had a lot of positive word-of-mouth feedback from people in the community talking about the campaign and recognizing our organization. It was a very popular and successful campaign.

How did 5 Pound Media perform from a project management standpoint?

Project management was good. The 5 Pound Media team adhered to the timelines and budget. We mostly communicated through email, Teams meetings, and phone calls.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Everything went very smoothly. 5 Pound Media was very understanding and flexible. As a community organization, that's what we needed and appreciated.

Are there any areas they could improve?

The experience was smooth and flawless, and I cannot think of any areas where improvement is needed.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

To ensure a smooth working relationship, it's essential to communicate your expectations clearly from the start with the 5 Pound Media team. They're very understanding and responsive, making them a pleasure to work with.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and creative director of a branding and e-commerce development agency.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with 5 Pound Media?

We needed help with video production.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

5 Pound Media works on photo and video production projects for one of our clients; we hire them as a subcontractor. They’ve filmed about 20 videos and done another 15–20 photoshoots. The team does all the shooting on-site. Some of them are shot with the end client’s staff, usually at their office or at an event they’ve planned. Also, there’s usually some light animation work. Overall, they handle all the production and audio work.

The videos are primarily for social media and the website. One of the outstanding productions with 5 Pound Media was a recruiting campaign. Our client was growing quickly, and they needed to hire 20–25 people. We shot short segments with key employees to talk about the culture and life at the company.

What is the team composition?

We’re usually in contact with their production coordinator. She’s the one that gets our brief and runs through the project requirements to help us. They have a director of photography, a director of videography, and different photographers and videographers for the productions. On the post-production side, there are video and photo editors.

How did you come to work with 5 Pound Media?

We met eight years ago at a networking event. We hit it off, and we’ve been working with them ever since.

How much have you invested with them?

Over the years, we’ve probably spent $20,000 CAD (approximately $16,000 USD) specifically for this client.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working with them for about six years; we started in January 2016.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

The recruiting campaign performed really well. They hit their target — the end client leveled up their brand, and they were successful at hiring. We’ve done many productions with them, but that was one of the standout ones. Overall, they’ve exceeded our expectations in certain instances.

How did 5 Pound Media perform from a project management standpoint?

Project management is excellent. The team is organized, and they have competitive pricing. We communicate over Slack and email and work within Asana as our project management system. Also, we have in-person meetings, video conference calls, and so on. In general, it’s easy to work with them.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The main thing that sets them apart is that they don’t specialize in a certain industry, so they have a lot of experience in several spaces. 5 Pound Media started as an agency that made music videos, so they have a different perspective on video and photo production. Many other companies start by doing commercial work, which is generally a little drier. 5 Pound Media has an edge; they’ve done work that’s a bit more risk-taking or modern. Their style is different than other companies in the industry.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They’re a small team, so they’re pretty agile. Also, they operate lean, so the pricing can be pretty competitive.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Come prepared with a solid brief and example of the work you like and don’t like. However, ultimately give them free rein in creativity because that’s where they do their best work, so don’t overstep or try to be too involved.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the president of a strategy learning design firm that works with nonprofits, government agencies, and schools on building digital learning programs. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with 5 Pound Media?

Our e-learning programs had video aspects. As a result, we recruited 5 Pound Media to help us develop educational videos.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We worked with 5 Pound Media 2–3 times, and they were involved in the pre-production, production, and post-production of a handful of videos that we created for our learning programs. They handled the logistical setup of the production; their videographers worked with us on the production day, while their editors were involved in post-production to help bring the videos to life. We also recruited our own designers, who were with us during the filming and editing process. 

Meanwhile, the deliverables were live-action videos, most of which were interview-style films led by the actors. They ranged between 1–5 minutes in length. In total, 5 Pound Media produced around 15–16 videos. While they were involved in various production stages, our team handled the scripting, storyboarding, and end client feedback. We also did the casting of the actors, but their resources supported us in finding the right avenues for searching. They also did photography work for us.

What is the team composition?

We worked with 4–6 people from 5 Pound Media. Two videographers worked on-site, and we also worked with a logistics coordinator. A client account manager ensured everything was going well. At least one editor also worked on editing the videos while videographers supported him.

How did you come to work with 5 Pound Media?

Glen(Co-Founder) and I went to business school together. We were friends then, but we didn’t keep in touch for a while. When I started my business and he had 5 Pound Media, we started talking. In other words, we found them through word of mouth; at the same time, I trusted Glen. That was the start of our engagement.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $70,000–$80,000 CAD (approximately $55,000–$63,000 USD). 

What is the status of this engagement?

Our partnership was from October 2018–May 2021. We’re still in contact, but we don’t have any ongoing projects right now. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

Our end clients thought that the videos were of high quality, professional, and engaging. The videos were also effective for learning because of the things we added. Overall, we received great reviews for the videos; it was enjoyable to go through them. 

Moreover, thousands of people went through our programs, and the students ranged from young adults to C-suite professionals. In general, the videos played an important role in helping them as they completed the courses. We also used the videos as reinforcement tools in relaying information and testing for knowledge. 

How did 5 Pound Media perform from a project management standpoint?

5 Pound Media’s project management was good. They always communicated clearly with us; we used Slack to talk, and we spoke every day because of the sheer amount of work that we did from storyboarding to editing. They used Asana as a management tool, but we didn’t share that among the team. We also used emails for things that we could forward to a client and for updates. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

The personality of their team was impressive. They were highly welcoming and easy to work with as we went through the creative process. We always had a good time with them. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

In the three years we worked together, it would’ve been nice if they continued learning about the best practices in terms of creating videos for learning purposes. That way, we would know whether the videos were effective or not for learning. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Know your audience and understand the emotions and feelings that you want to bring to the videos. 5 Pound Media works well with that. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a digital editor at Montreal Gazette, a newspaper company in Montreal, Canada. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with 5 Pound Media?

We have an online show called Hockey Inside Out where we break down, analyze, and talk about the Montreal Canadiens hockey team, and 5 Pound Media produces the show for us. For context, the Montreal Canadiens is an extremely popular team not only in Montreal but also around the world. They’re one of the best and most expensive organizations around. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

5 Pound Media coordinates all the technical aspects of the show. They produce the video by shooting the footage and editing it. They add artwork and graphics to the video while also doing QA tests for it. Meanwhile, Montreal Gazette provides the talking points, news, and photos needed in the videos. The team then packages everything and sends the final output back to us. We publish the videos every week on Thursdays and Fridays. 

Moreover, 5 Pound Media provides the equipment we need for production. They have cameras, microphones, and lights. Since we do the show online via Zoom, they also coordinate, record, and edit everything. They essentially do everything for us when it comes to production. From there, we publish the videos on YouTube and Facebook. We also embed the YouTube videos into our stories about Montreal Canadiens. 

What is the team composition?

We work with 3–4 people from 5 Pound Media. Our team mainly works with Glen and Riley (Co-Founders), though other people work behind the scenes with them. They manage the project while others do the editing.

How did you come to work with 5 Pound Media?

They were a local video production firm that we’d been working with for years. It made sense for us to work with them on this project because of our history together. We also knew that working with them was easy, and they’re professional. They’d gotten better through the years and upped their game in every way. On top of that, their resources were up to date with everything about technology and video production. As a result, we hired them for this project. 

How much have you invested with them?

We spend around $50,000–$100,000 CAD (approximately $40,000–$80,000 USD) per season. 

What is the status of this engagement?

I’ve only been with my company for three years, but Montreal Gazette has been working with 5 Pound Media since October 2016. The engagement is ongoing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

I only have positive feedback for 5 Pound Media. They’re extremely professional, and they do exactly what we ask them to do. They’re always willing to do more updated tasks for us. In other words, the team has evolved with the show. Their resources are also always willing to push the envelope to help us grow. 

For figures, they’ve helped us grow our YouTube channel to over 10,000–11,000 subscribers. Overall, we’ve had a great relationship with 5 Pound Media. The show has become one of the more successful projects we’ve had. It has also become popular among our readers and subscribers. Our audience truly enjoys the show, which is a great way for us to engage with them. 

How did 5 Pound Media perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project management is great; 5 Pound Media always provides us with what we need. The team is highly organized and delivers on time, so we always meet our deadlines. In terms of communication, we use Slack. We also sometimes use emails, but they typically simply send us everything via Slack. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

The 5 Pound Media team is always willing to push the envelope, and they want to do better productions. They’re not the type of company that wants to continue the status quo — they want to improve. Their resources want to grow and do new interesting things. Our company truly values that because the news business can be stale and repetitive. 

Moreover, it’s not always easy to justify improvements since we work in an industry that can get stagnant and resistant to change. However, working with Glen and Riley has helped us grow our audience. They’ve helped us transform the show from an idea produced with a low budget into a full production that has panelists and guests. 

On top of that, 5 Pound Media is always reachable, consistent, and on time with their deliverables. This makes my job easier since I know they’re reliable; they always produce things at a high standard — they won’t give us anything that we’re not proud to put on our website or that doesn’t represent our values.

Are there any areas they could improve? 

No, there aren’t any. In fact, the things that can be improved exist on our end. For instance, a lot of things are determined by the budget, and that’s our responsibility. The 5 Pound Media team is always willing to do more, but we sometimes can’t afford things.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

When working with 5 Pound Media, you’ll be met with professionalism and a no-nonsense approach. Everything is straightforward, organized, and easy to understand. With these things in mind, allow them to do as much as they can in terms of creativity. 

Moreover, take advantage of their ideas. They know the industry so well that listening to them while collaborating around ideas is the best way to work with them. You may have certain things in mind, but you have to trust that they understand what they’re doing 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the brand communications manager for a medium-sized real estate company based in Montreal.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with 5 Pound Media?

We hired 5 Pound Media to fulfill all of our media needs.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

5 Pound Media provides full service for all our photography and video production needs. They’ve created headshots, lifestyle photography for our broker members, property photography, and brand videos for us. We also have a charity foundation that they’ve produced videos for.

We have a fluid process with 5 Pound Media. Generally, we contact Erin (Production Manager) or Glen and Ryley (Co-Founders) in certain cases, and we tell them what we have in mind for the project. We jump into a call with them; they brainstorm with us and give us some ideas. Then, they come back to us with a timeline, a budget, and a rollout for the plan. 

For photography projects, Erin will set up photo sessions and schedule them in a Google Calendar, so everything is booked and clear. A photographer will come in, take the photos, and edit them as needed. Erin will then deliver the final product to us.

Meanwhile, the team will usually give us options for shooting days and provide call times and production sheets for video production concepts. In each of these projects, they're in charge of ensuring we have everything we need to carry out the vision and that production is organized, so everyone knows where to be and at what time.

The team has also given us conceptual insights. For example, if we tell them we want to showcase our connection to the community, they'll give us creative ideas of how we can do that through video. 

5 Pound Media takes care of every element of the video projects, from creative direction to implementation to all aspects of production. They do scouting and casting if needed, though we don’t usually have casting needs because we create material around our company. When we need a studio, they provide it; otherwise, they meet us on location.

After they’ve done the sound mixing and editing, the videos get posted mainly to our Facebook and Instagram accounts. 5 Pound Media has also produced videos for our website and our YouTube channel, though the latter is not very active.

What is the team composition?

The team varies depending on the project. For photography projects, we work with two people: a photographer and Erin. When it comes to larger video productions, we’ve worked with a team of up to four people.

How did you come to work with 5 Pound Media?

5 Pound Media has been my company’s partner since before I joined. My understanding is that our branding partner referred us to 5 Pound Media for their video production and photography services.

How much have you invested with them?

So far, we’ve spent upwards of $50,000 CAD (approximately $39,200 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in 2018, and our engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

5 Pound Media’s video production work has performed quite well. Most of our feedback comes from social media, and the majority of the content they’ve produced for us gets upwards of five figures in terms of views, which is pretty good for our viewership.

We love working with 5 Pound Media; the quality of their work is always what we’re looking for. On top of that, they’re an incredibly accommodating team. Many of our projects have tight deadlines, and the 5 Pound Media team has a quick turnaround. Sometimes we give them ideas that are not fully formed, and they help us develop them. Moreover, they’re just really lovely people to work with.

How did 5 Pound Media perform from a project management standpoint?

I give them full marks for timeliness; the team always comes through on time. Whenever we have tight deadlines, they deliver within the window they give us, if not beforehand. 

We use a combination of mediums for communication. By and large, we communicate through email, though we also use Google Meet or Zoom, and we occasionally have meetings on the phone.

What did you find most impressive about them?

5 Pound Media’s biggest strength is their adaptability. Because they work with a wide range of clients from all types of industries, when they take on a project, they’re able to internalize the brand in a way that feels authentic. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

If I were to give them any constructive feedback, it would be to keep diversifying the types of things they offer. They do what they do so well; I’m sure if they added more tools and services to their arsenal, that would just benefit everybody.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

My advice would be to be open to 5 Pound Media’s suggestions because they do things really well. Additionally, come in with a proper budget — it will be money well spent.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the president of a food retail company that sells packaged goods like sauces and spices to businesses and directly to consumers.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with 5 Pound Media?

We were looking to improve our brand awareness and drive traffic to our website, so we needed someone to produce video content.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

5 Pound Media is providing us with video content and digital strategy to help grow our organic traffic and brand awareness.

Our partnership remains ongoing as we’re in talks of creating a new video series with their team for our next project.

What is the team composition?

We mainly communicate with Glen and Ryley (Co-Founders).

How did you come to work with 5 Pound Media?

They were recommended to us by a mutual friend.

How much have you invested with them?

So far, we’ve spent somewhere between $25,000–$50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working together since January 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

5 Pound Media was able to get a lot of eyes on our brand and generate good traffic to our website.

Apart from that, the videos have improved our visiblity, as people would often recognize me in public.

How did 5 Pound Media perform from a project management standpoint?

The team isn’t really calculated when it comes to video production, as they allow a lot of flexibility during the actual filming. They’re comfortable with that process and they understand that that’s where the magic usually happens.

Moreover, they’re very good with deadlines and they respect my budget, which was great when I first met them as we were just a small business at the time.

They put their trust in me and my brand, which ultimately led to our continued growth.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We like how they have a good balance of creativity and execution.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything problematic in regards to the entire partnership.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I advise you to listen to their ideas and trust their process.