Charter & Co

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Executive Vice President of BluePoint Alert Solutions

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

BluePoint is a Rapid Emergency Response System that provides immediate notification to building occupants and first responders upon an activation for active assailant and medical emergencies for organizations where people gather like schools, places of worship, corporate offices, warehouses and municipal bulidings.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Charter & Co to accomplish?

• Help grow business
• Increase brand awareness in K12 market
• Expand pipeline of clients

SOLUTION

How did you find Charter & Co?

Referral

Why did you select Charter & Co over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Referred to me

How many teammates from Charter & Co were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Charter created 5 videos for us: 

• a brand awareness video
• 4 client testimonial videos, along with 8 short client snippets from the testimonials 

They helped define and create the ideas and assisted in developing the script for our brand awareness video. Additionally, they worked with our 4 clients to create testimonial videos that were informative and powerful in their messaging. They participated in every portion of the video production, from idea creation to production/filming and postproduction editing. They delivered a quality product on time and within budget.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

It's too soon to tell. We are about to launch the products within our marketing platform. We are confident it will drive increased interest in BluePoint over time.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

We finished on time, and they worked well with our team in scheduling the production and deliverables. Drew and Connor helped move us along at a good pace and kept us on schedule, and helped us not get behind. They were flexible and worked within our availability and time commitments. They were great at project management and used the right amount of direction to make sure we finished on time. They were always available for a discussion and willing to provide feedback.

What was your primary form of communication with Charter & Co?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Their personal engagement and willingness to go above and beyond to help achieve our goals. They worked well with our team and are very capable in their field, and they helped create a solid deliverable that will help our business grow.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Charter & Co could have done differently?

Not that I can think of at this time.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the VP of marketing of PMA

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Provides comprehensive financial strategies and services for stronger communities.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Charter & Co to accomplish?

• Recruiting
• Company hype
• Sales efforts

SOLUTION

How did you find Charter & Co?

• Referral
• Previous relationship

Why did you select Charter & Co over others?

• High ratings
• Close to my geographic location
• Great culture fit
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Charter & Co were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

PMA was looking to develop a multi-purpose marketing video highlighting our culture, staff, company growth and commitment to communities. We identified a need for recruiting, sales and company hype at various conferences and events, showcasing PMA’s growth, culture, diversity and commitment to the communities that we serve.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

This video provided our audiences a more complete picture of who we are, what we do, and why we do it. We have always been excited to tell clients about what we do, we’d like to showcase the “why” – connecting our people, culture and expertise with our purpose and our passion for supporting clients and communities. 

Charter and Co. helped provide an inside look at the humanity and heart behind our work, making it clear that we’re a company rooted in relationships and in doing the right thing.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

We were continually impressed with Drew and Connor’s professionalism, project organization and communication throughout the project. Always on-time and responsive to questions/needs, same-day, whether via email or phone.

What was your primary form of communication with Charter & Co?

In-Person Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Charter & Co.’s high-touch customer service and empathy is one aspect that you don’t see very often with other vendors. We viewed them as an extension of our marketing team and we’re impressed with their knowledge and expertise in video production and marketing integration solutions.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Charter & Co could have done differently?

Charter has developed a unique business model that will continue its success!

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Marketing Specialist of an education company

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We exist, under the authority of God and His Word, to educate, train, and nurture children for godliness and excellence, equipping them to engage and transform their world for Jesus Christ.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Charter & Co to accomplish?

• Capital Campaign Video
• Brand/Marketing Video

SOLUTION

How did you find Charter & Co?

• word of mouth

Why did you select Charter & Co over others?

• High ratings
• Great culture fit
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

They assisted in creating a vision for the videos, refining the script, filmed and directed talking heads, and curated various shots to ensure the range of school ages and activities were covered. They handled all editing and sound and provided rounds for revisions.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We have not yet launched the two videos they created for us. They will be directly tied to admissions and fund development and we expect great success.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Flexible, timely, and communicative!

What was your primary form of communication with Charter & Co?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Their commitment to producing something both they and we were proud of! An example of this occurring was when they went the extra mile for an additional shot after filming and editing had been completed because they knew it would elevate the beginning of the video. It did and we are grateful!

Are there any areas for improvement or something Charter & Co could have done differently?

The turnaround times for needing feedback from us were fast! When we were behind on feedback by a day or two, though, they were still flexible and gracious.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Area Director of Wheaton Young Life

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We are a local non-profit ministry that seeks to introduce Jesus Christ to middle school and high school students and to help them grow in their faith.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Charter & Co to accomplish?

• Create a video to help share our story

SOLUTION

How did you find Charter & Co?

Referral

Why did you select Charter & Co over others?

• High ratings
• Close to my geographic location
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Charter & Co were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Charter and Co. worked closely with our staff to dream and create a video that shares our story with the greater community. They spent time understanding our story so that they could create the right type of video that would be best received by our audience. They planned filming days and directed/filmed in various locations. Then, they worked closely with our staff to create a cohesive and compelling video after filming.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Working with Charter and Co. was the best decision we could have made. This video helped us tell our story in a clear and compelling way. We used this video in our fundraising season and it clearly made an impact on those who financially partnered with our ministry.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Charter and Co. were very prompt and organized. Everything was delivered on time. When our staff would give feedback, they quickly responded and pivoted to fit our vision for the product.

What was your primary form of communication with Charter & Co?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

The best part about working with them is their desire to provide excellence at every step of the process. From pre-production to post-production, they are excellent in their communication, ability to create, and ability to be adaptable and flexible with our needs and desires. Everything we've done with Charter and Co. has been 10/10.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Charter & Co could have done differently?

No

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the VP Business Development of Truly Engaging

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Truly Engaging is a full-service, on-line print company that creates bespoke consumer and business print products including wedding invitations, holiday cards, special event invitations and signage, and business marketing material.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Charter & Co to accomplish?

• Create google ads for holiday cards promotion
• Create videos for brand awareness, showcase employees and management

SOLUTION

How did you find Charter & Co?

Referral

Why did you select Charter & Co over others?

• High ratings
• Close to my geographic location
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Charter & Co were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

We started working with Charter to create 2 google ads so the scope was small at first. We quickly realized their level of quality and creativity. The project turned into three major brand/company videos and 2-3 short reels for PR/social purposes. Charter has an amazing process to keep their customers on track, stay in scope, on budget and deliver on time.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

• Our videos have been shared with potential large customers needing to vet Truly Engaging for future work. We feel the videos are currently playing an important role in opening doors and moving us further into the sales cycle.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Yes, project management is definitely one of their strengths. The are both highly creative and extremely organized.

What was your primary form of communication with Charter & Co?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

The cinematic quality of their work is unique and innovative!

Are there any areas for improvement or something Charter & Co could have done differently?

None whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the head of marketing and communication for a global investment firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Charter & Co, and what were your goals?

We hired Charter to create a series of videos that could be used with investors at our annual meeting, as well as some clips that could be used longer term. The goal was to clearly communicate how our firm and approach are unique.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

We were introduced to the company through a mutual connection (a company founder/CEO we had invested in). We liked that Charter really understood our business and could help us simplify our messages to be used across several communities in our ecosystem. The team also showed great creativity in the brainstorm process instilling confidence that they could execute the project.

Describe the video(s) and the process in detail, including the project steps and all stages of production.

We started by agreeing to the scope of the project. Once identified we needed to schedule a shoot date that worked for our executives being filmed. From there we identified and secured a location (Charter did a great job recommending a location and helping to coordinate the logistics). Using a storyboard and some materials we shared upfront, Charter was able to come up with some structure that could work for a series of micro videos.

During filming Charter handled everything to make it go smoothly and had a great production team that handled the interviews (this was key in making the executives comfortable and getting usable footage for a terrific end result). They then edited together the videos which were shared in format that was easy to review and comment on in order to finalize. Finally we had Charter join the in person meeting to work with the AV team to play the videos to our audience and opportunistically, we had Charter record our live presentations so we could send the files to investors unable to join the meeting.

Who did you work with and what was the feedback process like?

We worked with an amazing project manager who facilitated much of the process with the Charter team so we were mainly able to work with one central point of contact. We did have some interactions with the wider team, including the camera operators at the in person shoots, a producer who handled the onsite interview questions to our executives, and the owner of the company who was incredibly helpful each step of the process making sure everything went smoothly and that we were hitting the right deadlines.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We had great feedback from our team and investors who thought the videos leveled up our in person meeting. I know our executives felt the entire team were extremely professional and easy to work with (even in a high stress environment) and I couldn't be happier with the outcome. Charter made my life so easy, I can't imagine working with anyone else.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

The project manager was on top of everything, which was critical since I was pulled in many different directions to execute the logistics of the meeting. They always had great planning documents with things clearly laid out for our check-in calls. The technology they used to share the storyboarding was fantastic and the portal where they shared the video drafts was also easy to navigate to share comments.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

I was impressed with the overall professionalism and know-how of the team. More than anything they felt like an extension of the in-house team with thoughtful suggestions. The nuance of the messages we wanted to communicate and the unique relationship we have with our audience made our project particularly complicated but they were amazing at understanding and distilling everything down to a clear, crisp, visually beautiful message.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

I couldn't imagine a better partner!

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the Director of Recruitment and Admissions at CrossPurpose, a Denver-based nonprofit seeking to abolish economic, relational, and spiritual poverty through career and community development.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Charter & Co, and what were your goals?

As a recruitment team, our goal is to recruit motivated individuals to our free career training program. We are looking for individuals who are tired of living paycheck to paycheck, tired of dead end jobs, and ready to take the next step in their lives. One of our challenges has been securing digital assets and creatives that don't just speak to the details about our program, but speak to the heart of our potential applicants.

We wanted an eye-catching video that made people turn their heads, and understand that our program isn't just about a new job, but about a new future. We wanted a video that someone could watch and find a renewed belief in themselves, and in the potential they have both personally and professionally.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

We have worked with video production teams who could create quality live-action style videos, but none of the teams we found could create videos that was producing fast-paced, motivational videos that went beyond talking heads and slow-moving b-roll. We wanted a team that created eye-catching, motivational videos.

It was clear from the first interaction with Charter's website that they knew exactly how to catch attention with their videos. Their fast-paced, creative, excellent style felt like it directly aligned with our brand and our vision for our videos.

Describe the video(s) and the process in detail, including the project steps and all stages of production.

From the first meeting with Charter and Co., it was clear that they had an exceptional understanding of story. Our first meeting involved unpacking the CrossPurpose brand and mission, and discussing key elements and symbols that we could use to represent our brand in a 3D animated format. The Charter team asked the important questions, and was able to take short conversations and turn around to produce spot-on messaging, images, and branding resources in our video.

After our initial meetings, we met frequently to review creative mockups, and discuss potential improvements. After a few of these meetings, Charter quickly moved into production, and provided key updates on a regular basis. After providing the first draft of the video, I sent back a few minor updates and Charter sent back the final draft within a short time period. They produced two versions of the video, so that we could optimize for all distribution channels.

Who did you work with and what was the feedback process like?

The thing that impressed me most about Charter is that every meeting involved multiple members of their creative team. Every meeting involved leadership, digital experts, and animation experts to ensure that every input would be included, and there wouldn't be any items lost in translation. The feedback process was quick, easy, and excellent. Charter was prepared for every meeting, and made every step of the process simple and straightforward.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We have continued to use this video in our marketing efforts and have over 30,000 video views in just a couple short months (which is excellent for a nonprofit with our size and budget). Our CEO's first response when he saw that video was "Wow, that's genius" and the video received excellent feedback from a variety of key stakeholders, largely due to its innovation and creativity.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

There was a primary project manager who handled all communication outside of the team meetings, and each of those emails provided detailed information about next steps, action steps required, and any necessary feedback. Email and Zoom meetings were our primary communication tools, and we also used a video commenting software that allowed me to make comments timestamped on the video drafts

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Charter and Co has a unique ability to quickly and thoroughly understand an organization's mission and story, and turn that mission into a compelling and excellent video that speaks to the heart of the audience.

I've never worked with a video company that takes on as much of the burden of creativity as Charter - they were able to take key details and stories from my end, and create something with messaging and story that was better than I could have come up with. I would recommend that any company use Charter and Co. as a video production partner, due to their ability and skills in this area.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

The only challenge was that our nonprofit is located in Denver, and they are located in the suburbs of Chicago - if we were in the same city, we would use them for our live-action videos as well.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a marketing director at a remote solutions company, and we’re a Microsoft consulting partner with 14 gold certifications. We deliver technology such as Microsoft Teams, custom Azure projects, and more. My primary responsibility is to build our brand in the marketplace and create demand and revenue for our organization.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Charter & Co?

I needed help creating compelling video content that tells our story to our ideal customers. We were looking to use video to convey a fairly technical story to non-technical audiences so we could generate some interest in our services. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Our work with Charter & Co has been focused on topics around enabling a hybrid workforce. As offices open to returning employees, there are people who will remain working remotely for whatever reason. Thus, office-based workers need solutions that will allow them to collaborate with their remote colleagues.

From there, Charter & Co has built the message around securing data, devices, and information for remote employees. They’ve created relatively short-form video stories that help back up our message and give us the ability to communicate to potential customers. We’re currently on our fifth project, with each lasting 4–5 weeks from conception to completion.

What is the team composition?

I’ve worked with Drew (Founder & Principal), Jake (Community Lead), and Bailey (Creative Operations Lead).

How did you come to work with Charter & Co?

A friend introduced Charter & Co to me. I followed their work for a couple of years and saw where they started and where they were going. 

I realized that Charter & Co was a good fit for us creatively and culturally — they understood our messaging and direction. Being a small organization, they knew and felt some of our pressures. I felt having that mutual understanding would help us work better collaboratively.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $60,000–$70,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working together since May 2020, and our relationship is ongoing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

It’s difficult to provide direct quantitative value to Charter & Co’s work. I can’t give an exact number because we have multiple marketing initiatives in YouTube, email, and SEO. However, I’ve noticed that our website impressions have gone up as we’ve used their content. The traffic increase we’re seeing results from having better content available to us. 

How did Charter & Co perform from a project management standpoint?

Charter & Co’s project management is excellent. They’ve set expectations with us at an early stage in the project. They’ve also developed a formalized process to get all ideas out of my head to ensure they’ll be conveyed on our videos. 

We’ve had various checkpoints where we have sign-offs to ensure we’re not straying from my initial creative vision. Charter & Co’s methodology is rock solid from the initial agreement to project milestones. I have every bit of confidence that whenever I start a project with them, I’m going to get what I’m looking for. 

Charter & Co’s team has also ensured that we’re executing on a timely basis. We’re a budget-driven organization, and things have to happen within a certain time frame. They’ve been very collaborative. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

The biggest distinguishing factor that Charter & Co has is their creative and project management processes. I’ve worked with other vendors in the past that don’t have any defined process, milestones, or checkpoints. With Charter & Co, I know what to expect with each milestone along the way. I’m assured that we have a sign-off process, so I can veto something that doesn’t look exactly what I want.

Charter & Co has helped me understand my vision and what I want to accomplish. They’ve come up with suggestions on how we can go from where we are to where we want to be. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

You need to have a clear vision of what you want from the very beginning. Know and understand your brand before engaging with Charter & Co. Be very clear about the story you want to tell. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Managing Partner of Favaro & Gorman, Ltd.

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Law Firm

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Charter & Co to accomplish?

• Create new website

SOLUTION

How did you find Charter & Co?

Other

Why did you select Charter & Co over others?

Company values aligned

How many teammates from Charter & Co were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Created website, including photography, videography

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Increased traffic to new website. Firm has received numerous compliments and accolades about the website.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Excellent delivery of services

What was your primary form of communication with Charter & Co?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Drew and his colleagues at Charter & Co. are professional, insightful and creative in their approach. They offered a high level of personal interaction, sincerity to the project, and ascertaining the firm's needs for creating a new website.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Charter & Co could have done differently?

No

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Marketing Manager of a manufacturing company

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We make precision machined components for diesel engine, hydraulic, and aerospace applications.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Charter & Co to accomplish?

• Create unique marketing videos
• Engage prospects and prospective employees using video

SOLUTION

How did you find Charter & Co?

Referral

Why did you select Charter & Co over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Charter & Co were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Charter helped us plan and execute our video shoot. The deliverables were a few videos for our website and outreach.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Charter delivered great video content!

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Everything happened on schedule, as they laid out from the beginning. They gave us everything we asked for!

What was your primary form of communication with Charter & Co?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

They were great to work with. The communication was thorough, and they made sure we were in the loop every step of the way.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Charter & Co could have done differently?

nope - great work!