Highway Media

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the owner of Kelly Doneth Photography based out of Metro Detroit. I specialize in high school senior portraits.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Highway Media?

I hired Highway Media to create a video that showcases how I work closely with my clients offering them a boutique photoshoot experience.

What were your goals for this project?

My goals for this project was to offer potential clients insight into what the process of working with me looks like.

SOLUTION

How did you select Highway Media?

The owner of Highway Media was a client of mine. Through working with his family I learned about what the company has to offer. After looking at my options, I decided that having Highway Media create a video for my business was a smart step to encourage growth in my business.

Describe the video(s) and the process in detail.

Highway Media was very in tune with my industry and network. This knowledge, in addition to a lengthy interview, gave the company an abundance of information of my vision and goals for the project. We shot the video over three days and the process was well organized and seamless. The team at Highway Media was extremely knowledgable, approachable, and professional.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

Between the 3 shooting days there were 2-3 people on the team. They guided me through the process entirely. They knew what had to be accomplished for the post editing process and got the job done.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The video was launched a few weeks ago and so far has drawn attention from potential clients. I believe the video will elevate my client base.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

I had an assistant on all three days and the team at Highway Media worked great with my assistant and me.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I was so impressed about their excitement of the final product. I know they went the extra mile to create a video that is unique and custom.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I was completely satisfied with the entire process and especially the outcome!

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of Restoration 1. We do water damage clean up in the Detroit area.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Highway Media?

I engaged with Highway Media to put together a couple of videos about our company to share with the community. We wanted to give them a sense of who we are and why we do what we do.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We wanted to shoot at three different locations to capture enough content for seven or eight videos.

The first was shot at my shop, where we have all of our vehicles and equipment. We did a few interviews related to the work that we do, our customers, and trade partners in the industry that could find value in a relationship with us.

The second involved an on-site shoot at a house we were reconstructing after a fire. We were cleaning the house and doing a number of different things. The third shot was at a basement that flooded due to a failed sump pump.

Each different setting demonstrated more than a single shot but covered all the aspects of our company and what we do for our customers.

I’ve engaged them to do some digital marketing as well.

What is the team composition?

We’ve worked with four members of their team.

How did you come to work with Highway Media?

I met them through the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce. I decided I wanted to do business with them.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $10,000–$15,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We first started talking about the project in June 2019, but we did not start the actual filming until the next summer.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve already got ideas for our next set of videos. Our first video went out today in a newsletter that they put together.

A lot of people in the community have commented about how much they love the video. Their team was able to put together the narrative of the video. They had strong ideas and gave excellent directions to ease my nerves.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I wanted to make sure that they were going to put together a product that represented my company. I appreciate the amount of time it took to work through that. I believe they value our relationship as much as I did.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We filmed in the middle of July, so the weather was a little tough, but I can’t hold them responsible for that.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Clients need to have a vision. Allow the conversation to develop into the nuts and bolts of what a video campaign might look like. Their team is full of great ideas and remain professional.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the executive director of communications and marketing for Plymouth Community School. We’re the fifth-largest school district in the state of Michigan with about 17,300 students. We serve three municipalities. My department is in charge of communications, marketing, community engagement, and public relations. We promote the school district to current and future stakeholders through marketing plans and promotional efforts.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Highway Media?

We’ve hired Highway Media twice. As part of our 2018–2019 marketing plan, we decided to utilize video a lot more. Our district became quite reliant on emails, websites, and memos — push and pull pieces of media reliant on the written word. We realized people weren’t reading the information anymore so we wanted to use video a lot more. The goal was to put together a general promotional video for our district, and then parlay that into a video focused on our high school campus.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We’re fairly unique in that we have three large high schools operating on one high school campus; it operates like a college, with 6,200 students. The promotional messaging challenges of that place are immense: a lot of families think it’s too big. We wanted a video that promoted the campus.

Their services were comprehensive. Pre-production started with Mark (Owner) to talk about the project and layout the ideas; it was very collaborative even though Mark has strong ideas and good vision. Then, we came up with a filming plan and filmed it. It was quite an ordeal: determining the stakeholders, locations, post-production, and approval. Through it all, I never felt like they weren’t there for us. They’re busy and have a lot going on, but Mark was always available.

What is the team composition?

We worked with three people. Mark drives the ship, but he has production assistants that were part of the filming process. During editing, I was communicating with Mark and at least one other member of his team.

How did you come to work with Highway Media?

They’d done some filming with us (our superintendent and myself) before. I knew Mark and his style and his approach already, so we had our sights set on Highway Media. They were able to meet what we were looking for; we didn’t have to go through an RFP process, which was very cool. They did a great job of making it easy to engage with them with as little red tape as possible.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $10,000 – $25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from May until December 2018. We got the video out in a good amount of time for our spring marketing push in February.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The feedback on the video was tremendous. The video was everything we wanted it to be. We judge everything by enrollment and our enrollment numbers grew after the video. We used it at a number of events and continue to use it; it got great exposure. It’s become a cornerstone of our marketing and promotional plans and actions. We’ve gotten every dollar’s worth out of it, for sure; it’s been tremendously valuable.

How did Highway Media perform from a project management standpoint?

They were great about deadlines and communication. Mark is a very easy guy to have a good relationship with. He’s got tremendous people skills and is very engaging and authentic. Regarding technique, he’s a very skilled filmmaker. He combines a lot of classic elements that people appreciate with modern editing styles.

Additionally, he was open to feedback. We told him the style we were looking for and he did a nice job of interjecting himself into our vision. He’s an artist, as I am, and part of the thrill is bringing our own visions and interpretations to the work we do. I’m not sure how someone who isn’t an artist would respond to that, but I very much related to it. At no point was he dominating us or doing anything without consent or feedback, however.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Because we’re a public school district, we’re not swimming in money like Scrooge McDuck and we had to create a video that would last for several years. We talked about that a lot in the planning, creating a video that wouldn’t be bound by time.

They were really easy to work and collaborate with. Their speed was great as well, always thinking of the next thing. That’s very important for a small shop that does as much as they do; Mark knows how to hustle. You get a sense that he’s working hard on your project. I never felt like our project wasn’t a priority for them even though they had a full plate of clients.

Are there any areas they could improve?

The interviews got a little clunky sometimes; Mark did a lot of interjecting into the interviews to get the quote he wanted. It never got awkward or negative, but there were moments when we would have benefitted from a smoother approach to on-camera interviews. He knows what he wants but there’s only so much time when the camera is rolling to fill the vision of what he wants. More communication in advance would have helped the rhythm, putting both me and the interviewee at ease so they don’t have two people asking them questions. Perhaps this is a negative consequence of their pace. That’s quite nit-picky, though. Mark is a great guy who I like and respect.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Develop and strong relationship with Mark. He’ll look out for you if you’re on the same page and communicate. Make sure you budget accordingly. Their prices aren’t low, but you get quality for that. Being a re-occurring customer helps as well. We worked on a second project with him on a tight timeline and he moved mountains for us. His pace definitely helped us the second time around.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am an Engineering Manager for a STRATTEC, a Tier 1 Automotive supplier. We have 3,300 employees globally, and develop and produce innovative Vehicle Power Access, Electronic, and Security solutions for the automotive industry.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Highway Media?

We hired Highway Media to produce a promotional Video for the Invis-A-Rise Power Tailgate system. This is a first-of-its-kind power tailgate for a pickup truck, which is featured on the all-new Chevrolet Silverado.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal was to produce a video that we could use to showcase this technology to our customers, and also to the PACE award judges. The PACE award for automotive innovation is a prestigious award given annually by the Automotive News.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I searched both online and via other personal contact to select a video production company that was the right fit for the scope of this project.

Describe the video(s) and the process in detail.

The video show the Invis-A-Rise Power Tailgate in openration in various settings, highlighting its many features and abilities. It was edited into variousl lengths, and includes special effects like speed changes, product highlights, and music.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

They first met with me to get the general scope of the project. This was followed by a comprehensive storyboard review, and back-and-forth discussion until the plan and outline were finalized.

On they day of the shoot, the three-person film crew came and spent the day shooting lots of video from all angles and perspectives, with various backgrounds.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The video turned out fantastic, and far exceeded my expectations for quality as well as professionalism. I am proud to show it to our customers. To top it off, we were winners of the 2019 PACE Award for Automotive Innovation. The video from Highway Media was a big part of that win.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Working with Mark and his Highway Media team was a great experience. He was easy to reach and willing to accommodate any special requests or changes to filming or editing. He was also willing and able to work within our video production budget, giving us the best final product with the resources we had.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

What I appreciated most about Mark and his team was their willingness to listen to what we needed. They took the time to understand our goals, our constraints, and our budget to cater a specific solution to us. They also performed well under very tight time constraints to get us a video in time for the PACE award judges review.

Are there any areas for improvement?

None to recommend at this time.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am an associate surgeon at Michigan OMS Facial Surgery. We're a private multi-location practice for oral maxillofacial procedures, and we’re on staff at two Detroit area hospitals as well.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Highway Media?

We wanted to increase our online presence and make our office more accessible to people who find us online. We wanted videos that displayed our practices, showed patients what goes on before they came to the office, and a brief introduction to each office's appearance and staff. Our goal was to create brand awareness, get patients familiar with the offices, and hopefully relieve anxiety.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We made a two-minute introductory video and four one-minute videos for every location. They were pretty similar, with a couple of different shots in each one. We also made a three-minute post-operative instructional video for patients.

They handled everything for the videos, including the scripting, and provided a voice actor as well. Now we’re talking to them about handling our social media and Google advertising. We haven’t committed to that yet, but they offer those services.

What is the team composition?

I met four people from their team, including a point person who coordinated everything behind the scenes.

How did you come to work with Highway Media?

I found their website online through a Google search. We contacted several film producers in the Detroit area and received proposals from five of them. After meeting with them, we chose Highway Media.

We liked the proposal they put together for us, and their online videos were impressive. We were confident when we met their owner, who was our point person. He did an excellent job understanding our vision and running with it. We liked that they offered script services. He also mentioned the social media component, which was intriguing.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from September–December 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Patients have told me that they enjoyed the videos and felt more at ease because of them. We got the point across. Doctors and dentists that send us patients have given positive feedback as well.

How did Highway Media perform from a project management standpoint?

They were great. They were very professional and adhered to the timetable. When they shot the video, they only minimally interfered with our daily operations. They had everything ready to go, they had the script in hand, and they laid out all the shots they wanted. It was all very smooth, regimented, and efficient, without any dilly-dallying.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The fact that they are full-service makes them unique. They handle not only video production, but also marketing. They took care of everything from start to finish. They were very open to suggestions, and it was an easy process from start to finish. They did a very solid job. I was happy with them.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Speak your vision as clearly as possible, and the team will make it a reality. Communication is very important, so make sure everything is ready to go when they arrive to film.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the president of Plymouth Community Chamber of Commerce. We're a business association supported by 730 members. Our primary responsibility is to create opportunities for our members to network and gain business.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Highway Media?

We were looking for a company to help us create promotional videos.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They created a three-minute video, its shortened version, which was 30 seconds long, and a 15-second commercial, which we used during the morning weekend news on our local ABC affiliate. The 30-second video provides a quick overview of our organization and the reasons people might be interested in visiting Plymouth, while our three-minute video is more in-depth and is made for those who are looking to move or relocate their business here.

We collaboratively worked on the scripts and the storyboard and then they spend about a year putting the longer video together. The video is very comprehensive and covers various festivals and events. After they completed the first version, we reviewed it and they made refinements to the video.

What is the team composition?

We worked primarily with their owner.

How did you come to work with them?

We reviewed three different proposals and decided that Highway Media was the best fit for us.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $15,000–$17,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in January 2015 and the project was completed in December 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Between the two videos we got about 150,000–200,000 views on social media. The videos have been a tremendous asset to us and we were even able to use parts of them for another project, which someone else was doing for us.

How did they perform from a project management standpoint?

They walked us through the whole project and kept us informed about the progress. Whenever we had feedback, even if it was the last minute, they implemented it immediately. It was a long-term project (it took them about a year to complete the videos) since the events they covered happened at various times throughout the year.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The quality of the product was outstanding and we still get incredible compliments on it.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. They gave us everything we needed.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Spend time putting your script together and work closely with them to make sure you both understand the needs and the goals.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and president of Peak Wealth Management. We’re a registered investment adviser and certified financial planner.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Highway Media?

We were looking to address our lack of a video presence across digital media.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We created one long video that has since been split up into three or four shorter videos for promotional purposes. We have the longer version on our home page, as well as several snippets placed throughout the site. They’ve created a much more visual and engaging experience for those that visit our site. We also use several clips in our email marketing program.

The live-action video they produced has four or five different scenes that they shot in our office. The scenes include both narration over action shots and me speaking directly to the camera.

What is the team composition?

I worked with four team members that assisted with filming and production in various capacities.

How did you come to work with Highway Media?

I reached out to market Highway Media as a result of our relationship through the local chamber. I saw the videos they’ve produced with other companies and thought they would be a good fit for us. They provided a comprehensive proposal that we were very happy with, so much so that there was no need to consider other companies.

How much have you invested with them?

We invested a total of $3,500.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in July 2017 and finished the video in August.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Since publishing the video, our business is growing faster than ever before. There are a variety of factors that have contributed to our success, but the video has been a central tenet.

How did Highway Media perform from a project management standpoint?

They exceeded all expectations. Everything was done to the specifications they initially laid out, and there were no delays during the project. There were no surprises. Everything was done quickly and efficiently. It was a pleasure to work with them and I’m very pleased with the results.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They were great about coaching me through the nerves of being on camera and were instrumental in creating the specific messaging. Mark (Owner/Producer, Highway Media) and his team do a great job refining your script and telling the story you want to tell. They ensure that viewers understand, know, like, and trust you after watching a two-minute video.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Ask Mark a lot of questions throughout the process. He has many years of experience and he can be a very valuable asset. Spend as much time with him as you can.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I own a screen prints and embroidery company. About 30% of our business is regional, while 70% is online.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Highway Media?

We hired Highway to help us produce a brand introduction video to post on our product pages on Amazon. The video isn’t specific to any given product, but simply introduces customers to the company.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We really wanted a video that coupled a sense of humor with a bit of professionalism to show that we have personality but also do good work. I handled the storyboarding myself, but Highway Media offered me a lot of really good feedback. We were on a tight timeline, so we paid them to expedite things, which translated into filming the project in one day and only a few weeks of post-production.

What is the team composition?

I worked with a project manager throughout the project, and we worked with two or three team members on the day of the actually shoot.

How did you come to work with Highway Media?

I did a simple online search for video production agencies in the area and spoke with about four or five. When I am hiring new vendors, especially for something I am not as familiar with, I give a lot of priority to who responds the quickest and most consistently because it indicates how they will act during the project. I talked with Highway two or three times by the time other bids started coming in, so they got the project.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent less than $5,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project lasted from September–October 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Highway was able to expedite everything and got us the final product within our timeframe. Amazon didn’t give us any data about the video after we posted it, but we did see that our conversion rate (percentage of people who buy after clicking our page) increased.

How did Highway Media perform from a project management standpoint?

The actual shoot was very efficient. They really took on the director’s role and the entire crew was very enjoyable to work with. You could tell that they had everything under control. The video was shot in a logical manner, and even though it was a long day, they kept things light. With creative endeavors like this it is really helpful to keep an atmosphere conducive to what you need to complete, and they definitely succeeded at that.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their communication was really impressive. It would have been easy for them to make a plain, boring video, but they took the time to figure out what we really wanted creatively. A video is hard because you have a lot to convey in a short amount of time, but they heard what we were trying to say about what we wanted even when we weren’t good at communicating it properly.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. We got everything we wanted out of the engagement.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I would say the client should over communicate. The less information you give the harder it is to get inside your head and figure out what you actually want. So, as the customer, give them more input and more context for your ideas than you normally would because that gives them more of an idea of what you're trying to get at and how they can make it work.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I work in the marketing department of an engineering firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Highway Media?

We hired them to update our campus video.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

They originally filmed it for us.

Describe the video(s) and the process in detail.

We updated two sections: a map and the wording for one of our divisions.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

They talked with me.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They took responsibility for their mistakes and were professional in taking care of the issue. We were happy about that.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

It was very good.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They were easy to work with and very knowledgeable in their field.