Skies Fall

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO and managing partner of Manifesto. We’re a branding agency focused on positioning, messaging, and brand identity for mostly Fortune 500 companies.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Skies Fall?

Historically, our challenge has been creating an emotional story for our clients. For example, in a recent project, our goal was to take something in the healthcare space that was not spoken of and turn it into something that people empathized with and understood.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We’ve worked with Skies Fall on several projects over the years. Typically, we start by giving them a brief or overview of what we’re trying to accomplish from an objective standpoint. We work with them to develop a script and look at pre-production. Ultimately, we choose if we’ll shoot live action or use found footage to piece the video together.

Then, we work to ratify the script and land on the tone. Skies Fall puts together a visual mood board for the clients to approve. Once the production budget gets signed off, we shoot the content, and they move on to editing, voice-over, and post-production.

What is the team composition?

We’ve worked with many people on several projects. However, we’ve mainly worked closely with Ben (CEO & Executive Producer) and Caitlyn (Producer & Strategic Partnerships). Ben is our primary point of contact.

How did you come to work with Skies Fall?

We met them at an event about 10 years ago. We saw their reel and liked their ethics as a company; we had many shared values. We tried the first project together, and it was really successful.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve probably spent more than $500,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in September 2012, and they’re one of our primary go-to's on branding content.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

One of our recent projects won nine awards, which was pretty significant. The video not only helped paint a picture of the future of healthcare but also showcased unique storytelling. We also had a project focused on employee engagement, where we saw increased engagement and greater connectivity to the brand. Overall, they’re amazing at understanding the client’s objectives and audience to create powerful and expressive content.

How did Skies Fall perform from a project management standpoint?

Project management is excellent; they’re probably the best partner we’ve ever worked with. They’re adaptable and really focused on finding solutions; they try to be nimble but thorough. Moreover, team members are also great at heart. When we think of a partnership, we want them to be an extension of our team, and Skies Fall acts that way.

From a timing standpoint, they’ve always delivered on time. We primarily use Slack to communicate, but we also use lots of emails and phone calls to adjust in real-time.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their creativity is outstanding. They’re experts at bringing stories to life, creating emotion, and connecting consumers to the storyline. Many branded content houses follow the client’s direction, but Skies Fall brings creativity into it. They can capture our vision instead of just providing production services. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, nothing comes to mind.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be transparent about what you need and are trying to achieve. However, give them some license for creativity as well. If you get too prescriptive, you’re putting them in a box instead of sharing the journey and letting them co-create.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We are a talent strategy, recruitment and talent optimization consulting firm. I am a founder and CEO.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Skies Fall , and what were your goals?

We hired Skies Fall to completely own the design and production of a compelling culture video that would attract the best in our industry to want to join us. It worked!

SOLUTION

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

After reviewing a number of local production companies we realized the value alignment and rich creative talent that Skies Fall had and after many references they won by far.

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

We started with a discovery meeting and shared what our goals were for the company’s marketing efforts. Skies Fall worked with us in identifying where our company needed to focused our attention as a brand and what content could help elevate that. Their crew came in and shot over a period of 2 days, interviewing our core leadership team and capturing key moments of our offices and company meetings. Within weeks we had a first draft of their work in a video as well as photography that we immediately starting using for marketing. The process was easy and Skies Fall help walk us through every step of the way.

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

Ben Kasica from Skies Fall led the process which was smooth and efficient. He’s always listening to our needs and feedback, helping to ensure that when they create something, they’re hitting the targets that we gave them.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Skies Fall was essential in helping our marketing team at Titus Talent uncover our Why through inspiring video storytelling, creating inspiring premium branded content to help position us as a leading firm in talent recruitment strategies. Their brand work equipped our team with the tools needed to do their jobs well in growing sales at our firm.

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

Their management style was focused yet casual. I could tell they are passionate about their work and that was what drove their efforts and process. Excellence is the goal. Every step of the way. They used Calendar invites and emails to drive the project.

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

The most impressive aspect of working with Skies Fall was the creative they delivered in the end. It was always on trend and forward thinking. Always excellent.

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

The only area of improvement that comes to mind is refining their offerings for ongoing work. After we completed the initial projects with them it wasn’t clear how we could continue to engage with their agency. We loved working with them on what we did though and would do it again as the needs arise.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Partner in PR and Advertising Agency

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Skies Fall ?

We hired Skies Fall on several occasions to develop influencer marketing plans. This included creating influencer activations, live events, social challenges, developing creative briefs and making sure influencers follow the briefs.

SOLUTION

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

Ability to reach ideal influencers specific to the themes in the films. Excellent when it comes to coming up with creative ideas for influencers. Great at putting on events. Also, they are very available for calls and emails outside of normal business hours.

Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.

Social influencer activation with dozens of influencers that were VERY specific to the themes of the movie. One required leading influencers who also happened to be in wheelchairs. In another campaign, military veterans who have dogs. They find what you need.

How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

Primarily two.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

they doubled what we were expecting to get in social influencers to participate in the campaign.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

excellent. Because the campaign had a very abbreviated schedule, we spoke nearly every day including weekend.

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

Ability to find influencers to match very unique perimeters. They came up with ideas that really sold the product organically.

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

no.