Spin Creative

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Perkins Coie is one of the largest law firms in the Pacific Northwest. I was the director of marketing there at the time of this project.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Spin Creative?

We needed Spin Creative for a series of video projects.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Spin Creative created videos for different areas in our company. Videos were used for an annual retreat for our attorneys. Some videos promoted the services of the organization while others were used internally as an opportunity to teach others within the firm to understand all the services their colleagues offer. Those videos were mainly interviews.

The longer video celebrated the firm’s 100th-anniversary celebration, which used photographs to tell the story.

What is the team composition?

We worked with the same team consistently throughout the project. Two or three team members focused on specific videos.

How did you come to work with Spin Creative?

I believe I was referred to them from a colleague who worked with them previously.

How much have you invested with them?

We invested between $20,000-$25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The engagement lasted from December 2011 to April 2012.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Since the videos were an internal piece, they were used as one-way communication. The enthusiasm of the audience was positive. We created a special website to showcase the anniversary video.

How did Spin Creative perform from a project management standpoint?

Spin Creative was excellent at meeting deadlines. Working with a team in a large professional services firm leads to a ton of opinions. Their team was flexible about making changes and taking our input. They were able to respond to sudden demands and changes in direction.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Spin Creative has a strong sense of storytelling. Their understanding of how to tell a story and helping us create our vision helped the project come together.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Nothing. Spin Creative produced quality videos.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I was the former video producer for a home furnishings retailer called ATG Stores. At the time, we were an affiliate of Lowe’s Inc. but have since been incorporated into the main company. Now, I continue to handle video content under Lowe’s Inc.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Spin Creative?

To help the local community understand who we were as a company and what we did, we hosted an event called Seattle Showhouse. During the event, our interior designers would use client input to create virtual showrooms, which we'd then translate into a physical space. Spin Creative came on board to document this design process, producing a series of videos to tell our story and support our marketing campaign.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Spin Creative produced four videos centered on the Seattle Showhouse event, including a five-minute segment and three promotional YouTube shorts. For the main segment, the team interviewed our interior designers as they created digital showrooms. They explored each designer’s thought process to show our approach from concept to completion.

We faced tight deadlines on the YouTube shorts because we needed to promote our different events on the day of. To accommodate the schedule, the video crew filmed our designers in the physical show house and pushed the footage to an on-site editor. The editor then processed and assembled the final materials at break-neck speeds. Since we were also promoting a contest with a $10,000 home giveaway, they incorporated our messaging into the shorts to drive site traffic.

What is the team composition?

During pre-production, we spoke with 2–5 individuals, including Matthew (Owner, Spin Creative) and his producers. They provided a production crew for filming, which brought the team up to 10–12.

How did you come to work with Spin Creative?

I researched local production houses in Seattle and noticed that they were one of the top five agencies. They had a solid portfolio with a scope that matched our needs. Based on the caliber of their work and our budget, we felt they were the best fit.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $40,000–$60,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Their work lasted from January–February 2016.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Spin Creative used the Seattle Showhouse event as a creative keystone to tell our story. The main segment that described the event and our company was flawless. Spin Creative captured the right look and feel, and the pacing was exactly how we wanted. Not to mention, the quality of the final product hit all the marks, especially considering the cost.

Unfortunately, the promotional videos didn’t perform as well as we’d expected. Although the content was great, we faced several marketing challenges on our side: the contest messaging fell flat, our campaigns didn’t take hold, and our former company’s name lacked the weight to make a dent in the home furnishing space. As a result, the videos didn’t generate a lot of traffic to our site, but that isn’t a shortcoming on their part.

How did Spin Creative perform from a project management standpoint?

Their producers were fantastic and diligent throughout, and I’m still in touch with them today. They understood that this was one of our first projects and took the time to guide us through the process. Even though we were scrambling to get things done on our end, they remained patient, so it was a seamless collaboration.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They consistently went above and beyond what we contracted them to do. In one instance, it started raining, which we hadn’t planned for. Their team set up a professional canopy within an hour to house their gear. This alone saved the event itself.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We might have had more success if they’d helped us with some of our marketing efforts. We had some difficulties on our side with the promotion and deployment, so a lot of our messaging fell through. With their additional support, maybe things would have turned out differently. Regardless, I have nothing but positive things to say about their actual performance.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Bring your ideas to the table, and they’ll transform it into an excellent product. They’re a talented group and always keep the client’s goals in mind. They took the time to come to our location, learn about our company, and convey it through high-caliber videos.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the senior product marketing manager for Microsoft’s OneDrive.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Spin Creative?

We had recently built self-service kiosks for a popular food chain, and we wanted to make a video illustrating the success of our collaboration for the National Retail Foundation (NRF) conference.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

While we wanted the videos to highlight our products, we also wanted to position our brand as the leading source for innovative business solutions. Spin Creative traveled with us between two states to film the interviews from the food chains’ executives and customers respectively; they set up GoPro cameras at the restaurant to unobtrusively capture footage of the location. After filming, they edited their content down into a short testimonial video.

What is the team composition?

Their core team is comprised of the project manager, the cinematographer, the creative director, and the editor. An additional group of four would occasionally step in to help.

How did you come to work with Spin Creative?

We did a successful travelogue series with Spin Creative in the past, so we knew that they would be able to capture the footage that we need without being invasive.

How much have you invested with them?

It cost us $40,000 to document our kiosk project, but we’ve spent more than $100,000 for their services to date.

What is the status of this engagement?

Production commenced in November 2014 and concluded in January 2015.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our small investment has generated large gains. Since we premiered the video at the NRF conference, interest in Microsoft’s self-service kiosks has skyrocketed. We’ve received more than 300 press inquiries, and multiple retail and manufacturing stores have reached out to us to do installations in their stores. The food chain has had similar success; their CEO interviewed with Bloomberg TV and other media outlets, which generated more than 33 million views.

How did Spin Creative perform from a project management standpoint?

Our project required a significant amount of work and travel, but they were able to finalize everything before the deadline. It’s rare to find a team that can turn around edits in less than 24 hours, but Spin Creative surpassed our expectations.

What did you find most impressive about them?

With minimal edits, they translated our complex story into a captivating five-minute video. Whether they’re working with a small budget or a short time frame, they refuse to compromise on quality.

Are there any areas they could improve?

One of the best things about working with Spin Creative is that they don’t try to interpret our needs. They actively listen and adapt to our preferences, so they never make the same mistake twice.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Having a clearly defined scope of work can be helpful, but it’s not an essential requirement for success. Disclosing likes or dislikes is all Spin Creative needs to produce compelling content.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a former copywriter for Row 44, an in-flight broadband provider for aircraft. I wrote website content, white papers, and executive material, and also worked on marketing.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Spin Creative?

We wanted to establish more of a presence among industry media. We weren’t well-known to the press and investor community, so we needed a partner to develop a time-lapse video of our system being installed in a plane.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We gave Spin Creative the general idea for our video, and they did everything else. They outlined, filmed, and edited the footage, making a two-minute video that showed a plane being outfitted with our system. We figured out the logistics (like where to film and security clearances), and they managed all the creative components (like what scenes to film and how to edit it all together). They finished the video in about a month, and we used it at our tradeshows.

What is the team composition?

They had about six people on their team, including a senior project manager, camera operators, and editors.

How did you come to work with Spin Creative?

Our senior staff found them.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $30,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project lasted from August–September 2012.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Their video became the cornerstone for our tradeshow presence, running the entire time we were there. We got incredible value out of the video, which gave us a tremendous boost in credibility and goodwill with the airlines. Whenever we met with an airline, they would always mention our video.

How did Spin Creative perform from a project management standpoint?

The project management was flawless. They only had a month to finish the entire project and pulled it off. Every day, they showed us what they’d accomplished. We didn’t have any problems; they were a project management dream.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The quality of the video speaks for itself. They have incredible customer service and project management that makes them efficient and reliable.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, we didn’t have any issues during the whole project, which is highly unusual.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Don’t be afraid to ask for their advice and input. They have terrific ideas that will add value to your product. We only gave them a general idea, and they added all sorts of nice touches that improved the video. Use them as a creative partner, not just a vendor. Trust their talented and professional team of employees.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Genie is part of the aerial work platform division of the Terex Corporation, a global leader in construction equipment manufacturing. I am the senior training manager.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Spin Creative?

Genie developed the world’s first OEM Online Aerial Work Platform Operator Training Program, the Genie Lift Pro. We hired Spin Creative to create a commercial video illustrating the program’s value and ease of use.

What were your goals for this project?

The goal was to produce an introductory and promotional video to use on our website and other industry media as well as in customer presentations.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

A former Genie team member originally introduced us to Spin Creative’s executive creative director for a different project. We were immediately impressed by his knowledge, passion, and experience, which ultimately contributed to our first project’s resounding success. Selecting Spin Creative for this important project as well was easy. 

Describe the project in detail.

The video depicts a young man who, when applying for a job, learns that he will be expected to operate a Genie Z-45 articulating boom. He is not qualified on the equipment, but is familiar with the Lift Pro Online Program. He purchases the course on a Friday, completes it over the weekend, and is prepared to start work on Monday. The video includes on-screen actors, off-screen narration, and music.

Spin Creative guided us through the whole process, collaborating with us on script development and offering unique, creative suggestions that expanded on our original vision. Responsible for all directing, they completed the project in just a few days and were willing to travel to multiple locations for our desired shots. After filming they provided me with several rough drafts to review before making the final selection.

What was the team composition?

The team included cameramen and lighting and support staff, all of whom were fantastic and engaged in clothing suggestions and scene staging.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

This project has been extremely powerful in promoting and growing the Genie program. The video, which is viewed hundreds of times each year, has contributed greatly to our overall success and is more versatile than we had originally anticipated. Though it was completed in 2013, the video was well received during a recent presentation to a large conference of safety directors.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Their project management was central to the seamless execution; things progressed smoothly but never felt rushed. They communicated very well with us and included us in every decision. Their detailed explanations provided great insight into the process and improved our understanding. They were very patient, relaxed, and supportive in producing the best results, despite frequent scene reshoots and our use of actual team members instead of actors for supporting roles. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and was sad to see the project end.  

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They were such a pleasure to work with. Their enthusiasm was clearly evident and I never once had the impression that they were just checking the block. I had no idea of the challenge we were undertaking, but they made the project enjoyable, fun, and stress-free. We were simply astonished by the professionalism and presentation of the final product. I would definitely use Spin Creative again.

Are there any areas for improvement?

There are none that I can think of. I appreciated the opportunity to work with them.