Zerosun Creative

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We are a marketing and sales company and I am the current Creative Director / run the Creative Services Department.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

Cydcor first hired ZeroSun in 2010 and they have been our video vendor ever since. They have helped us create videos for everything from cooperate, to event, to social media.

What were your goals for this project?

For every project they've helped us with (on average 5-10 year) each have had unique goals depending on the audience. The range varies from event "hype" videos all the way to client facing pitch videos.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We were referred to ZeroSun and have never looked back! We vetted numerous other companies (mostly local) and despite not being local - ZeroSun came out on top. They are well priced, knowledgeable, and always add value to our projects. They come with ideas and solutions to help us find ways to make each video better and really connect with the audience.

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

The team at ZeroSun has helped us with every aspect of creating video content. Depending on our need, budget, and timeline - they will always find a way to make it happen and help us along the way. They've helped us with videos shot on cell phones where we just needed a quick clean up and turn around and also helped us with videos where we needed everything from strategy, to storyboarding, to on-location filming, through post-production and graphics.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

They have an amazing project management flow and are always open to feedback (as our we to theirs since it's so helpful). We have numerous stakeholders for some items and they are always open and accommodating to meeting everyones needs.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Some of the biggest impact ZeroSun has helped us make is with our event videos. They have evolved with us over the past 10 years and have helped us bring our current videos to now span entire stages with LED screens. The content and design needed to do this has to be impeccable and we wouldn't be able to execute it without them.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We've never once had a workflow issues with ZeroSun. James and his team and responsive, organized, and always able to meet (if not exceed) timeline expectations.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The most impressive part of working with ZeroSun is how dedicated they all are to the clients and the relationships they have with them. James even comes out for many of our events each year to help on the crew and meet with us in person.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I wouldn't change a thing about them! We've been coming back for 10 years for a reason!

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the director of creative services for Intersport, a media agency in Chicago.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

I work for an out of state agency, and we often need to hire reliable local crews for our productions. In each case we've needed full production and the ZeroSun team has overdelivered each time. They're highly professional, extremely capable, fun to work with, and very reasonably priced. This is the first place I call when I'm coming to Denver.

What were your goals for this project?

We've used ZeroSun for several doc-style projects where we needed an end product that was more cinematic than a news-style ENG shoot while being completed in less time.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

ZeroSun was found based on their great reputation, and that proved to be very accurate.

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

The ZeroSun crew showed up fully equipped and ready to go. They got a rundown of what was expected of the day and they overdelivered.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

Loved the experience.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Client loved the video!

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

A good production team has to "speak the language" of the producer and the client. ZeroSun's team has that ability to know what's needed and deliver every time.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They're highly professional, extremely capable, fun to work with, and very reasonably priced. This is the first place I call when I'm coming to Denver.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Keep up the great work, gents. I'll be back.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Sway Event Design + Consulting is a live-events and marketing management company focused on innovation and branding for corporate and association events.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

Zerosun Creative has produced multiple sizzle reels, event recap videos, informative interview pieces, branding and sponsorship opportunities and innovative marketing initiates for my clients.

What were your goals for this project?

The goal of these projects was to either promote or recap, a live-event marketing initiate.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I was introduced to the work of Zerosun Creative while heading the Event and Marketing department at a previous company. When I moved to consulting for other clients interested in producing live-events, I recommend that Zerosun Creative take over the role of branding through video production. This was an easy recommendation and sell, as the quality of material Zerosun delivered was incrementally better than that of other production companies being used.

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

For one client in particular, I asked Zerosun to create an event recap video that could also be used as a sponsorship pitch piece. The client needed help communicating to it's younger demographic and Zerosun create branding and messaging to amplify the event's more alluring aspects. The video was done in a way that called out desirable sponsorship activities and options so that when pitching partners in upcoming years, there would be mass appeal to the larger, more exciting and more profitable sponsorships for the client.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

Zerosun Creative works well with their clients to make sure that the branding and concepts are exactly as they client sees fit. Throughout the entire process, pre-planning calls, branding brainstorming, message development and finally, post-production check-in's and feedback were consistent and open to both the client, myself and the Zerosun team's producers. Not only did the Zerosun team create an open work and creative environment, but they took lead and acted as informed consultants in situations where clients didn't want to provide creative input. This especially with larger corporate and association clients is very important.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Without fail, my clients have been blown away by the project that Zerosun produces. Not only have they appreciated the final product but they've been very appreciate of Zerosun's initiative, innovative thinking and ability to pivot when asked to do different types of video content.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Zerosun Creative is always a pleasure to work with. Not only do they understand the production and video side of the event industry, but they have taken it upon themselves to learn the event management and marketing side of the industry. Because of this, they also how to work with and assist professionals like myself in handling other aspects of the larger project.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The people. The care. The knowledge. I trust the Zerosun team completely to learn my projects, to understand a working partnership and to take lead when their expertise is called upon. Often, during large events, there is very little communication or direction from me to their team, this is because I am confident in their skills and understanding of the project. I will continue to work with Zerosun Creative as my top production team choice as they continue to show me that they can take on any project and concept and deliver a great product.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I am very impressed with Zerosun Creative and I appreciate the quality of their work.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

At the time of this project, I was Sales Director of Mitaka USA. I was in charge of all marketing materials and strategy.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

We needed some short promo clips of our products to use on our website and at conferences. The biggest challenge with our product is explaining the features in a concise way - they are complex devices and their function is not obvious from looking at them so we wanted a visual way for people to see what they did.

What were your goals for this project?

My goal was to create something beautiful and informative to explain the features of our products. At the time we were doing a full rebrand and wanted every element of what was shown to our customers to be extremely professional and these videos were a big part of that.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I met James from working in the same building. Over the years he'd helped us with a lot of marketing and creative reccommendations so I knew he would be the right person to understand what we needed from these videos.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Create three product promos and a longer loop to play at meetings. Most of the footage was shot in a studio to show our (very large) products.

What was the team composition?

We worked with Evan and James, both are extremely easy and pleasant to work with.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Yes, the outcomes can be seen at mitakausa.com on the product pages. We were very happy with the results of this project and got great feedback from our sales reps and customers.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Very effective - James & Evan communicated frequently and clearly.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The professionalism of their results is the most impressive aspect of the partnership, however having people that are fun to work with is really the cherry on top!

Are there any areas for improvement?

Nothing comes to mind.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the global marketing manager overseeing our Cell Therapy Technologies business. Terumo BCT currently has over 6,000 employees world wide.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

We are a medical device company, and our industry is not very glamorous. We’ve struggled with video production and the quality of work for this. We were referred to Zerosun from an old coworkers, and from our initial meeting new that they could help elevate our video production.

They have partnered with our internal creative team to work through our brand standards and tough regulatory restrictions. The entire process was seamless from scoping of the project, production, script writing, filming, post production. Our project included training videos,

What were your goals for this project?

We were launching a new software and our goals were internal training and retention, and drive interest and engagement to our landing page.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We sent our four RFPs to various vendors we have worked with in the past, and recommended vendors. During our review process of the RFPs we assessed prior work quality, inclusion in the scope, timing and costs. We held meetings with each vendor to review the scope and how we would handle a working relationship. During our scoping meeting Zerosun had researched our topic, came prepared with questions, solutions, project plan and details on how we can have a partnership. Zerosun also provided the best statement of work that aligned with our needs.

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

Once we started working with Zerosun we had a discovery session to learn the product and market. It was refreshing to see how engaged the Zerosun team was, and how they caught on quickly to our product and market. The Zerosun team supported script writing, editing - providing solutions and recommendations for the best video product.

They scheduled the filming at a hospital, gaining all permission needed, hired and managed the VO, transcripts, storyboard development, interview questions, post production and editing. They developed creative graphics and icons that we ended up leveraging in our other promotional material. They worked with us on many rounds of review (more than we had in the statement of work). They went above and beyond to make sure our end product was what we needed.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

We are a medical device company with tough regulatory and legal restrictions. Sometimes our project would go into the regulatory black hole. Zerosun was able to work with our hot and cold timelines. And always stayed on top of our projects.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The promotional videos drove a 70% increase in our web traffic, and our testimonial videos were one of the most engaged with assets on our site. These videos drove the most leads into our sales funnel, out of all our promotional activity.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Zerosun was a partner with our company, able to work with our internal creative team to understand our brand guidelines and restrictions. It was a seamless process working together.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I was impressed with the talent, recommendations, and the final video product. The quality of our video was something we hadn't had at our company before and it has set a new standard for our video work.

Are there any areas for improvement?

We had challenges with our internal timeline and review, it would have been nice for Zerosun to keep and updated timeline for us. However, I realize this was our own timing issues.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Pikes Peak Community College Executive Director of Marketing and Communication

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

Our Make It Happen and Hispanic student recruitment campaigns.

What were your goals for this project?

To increase enrollment, leveraging authentic video storytelling and peer to peer messaging.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Our advanced manufacturing division had hired ZeroSun for a video project, and the quality looked like amazing national-level work. We were pleasantly surprised to find them affordable.

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

We worked with ZeroSun to create more than a dozen recruitment videos. We would start with general outlines of what we hoped to find: who the people were, their struggles and how PPCC helped them overcome them. James and his people conducted the interviews, and together we went through the transcripts to find the most emotional stories. Then ZeroSun would edit and present us with roughs to refine and suggest edits.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

They would post rough versions, without b-roll, to see if the general outlines of the story were taking shape. It allowed us to feel we were essential parts of each project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

ZeroSun has been our go-to video firm for two years now. The reason we love them, and that our video advertising has proved so effective, is that their videos don't feel like advertising. That's because, at heart, James and his crew are storytellers, working with their clients to get to the essence of their stories. It's been one of the most essential partnerships in our college's success. Last fall, their campaigns helped the college realize a 26% increase in first-time student enrollment. I couldn't be more proud of the work with did together - Pikes Peak Community College and ZeroSun!

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The workflow has been great. We work on Basecamp, posting notes, input and suggestions, and their listening skills have proved spot on.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their ability to listen, not only to us, but the subjects of our videos.

Are there any areas for improvement?

None. These folks are the best.

UPDATED REVIEW

This review was updated by the client organization on May 7, 2020. The original star ratings were: Overall - 4.5, Quality - 5, Schedule - 5, Cost - 5, NPS - 5. New content is below:

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Established in 1968 and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Pikes Peak Community College offers associate degrees, certifications in career and technical fields and two bachelors’ degrees. With three campuses, various off-campus locations, two military education centers, and hundreds of online classes, PPCC provides access to a quality, affordable and flexible education to more than 20,000 students annually with both credit and non-credit classes. I'm the Marketing Project and Operations Manager for the Marketing and Communication department at PPCC.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

We hired Zerosun to help us to produce a series of videos for two different campaigns (Make it Happen and El Puente, for our Hispanic audience). We had recently updated our college brand and wanted to produce some impactful, fresh-looking spots to share our new "voice" with the community.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal for both projects was to capture authentic stories from our diverse student population to help boost overall enrollment. Research has told us that peer story-telling is helpful in alleviating fears about going to college. Zerosun immediately understood this concept and produced results that still give me goosebumps when I watch them.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

The initial relationship predates me a bit; it's my understanding Zerosun worked on a smaller project for our Advanced Manufacturing department (perhaps in 2016, 2017?) and our Marketing director was so impressed by their work on that project that he contacted them to work on the larger recruiting campaigns. I'm not sure how many other companies were considered, if any.

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

The first project, Make it Happen, was a series of smaller :30 videos that featured a certain student, followed by a longer :60 that wove all their stories together. The second project, El Puente, was a similar approach geared toward our Hispanic audience and the students featured are actually all members of the Jaramillo family. Zerosun helped us form a strategy on both projects and did a terrific job with scripting. They also met our technical needs by providing both web and broadcast file versions. My role in both projects was to assist with logistics (securing dates/times/subjects for each shoot, scheduling hair & make-up, getting Spanish captions, etc.) and providing feedback on the direction of the scripts as well as the draft versions proposed in post-production.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

We already use Basecamp internally as a project management tool and Zerosun had no problem using that to facilitate both projects; it worked very well. They regularly checked in with updates and requests for feedback. I'd say the Make it Happen campaign required several rounds of feedback since it was our first project together, and by the second El Puente campaign, there were still rounds of feedback, but overall less since we were familiar with their work/process by this point and they were tuned into what we were trying to accomplish.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Since the videos have launched, we've seen an increase in Fall enrollment, though that is the result of a combination of marketing and recruiting efforts, not just the videos alone. On YouTube, the videos have gathered well over 500,000 views, plus additional viewership on our local Univision and Telemundo feeds . We're pleased with this engagement, as it hasn't really been done before. Our stakeholders have provided great feedback and love the authenticity of the stories.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Zerosun made scheduling and planning a breeze with their quick communication. As mentioned before, we used Basecamp to manage most of the workflow, in addition to a few short conference calls.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I'm most impressed with their ability to help the client take a broad vision and narrow it down to captivating storyline that features crisp, modern visuals and syncs them with an authentic storyteller. To be able to tell that story in a well-paced :30 or :60 spot has been incredible for us.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Absolutely none. They handle most of the heavy lifting and remained nimble and flexible as some of our internal deadlines shifted a bit.