The Anton Eye

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Co-founder of KSQD Media

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

KSQD is a media consultancy / production firm. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire The Anton Eye to accomplish?

• Support on Creative on certain projects
• Support on-site production on certain projects
• Support in edit on certain projects

SOLUTION

How did you find The Anton Eye?

Online Search

Why did you select The Anton Eye over others?

• Great culture fit
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from The Anton Eye were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

We hired Anton Eye to support an edit on a project for one of our clients. Their team is highly effective at aligning with our team's creative vision, and executing the edit to deliver a storyline that meets our vision time after time. Deliverables include: a Discovery Phase where our teams align on the objectives; an Edit Phase where their team takes our raw video to edit together a compelling narrative / storyline. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We are still awaiting data from client on the outcomes of our last project together. 

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

They consistently delivered on time. They respond via emai, phone call, or virtual call when requsted. 

What was your primary form of communication with The Anton Eye?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

The style and culture of Anton Eye aligns directly with KSQD, and this is why we work with their team on key projects. Regardless of whether they are on location fliming for a project, or in the process of editing a project, Jesse and team are highly adept at their craft, and extremely intuitive in how they go about capturing the best angles, characters shots and moments. As a journalist, I tend to be very particular about the framework of storytelling. When collaborating with this team on any project, I take ease in knowing that their style and work ethic aligns with + exceed my expectations -  everytime. 

Are there any areas for improvement or something The Anton Eye could have done differently?

No. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I was the marketing director at Starward Australian Whiskey.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with The Anton Eye?

We needed help with social media management, marketing, content creation, and digital strategy. Through the social channel, we had the objective of growing brand awareness. Our main purpose was to create content that drove awareness and conversion, so different channels had different focuses. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The Anton Eye managed our social media accounts and created all the paid assets we used across media. They also created all the content for our organic social channels and did a lot of content photography for us that we could use across digital and commercial channels.

The Anton Eye provided asset production, social media management, digital management, social and digital strategy, and photoshoot content development.

After signing on board with them, they reviewed our brand assets and brand guide. They considered how to launch our organic Instagram channel for the US because that was their first deliverable within the first month. They looked at how to grow the channel, the content, the tone of voice, and the brand identity.

They created content using existing content to get things up and running. We also started planning photoshoots to gather more content to help support the overarching strategy.

Once the social channel ran, we started using our social content in paid campaigns. They helped us navigate which pieces of content were performing the best and used recommendations based on what they knew from paid advertising to help us decide what content to include in our paid campaigns.

The Anton Eye managed our Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube accounts. They created a content calendar and launched our Pinterest account. The YouTube account was managed globally, but we took over management in the US. The Anton Eye built a strategy, created a content calendar for YouTube, and managed Facebook and Instagram together.

Luckily, we had a lot of untapped video content then, so they put it together in a way that made sense. 

What is the team composition?

There were 2–4 people working on the brand from The Anton Eye's team.

How did you come to work with The Anton Eye?

We were referred to them. Jess, the co-founder, worked with one of our teammates before, and when she started her agency, we interviewed them to work on our social media. We chose The Anton Eye because of their brand strategy-focused approach to the business. We knew they were competent and strategic in their approach, which made us feel more comfortable moving forward with them.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $100,000–$200,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from July 2023–June 2024.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The Anton Eye successfully launched all our organic social media channels, and our Instagram account grew from zero followers and gained between 7,000 and 10,000 followers. We also saw an increase in our conversion across D2C. Thanks to many of the assets they created, we moved from 30 to 40 bottles a month to 300 to 400 bottles a month. 

Thanks to their work, our sales grew by 1,000%. Every month, we generated the same revenue we achieved in total during the entire previous year. We were delighted with the content they created and their approach to it. The paid assets weren’t technically part of their KPIs, but they helped immensely.

We spent a significant amount, but the agency’s management of actual assets and content development was reasonable. In fact, we received more value than expected. They did an excellent job.

How did The Anton Eye perform from a project management standpoint?

The Anton Eye delivered all milestones on time and communicated well. They were great at staying within the budget and communicating. They kept us on track if they needed more or were under budget. We mostly used Slack and email, while they used Google Docs for project management.

Are there any employees from the service provider's team that you would like to give a shout-out to in this review?

Jess, the managing partner, because she was so strong and strategic. With her leadership, the agency was going to do well. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

The Anton Eye was great to work with. In my ten years in the marketing industry, they were one of my favorite agencies.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there weren’t any.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Think of The Anton Eye as a partner. They’re an extension of your team and will help you to get the best results, so lean on them and understand that they have a lot of knowledge. They’re strong and strategic, so you’ll get the best work out of them if you treat them as an extension of your team.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO and founder of a manufacturing company that produces specialized equipment for industrial odor mitigation. We have a significant presence in the North American cannabis cultivation market, with respect to odor control.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with The Anton Eye?

We were looking to completely rebrand and streamline our marketing strategy since what we do is fairly esoteric, so we needed someone to provide us with photography and video production services.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The Anton Eye helped produce a number of photo assets for our website and a 4-minute comprehensive advertising video about our company. 

We started the partnership by discussing the scope of the project and identifying what we needed to accomplish. After probing us with questions and understanding what we do, we did an ocular visit to a particular farm where we want to do a lot of the filming.

What is the team composition?

We primarily work with Jesse (Co-Founder & CEO) and Josh (Co-Founder & CCO).

How did you come to work with The Anton Eye?

We came across their website and were impressed with their work with high-profile companies — which I credit to how exceedingly good they are what they do.

How much have you invested with them?

So far, we’ve spent a little over $30,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The ongoing partnership with The Anton Eye started in November 2020, and we’ll be producing a video for the cloud-based technology division of our company soon.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

At this moment, the video they produced has garnered over 900 views on YouTube, which for us is quite significant. More importantly, the same video gained a lot of positive feedback and reactions from people at a major tradeshow for the cannabis industry.

People are responding well to our technology and stories because it’s being told properly through the video.

How did The Anton Eye perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re constantly providing us with updates on what they’re working on, despite the fact that we haven’t been really responsive to their needs.

When we do send over some resources, they’re quick to integrate them into the process, bounce back ideas, and deliver mock-ups, so it’s been a very collaborative experience.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We’re impressed with the team’s positive attitude and dynamic — our collaboration turned into a friendship that goes beyond the professional relationship we have with them. I consider them our strategic partners, as they’re integral to the growth of the company.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s nothing in their services that they should improve on.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I would just say that the more information and vision you share, the better the engagement will be. Educate them as much as possible on your goals so they can better understand what you’re trying to accomplish.

I would also recommend letting them come back with their own ideas because they come up with a lot of great ones.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a Television Producer at Capital Concerts, which produces two of PBS' highest rated shows broadcast annually from Washington, DC for over 40 years.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire The Anton Eye, and what were your goals?

Capital Concerts hired The Anton Eye to produce short feature videos (digital and broadcast) featuring veterans, military families and other American heroes. The intent was to create emotionally moving and historically relevant portraits of men and women who have served and sacrificed for our nation.

SOLUTION

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

We posted an RFP, solicited proposals from specific companies that had been recommended, and did an in-depth series of interviews with three of the companies who submitted.

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

The subject matter and content for the videos was very sensitive, so we engaged in extensive discussion to insure the story subjects felt respected and safe at all times. Jesse and his team did thorough and thoughtful research and crafted expert and imaginative approaches to teasing out the issues that were authentic to the interviewees and the pivotal and important moments of the narrative. He and his team have a great eye for footage and the research was terrific.

Their eye for b-roll and dedication to getting it was impeccable. I never worried once about a shoot going well or whether they would get what was needed. The first cuts they sent were always very, very good, amazingly so, with complete stories that were also quite nuanced.

Their choice and use of music for every type of scene was spot on. The story arcs were really compelling with appropriate elements of suspense. My only notes related either to a portion of the story that I felt needed a slightly different focus or were small adjustments to pairings of story and footage. The sound and color passes smoothed every detail.

They were so amendable to versioning and delivered material designed for the various social media platforms that made all the difference. Their broadcast deliverables were on the money.

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

Jesse Fritsch was my primary and consistent contact, which made the planning, implementation and review process extremely easy. There were no big meetings with too many people. The focus stayed on the content and the product and I had no worries with the details of how The Anton Eye was going to accomplish the tasks.

The times I did have interaction with The Anton Eye team members Josh Vargo, Jessika Frerichs, Matt H. it was easy and wonderful. They took feedback well, listened and implemented and revisions were always just right.

Jesse would advocate for his point of view, but he never second guessed my goals and needs for the pieces. His answer was always yes, we'll make it happen. And they did.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Jesse and The Anton Eye focussed on really understanding our needs on all levels, and designed the project that supported our goals. They always kept in mind the marketing of the material as it was being created and developed digital strategies to make sure the stories reached as many people as possible through all types of media. All the the stakeholders at Capital Concerts, even those who did not have direct interaction with The Anton Eye, were extremely pleased with the product.

The pieces rated well on all the social media platforms. Capital Concerts felt very well represented and as though a part of our mission that we couldn't deliver on alone had been accomplished.

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

The Anton Eye has a thoughtful balance in all aspects of the project, never rushing the creative process, but always moving to outcome-based planning and implementation in a timely manner. They used a helpful balance of email, Zoom, phone so that production moved along without waiting for big meetings to take the next steps. Video cuts and feedback were delivered through Vimeo but always followed up with a conversation about the notes for clarity.

They were able to respond when my timelines drifted but kept to their deliverable goals and promises and communicated if those needed to be reassessed.

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

Most importantly, The Anton Eye produces fantastic product. They are consummate professionals yet easy enjoyable to work with and they always go the extra mile as though it were effortless. They clearly and evidently care so very much about what they do and invest their all into the project, even when it makes their lives more complicated. They focussed on really understanding our needs on all levels, and designed the project that supported our goals.

They always kept in mind the marketing of the material as it was being created and developed digital strategies to make sure the stories reached as many people as possible through all types of media. They were 1000% invested in the subject matter, the interviewees and the pieces themselves. That care and passion was very evident in the final product.

Lastly, but also very importantly, without exception, the interviewees they interacted with felt respected and as though they had made new friends. The Anton Eye was acting as a representative of my company, and they made us look fantastic.

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

I felt they performed well at every juncture.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the president and co-founder of Dahlicious, a company that manufactures and sells both dairy and non-dairy yogurt.
 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with The Anton Eye?

Prior to hiring The Anton Eye, we didn’t have a very prominent digital presence, and we really wanted to beef that up as our distribution grew. We decided that we needed help managing the details of our social media, as well as Facebook and Instagram ads.
 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The Anton Eye managed our social media accounts and advertising in order to boost our digital presence. The initial scope of our agreement also included some content marketing, which they handled as well. Finally, they helped manage our website and SEO, although this was not what we originally signed them for — after a few months of working with them, we decided to give them this work as well. 

What is the team composition?

I’ve worked with pretty much everyone up and down the ladder at The Anton Eye. I’ve worked directly with Jesse and Josh (Co-Founders), as well as with Jessika (Head of Marketing). On a day-to-day basis, our contacts were Brooke (Social Media Associate) and Marisa (Account Manager), who were both very responsive and helpful.

How did you come to work with The Anton Eye?

The Anton Eye had a prior relationship with a private equity group that invested in my company, so that group introduced me to Jesse and Jessika. Once I sat down with them, I really got the sense that they cared about what they said they were going to do and that they had the expertise and bandwidth to pull it off.

There’s a lot of companies out there that will give you a boilerplate report, but The Anton Eye really dove deep into the data and tried to understand my business and where we were going. They were also able to make some recommendations for partners to manage other aspects of my business, which worked out well — with all of that in mind, I decided to give them a shot at it. 

How much have you invested with them?

Over the last three years, we’ve invested an average of $75,000 per year with The Anton Eye.

What is the status of this engagement?

I first started working with The Anton Eye in March 2018, and our collaboration is ongoing. 
 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They’ve really helped us make the most out of new product launches — in fact, we just launched a new product line last year and the whole process was completely seamless. They did a great job of planning out the promotion through social media and digital avenues. 

They also managed a lot of production work, which was really great to have. We received an investment from a celebrity personality, and Jesse stepped in to run the productions we had with them. He did a great job with that effort, and it was the best production I’ve ever been on. 

How did The Anton Eye perform from a project management standpoint?

Brooke and Marisa are always available to help when needed, no matter the time of day. We communicate via email once per week, and we also have some calls to check in from time to time. If there are any pressing concerns, we talk on the phone and get a plan together to resolve the issue. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’m really impressed by how selective they are with their partnerships. Their team really puts their all into each project — they are very invested and willing to go the extra mile. They are able to do this because they pick and choose their projects carefully, really taking the time to understand the brand and their customers. 

The Anton Eye has the insight necessary to make good choices in their campaigns, and I’ve never had to micromanage them. I really trust them to make the right decisions for us. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I sometimes wish that their team would insert themselves more into the decision-making process. Their expertise outweighs mine and my team’s, so it’d be nice if they would make stronger recommendations about how we run our digital campaigns. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

It’s really important to take the time to get to know the partners and account managers, as well as their established processes. Their team can be flexible, but they are still process-oriented — following their processes is a great way for a company to set themselves up for success. Finally, it’s always good to be kind. They are very selective, and the relationship is obviously very important to The Anton Eye.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I lead sales and marketing and serve as the Brand Manager for a product line called Cannabolish, plant-based odor removers. Cannabolish is part of a portfolio of products manufactured by OMI Industries.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire The Anton Eye, and what were your goals?

Our products are accessories for consumers within the cannabis industry. We are challenged to tell a story in a way that is compelling and profiles our unique product attributes and brand position. Our goals were to convey the high end look and feel of our products, along with the superior performance, connect with our key personas and generate awareness for our products.

SOLUTION

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

We looked for partners that had an understanding of the vertical market, as well as the creative aesthetic that fit our brand.

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

We met with the team to discuss our goals, vision and intentions for the video and still photography. We listened to the agency's ideas and suggestions. From there the team did a deep dive into our brand and shared a brand audit to help guide future discussions. With their team we developed a strategy and implemented the tactics within weeks.

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

We worked with the creative managers as well as a project manager who kept the process on track, offered ideas and suggestions and took our feedback very seriously.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We showcased the video in retail spaces across the US and during that time period saw a tremendous increase in awareness and sales. Our leadership team noted that the quality of the video was above and beyond their expectations.

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

Meeting twice a month worked well for our team and kept the project on schedule. The tracking system for hot items is easy to use and update in real time. Given that our team is in a completely different time zone, we had no issues with connectivity and collaboration.

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

The creative ideas continue to build and we are always impressed with the end result. We have since continued to book additional content shoots and their work continues to be exceptional.

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

Given the current environment - despite the fact that we could not meet in person or be on site for the video - the end result was outstanding.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a partner and CMO of Snaxsational Brands. We’re a food and beverage company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with The Anton Eye?

They handle all of our social media. content creation, website development and maintenance, digital marketing, and e-commerce strategy.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The Anton Eye is our creative provider. They initially developed all the content for our website, and they’ve refreshed it a few times over the years. The team also manages our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Additionally, The Anton Eye works on five active brands for another company through me.

What is the team composition?

We work with about 8–10 people on a daily basis. They’re content creators, web developers, social media strategists, and digital marketing specialists.

How did you come to work with The Anton Eye?

I met the founders at a Tony Hawk event about eight years ago. They did a lot of production work for professional active sports figures. We’ve worked with them ever since.

How much have you invested with them?

We pay a monthly retainer. It’s between $10,000–$50,000 for all the different companies and brands.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together in July 2015, and the relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They’ve been instrumental in going through all the platforms. Our popcorn brand is one of the best performing brands in the digital category in the US, and they’ve been involved in the whole development from idea to shelf.

How did The Anton Eye perform from a project management standpoint?

We have bi-monthly calls and an active social media manager who is accessible almost 24/7. We’re located in Orlando, Florida, and they’re located in Bonita, California. We travel to have in-person meetings, but they’re primarily via Zoom now due to the current state of the pandemic.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They have a unique perspective, and they’re definitely a leader in the action sports category. The Anton Eye brings in a sensibility to make a brand stick out on any given platform. They know how to make something trend and turn it into pop culture.

Also, they have a core relationship with the leaders in the sports platform. It’s alluring to bring that perspective to a more consumer-driven brand.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t think so. We’ve never had an issue with them. If we had something for them to improve, we probably wouldn’t have them as our agency.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be open, passionate, and creative. You should bring your ideas to the table. Nothing is wrong, and everybody comes with a different skill set.

Overall, The Anton Eye is a great mentor; there’s no I in their team. They’re much more like a family, and they share ideas and values with their clients.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of production at a worldwide sports entertainment channel that’s been around for over 40 years.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with The Anton Eye?

We were looking to hire a production company.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The Anton Eye has produced a variety of video content for us. They’ve created everything from long-form pieces of over 10 minutes to short-form content that is around a minute long, including national TV commercials. Additionally, the team has created hour-long shows, which we’ve featured in our linear broadcasts for one of our sports events. Aside from airing their content on our major TV networks, we also use the content they produce on our social and digital channels. We reach out to The Anton Eye for all our production needs.

What is the team composition?

We primarily work with Jesse (Founder & CEO). We’ve also worked with Jessika (Head of Marketing) on a commercial spot for one of our sports events.

How did you come to work with The Anton Eye?

We had an opportunity to work with him and engaged them as our long-term partner. The reason we keep working with The Anton Eye is because of the quality of their work.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent over $500,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project started in January 2015, and it’s ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The metrics vary depending on the content. The Anton Eye delivers high-quality content that fulfills our needs. Overall, I’m satisfied with how their work performs on our social media channels. The content they’ve produced has been very well-received by our clients, too.

How did The Anton Eye perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project management is excellent. They always meet deadlines and stay within budget. They’re a professional team with fantastic communicators. We use email, phone calls, and text. Overall, we have a great relationship with The Anton Eye.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re a professional team that’s easy to work with, and they’ve given us everything we could’ve asked for in a partner. The Anton Eye works closely with us to create the deliverables we need, which is essential in our industry. They’re just great, and I always look forward to working with them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t say there’s anything they need to improve. They’ve always been upfront about any challenges we’ve encountered, which helps us work through them.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure that you’re clear and concise about your needs, deadlines, and budget. Just communicate the project’s parameters so you can be on the same page, and they can execute what you need them to do.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I was an Advertising Production Manager with Wendy's working with ESPN to create a co-branded Wendy's / XGames TV spot to play and promote Wendy's during the XGames broadcast.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire The Anton Eye, and what were your goals?

We needed to present Wendy's in an authentic way to the XGames viewing audience and drive awareness and sales of our Baconator product. The primary goal was to drive sales, but a very important secondary goal was to find a way to have the baconator message resonate in a compelling and authentic way with the XGames target audience.

SOLUTION

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

Anton Eye is so engrained and deeply connected to this target audience that it made perfect sense to choose Anton. Plus, their creative insights and unique creative strategies really showcased the brand and product.

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

The overall process consisted of a project kickoff where we briefed the Anton Team. The team came back with not fully baked ideas, but idea territories that could be used to get our team thinking about what could be produced. These territories (script starts) provided a nice range of work to consider. Then those were filtered into initial script ideas and presented throughout the Wendy's brand team and to key brand stakeholders.

Once a script was chosen the Anton team did rough storyboards to communicate key frames and timing. Those storyboards became the shoot structure. Filming was done over a couple of days and the editing process was done on-site. Timing is so critical and there's never enough. Anton was crafty, smart and thoughtful.

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

I was with the Anton production team throughout the process and therefore production feedback was real-time and it made everything easier. When seeking CMO feedback, we continually communicated with Jesse and his producer to ensure that we made dates and drove the process as efficiently as possible.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our CMO loved the work and did not have any major feedback or changes. Generally, I like to keep the brand teams informed of major decisions and The Anton Eye's flexible approach with open communication makes this process much more streamlined. I requested to use Anton on other production shoots and had no real challenges engaging with them again.

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

Anton has a strong producer team that helps keep everything moving forward. They were an egoless and well-connected team that drove towards the same goal as ours. I only mention that, because it helps create context for their get moving and get stuff done approach. We continually worked over email, but also felt comfortable with texting.

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

Their approach and creative sensibilities. They are the perfect blend of strategy, goals, and creative execution coming together to do gasp-worthy creative.

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

Hindsight is always 20/20, but there's nothing that stands out a "miss" Plus, when facing creative challenges during production, the team always came with multiple solutions.