Bottle Rocket Media

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am a department director at Greater Chicago Food Depository

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We are the food bank serving Chicago and Cook County.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Bottle Rocket Media to accomplish?

• Create video modules that would play on our 14 foot LED screen to welcome staff, visitors and volunteers to our facility's new lobby

SOLUTION

How did you find Bottle Rocket Media?

Online Search

Why did you select Bottle Rocket Media over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Their past work aligned with our very specific need

How many teammates from Bottle Rocket Media were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

We engaged Bottle Rocket to develop two to three new video modules (30-60 seconds each) for a curved, segmented 14-foot LED screen display in the Food Depository's newly constructed lobby. With only five weeks until the grand opening, we needed a partner who could deliver high-impact visual content on an accelerated timeline.

Our vision was to create compelling visual narratives combining high quality photography of our communities, partners, and neighbors with thoughtfully integrated messaging and animations. These modules would provide a powerful welcome for the volunteers, supporters, visitors, and staff entering the Food Depository daily, and engage them in our mission to end hunger.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Bottle Rocket's exceptional project management was critical given our quick five-week deadline. They clearly laid out timelines and expectations at each step, which really helped keep the project on track.

They also provided clear storyboards for each concept. This process allowed us to refine ideas and secure internal stakeholder alignment before moving into production. As first-time creators for this unique LED display format, we appreciated Bottle Rocket's responsiveness to feedback and new ideas, which ultimately made our modules even more impactful than we had originally envisioned.

Bottle Rocket created polished, professional visuals that create a genuine "wow factor" for everyone entering our building. Importantly, Bottle Rocket ensured all deliverables met the specific technical requirements and sizing specifications of our new display system, addressing a critical concern since we had no prior experience working with these screens.

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

Yes, Bottle Rocket's project management was exceptional. At the start of the project they clearly laid out timelines and feedback expectations, which was so helpful for keeping the project on track. 

What was your primary form of communication with Bottle Rocket Media?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

Bottle Rockets team was truly professional and they brought a wide array of skills - from animation to story boarding to messaging to help bring our vision for these screens to life. 

Are there any areas for improvement or something Bottle Rocket Media could have done differently?

Not that I can think of at this time. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Director of Taft

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Full service, national law firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Bottle Rocket Media to accomplish?

• Professional website videos

SOLUTION

How did you find Bottle Rocket Media?

Referral

Why did you select Bottle Rocket Media over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Referred to me

How many teammates from Bottle Rocket Media were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

We hired Bottle Rocket to shoot and edit a series of videos for our Taftlaw.com website. The original project was part of our website redesign in 2017, but we have used Bottle Rocket for edits and additional filming since then. The original scope was to shoot interviews and b-roll in three Taft offices, then edit the footage into three marketing/brand vides and one video background. These are viewable on Taftlaw.com. In 2022, we wanted to refresh the videos with new content. We hired Bottle Rocket again to shoot b-roll in our Chicago office and additional interviews in the Cincinnati office. BR then edited the interviews and b-roll into the existing videos, based on Taft's storyboarding. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Three website videos and one background video, viewable here:

• https://www.taftlaw.com/
• https://www.taftlaw.com/general/diversity-and-inclusion/
• https://www.taftlaw.com/careers/
• https://www.taftlaw.com/about/taft-in-the-community/

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

Communication was always professional. I don't remember response time ever being an issue. 

What was your primary form of communication with Bottle Rocket Media?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

They provided the professional, polished videos we were looking for while also being easy and pleasant to work with.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Bottle Rocket Media could have done differently?

The only snafu I remember is that it took a long time to receive the edited footage we asked for in a format I can use. This must not be a common request from their clients. One hard drive got lost in transit, which I don't see as BR's fault.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Marketing Officer of Jelmar, LLC

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We manufacture cleaning products for consumers, as well as B2B end-users.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Bottle Rocket Media to accomplish?

• Jelmar is looking to demonstrate its newly defined Mission, Vision, and Purpose to help our consumers and customers understand what we stand for as a company in a genuine way
• Showcase our company history in a fun, succinct manner.
• Demonstrate where Jelmar is headed in the future.

SOLUTION

How did you find Bottle Rocket Media?

Referral

Why did you select Bottle Rocket Media over others?

• Close to my geographic location
• Great culture fit
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Bottle Rocket Media were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

Bottle Rocket Media produced 90 second company overview video for Jelmar. The video features a fun voice-over, telling the story of Jelmar, it's history, it's family heritage, it's products, and the future. The story will be told visually with new cinematic b-roll captured on location at the office and facilities, historical footage, photos, and ads. There will be motion design elements and music to tie the whole piece together.   

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

This is a corporate/company video that we don't expect direct measureable outcomes.  We have had a lot of positive response to the video internally and with customers we have shared the video with.

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

The project management was great.  They were flexible and very responsive to our needs. And while schedules shifted on our part, Bottle Rocket Media was on time with our adjustments.

What was your primary form of communication with Bottle Rocket Media?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

They have a great culture, and it just felt like they really understood what we were looking for and how to accomplish it.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Bottle Rocket Media could have done differently?

No!

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Director of Marketing of LexCheck

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

LexCheck is a contract acceleration and intelligence platform that reviews contracts in minutes, helping deals close faster.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Bottle Rocket Media to accomplish?

Create a compelling product explainer video.

SOLUTION

How did you find Bottle Rocket Media?

Repeat customer

Why did you select Bottle Rocket Media over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost

How many teammates from Bottle Rocket Media were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

We collaborated with Bottle Rocket Media to craft a 90-second product explainer video designed to succinctly convey our company's purpose and showcase our fresh brand. Their team demonstrated great organizational skills, overseeing the project with remarkable efficiency. They handled the selection of voice-over talent, ensured our alignment with the video storyboards prior to production, and successfully delivered the project within a tight deadline.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The video they created exceeded our expectations.

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

Bottle Rocket Media is always incredibly organized. They assign a project manager for each project who keeps everyone organized and on schedule. They always deliver on time.

What was your primary form of communication with Bottle Rocket Media?

Virtual Meeting

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

They always take our ideas to the next level. They are so creative, and it's a pleasure working with each individual on their team.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Bottle Rocket Media could have done differently?

Not in my experience. I'm always happy with the final results of their work, which is why I always go back to Bottle Rocket Media for my video needs.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Director of Communication of North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic provides accessible, quality, equitable, free legal services in the areas of domestic violence, housing, and immigration to give low-income, at-risk community members access to justice and the opportunity to live productive and secure lives.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Bottle Rocket Media to accomplish?

• Encourage guests to give generously at an annual event
• Educate guests about services

SOLUTION

How did you find Bottle Rocket Media?

Referral

Why did you select Bottle Rocket Media over others?

• High ratings
• Close to my geographic location
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned
• Creativity

How many teammates from Bottle Rocket Media were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

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

Create a 4-5 minute long video and a 2–3 minute edited version for social media to educate supporters/prospective supporters about the NSLAC’s history, mission, and vision through practice area and client testimonials, photos, and including an ask for donations.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

• Qualitative feedback from guests, fundraising amount exceeded expectations.

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

The project management skills exhibited by Bottle Rocket are truly praiseworthy. Their ability to plan, coordinate, communicate, adapt, and deliver exceptional video projects on time and on budget (with regular updates) showcases their expertise, creativity, professionalism, and commitment to excellence. They understood the sensitivity to the subject matter and displayed compassion when working with the interviewees. The team succeeds at transforming ideas into captivating visual stories, leaving a lasting impression on audiences.

What was your primary form of communication with Bottle Rocket Media?

• Virtual Meeting

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

It has been a pleasure to work with Bottle Rocket. They place a strong emphasis on client communication and satisfaction. They understand the importance of actively engaging with the client throughout the process, from initial consultation to final delivery. Regular updates, feedback sessions, and collaborative decision-making ensured that the client's vision is realized and that any concerns or adjustments were addressed promptly. This client-centric approach fostered trust and has built a long-term relationship, and set the stage for future collaborations. Furthermore, the team has repeatedly demonstrated exceptional adaptability and problem-solving skills. They navigate unforeseen challenges and changes with grace, always finding innovative solutions to overcome obstacles and deliver outstanding results. Whether it's adjusting shooting schedules, resolving technical issues during post-production, or accommodating last-minute requests, their ability to adapt and find creative solutions is commendable.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Bottle Rocket Media could have done differently?

N/A

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the marketing manager for a non-profit in the financial services profession. My team handles marketing for all of our meetings and events.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Bottle Rocket Media, and what were your goals?

Our meetings are very diverse and our goals for each vary, but we have found video to be a valuable tool to promote each meeting, whether the video resides at the top of a website, we share links to them via social media and email, and we create short video ads from them as well. Product (meeting) visibility has multiplied incrementally and we are very happy with how well BRM's videos perform. This has been a great asset for us to hype up in-person meetings, following virtual events during the pandemic.

SOLUTION

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

We interviewed several video vendors we sourced online, or organizations that were recommended by others. We found Bottle Rocket's team very compatible to work with, their ideas and recommendations very creative, and their price is right.

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

We started with an introductory meeting to help BRM understand our organization and the audience we are connecting with. They worked with us to develop scripts and storyboard. They have delivered a variety of length of videos for us, some with voiceover, some not. They find talent for us to select, and provide us with several options of the finished product to use on different channels: Web, Social Media, Digital Ads, etc.

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

We work with a team of creative people, and a project manager who keeps everyone on track. Their timelines are always very generous and as quickly as we turnaround feedback to them, we always complete projects ahead of schedule. Feedback is easy to provide within the platform they share videos with our team.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We share our videos with companies all over the world, who use the videos to promote our meetings to their staff. Views have increased significantly and requests to share videos come long before we begin creating the next one. We always receive very positive feedback on the quality and finished video product.

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

As previously stated, the BRM project manager we work with is very accessible and always provides ample time within our production schedules. We communicate via email regularly, have touch base virtual meetings regularly and they always complete projects on or ahead of schedule.

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

BRM is very creative and helps our team think outside of the box, so our finished products are always top-notch. They are very professional but also very down to earth and enjoyable to work with from one project to the next.

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

I don't believe so. We are very happy with the team and the final products they create for us.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Im a partner and executive creative director of a small start up ad agency.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Bottle Rocket Media, and what were your goals?

We hired Bottle Rocket for several videos over the past 2 years. Our goal was to bring to life new brand positioning for multiple brands for our client while using only library footage. We needed to create a compelling visuals and story telling that elevated the library footage to deliver a brand message.

SOLUTION

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

We selected Bottle Rocket after a reco from our in house producer. We were looking for a nimble vendor that could take a complex problem and assets and work closely with us to create a story and piece together a compelling final product.

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

We started by mapping out a rough script and story for Bottle Rocket and a higher level message and tone for every video. We then handed them a deep library of footage and some visual & typography reference and let them use their talent to put the puzzle together.

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

We worked with their in house producers and creatives very closely on each project. They were very cooperative and also took it upon themselves to push the visuals and projects further than what was handed to them. They were open to feedback and great to make adjustments and tweaks as client reviews came in.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

To start our clients (and us) were very impressed especially with their ability to bring together seemingly random footage to tell a singular story. With each video we did they got better and better anticipating what we and the clients were looking for, making every project that much easier and successful.

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

Their project management was rather traditional (in a good way) in that we had a dedicated producer for each project but their creatives and editors also worked closely with us and were in all the reviews to cut down on any relaying of info and to make sure we were all on the same page.

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

They took some very rough ideas for some typography and logo animation and solved it in a very unique and interesting way. Many companies need to be told EXACTLY what to do, but they flexed their creative muscles to bring fresh solutions to each problem.

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

Being able to meet in person to work out some of the edits would always help but in the post-covid era they still made the process very smooth.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the project manager for an information website. We’re not a company per se; rather, we lead an educational website project. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Bottle Rocket Media?

There was a theory about how the pyramids were originally built, and we wanted to get the information out there in a concise but interesting way. As a result, we hired Bottle Rocket to put together a video that could be entertaining and informative. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

In the beginning, we had an introductory call where we discussed our interest in their services and whether or not they’d be a good fit for the project. We talked about what they could provide us with our budget.  

Moreover, our teams discussed the most creative ways in which we could convey information to our audience. We gave them some examples of what we were looking for, and Bottle Rocket told us what they could achieve. 

Then, we wrote the script for the video, and their resources made recommendations. Our illustrator provided the illustrations, and the team worked on them and added 2D and 3D elements. Bottle Rocket handled the entire production process and added plenty of creative elements that weren’t in our wheelhouse. 

From there, we worked through various iterations of the video to make sure that everybody felt that it was the best version of what we wanted to put out there. We did some revisions, and then we had the final product.  

At present, we’re in the middle of reworking a few things — we’re going to add closed captions, for instance. The video is just under 22 minutes, and it’s animated. 

What is the team composition?

We’ve worked with Brett (Principal & Executive Producer) and Dan (Creative Director), who did most of the creative materials. Stephanie (Post Production Producer) also worked with us. They were our main points of contact. 

How did you come to work with Bottle Rocket Media?

Our team found Bottle Rocket through Google. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested around $65,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in February 2021, and the engagement is ongoing. The video was finished at the end of 2021, but we’ve been working on revisions. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

 We’ve posted the video on YouTube and our website, and it’s received around 50,000 views on YouTube. We’ve received highly positive feedback for it. 

How did Bottle Rocket Media perform from a project management standpoint?

Bottle Rocket’s creative process has been highly collaborative. We’ve done most of the work during the COVID-19 pandemic, so we’ve used Google Meet a lot and sent materials through emails. We’ve also used Zoom. The schedule has been pushed a little bit, but it’s because of both sides.  

Overall, we’ve been pleased with their work. The team has been truly helpful and worked within our budget while looking for creative solutions. In other words, they’ve managed the project well. Brett has been incredible, while Dan has done a nice job from a creative standpoint — we’re truly happy with what they’ve done. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Brett is accommodating and solutions-oriented. He serves as the driving force behind Bottle Rocket. Throughout the process, he’s worked with us to figure out what we can accomplish within a reasonable budget and period of time. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

We had a couple of hiccups, but we worked through them. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be transparent about your goals; figure out what you want as much as you can before going into the engagement because it’s helpful to have your vision sorted out upfront. It minimizes the amount of time the team needs to work on concepts, which can be advantageous from a budgeting standpoint. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

At the time of the collaboration, I was responsible for Marketing Strategy and managed our process to establish video as a content tool. The company I work for is a data analytics company with a focus on industrial intelligence.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Bottle Rocket Media, and what were your goals?

We had just added a new product to our portfolio through an acquisition of another company. Bottle Rocket Media helped us create a video to explain what this new product does. Due to the broad audience, the video had to be simple enough to reach people with little knowledge or understanding of the analytics space while also addressing the needs of more sophisticated viewers. Bottle Rocket Media was a critical and greatly valued partner for this project and even won a well-deserved Telly award.

SOLUTION

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

They came highly recommended by one of our senior execs for a project where they created magic although we were working with a pretty crazy timeline. For the project in question, we had several vendors in the final rounds of the selection process and Bottle Rocket Media stood out with the wide range of reference projects to help us identify the right style, the ability and willingness to work within our specific parameters, and just impressed all our team members with their technical skills and customer relationship management.

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

As one of the executive sponsors, I wasn't deeply involved in the day-to-day, but there were very helpful brainstorming sessions to set up the project, then evaluations of different styles and approaches, collaborative development of the script, delivery of a first draft and incorporation of feedback, to producing the final output. I remember our team being very happy with the level of attention their feedback got as well as the advice that the Bottle Rocket team was providing.

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

I was not involved in the day-to-day interactions during the production but greatly appreciated Brett Singer as a thought partner. On a different project with Bottle Rocket Media where I was more directly involved, the available timeline was too compressed to get properly defined project stages but I loved how quickly they were able to turn feedback around and deliver an amazing final product.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The video has been one of our most popular pieces of content across platforms and Bottle Rocket Media won a silver Telly award. They should have gotten gold.

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

There was a significant degree of change going on at our company at the time and Bottle Rocket Media had to deal with a few challenges because of that. They did that without breaking a sweat. I remember using excellent interactive tools that made feedback easy. I definitely always knew I could rely on our feedback being heard and quickly incorporated and discussed.

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

They invested in the relationship and always worked within the budget/timeline constraints. Their pricing was in line with competitors, but their customer service and level of care very much stood out. I appreciate so many of the individuals on their team, both from a personality and professional perspective. They have assembled a fantastic team that is delightful to work with in every way.

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

They did mention an annual cornhole tournament and kept bragging about great hoodies. I was neither invite to that tournament nor offered a hoodie, which is very disappointing. But when it comes to the things that actually matter, all I can say is: Keep up the amazing work and congratulations on your 10-year anniversary.