edgefactory

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an associated director of an economic inclusion and supplier diversity organization. We help provide opportunities for minorities, women, LGBT, and veterans as well as those with disabilities to work on products and services they can provide for our company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with edgefactory?

We inquired them to help execute our 2019 Economic Impact Summit event. The summit brings together existing and potential suppliers for a day full of educational experiences and networking relations that could lead to potential opportunities. edgefactory helped us with the event's production and its overall look and feel.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

One of their main responsibilities was to execute the award ceremony that occurred during the summit. They worked on the ceremony’s preparation, planning, and logistics. On the day of the summit, a member of their team was present to ensure everything was flawless during the program as well as supported last-minute changes.

edgefactory also created a video that highlighted the outcomes of the summit. The video was animated and had voice-over elements. Their team designed digital signage and provided all of the slides for that. We also did a logo reveal during the summit, and they produced the video that presented it.

Since the event has passed, we’ve been utilizing their video production services. Any time we have an engagement where a video is needed to elevate our work, they handle it for us. Currently, we’re working on putting together a virtual event.

What is the team composition?

There were five team members behind the scenes and three onsite.

How did you come to work with edgefactory?

edgefactory is a diverse supplier that’s certified by one of our advocacy groups. In order for us to engage with them, they had to be certified. They were recommended to us through our partnership with the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce.

Upon initiation, we met with edgefactory to discuss our objectives for the event. We had a connection with their team and they understood our needs. Also, they came up with a cost-efficient quote and that was a key component in our selection of them.

How much have you invested with them?

So far, we’ve invested between $50,000–$70,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The engagement began in August 2019 and is ongoing

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Everyone on our internal team loves them and is impressed with their quality work. Their agility to execute and make changes on the spot is excellent. edgefactory thinks outside the box and brings creativity to the engagement. Not only do they meet expectations, but they also provide insightful resources that are needed for execution; it was fascinating to witness. They’re a true partner.

A highlight of the engagement has been the wow factor they brought to the award ceremony. It was absolutely phenomenal and the feedback was tremendous. edgefactory was a great partner to work with from the beginning to the end of the summit. They brought innovation and critical-thinking skills to the table.

We faced a challenge with the original hotel company we were going to host the summit at. In response, edgefactory recommended another company that was local to the area. This new company was amazing because it saved us money to go with them instead of the original hotel. edgefactory really does bring the edge.

How did edgefactory perform from a project management standpoint?

edgefactory created a custom inbox for our correspondence with them. Their customer service has been amazing. We communicate on a weekly or bi-weekly basis to ensure project progress and price.

They have technology that allows us to review their work and make edits right on the spot. Not only is it fascinating to see, but we also don’t have to wait to get on a call to review everything. We provide feedback and then they come back with a revised version.

What did you find most impressive about them?       

They’re great, I think I’ve said everything already.

Are there any areas they could improve?

It’d be helpful if their offering included full-service production. I know that’s not their expertise, and they’re great at what they do. However, as they look forward to expanding their business model, becoming a full agency is something I’d recommend.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I’ve recommended them to peers that do the same type of work I do. Having an open partnership and consistent communication have benefitted us.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the events director for the Tampa Bay Business Journal. We have a very busy event schedule, including quite a few awards programs where we recognize various different types of business professionals throughout the community.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with edgefactory?

edgefactory has taken our events and have really immensely improved the quality of the video content and production.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They’ve been our production partner for a little longer than a year. They work with us from beginning to end. I’ll start promoting nominations six months before the event and try to come up with a look and feel for the program. We’ll start communicating with them well in advance and collaborate on how to make everything from our print to how we’re promoting the event and the actual show, conducive.

In addition to video production, they do graphic design. We have an in-house graphic designer, and they collaborate with edgefactory. I take edgefactory’s lead on the content and design of the events. We have a lot of collateral, including podium signs, that all match.

A big piece of what we do before we have the event is that the honorees come to our office for a reception. We’ll interviewee the honorees with edgefactory, asking two or three questions, and they’ll create a video montage out of what we captured. They’re very creative and make a huge impact at the event.

What is the team composition?

It depends. I have one individual that I go back and forth with 30 times a day over email. I’ll send them logos and headshots and the assets they need to create the show. When we’re brainstorming a new show, during the initial planning process, we have a conference video call with 4–5 people. Everyone is available and quick to respond.

How did you come to work with edgefactory?

We learned about them from another business journal market where they were working. I attended an event to see their work and thought it was amazing.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $65,000–$70,000 with them.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working with them since July 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We get so much amazing feedback from our honorees about edgefactory. Typically, I’m not in the room when they’re filming – no one from my team is. I can’t tell you – and they’ve interviewed hundreds of business professionals – how many people come out raving about how professional they are. edgefactory makes everyone feel comfortable. Everyone goes in nervous because they know they’re being filmed and then they come up feeling so good about it.

The biggest thing is that they’ve become another family to our organization. We have a lot of partners that work on these events, and it’s such a group effort. Everyone needs to be on the same page and communicating. Everyone has meshed so well. Bringing in a new company too that environment can be hard but this was so smooth. They know what they’re doing and point out things that will make the show better.

How did edgefactory perform from a project management standpoint?

Having one go-to person works well, and the whole process is smooth and cohesive. We speak over email, phone calls, and text messages, in whatever way works best for where we’re at. As we get closer to the show, there’s a lot of last-minute things. If we need to put a new photo in the presentation or something, they’ll make it happen, even if they’re already driving up from Orlando on the way to the show.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Additionally, they’re very aware of sponsor recognition. I’ve learned so much from them about new ways to give our sponsors recognition. They think outside of the box. They make me look really good, being an event director. Folks leave our events blown away, and they leave with feeling. They may forget what was said on stage, what the food was like, and what color the linen was, but you don’t forget how you felt. If we created a feeling, then that’s a home run. edgefactory brings that to our shows, they bring the heart.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Nobody’s perfect, and there are always things to improve on. But I sincerely can’t think of anything I wasn’t happy with.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Have clear communication. You can’t overcommunicate.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the former head of events for a local business journal.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with edgefactory?

Together, we produced upwards of 12–15 events a year. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

edgefactory offered a broad range of services, from the conception of the event’s presentation to the actual design and execution. They delivered an inventory of digital creative content that we used to present a range of events. Some were award-centric with audiences from 300–1,000 people. edgefactory provided all the on-screen creative content, the audio, and any related creative support.

It was a true collaboration, which is why I love working with Brian (President and CEO) and the team at edgefactory. They were able to share my strategic vision and deliver on it. They did everything from interviewing the subjects of an upcoming awards presentation to producing full-blown video content over multiple screens to coordinating with the audio and video equipment provider so that we presented the content in the most professional way possible

What is the team composition?

I dealt mostly with Brian, but there were easily half a dozen people working on any project, both remote and local to Orlando.

How did you come to work with edgefactory?

I found them through word-of-mouth. Someone I previously worked with had collaborated with edgefactory. Word traveled fast about their professionalism and expertise. Plus, a lot of their work was done outside of central Florida. To have this high-quality resource in my backward was a gift.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from 2013 until 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We were extremely satisfied. edgefactory dynamically changed the look, feel, and quality of our client experience from the first moment we engaged. They worked with my budget and helped us create a smooth process of developing all this content over the course of a year.

A lot of other business journals work with edgefactory as a result of our work together. It changed the industry down here, taking it to a whole new level.

How did edgefactory perform from a project management standpoint?

While they’re a well-oiled machine, edgefactory is anything but a factory in that they deliver quality, custom digital content and unique services. They do a lot of work for very large companies, and it shows sometimes, but the processes in place were flawless. I can’t remember a time that something fell through cracks. edgefactory was always spot-on in the way they worked with me and my team, and their deliverables always arrived on time, on budget, and with great quality. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

At the end of the day, they always delivered “with edge,” as their leaders like to say.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I can’t think of anything off the top of my head. In my current role, I hope to engage them again. I openly and freely endorse their organization because of the quality of their work.

Any advice for potential customers?

Any wise business person will shop around for the services they’re interested in. In my case, having had the opportunity to work with organizations similar to edgefactory, I find it almost a waste of time to shop around when I can just go to edgefactory right away.

While they’ve never turned me down, their pipeline is sometimes too busy or their prices are out of my budget. Regardless, they always seemed to accommodate my needs

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the chief business officer of Research Instruments Corporation. We do advanced x-ray technology in a high-tech B2B environment.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with edgefactory?

I’m in need of video production capabilities that span a range.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I was trying to centralize the creative brand identity and then extend that for a very large corporate enterprise. Video production has become the core of our content marketing. As we acquired so many companies over a run of 15+ years, the story kept changing and evolving. We needed a creative brain trust that we could outsource all aspects of video production to. They do on-site shoots for product launches and demonstrations of never-before-seen technologies. The videos are both long- and short-form and for internal and external audiences.

What is the team composition?

We work with whoever is the best fit for the job at hand. There’s a fair range of different producers who have various strengths. Centrally, there are a few people to carry the ball on every project.

How did you come to work with edgefactory?

Initially, I had a huge amount of people in for a trade show and had a need for local video production here in Orlando.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent over $50,000 with them.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working with them since January 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Measurably, they’ve delivered award-winning videos, production-wise, for years. National organizations have recognized their work for us.

Internally, they developed the centerpiece video of a Fortune 500 brand identity. Externally, they developed the top-level asset. When you think of other B2B companies, those assets have become employer brands. They’ve helped us develop a face and identity that speaks to people who want to work for us.

The feedback that came to me about them was amazing, so the question became: can we make it better? Over a period, we’ve always been able to find a creative thread and make the product better, getting another ‘wow’ from the same people. I can consistently depend on edgefactory to deliver creativity.

How did edgefactory perform from a project management standpoint?

They keep up both the communications and deadlines. They make me, as a customer, feel confident and involved. They’re good at getting off to a creative start and keeping on track to deliver.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their ability to handle video production with a big-picture creative view of all the channels stands out. By channels, I mean social media, email marketing, etc. What edgefactory has always done is giving us the most for our money.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I need to start taking advantage of the AR and more sophisticated platforms that they do. They’re great at pulling in evolving technology.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

The advice I’ve given people whom I’ve referred edgefactory too is that you should start with a barebones creative notion and the goal you want to achieve. edgefactory will help you translate your goals.

Video production is their bedrock, but it’s about using every channel and getting the value of that investment.