JAM

Please describe your company and your position there.

I work for News UK, one of the UK's biggest news agencies. I work on the commercial team of The Bridge Studios as a creative video producer.

For what projects/services did your company hire JAM, and what were your goals?

We were working on a campaign between The Times and Volvo where we had to create a 5 video competition, where visionary businesses were in with a chance to win a lot of money towards their business. We were in search of a team who had experience in making high quality social videos with good engagement, as well as experience in filming with cars.

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

We spoke with 5 others potential teams, but JAM's pitch to us was well above the other people we had spoken to. They pitched to us their ideas and showed to us what their crew have previously made and it matched our values and thoughts. Volvo were also highly impressed as they made the final call on who they wanted making the video.

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

The first 4 videos were meeting our finalists, whilst the final video was the pitching video where every finalist would get the chance to pitch for the prize money. As soon as JAM came on board, I worked with them on splitting up levels of the production. We wanted this still to be an internal News UK project, but we wanted to rely on JAMs expertise.

For example I would deal with the clients, scripting and logistics of the shoot, whilst JAM would sort out the other aspects like the crew, who in return would sort out the storyboards and the overall look and feel of the video. This partnership worked extremely well. Once filming had taken place, JAM took over all aspects of the edit, only for me to come in and give my editorial thoughts on the final cut. All edits/grades/audio was sorted through JAM and it was a smooth ride.

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

I worked with Ollie throughout the process, from pitching to production. Mitch would join when we began post-production. Feedback from clients was mainly done via email and we didn't have any issues with that. During initial edits, I would sit in on the edits, so we knew where we wanted the story to go. I never had any problems in getting hold of the two of them and they were always a phone call away.

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

I don't have that information to hand.

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

Myself and Ollie would talk frequently on the phone in production and we could clarify things very quickly. In terms of post production, I was in the edits most of the time, and on the occasions I wasn't again we'd communicate via the phone or emails.

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

The turnaround of this project was huge. From actually getting the green light to the final edits wasn't a very quick turnaround. JAM were totally sold on the idea from the start and just the amount of work they put in before that green light was given was hugely impressive.

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

Except for not having regular milk in their offices, it was great to have that freedom to pop over at any point and see how the edits were coming along. But the team they put together were amazing and Ollie was always there to help when needed.

Please describe your company and your position there.

We're a brand experience agency and I work as the New Business Lead.

For what projects/services did your company hire JAM?

We wanted to create a wrap up video for an activation we created on behalf of a car brand. We wanted to showcase the work to the other business units within the company, so that they could get a feel and understanding of the impact the project had on their consumers.

What were your goals for this project?

To showcase the breath of the activation To capture audience sentiment to the brand To show the smooth execution of the activation from end to end

How did you select JAM?

With a quick turnaround time, we relied on WOM from our network. JAM came highly recommended from a previous supplier. After reviewing the case studies and previous work, we were sold. Myself and the client team made the final call to go with JAM.

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

We had created the narrative for the video, but left the creative quite open. JAM took full ownership of this and looked after the direction, casting, all technical elements etc.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

The feedback process was extremely easy. JAM were open to the feedback and were quick to turnaround the amends. There were 3 people involved in the feedback process.

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

Off the back of the project, we ended winning more work from our client. The video created provided insight into the value of our work.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The process was quite seamless, not too complicated and weren't made to feel pushy or like we were asking too much in a real short time period.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

It was very easy to get along with the team.

Please describe your company and your position there.

Unscriptd was an athlete content platform that worked with top football stars creating and distributing social and branded content.

For what projects/services did your company hire JAM?

EE was interested in creating content with Unscriptd's football talent to raise awareness and engagement with Wembley Cup series and event.

What were your goals for this project?

To raise awareness and engagement for The Wembley Cup series and event.

How did you select JAM?

We were introduced to Jam by our in-house director, who had previously worked with them. After a couple of meetings with them it was clear that they were a great fit for us, based on their experience, and their readiness to work under quickly-changing circumstances.

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

Jam was in charge of pre-production (including venue scouting), the actual production of the shoots and part of the post-production process, in coordination with out internal post-pro team.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

It was always really easy to work with Jam. They had good processes in place to keep us always updated, and were always ready to help.

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

Jam helped us to produce a product to quality standard our client was expecting, and within our budget.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

It was always really easy to work with Jam. They had good processes in place to keep us always updated, and were always ready to help.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They were good at what they do, and they also listen to the client's needs and look for solutions for both sides. That combination of expertise and flexibility is a winner. And they are really nice people.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Not that I can think of.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Head of Design of Play Retail - A consumer experience agency. We create, design, and implement physical and digital retail experiences globally.

For what projects/services did your company hire JAM?

We wanted to work with an experienced production agency to take the lead in creating a short selection of project case studies of our recent shop design and fit-outs.

What were your goals for this project?

To create a professionally filmed and edited set of social media clips and content to convey our high level of design and finish.

How did you select JAM?

We invited a few local agencies and freelancers to meet up for a coffee and discuss the brief. We selected JAM based on this.

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

We provided JAM with a brief and a shot list. We then scheduled a meeting to discuss the narrative and budgets. After this was all aligned we began filming the multiple locations.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

After the filming, we scheduled a few rounds of rough cuts, selected the audio, and seamlessly received the full case study cut and short social media edits promptly.

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

We had a great response on our social channels and were able to use the case studies to generate new leads for the business.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We have a great relationship with JAM, the workflow is seamless and we can all be open and frank with each other.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their knowledge of the service they provide and interpreting our vision in motion.

Are there any areas for improvement?

We were very happy with the final product and are looking forward to the next project together.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of Cogs Agency, a consultancy company. We work mainly with tech companies, which vary from large-scale organizations to startups.

What challenge were you trying to address with JAM?

One of my clients is looking to produce an “about us” short, informative video. We needed someone to produce the video for us.

What was the scope of their involvement?

JAM recorded an interview between a few of the members of the team, as well as onsite shops. They took that back, edited it, and created a 1-minute video.

What is the team composition?

There was one person onsite and another member of the team at JAM to edit the video.

How did you come to work with JAM?

I knew that JAM did videos like this and I’ve known them for a very long time. We went to the same university. They’ve been doing amazing work and I knew they’d be the perfect fit for us. They’re incredibly talented people. I asked them if they’d take part in this project for our client.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent less than $10,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together in February 2020.

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

The feedback from the client was incredibly positive. If a similar project were to be available again, they would 100% use JAM again.

How did JAM perform from a project management standpoint?

They were incredibly communicative and really up to date about informing us when the video would be completed. We communicated via email and phone. They’re really timely and professional.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re talented and were able to understand the brief and execute a compelling video.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, they’re incredibly talented and I highly recommend them.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Bring them on board and let them run with it. They know what they’re doing.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the managing director of a small design and branding agency in London.

What challenge were you trying to address with JAM?

We have a client in the US who had a new product They make reusable bags that come in places like Trader Joe's or Wal-Mart. They made new products and so we partnered with JAM in order to create a short video that explained their product.

They've been using it as a sales video, but also as an informational tool and have it on their website.

What was the scope of their involvement?

We came up with the concept and storyboarded. Then working with JAM, they inputted on the best way to actually film and produce it.  They suggested a stylist we might use, who we brought on board.

They set up everything for all of the production needs. They took care of hiring, equipment, location, and ensuring everything was set for the whole day. 

Then they also brought someone who could do animation for a logo. They wanted to help us with that and then to add it to the film. They also brought someone onto create a bespoke piece of music as well, which was very cool. 

They just managed it start to finish and then they did the editing afterwards as well to produce the final film. The final film is around 45-seconds long.

What is the team composition?

Mitch (Principal) and Ollie (Principal) worked with us. They had potentially two other teammates from the production side on set that day, and then the stylist as well. They didn’t have a huge team. 

How did you come to work with JAM?

It was a recommendation from someone else who'd used them.

How much have you invested with them?

The invoice came to £10,000 (approximately $13,000 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from March–May 2019. We've been trying to work with them again since.

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

Although I don’t have any figures, our client was really pleased, as were we. I have to say it was a small piece and a very small budget but what they managed to achieve with that was great, actually.

How did JAM perform from a project management standpoint?

From a project management perspective, they were good. It was just a one day shoot. I think it was fairly straightforward, we only had the models for half a day.

They were very hands-on in all of the areas. At a big company, you speak to so many different people and there is so much overhead involved, but working with JAM was different.

Working with JAM, they kept the team tight and small and you speak to the team that you work with on the day of filming. It felt like there was good synergy in their approach. They were very positive as well. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

I quite liked that they did so well with such a small budget. They got enthusiastic about the product we were helping our client sell and it shows in the final product. Overall, I was really happy with the outcome. 

They always found a solution to something rather than seeing it as a problem. They looked at it as an interesting challenge, which I think is part of their attitude as a small business. They just needed to get things done and figure out a way to solve it rather than always sticking to the original plan. They were nice people to work with who knew what they were doing. 

From my experience in advertising, there can be people who have egos, but when working with JAM, it was clear they just wanted to achieve the best thing they could. They were professional and we were happy to be flexible with their approach. They were enjoyable to work with, even when it got tricky at times.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there’s nothing at this point in time. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure that you build that relationship early. Just pick up the phone to call them.  I think it's easiest and quickest to have a conversation and come up with a solution or an idea between you rather than just sticking to emails where things take too long.

That’s how we found JAM work and I think that was really useful. Again, probably quite different from a lot of agencies who just send you a list of things. They pick up the phone and you have a conversation about it, and then they really understand what you're trying to achieve and understand your briefs.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a freelance art director for a young fashion startup.

What challenge were you trying to address with JAM?

I needed a videographer. I wanted to work with a company that could professionalize the work we were doing and take it to a higher level.

What was the scope of their involvement?

JAM provided a videographer to help me with the campaign and then they did the editing.  They handled everything in-house and delivered the final product to me.

What is the team composition?

There was someone who did the editing and someone who worked back and forth with me.  

How did you come to work with JAM?

They reached out to me. It showed that they took initiative to seek me out and I needed somebody who would be keen and forthcoming. When they reached out, I didn’t have anything at the time, but then when I needed a videographer, I went back to them.

How much have you invested with them?

I spent less than $5,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from November–December 2019.

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

The quality was great. Coming from where we were, I felt relieved that they were able to handle the job with the level of professionalism that they did. When they provided work, we gave minor subjective feedback on this or that rather than feedback stating something wasn’t done or something was done poorly. I was really impressed with that. When we did give the edits that they needed to do for the video, it wasn’t difficult for them to understand or to make the adjustments. They did them very quickly and I’m all around very happy.

How did JAM perform from a project management standpoint?

We used mostly email and it felt relatively intimate. The company I was working with was a pretty small startup. There wasn’t really any need for any project management tools or programs. Checking in and taking good care of us, they were respectful of us lagging on our end with the timeline. They didn’t pester but they did check in to make sure the work was getting done and wasn’t dropping on their side.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They had nice energy and made an effort to keep in touch after I had been working with that particular company. I thought it was really nice that they wanted to build an ongoing relationship and it wasn’t just about a job and getting paid.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I wish I just had more opportunities to work with them and try out a few more things with them to be able to play creatively a bit more.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I don’t have anything right now. I’d have to work with them again.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I used to be a strategist for a global strategic impact company.  

What challenge were you trying to address with JAM?

We were looking for some dynamic video-editing services. We needed a provider who could employ a creative perspective in developing a compelling story. The piece, commissioned by a third-party client, would capture the insights we gathered in our study.

What was the scope of their involvement?

JAM was flexible in terms of the extent to which they offered their services. We always had an open dialog about what we needed. On some projects, we’d rely on them for a full suite of services. Other times, they’d solely provide production, or editing. They’d almost always oversee the hand-off of a finished product.

What is the team composition?

I worked very closely with Mitch (Managing Director, Co-Founder) and Ollie (Head of Production & Partner). Mitch served as the head of creative and editing, and Ollie was our primary account manager. Ollie set up the process and oversaw our relationship.

How did you come to work with JAM?

I found out about them through a colleague who’d worked with them in the past. I suspect that they found out about JAM in their search for a local film service provider. JAM was willing to adhere to our tight deadlines.

How much have you invested with them?

It’s a rough estimate, but I believe we spent between $40,000–$60,000 over the course of our partnership.

What is the status of this engagement?

One major project lasted between August–September of 2019. There were other projects concurrent to that one. Our relationship wrapped up in March of 2020.  

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

They’re fantastic and phenomenally professional. We were absolutely satisfied from moment we engaged them to the moment we handed off the product to our third-party client. They were able to represent the insights we captured in an incredibly vivid manner. Their pieces are compelling and engaging while being digestible and accessible, which is a hard balance to strike, particularly with short-form content.

Over time, our engagement felt very much like a collective, creative endeavor — a partnership, as opposed to a simple vendor-client relationship — since we worked hand-in-hand towards the end of each project. Their support allowed us to continue winning business within the US and grow our existing accounts.

How did JAM perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project management was fantastic. There was a clear sense of who was managing the relationship and who was executing the hands-on work. It was helpful to have a primary point of contact, to whom we could direct most of our questions.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’d highlight the speed at which they work, and the conviviality of the relationship that we established. The informal nature with which we engaged never slipped into a lack of professionalism. It was always a fun working relationship that consistently produced results.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Not to my knowledge, no.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Give them as much information as you possibly can about what they need to achieve. Trust them with the process and bring them in early.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the former global marketing manager of Links of London. It’s an internally based jewelry company.

What challenge were you trying to address with JAM?

JAM was our video production agency, and we worked on projects with them from time to time.

What was the scope of their involvement?

JAM produced videos on the back of our photoshoots for our spring and autumn campaigns. We’d run the videos on the digital screens in our stores and through concessions. We’d also upload them on the internet as well.

Their team handled everything from pre- to post-production. I’d come up with a brief with the photographer then the production team would come up with a story that fit into the whole campaign. They brought all the needed lighting and equipment as well as handled all the music and storytelling.

The JAM team would make shorter videos out of the longer ones as well. The videos highlighted the photoshoots and behind the scenes. Some videos were completely set apart from the main campaign. For example, one video featured one of our famous bracelets.

What is the team composition?

I had one main point of contact who was essentially our account manager. There were 3–4 others who were on the production and editing teams.

How did you come to work with JAM?

My boss had worked with JAM on a menswear brand, and he introduced me to them.

How much have you invested with them?

We invested about £80,000– £100,000 (approximately $103,000–$129,000 USD) a year; this included our fall and spring campaigns as well as side projects.

What is the status of this engagement?

The engagement ran from June 2014–June 2017.

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

Everything was excellent. They were always so on it. A big highlight was the music. Music is important for videos, and they always came up with great ideas. The experience was brilliant overall.

They were very creative, down to earth, and organized. Whatever I asked, even over and above, they were happy to be adaptable. Their team was easy to work with and talk to. We consistently had tight timelines, and they met them.

How did JAM perform from a project management standpoint?

I worked closely with them, and their organization skills were brilliant. We always had a brief and would meet up on various occasions before the shoot to make sure everything was ready to go. This included working out the schedules, keeping to very tight timescales, and making sure everyone knew their part for the production day.

What did you find most impressive about them?

It’d have to be their filming style. I really liked how they’d make the content into a lifestyle video. The shots weren’t always super close up to the jewelry, but they’d still make sure it was a big part of it. There was a mix of lifestyle, which was very engaging. Then at some points, the shot would be a close-up of the jewelry to present it at its best.

The way they handled the bracelet video. It turned out amazing and looked fantastic. A lot went into the prework and internationally, it went down very well. It was very well-received.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, they always went over and above what was asked.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Communication and organization are key. Make sure to keep them in the loop the whole time.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I was working as the director for a production agency called Lthl Wpn.

What challenge were you trying to address with JAM?

We were producing content for EE’s Wembley Cup, and I hired them as our producer. The Wembley Cup with EE is a charity project that basically entails a YouTuber being taught skills by a premier league footballer.

What was the scope of their involvement?

While I directed and edited the piece, JAM assisted with pre-production and shooting. They helped set all the equipment up before proceeding to shoot footage of the premier league footballers and YouTubers. They handled all production components like lighting and sound, as well. We had three shots in total.

What is the team composition?

We worked with 6 people from their side. We had 2 camera ops, a camera assistant, a sound specialist, a producer, and a grip.

How did you come to work with JAM?

JAM is known to be super reliable and friendly so I reached out to them. While working with athletes can be last-minute (since it’s difficult to secure their availability), JAM confirmed the week before the shoot that they’d be able to execute it.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $25,000 and $50,000. Each shoot was around $10,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

This project lasted between September to October of 2017.

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

The turnaround and quality of their work have both been excellent. They’re especially reliable when we’re on a tight timeline. I frequently use them since they’re undoubtedly able to deliver, even on short notice.

How did JAM perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re great on this front since they’re so prompt and responsive. Our projects are often subject to fluctuation, so it’s nice to have such fluid communication.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’d highlight how affable they are. It’s easy to find a skilled provider who’s moody or sullen and therefore aren’t the easiest to work with. Instead, they’re the full package, as they’re both competent and approachable.

This is more important than you might think since your crew interacts with important agents and individuals. You need to know that you have people who can smilingly navigate stressful situations.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I don’t think so. They’ve always been my go-to guys. If I can bring them on, I do.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Give them all the information that they need, upfront. The more detail you can give to them about the production, the better off you’re going to be with the end result.