Metropolis Media

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a former senior account manager at Momentum Worldwide.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Metropolis Media?

We contracted them to build an app for one of our clients.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

For the first stage of the project, Metropolis Media ideated our platform. They built the idea of developing an interactive, engaging mobile app that’d allow users to put their faces on a bobblehead animation.

My company had a partner that was in the telecoms space and wanted to engage fans while showcasing their technology. Metropolis Media developed an idea that hit all of those aspects. They built the app and helped us execute it in the sports arena during a few games.

The app itself wasn’t widespread or completely open to the public. The platform was accessible to the specific phones located in our activation space. Essentially, the consumer process had an exact structure. First, we took a photo of the consumer in front of a green screen.

Then, the software would automatically crop their face and apply it to a bobblehead. Next, the consumer would receive the animation in their inbox. From there, they could drag the head around so it bounced in the appropriate direction it was dragged in. This acted like an elastic band but looked like a real bobblehead.

What is the team composition?

I only communicated with Paul (President), Jill (Senior Interactive Producer), and one other person.

How did you come to work with Metropolis Media?

They were a word-of-mouth reference from someone in our internal team. The person told us Metropolis Media was great, worked within budget, and delivered products very quickly. These were all the things we wanted to hear considering we need a quick project turnaround.

How much have you invested with them?

We invested between $50,000–$200,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project lasted from October 2017–November 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We measured their success based on if the platform worked, how it looked, and whether or not there were major breakdowns or issues. Then, in turn, we judged our success based on engagement and how quickly people went through the activation.

All in all, we rarely had any issues in terms of technology not working. Metropolis Media made everything pretty seamless. We had an inherent risk with lighting issues, but we were aware of this. Overall, the app worked out really well.

How did Metropolis Media perform from a project management standpoint?

Project management was amazing. Jill is an incredible person who effectively handled working with a client who asked for earlier-than-expected delivery and deadlines. Then, on the other hand, my company was always delivering things later than expected. In Jill’s perspective, this is never an environment someone would want to be in.

However, we quickly learned we could lean and rely on Metropolis Media to deliver things not only on time but potentially earlier. Our team was typically delivering late because we couldn’t provide consolidated feedback in time. We were terrible clients in a lot of ways, but they consistently delivered.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re genuinely good people who want to see success. Metropolis Media invests in their projects and the people they work with. They get to pick and choose a little bit of what they work on, so that creates an incredible environment. Their team produces really good work because they want to and are invested in their work, which I think is rare. This is probably part of the reason why my former company is continuing to work with them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I had no real gripes with them at the end of the project. In fact, I was overwhelmed by how well they did. They knocked everything out of the park from day one.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure to lay out exactly what you want. Metropolis Media is a team full of people who are very able, willing, and helpful. What’s more, they will invest in your project. If you try to align with them and ensure you’re delivering on your end, everything will go smoothly. They’re incredibly smart people, and they want to see success. They measure themselves based on your success, which is exactly what you want in a partner.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We're a manufacturer of piping systems for industrial use. I'm a senior director there

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Metropolis Media ?

We had a website that was largely a couple of flashy pages that didn't really go into much technical detail. At the same time, we had a very comprehensive print catalogue. The goal was to make a lot of the content as easy or easier to navigate online.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They managed this colossal data restructuring project back in 2007 and created an online presence that matched our print catalog. They also take care of our web advertising and any electronic initiatives, as well as our print ads and national banners, logos, and wordmarks.

What is the team composition?

We work with Paul (President), Jill (Senior Interactive Producer) as main contacts, and one other contact.

How did you come to work with Metropolis Media?

One of our suppliers referred us, and we really aspired to the work they received.

How much have you invested with them?    

We've invested $90,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together in August 2006, and our engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They have a knack for reading my mind and knowing exactly what I want to get done, even though I’m not very good at articulating it. We rely on them heavily to make sure we're up to date and being sure that what we've got on our website is the most modern it could be. They're my go-to people to keep up on technology. Their work is well received by the rest of our internal team as well.

How did Metropolis Media perform from a project management standpoint?

They're really great. They're always on time, always very organized and they're ahead of schedule normally. They always seem to get things done very quickly on a timely basis.

What did you find most impressive about them?

For me, it's having a small go-to contact point. Working directly with the owner, I think it’s really beneficial. We get quick decisions when we need an update for board meetings and anything technological. They're always ready and available to pull together complex projects.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, they're right on task with the latest and greatest.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

It's important to meet the people you work with and get a feel for how they work. It's really easy for us since we're in the same city.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We're a hybrid company between technology and traditional business management consultants. I'm the founder and president.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Metropolis Media?

We needed user experience design for our clients, some in Ontario but mostly in the United States.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We've worked with Metropolis for ten years now. They do user experience design, web and internet design, information architecture, wireframing, style guides, personas, and user research for clients. For us, they’ve done design, technology, and implementation work.

What is the team composition?

We've worked with half a dozen people from their team, including Paul ( Project Manager).

How did you come to work with Metropolis Media?

A former employee of mine knew Paul personally and professionally and referred them to us.

How much have you invested with them?    

We've invested $500,000 – $600,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together in December 2010, and our engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I'm always satisfied with what I'm seeing, if not thrilled. If something ever falls short, we'll discuss it and ensure it's to my liking. Their work is always well received by their internal team as well.

How did Metropolis Media perform from a project management standpoint?

They're pretty good. We usually communicate via BlueJeans and GoToMeeting.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They're the best design and user experience agency we've ever worked with. They're always my first choice. They're definitely the best value for what we get.

Are there any areas they could improve?

When we don't give them a hard deadline they could do a better job of managing expectations on timing. If we do give them a deadline, they always stick to it.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

My advice is to hire them and let their work do the talking.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the director of marketing at CCC Investment Banking.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Metropolis Media?

We wanted to redo our website and come up with a new theme that we could also incorporate into our marketing materials such as pitches and presentations.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Metropolis Media created a completely new website for us, including a brand new theme. They didn’t add any new features to the website but they made everything look prettier. What we found is that people look at our transactions and people pages the most, so the team updated those two pages and made them look a lot better. They continue to update the website as needed.

In addition to assisting us with our marketing materials for pitches and presentations, the team also managed our social media, LinkedIn pages, Google Analytics, and newsletters. 

What is the team composition?

We worked with two people from their team, including a project manager.

How did you come to work with Metropolis Media?

Somebody from our office had worked with them before so we brought them in, along with three other web design companies. We ultimately chose Metropolis Media because they had the best idea during the pitch. Everybody enjoyed it.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested $23,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our engagement began in June 2019 and the website was published in November 2019. We're still working with them.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

After Metropolis Media completed the project, we had a lot of hits, which have since increased substantially. Everyone likes the website. Our updated LinkedIn page has also been a huge marketing tool for us. It has gained a lot of new followers whereas it used to be quite stagnant.

How did Metropolis Media perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project management has been amazing. We had a clear schedule outlining what they were gonna do and when it was gonna be done. They’ve kept in touch with me throughout the process, making it an easy process from beginning to end.

They’re quick to respond when I need to make changes, unlike other developers I’ve worked with. Metropolis Media gets things done within a day.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I was impressed by some of the ideas they thought up by digging deep into what we do. We just finished working with another company that came up with a new core proposition for us and Metropolis Media was able to quickly and easily figure out a theme that would tie in with that.

Everything they said they were going to do, they’ve done. There weren’t any hidden costs and they completed everything on time. Even though the project has been completed, they’re still prompt in terms of making updates and giving me advice on the website and marketing materials.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there’s nothing I can think of. We’re happy with everything.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of Velaku, a B2B SaaS startup.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Metropolis Media?

Initially, we hired Metropolis to help with branding and positioning our company. From there, they’ve continued to support us on other follow-up items.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement? 

They’ve helped with several things, from brand work and graphic design to web development and site layout — all of them from scratch.

For the website, one of the key features is our content gateway. Site visitors can input their contact information to access our webinars and resources, which then gets uploaded into our HubSpot account.

As for the graphic design, they create our marketing materials and other content pieces to show off at trade shows.

What is the team composition? 

We worked with three people, including the owner, an account manager, and another contact. They’re a small boutique, so it's easy to work with their upper-level team. 

How did you come to work with Metropolis Media?

A former colleague of mine introduced me to Metropolis after using them for their own projects. So, I tried them out while at my previous company before bringing them onboard for Velaku.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $125,000–$150,000, which is just professional fees. That doesn’t include travel expenses, ad spend, or anything else.

What is the status of this engagement?

I first started working with them in the summer of 2015. Once I co-founded Velaku, we partnered with them in August 2018 and are still working with them today.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Everything that they’ve designed and built works as expected. The HubSpot integration works sufficiently, and our internal team appreciates what they’ve done 100%.

How did Metropolis Media perform from a project management standpoint?

Besides their responsiveness, the reason that we work with them is that they’re creative. The output is really good, and we’re comfortable with their working style. Things get done how they’re supposed to be.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They have a solid grasp of the tools in the marketplace, which means they won’t push us to build a custom design when there are more cost-effective options out there. It’s an approach that helps speed the project along while still getting a good solution. That’s particularly important for startups like us that are looking to go to market quickly.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, nothing jumps out at me.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?
 
The more information you can give them, the more helpful they’ll be. They’re not the type of firm that will take advantage of you. If they understand your needs, they can suggest better solutions to achieve your goals.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I was the director of a client services company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Metropolis Media?

Our client had a very fragmented digital ecosystem with Facebook pages and Web sites that were not connected or consistent. We wanted to help them streamline, consolidate, and create a cohesive digital ecosystem. This entailed bringing all their social and digital platforms under one umbrella so that we could manage them and make sure that their messaging is consistent.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Metropolis Media helped us put together proposals to go to the client and sell it to them. They were instrumental in putting together these proposals to pitch how we would do this migration and what the benefits would be.

Metropolis Media then helped to organize and synchronize their recipes. This included moving them onto one platform with a standardized feel. They then allowed search across brands, creating the ability to cross-reference different brands from their website ecosystem.

What is the team composition?

I worked with three people, with some contact with their support team from time to time.

How did you come to work with Metropolis Media?

My senior manager was familiar with them. They wound up becoming a dedicated resource for the entire company on all digital projects.

How much have you invested with them?

We invested $300,000–$400,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from June 2016–June 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They were successfully able to convert hundreds of thousands of recipes into a clean and appealing format. Metropolis brought them all together into a standardized look and feel, keeping all the brands consistent. They’re also very creative.

How did Metropolis Media perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re good at keeping you up to speed on what’s happening and on setting and meeting deadlines. They integrated into our team, quickly fixing all problems when they came up. As a team, they were available and dedicated to delivering results.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I find their strategic input and willingness to support us as a partner incredibly impressive. They roll up their sleeves, jump in, and become a part of the team to help sell ideas to support the client to ensure that business needs are being met. I really enjoy working with them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

The websites were running a bit slow — I don’t know if that was an issue with our servers or the clients. But, they’re really quick to jump in and fix everything. There will always be small hiccups with digital execution, but they’re willing to try to fix anything to ensure success.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

They’re a great partner to work with. They’re strong, strategic, great at execution, and lovely to interact with. They get the job done.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of a company that assists construction companies in their daily planning, marketing, and branding efforts. There’s a broad range of services that I provide on a contract basis. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Metropolis Media?

I needed Metropolis Media to position my business.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Our team had a concept of how we wanted to present ourselves but the idea was broad. Metropolis Media boiled that down for us not only on a direction to take but also the look and feel of our company based on what they perceived it to be and a budget perspective. Their team set realistic expectations and provided a solid contingency plan for how to move forward.

Their efforts started with creating a brand identity, a logo, and the traditional collateral needed to establish ourselves online. As my business is relatively unique, they established a coherent identity through our logo and website, which involved development and design. They scripted an elevator pitch. Their team also helped with our online strategy, so creating a presence on social media and Google. Some of those marketing strategies have worked in our industry and some haven’t. They’re fluid and agile, so our engagement works well. Their team’s responsible for our online presence.

What is the team composition?

We worked with an account holder who’s our main point of contact. Over time, I’ve dealt with 3–4 individuals who had different responsibilities.

How did you come to work with Metropolis Media?

We looked at many companies online and evaluated their offerings. When we started to see companies that we recognized in our geographic area, the process became a referral. We felt the most comfortable with Metropolis Media. Rather than being sold their services, they explained them to sue. More importantly, they took an interest in understanding where we thought the project would go. 

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $10,000–$25,000 with them. Our monthly investment is around $800–$900 in their services.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started a conversation in September 2017 and our relationship’s ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

When you take on a measurable digital strategy, you’re always driving more traffic. With traditional media, it’s more difficult to understand how someone found your services. Our company is identifiable in an industry that’s muddled is a soft metric. We’ve seen an increase in business as a result of our digital efforts.

How did Metropolis Media perform from a project management standpoint?

It was easy to see the project’s progress. While it's great to use software, our project manager's available. We're never left in the dark and felt comfortable along the way. Metropolis Media spoke my language as the effort was made upfront to set expectations. This means that when we run into an obstacle, we know how to manage it and understand how that obstacle affects the budget. We didn’t face any aftershocks. Upfront project management sets the roadmap on how you deal with the issues that come up because they always do.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their prepared project management style and dedicated point of contact set them apart. A lot of companies can take care of the project’s mechanics—whether they do it well is another story. We were satisfied

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s always room for improvement but there isn't a time when we feel left in the dark.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Do your due diligence and understand the differences between proposals and companies. With our relationship, their team put everything on the line and explained the process. Complete a cost comparison but don’t worry as much about the money. Consider how you'll manage the relationship.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the president of The Shop.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Metropolis Media?

I’ve been running my current business for a little over a year now and I was looking for help with our consumer packaged good clients, specifically programs to drive, consideration, conversion, and points of consumer entry.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I consider Metropolis Media a strategic partner. At The Shop, we usually use them for digital strategy and digital ecosystem work. Most recently, they’ve helped us with consumer market entry and microsite development, managing the complete project from start to finish. The team also makes sure that we are doing well from an investment and cost standpoint.

When I partnered with them in my previous roles, my creative team would work hand-in-hand with their development team, mapping out a creative version of the UX and making sure it was on-par with brand standards.

What is the team composition?

I typically work with between 3-4 people. My main points of contact are Paul (President, Metropolis Media) and Jill (Senior Interactive Producer, Metropolis Media). I’ve also worked with another teammate who did more of the functional, development work.

How did you come to work with Metropolis Media?

I’ve known Paul for 12 years. I partnered with him once at some point and we’ve just continued working together since. I like working with people and businesses that deliver good work on time and within the budget and aren’t afraid to lead me or push back on my ideas. I saw those qualities in Paul from the beginning which is why I’ve chosen to continue partnering with him.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $50,000 in the last year.

What is the status of this engagement?

I’ve been using Paul and his team for 10 years but, at The Shop, we started working with them in February 2019 and our engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

My metrics are based on client satisfaction and since the programs continue to overlap and grow, I consider them a triumph. I see Metropolis Media as an extension of my team because the work they do is vital to the success of these programs.

How did Metropolis Media perform from a project management standpoint?

Project management has never been an issue, which I appreciate. What I like most about their management style is that there’s always a mix of people working on the projects. We typically have weekly status calls and meetings but they do happen more frequently when needed. The team keeps me in the know by using Google Drive to store project information such as key milestones and updates. I’m never left guessing about the progress we’re making.

What did you find most impressive about them?

When I give them high-level goals and objectives, they’re not afraid to present better ideas, which is helpful because they are the experts. The team is also accessible to me and doesn’t make me feel like I’m a small client. It seems like whatever I’m doing is the most important thing at that time and that’s why I’ve stuck with them faithfully.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there’s nothing I can think of off the top of my head. I’m a satisfied customer.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Metropolis Media continues to exceed my expectations, so my only advice would be to give them a call. They’re constantly reevaluating their work to stay current in an ever-evolving digital industry.