OK Social

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the creative director at the European arm of an ad agency network. I’m also the executive creative director of a sub-brand, MakerHouse, the production side of the network.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with OK Social?

We needed to promote the electrified popular vehicle that was coming out globally. We needed to turn some work around very quickly.

We worked with OK Social because their team has the strong ability in motion graphics, design, and animation that we were looking for. We needed to apply these to the content we were creating.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We had a loose brief because we wanted their team to come up with ideas about how we could communicate the range, distance, and electrified nature of the vehicle.

They gave us a lot of different concepts that we could look at and different approaches that we could take. Then, they created prototypes with initial design elements through storyboard flats.

We progressed that by providing their team with film and CGI footage. They turned them into animated and motion graphic videos. They also added sound effects and did sound mixing to make it a complete visual and audio piece.

It was only a five-day turnaround. Because we were working for a big brand, we needed to be directly involved, making the process collaborative. We wanted to push the boundaries on this project, but also, as part of an agency, we need to understand what our clients will accept.

What is the team composition?

We worked with about three.

How did you come to work with OK Social?

We worked with some of their team when they were freelancing a few years ago. We kept in touch with them over the years as they broke out into their own company.

We were also waiting for the right project to come around. This project with a fast turnaround seemed like the perfect fit. I talked about them to members of my team, and they were on board after seeing some of their work.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested between £5,000–£10,000 (approximately $7,000–$14,000 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together in January 2021.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

On day four, we shared everything with the client. It was unanimously loved. They didn’t want to change anything. It’s rare that the client has no changes. They were speechless. They felt that it was fresh and pushed the right boundaries.

From that point on, we added finishing touches and sound effects. OK Social then sent it to us in different formats so we can share it in various avenues.

How did OK Social perform from a project management standpoint?

From a project management standpoint, they were very responsive. They laid out the plans very clearly, identifying how we would engage with each other. It was all clear.

Whenever they start with a new client, they lay out what it is like to work with them. A lot of their team was on the calls. We could get everyone together quickly, which made the collaboration easier.

We mostly communicated through email and video meetings. Because of the tight turnaround, having that ability to get everyone on screens in real time was helpful. It felt much more productive.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We’ve worked with other animation companies in the past. OK Social is specialized in 2D animation and motion graphics. They have a strong design background. They also have great experience in other fields like sound design and typography. That was critical for us.

If we worked with other companies, they would have to outsource sound production and other elements. We couldn’t do that with a quick turnaround. OK Social gave us a full service from start to finish.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, it was very well-produced. The work was loved, and the cost was incredibly reasonable. From all of those perspectives, it was flawless.

We hope to work with them again in the future on other projects.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Have a clear idea of what you want but not so prescriptive that it doesn’t give the idea of wiggle room. Lean into their opinions during the collaboration to develop the work. Their expertise and creativity are critical. Tapping into their imagination beyond the production side is important.