Rocketwheel

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an executive vice president of Lightbend. We provide an application platform that allows large enterprises to develop modern data-centric distributed applications, which are deployed into production to run businesses smarter and faster.

What challenge were you trying to address with Rocketwheel?

The technology that underpins our products can be complex in nature. It was a challenge to get the concepts of complex technologies across to people who aren’t close to us. We wanted to create an animated video that told our story.

What was the scope of their involvement?

We had a number of brainstorming sessions regarding the concept and animation for the video. We provided our basic ideas for the video that Rocketwheel fit into the content appropriately. We wanted an abstract video because too much of our existing content’s literal. Rocketwheel worked with us to develop that concept. Then, our marketing team developed a storyboard. They then started on their work. Once we got to a stage that we could preview products, we were able to iterate quickly until we got to a final product. We'll use the video on our website as well as tradeshows, eventually. 

What is the team composition?

We worked with two people from Rocketwheel including a project manager.

How did you come to work with Rocketwheel?

We engaged Rocketwheel in the past but not on a project that was as ambitious as this one. We knew that their team did good work, so we engaged them again.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our company first engaged Rocketwheel around 2016. This project finished in March 2020, but we’ll use them again.

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

They did everything that we wanted them to do and more. The video was well-received by our entire team—all the way up to our board of directors.

How did Rocketwheel perform from a project management standpoint?

We had a little project management at the beginning of the engagement and then it happened behind the scenes, so it was effective. We felt that we were heard throughout the engagement because it was a collaborative process. The ideas that their team brought to us benefited the end product.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’m happy with their creativity. Most video production agencies have creative people on their teams, but Rocketwheel worked with us to come up with a concept that worked. That was fantastic. Rocketwheel used more advanced tools than those used by other companies. They used tools that were conducive to providing accurate and high-quality content rapidly.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I don’t think so.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I recommend working with Rocketwheel on any similar project.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an account executive at a marketing company. We do printing, promotional items, packaging, corporate apparel, uniforms, and more. Our aim is to be a one-stop marketing source.

What challenge were you trying to address with Rocketwheel?

I was approached by an elementary education client to rehab their video that was old and outdated.

What was the scope of their involvement?

A client that runs a program for young children reached out to us with the intention to bring their video content into the 21st century. The team updated the video by reformulating the characters and upgrading the overall look and content. The project is about pollution and the environment, so the changes reflect where the world is now with those topics. 

The final solution is an animated video that’s about seven minutes in length. It will be displayed during a program for elementary-aged children. The video includes voiceovers, stills, and graphical animation. 

Additionally, they provided us with non-colored stills that could be used to create a coloring book for the kids.  

What is the team composition?

I was working with two people from their team. 

How did you come to work with Rocketwheel?

I was referred to them by my boss. They completed a video for my boss in the past. 

How much have you invested with them?

We spent about $20,000 on their services. 

What is the status of this engagement?

The project started in September 2019 and wrapped up in February 2020. My client ran into some health issues, so the development was put on hold for a while midway through the engagement.

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

The new video is updated, and the animation looks fabulous. They were able to creatively introduce new characters into the story to help the children engage with the content. Their work was excellent. We had nothing but positive feedback from our client in every iteration of the work.   

How did Rocketwheel perform from a project management standpoint?

They were always on top of tasks and communicated very well. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their creativity was great, and they listened well to the client’s requirements. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

The more information you can provide about the project, the better off you’ll be.  

Please describe your company and your position there.

Offer payroll and benefits to self-employed Americans. Head of content.

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

Video explainer of a new product that can help cut healthcare premiums

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

Rocketwheel had a smooth, curious, and responsive process compared to the other companies we considered

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

We developed an overview of the goals, a storyboard, a script, a mood board, animatics, voiceover options, music, animations, and there was ample room for feedback and check ins along the way.

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

Konstantin and Dylan both were open to feedback, solicited it themselves, and incorporated it very well.

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

The video is great and we're excited to use it in a number of ways

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

Timeliness was excellent. We mostly corresponded over email but also had zoom calls and worked over a few different tools to share feedback and information.

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

The responsiveness to feedback and flexibility was excellent, all while bringing their expertise in production to the forefront.

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

None

Please describe your company and your position there.

Digital Marketing Manager

For what projects/services did your company hire Rocketwheel?

We wanted to created animated video content for three of our programs to generate new leads and interest. We got them to create 60/30/and 15 seconds versions of the content.

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

Timing, talent, and cost.

Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.

We had a kick-off meeting describing needs and concepts which were based on blog posts. They sent over a thorough briefing document which included animations and copy that we liked. They sketched out a draft animation and we had multiple review rounds until the finish project. We also got to choose our voiceover actor nearer the beginning of the project.

How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

Two project managers.

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

Very professional company that quickly turned around three animated videos for us. Plenty of opportunity for revisions and feedback and would definitely work with them again.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Very easy and efficient.

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

They are easy to work with and the quality of the animations was 10/10.

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

None.

Please describe your company and your position there.

We do web development for Marketing Agencies. I am an owner.

For what projects/services did your company hire Rocketwheel?

Animated video

What were your goals for this project?

Tell our company's story in 60 seconds.

How did you select Rocketwheel?

Referral

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

It was the most incredible video.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

10/10

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

Amazing video

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Great!

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Everything

Are there any areas for improvement?

No

Please describe your company and your position there.

My position is Operations Director at medical device company.

For what projects/services did your company hire Rocketwheel?

The company hired Rocketwheel for creating an animated business video

What were your goals for this project?

The goal was to have a high-quality video in a very short period of time

How did you select this vendor?

We have worked with them before

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

The video explains a complicated topic related to healthcare and Rocketwheel were able to get into the topic very fast

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

They provided a high-professional team that works with us throughout the process of video creation. Everyone was very responsive, suggested great solutions, and met all our deadlines.

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

The video is not public yet, but we show it to our customers, and they give us very positive feedback.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The work was very effective. The project manager was easy to communicate, and he was available all the time. I was absolutely impressed by the timelines, how quickly they were able to get to the point, and to how clearly they illustrate our script.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They are professionals. They do what is needed to be done. They understand the exact message you want to deliver to your audience and provide the best solutions to do that. And that is impressive.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, I really couldn't think about any areas for improvement. So far, we are 100% satisfied with their work.

Please describe your company and your position there.

PayScale is a compensation analysis and strategy corporation. I was the consumer-facing Sr. Content Strategist.

For what projects/services did your company hire Rocketwheel?

Rocketwheel produced an excellent animated video that explained PayScale's services to a consumer audience.

What were your goals for this project?

We needed to explain the value of using data-informed salary reports during negotiations with hiring managers, and during annual reviews.

How did you select this vendor?

I believe Konstantin initially reached out to me, and I admired his initial effort. I also saw the excellent work Rocketwheel had done to that point.

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

Rocketwheel worked with me to produce a storyboard for the video, then produced an initial edit for review. After a few rounds of edits, the video was perfect.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

Rocketwheel was excellent to work with. They made excellent suggestions, and accepted our feedback graciously.

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

Working with Rocketwheel to produce the explainer video for PayScale was one of the proudest and most productive projects of my time at PayScale.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Extremely productive. I'd go so far as to say it was seamless.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their expert advice and willingness to work with us on requested edits.

Are there any areas for improvement?

None.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I was the co-founder and COO of a startup biotech company called enevolv. We built custom biosensors and used them to screen up to billions of designed, engineered microbial strains.

For what projects/services did your company hire Rocketwheel?

We used them to make our explainer video of our technology.

What were your goals for this project?

Our technology is quite complicated, and we needed a quick way to offer a high-level explanation to get scientists and investors in our space to get interested in hearing more about how we do what we do.

How did you select this vendor?

I found them through web searches and read other reviews and got to see examples of their work.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

They worked closely with me and our existing web designers to get the look and feel right as well as the entire story.

What was the team composition?

I communicated with 1 point person who worked with the content producers.

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

No

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Pretty effective.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their price and the true commitment to unlimited revisions to make sure they got it right was impressive.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Some of the communication was redundant.