Signal

Please describe your company and your position there.

Aberdeen Harbour is one of Scotland's busiest ports, serving a variety of industries including the international energy industry, and the cargo, ferry and cruise industries. The port's £350 million expansion is the largest marine infrastructure project underway in the UK and will significantly increase the port's capabilities for its customers.

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

We wanted to create a series of films which brought our £350 million expansion to life for our current and future customers, port users and local communities. We were particularly keen to shine a light on the challenging engineering aspects of the projects, and the knowledge and skills that go into the construction every day.

How did you select Signal and what were the deciding factors?

Our Communications Department quickly chose Signal following in-depth discussions about the potential for a video series throughout construction, which will culminate in a final film when the expanded port is opened in 2022. We were all impressed by Signal's creativity and quick understanding of the scale of the project, and challenges and opportunities associated with it.

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

In addition to the construction series, Signal have created a number of standalone films for us which we have used in separate marketing films, including a series of re-brand films in 2020. Each film has involved a different production process: some have required long lead-in times given the nature of the film whereas others have been planned and produced in less than a week.

Signal have been incredibly flexible with our requirements throughout our time working together.

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

We regularly work with Jamie Baikie and Mark Turner on the overall production of each film, and have worked alongside other members of the Signal team during filming and editing. The feedback process is very quick: Signal have truly embedded themselves in our business and understand the purpose and feel for each film, and we rarely have any changes to make to the final production.

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

Each of the videos - those which are standalone and which are related to the project series - have received very positive feedback from our stakeholders. Many have commented on how the videos have told a story behind a complex engineering project, while incorporating creative and inspiring footage.

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

Signal is a very easy and flexible organisation to work with. We value their quick, open and friendly communication, flexible schedules and ability to get-to-grips with life inside a busy port and complex construction project.

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

Since 2019, Signal have become an extension of our team. They have built up trusted relationships with many employees at Aberdeen Harbour, while shining their own creative interpretation of our activities. They frequently join the dots between our project and intended outcomes, without incurring any difficulties for our busy team.

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

Nothing!

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Head of Marketing for Vysus Group. Vysus Group is a leading engineering and technical consultancy offering specialist asset performance, risk management and project management expertise across complex industrial assets, energy assets (oil and gas, nuclear, renewables), the energy transition, rail and road.

For what projects/services did your company hire Signal?

Following a strategic carve-out from the Lloyd’s Register (LR) Group in November 2020 and as part of launching our new brand we wanted to create a series of short films to communicate our key services, people and geographic locations around the world. We hired Signal to create 12 films including a new brand film.

How did you select this vendor?

We had worked with Signal previously so knew the high quality of work which would be provided.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

We had a series of calls and following a written brief, further discovery meetings were held with each service line to discuss the key objectives. Signal drafted scripts and worked with the teams to identify appropriate locations. As the filming was taking place in Houston, Melbourne and Oslo, Signal had to sub-contract local crews and navigate local covid restrictions to ensure the filming could go ahead safely.

What was the team composition?

I worked with Mark and Jamie primarily from Signal. At Vysus Group I managed the project with input from Vice Presidents from each service line and members of their team.

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

The films have accumulated over 65000 views so far and have helped to increase traffic to our website.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Excellent workflow, the team at Signal are professional and kept the momentum going between the team, ensuring smooth execution on the day.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their creativity and commitment to ensuring a highly polished product was very impressive.

Is there any area for improvement or anything that could have been done differently?

The level of communication was right for our teams, there wasn’t anything that Signal could have done to improve the project.