Sparkhouse

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the CEO of a medical advertising agency in Orange County, California and am responsible for all our creative material.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Sparkhouse?

A client of ours wished to capture the energy, intelligence, and comradeship of the world’s leading physicians through a video. Professionalism and discretion were paramount.

What were your goals for this project?

Our client was aiming to recruit likeminded physicians from around the world by showing exactly what the thought leaders gained that had already joined.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I had seen their reel and was introduced by one of our area’s biggest connectors.

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

Sparkhouse clearly understood the time-sensitive component of posting immediately after our conference. They were instrumental in creating a dynamic video with the client that fostered trust.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

We were on a highly-compressed timeline but you would never have known it! We were provided a dedicated production manager that kept both sides moving along. All versions of our video were delivered on time with each of our comments addressed.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Using only this video, our client increased its membership by 300% in just a month’s time. Sparkhouse nailed the key attributes necessary to reach our goals. Their prep work on site was flawless, and they were incredibly professional throughout the whole project. In post-production, their contributions were spot on and they were superior listeners. I found it easy to spend long hours with their team.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We literally lived together for three straight days to get this done, and the client was insisting on some really counterproductive edits. Sparkhouse was impeccable in addressing the client, providing them access to the Sparkhouse team and striking the communicative trust that allowed us to move through the project without delays or surprises.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their organizational structure is flat, which means I had the principal working right alongside the client, the crew, and our agency. I felt that if I had an issue, I could tell anyone and get an immediate result, which was impressive.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Not on our project. They were on time and stayed within budget with a production value that exceeded even my lofty expectations. We did have one crew member get loose on the decks at the client conference, but before I could call attention to it, Sparkhouse resolved the situation.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the marketing manager for an IT service provider that specializes in repairs and hardware management.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Sparkhouse?

We engaged Sparkhouse to develop a corporate video that highlights our latest services and offerings.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to introduce our company to new markets and promote our services to prospective customers unfamiliar with us.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Sparkhouse impressed us with their portfolio of sample videos; it covered a wide range of styles, products, and target audiences.

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

We first set up a meeting with Sparkhouse to discuss our company and strategy. They then brought us ideas and a mood board for inspiration. Once we approved those ideas, they developed a script that we then tweaked. They oversaw one day of principal filming. Now we’re wrapping up the editing phase.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

Sparkhouse always responds to our emails and calls. They’re also open to meetings to keep us updated and maintain the project’s momentum.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

While the video isn’t yet complete, I’m very pleased with the progress so far.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

They’ve made the collaboration effortless. We keep in constant contact with multiple members of the Sparkhouse team to address each aspect of the production.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They’ve demonstrated a high level of responsiveness and in-depth knowledge throughout the project.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, we’re highly satisfied with their work.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m a marketing analyst at a healthcare company headquartered in Irvine, CA. We provide comprehensive risk management solutions to employers for their employees.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Sparkhouse?

We need animated videos to distribute to either our current or prospective clients, depending on the content.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted the videos to showcase our work with scenarios that most employees could relate to. We wanted the videos to help us gain more business by tailoring the content toward clients’ needs.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

After performing and compiling our research, we decided we like that Sparkhouse is close in proximity. Not having to deal with a time difference was convenient, so we selected them.

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

Once we receive a request for a custom animated video, we submit a form to Sparkhouse, and they follow up for more information. We tell them what the logo is, the industry, the company description, due date, etc. From there, they create the videos for us.

What was your vendors' feedback process?

Whenever we need progress updates or have questions and concerns, we communicate via the online form and email. The Sparkhouse team typically follows up quickly with their response.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They always deliver the projects on time and can provide a fast turnaround even with limited notice, so the projects are completed never late.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Our teams have collaborated together great; I work directly with two of their teammates. There are some instances of misunderstandings because of online communication, but they always offer to set up meetings or talk on the phone.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their team is consistently helpful and professional, which is crucial for our time-sensitive projects. They handle our projects for important clients with urgency and responsiveness, which we appreciate.

Are there any areas for improvement?

We are in the process of updating our request form for these videos, and they’ve been accommodating. If our structure was improved, they could do the job even better.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the VP of sales and marketing for Gehr Industries, a manufacturer of wiring cable.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Sparkhouse?

We wanted to redevelop our three different e-commerce websites, adding lifestyle photography of our products and video elements in the process. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

After working with another vendor on the design and frontend development of the websites, Sparkhouse has helped build out the rest of the three sites. They provide photography and videography services, incorporating lifestyle photography of our products.

They also storyboarded four 60-90-second product explainer videos, using scripts we provided, to post to our sites and on YouTube. As part of that process, they found and helped select actors or models for both the videos and photos.

What is the team composition?

I mostly work with Torrey (Founder, Sparkhouse), as well as an assistant, and a marketing and art director.

How did you come to work with Sparkhouse?

We considered a few bids for the project and liked Sparkhouse the most, because their previous work was similar to what we were hoping to achieve with our sites.

How much have you invested with them?

We've probably invested between $25,000–$30,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We've been working with them since October 2017 and the work is ongoing. We're launching two websites next week [in August 2018] and then we'll start working on four more video projects with them.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Sparkhouse's deliverables have been phenomenal. They do a great job at selecting the right actors and bringing creativity to each video shoot. That whole process went a lot smoother than I imagined it would .

How did Sparkhouse perform from a project management standpoint?

They manage projects very well and have met all of our deadlines thus far. They're very collaborative and transparent in their approach. I never feel as though we've been left in the dark on anything.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I'm most impressed by their level of creativity. They've got a lot of talented people on their team and they've made our videos and photos looks amazing. They're very aware of the latest industry trends and what clients are looking for when they come to our websites, so they've provided a lot of valuable insight throughout the engagement.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I just suggest meeting with them and giving them a shot. The type of work they can deliver within specific timeframes is quite impressive, so we've enjoyed working with them 100%.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the President and CEO of OneOC, a nonprofit organization that helps nonprofits and companies have greater social and business impact.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Sparkhouse?

We needed to create a video for the 2017 Civic 50 Orange County Awards that we presented. This recognizes the 50 most community-minded companies in Orange County based on an independent online survey.

What were your goals for this project?

The video had to explain the four specific survey dimensions, report aggregate trends, and acknowledge the 50 companies being honored.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Sparkhouse was recommended to us. I was also familiar with their founder because of the volunteer work she does, producing marketing strategies for non-profits.

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

We met to develop the scope together. I provided them with the data that needed to be highlighted, language relating to the survey dimensions, company logos, and suggested graphics. Then they produced the video and set it to music.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

Sparkhouse participated in pre-event conference calls and quickly made any minor edits that we had.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The video was proudly shown at the 2017 Civic 50 Orange County Awards Luncheon, posted on the Award's website, and used in subsequent training and promotional events.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Sparkhouse asked for our input and shared drafts with us, for review, once it was in production. The project was completed on time.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They skillfully and creatively produced a video that had numerous data points that could have easily gotten lost in the numbers. They made an engaging and informative product that exceeded our expectations. It was easily understood, fast moving, and amplified by well-chosen music.

Are there any areas for improvement?

There aren't any that I can think of.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I was the VP of Digital and COO at Entrepreneur Media, Inc. which produces Entrepreneur magazine and Entrepreneur.com.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Sparkhouse?

I hired them for multiple projects over a span of many years. They produced, shot, and edited hundreds of videos for us for our YouTube channel and our website.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goals with these videos were to enhance our brand, create new sponsorship opportunities, and develop our library of quality video content for our audience.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

They came recommended from a few trusted business partners. We’d tried many video production companies in the past and they were not as nimble, creative, or easy to work with as Sparkhouse.

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

The video projects ranged quite widely, but can be categorized as on-location interviews, sponsored videos, mashups, live streaming, events filming, and video production.

Many of the videos were produced on location and they were ready to travel and shoot at a moments notice.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

It was led by them. I didn't have to worry about deadlines not being met. They worked with our staff as needed and ensured everyone was up to date on progress or any issues that needed to be addressed.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our content was created and packaged professionally. We secured very large video sponsorship deals with them as our partner. We could confidently sell with the knowledge we could make good on our promises in terms of the final product.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Workflow between widely dispersed teams can be difficult. We all did our part and the work got done.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their flexibility, their sense of enthusiasm, and their unwavering confidence in their capabilities.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Nothing stands out as a reason not to work with them again, which I intend to do.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We’re a digital marketing firm that develops content, digital media, strategy and creative concepts for various clients.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Sparkhouse?

We wanted help producing an animated promotional video for a tourism agency.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They partnered with us on creative development, did all the casting, and produced the video. We gave them a brief of concepts we wanted and they created a solid script. They worked with our art director and created the animated film based on the imagery and characters she developed.

The finished product will feature on the client’s website. It’s focused for Instagram, but will appear on other social media sites as well. We normally work through editing, feedback, and direction in an iterative process. We had a very tight timeline. From initial briefing to finished video, the process was exceptionally smooth.

What is the team composition?

They cast the voiceover actor. Spencer (Account Manager, Sparkhouse) was the lead and did the editing; John (Creative Director, Sparkhouse) drove the creative development process on their side. We also worked with Torrey (CEO/Founder, Sparkhouse).

How did you come to work with Sparkhouse?

I’ve known Torrey for a few years and he’s helped us brainstorm concepts for past projects.

How much have you invested with them?

This was an $8,000 video.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our first meeting for this particular project was at the very end of January 2018. We just finished the video at the end of February 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We just launched, but things are going well and we already have some good buzz behind the project. The client is really excited by the final product and we’re really pleased. It’s great to sit down with the editor and creative team to be more hands on with this kind of video. We usually plan for three rounds of revisions for this kind of project, but were finished in a round and a half. We had a shared vision with their team and the whole process was really seamless.

How did Sparkhouse perform from a project management standpoint?

Everything went well. We outlined a few things via email and embellished them through quick follow-up phone calls. This was a textbook example of a good project in action. They work hard and are responsive. They’re a very generous partner and they integrate well with our internal team.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re great listeners. They don’t get stuck in their own creative vision, but add ideas that enhance our concepts.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t say anything bad about our experience. They never dropped the ball and everything went smoothly.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I work at Five By Five, which is a creative agency in Los Angeles.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Sparkhouse?

We were looking for a company to help us produce a recruitment video for one of our clients. The video would appear on the client's website and entice new talent who wanted to work at that studio.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They went to the location and shot footage of the studio, conducting interviews with and taking photos of the employees. Then, they put together a video and edited it. We wanted to bring out the personalities of everyone who worked at the studio and make it look like a fun place to work at.

Prior to that project, they also worked on a commercial for one of our clients. They produced a commercial that was 1.5 minutes long and was meant to appear mainly on YouTube and social media (it could also appear on television if purchased by the media).

What is the team composition? 

There were four people working on site and 1–2 more people who assisted with the editing and post-production process.

How did you come to work with them?

We did some research and interviewed a few production companies to do a commercial for us. Sparkhouse seemed to be a good fit for our needs, so we chose them. 

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $10,000–$50,000.

What is the status of this engagement? 

We started working with them in July 2017 and our most recent project was completed in February 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our internal team is very pleased with the new video and the client loves it. The video will be posted on the client's website within the next month.

How did they perform from a project management standpoint?

They did a good job creating a production and shoot schedule before they visited the studio. Also, they kept me updated on their post-production process and responded immediately when I reached out to them for any reason.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They feel like an extension of our team. We trust their creative instincts.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can't think of anything. We're very happy with the results.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Communicate your vision clearly to them and they'll be able to bring your ideas to life. They have a talented group of directors who are always willing to help.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a co-founder of Thompson Tee. We invented an undershirt that blocks sweat.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Sparkhouse?

We were looking to develop some creative video content to deliver on multiple marketing strategies.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We created several live-action videos with Sparkhouse. One introduced us and explained our product in a casual manner, and one is a more entertaining video that describes various scenarios and reveals our technology. It was a collective effort on the creative aspects, but they ultimately scripted the videos and brought a team together to execute on our ideas.

What is the team composition?

They’re a relatively small operation, but we worked with six or seven of the fifteen or so on staff.

How did you come to work with Sparkhouse?

We found them through a group called Human Marketing, who was helping us vet the companies we were interviewing. They worked with Sparkhouse in the past and recommended them very highly. We had several marketing groups proposing ideas in the beginning, and Sparkhouse came up with what we considered to be the most in line with our desired message. They seemed to listen to us, whereas some other companies seemed to be forcing their own strategies without considering our brand.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $35,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with them from December 2017 through January of this year.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We have three videos with them, two of which have already been published. Our introductory “explainer” video is at 150,000 views, and that’s after less than two months. From both the creative side and the production side, Sparkhouse is a great bang for your buck. Video and audio have been very high quality, and we’re continuing to work with them because we’ve been so impressed.

How did Sparkhouse perform from a project management standpoint?

They communicated very well, and always asked us great questions to make sure the videos were as effective as possible. Some vendors are hesitant to involve the client and work independently, often leading to gaps between the idea and the end product. Sparkhouse was completely engaged, and we were very happy with the results. They felt like an internal department, rather than just a vendor.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their creative is very unique, and they always thought outside of the box. They were great listeners and always took extensive notes on our goals, which made them stand out from other creative groups.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We were completely satisfied with all three projects and are currently considering another three in moving forward.

Advice for potential customers?

Explain your objectives clearly and confirm that they understand what you’re looking to achieve. Sparkhouse does a great job with listening, so give them substantive feedback and make sure everyone stays on the same page.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the marketing manager at Nekter Juice Bar, a chain with about 100 locations nationwide. We serve freshly made juices, cold-pressed juices, smoothies, and Açaí bowls.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Sparkhouse?

We wanted to create a few updated videos to play on a loop in our stores while customers waited that showcased the fresh ingredients that go into our menu. In the past, we've had videos that weren't as engaging or upbeat as we would've liked.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Sparkhouse's team created three videos on a loop, collaborating with our team on the script and storyboards for each. The videos showcased our fresh ingredients, using slow motion shots of produce and some text animation.

They also redid our franchise marketing video, updating it with new content and a voiceover.

What is the team composition?

We mostly worked with four people, as well as a handful of others on the day of the shoot.

How did you come to work with Sparkhouse?

Steve Schulze (President and CEO, Nekter Juice Bar) knew Torrey Tayenaka (CEO and Founder, Sparkhouse) from past experience. When we needed to update our videos, Steve reached out to Torrey and we went from there.

Someone I knew within the advertising agency community in Orange County also had glowing reviews for them.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent about $10,000-$15,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in September or October 2017 and just finalized the project [in February 2018].

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Overall, feedback has been great from both staff and customers in stores. The videos are upbeat and communicate exactly what we wanted our customers to see.

How did Sparkhouse perform from a project management standpoint?

They were great, especially compared to our experience with a previous vendor. Their solutions-oriented team went above and beyond in terms of planning and production. Anytime we had feedback, they'd hop on a call right away and come up with a plan to make adjustments as needed. The whole process was seamless.

What did you find most impressive about them?

From their creative abilities to their approach in communicating with our team, working with Sparkhouse has been great. Their professionalism sets them apart.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. I can't think of anything.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure you have a clear vision going into the planning process. Sparkhouse provided us with a few ideas for video concepts, which helped us choose a direction that was best for our brand. That pre-production work is critical to getting the best end product for your business.