TalkingTree Creative

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We’re a large Jewish synagogue with 1,100 families located in northwest Baltimore. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with TalkingTree Creative?

We had Jewish high holiday services — Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur — last September 2020, but we couldn’t attend in person because of the COVID-19 pandemic. They were our largest attended services, and thousands of people would normally attend them. TalkingTree Creative helped us do something more than just a Zoom meeting to facilitate that. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Our goal was to allow hundreds of attendees to not only view the events but also participate virtually. To do that, TalkingTree first listened to what we needed, and then they matched their services to those needs. Specifically, they set up multiple cameras that were either hand- or remote-controlled. To capture sound, they also set up multiple microphones. They assigned a director of sound and a director of videos who switched between the scenes.

Moreover, their team insisted on having a full script for each of the event’s segments because some of them could last 2–3 hours. As a result, they created a script that helped us know exactly who was going to say what and when. Then, their resources advised us on the best broadcast medium to use. They employed sophisticated technologies to provide great quality and methods for people to interact with each other online. 

Finally, we had to beam in 10–15 specific people remotely to participate in the services. As a result, TalkingTree figured out a way to communicate with those people, informing them when they were going live. On top of that, the team advised us to have backup segments; if a participant’s internet broke down, we’d have a pre-recorded version of their segment. Their director was also in charge of flipping the scene to something else on the spur of the moment in case we encountered problems, making the event look like a complete TV production. 

What is the team composition?

We mainly worked with Craig (Founder, President & Chief Creative Officer) and interfaced with his video and audio directors. The video director set up the cameras and controlled the scenes, while the audio director controlled the sounds. Other tech people also worked behind the scenes. In total, around seven people worked with us at any given time during the event. 

How did you come to work with TalkingTree Creative?

I met Craig 10–15 years ago at an event where he facilitated an in-person conference, and I was impressed with his work. Since then, we’d been in contact, although I didn’t use him until last year’s events. 

When the project came up, I asked Craig for recommendations because I had no idea what to do. He told me that since their in-person business practically vanished during the COVID-19 pandemic, they’d quickly switched over to video events. On top of that, they’d done plenty of video conferencing events before, so this wasn’t new to them. Eventually, we asked Craig plenty of questions, and he was highly responsive. 

Meanwhile, I contacted another company. However, I didn’t choose them because I wasn’t confident in their capabilities to deliver what I wanted. This event was of such importance to us that we couldn’t risk any failure. This was the biggest event of the year for us, so it had to go perfectly. Overall, I trusted the fact that Craig understood what we needed to do and how to do it, so we chose them. 

How much have you invested with them?

We invested between $60,000–$90,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

The engagement lasted from May–September 2020. We worked all summer on the project, and Craig gave us a roadmap of what to do and a timetable in which to do it. Then, the actual events took place on various dates in September 2020. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We saw a high number of people who tuned in and a low number of people who dropped off. On top of that, we received extremely few complaints, which was unusual for our congregation because some people always complained. We also received a huge number of congratulatory notes; people said that the events didn’t only come off well; they were also meaningful in terms of how we produced them. Overall, the project was a success.

How did TalkingTree Creative perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project management was perfect; it was flawless. The TalkingTree team delivered everything they said they’d deliver. Likewise, when we ran into challenges on our end, they helped us figure out solutions. They held our hands at every step, 

What did you find most impressive about them?

They thoroughly owned and committed to the project, going above and beyond to satisfy us. Overall, we were impressed not only with their technical excellence but also their integrity. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there weren’t any. I had no problems with their services. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be clear ahead of time around your goals. Then, let TalkingTree help you find solutions. Don’t judge beforehand; just know what you want to get out of the collaboration. Moreover, be communicative with them in terms of what your strengths and limitations are. That way, they’ll have a clear picture of who you are and provide you the best services.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I manage all corporate events and trade shows for an IT services firm. I also work with corporate marketing and our video production team.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with TalkingTree Creative?

Several times a year for our corporate events, we need outside assistance with A/V production and content creation.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

TalkingTree provides A/V services such as lighting, staging, and presentation. They also create videos up to 15 minutes—anything from corporate case studies, product information, or training tools. We have also used them for live casting and speaker training.

What is the team composition?

We have two main contact points—the chief creative officer and an assistant producer. Beyond that, we outsource as needed.

How did you come to work with TalkingTree Creative?

There was an interview and vetting process for multiple firms. Initially, they brought creative ideas, and over time, they’ve been a worthwhile business partner.

How much have you invested with them?

I would prefer to not disclose those figures.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began the partnership prior to 2005 and it is ongoing. We work together for five events per year and have created several hundred videos.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve had an increase in corporate shows, but other metrics are private. We’ve had vendors come and go, but their team remains integrated members of our program.

How did TalkingTree perform from a project management standpoint?

They do a great job. From the event production side, the event is going to happen with or without us, but they always hit the deadlines we have. For videos, they handle multiple deadlines well.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their attention to details and their services make them special. They'll do whatever it takes to get the project done.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. They’re a small business, and their devotion to our project reflects that. I don’t know if it would be the same if they were a larger organization.

Any advice for potential customers?

I would recommend making them a partner. If you include them in the decisions, it becomes a rewarding relationship.

UPDATED REVIEW

This review was updated on May 6, 2019, by the client. New content is below.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the vice president of enterprise marketing and organizational development at Hughes Network Systems. We are a managed network service provider for businesses that have several locations. 

What challenge were you trying to address with TalkingTree Creative?

We host and sponsor many events and conferences each year. For several years, we’ve worked with TalkingTree Creative to help us significantly advance the quality of those events.

What was the scope of their involvement?

TalkingTree Creative has been helpful in two primary areas for us: finding better uses for the equipment we use at events and improving the quality of the content we produce. Each year we’ve worked together, there have been 6–8 large events that they have played a role in.

Before working with TalkingTree Creative, the event managers at hotels where our events were held would provide us with basic audio and visual equipment—a projector, a screen, and maybe a small stage. With TalkingTree Creative, we sometimes still use that equipment, but we are now able to leverage their experience to improve customer experience.

Further, we’ve relied on them for a number of video and animation projects to enhance the production value of what we present. That sometimes includes us providing them with our prepared slides or materials, but it has also involved their team coming on-site and shooting new video content.

What is the team composition?

Our team size depends on the project. For many years, we worked with Craig (Chief Creative Officer, TalkingTree Creative), but as the company has grown, he has hired several other capable people for us to work with. For most events, we work with two people—usually a production manager and a creative director. For our annual sales conference, we prefer to have a much higher production value, so we’ll work with 4–5 people.

How did you come to work with TalkingTree Creative?

They introduced and marketed themselves to us several years ago. We happened to be interested in improving our audience experiences at that time, so we brought them on for a project. The improvement was so pronounced for that first engagement that we were thrilled to continue working with them.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent well over $5 million.

What is the status of this engagement?

I’d estimate that we began working together in 2007. Our engagement remains ongoing.

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

Over the years, at our annual sales and marketing conference, the audience satisfaction has gone from 82–83% up to 95–96%. I want to think that part of that growth is our own company improving in specific ways, but I certainly attribute much of that success to TalkingTree Creative’s ideas and originality.

How did TalkingTree Creative perform from a project management standpoint?

Project management is the area where we needed the most help and the area where TalkingTree Creative has worked the hardest. They’ve been instrumental in planning events starting several months out. Once we select a delivery date, they work backward from that point to determine a timeline for the whole project. We’ll talk 2–3 times per month for a while until that grows into talking every day in the lead-up to the event. We use Webex routinely for meetings and video conferences, and we use Wipster, which allows us to view and comment on video projects as they’re going through the editing process.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Any good company pays attention to detail. TalkingTree Creative understands the details that matter to us, and they pay attention to those. Additionally, if we decided to change the budget for a specific event from one year to the next, they’ve proven to be very flexible while still providing excellent work.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, we’ve worked very well together.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I try to be as open as I can with them about what my ideas are and what I want the video or event to accomplish.