TalkingTree Creative

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the executive director at James Street Associates, a marketing communications agency that specializes in services to the logistics and supply chain industry.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with TalkingTree Creative?

My company needed to create informative videos for a client, but we did not have the necessary in-house expertise to do so.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

TalkingTree Creative provides turnkey video production services. For this initial project, my team used our industry knowledge and information on the client to create the script. TalkingTree Creative reviewed the script to determine timing and how best to present our message in video format. They did location shooting and utilized their own equipment. The team compiled a list of narrators and sent us samples, and we chose the narrator we liked best.

TalkingTree Creative edited in-house. They completed and delivered these informative videos, and we are currently working on another project with them.

What is the team composition?

My team primarily works with two individuals, a full-time and a contract employee. Craig (Founder, President, & CCO, TalkingTree Creative) oversees everything, and we occasionally communicate with him on higher-level issues.  

How did you come to work with TalkingTree Creative?

We were working on another project with an individual who joined TalkingTree Creative. Once we began working with them, it was evident that they were a great fit. My company hired them for this video project because they had the capabilities to fulfill our client’s needs.

How much have you invested with them?

My company has spent over $100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our collaboration began in July 2017. TalkingTree Creative completed the initial video project for our client, and now we’re working on another project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

It’s difficult to say, since the purpose of the video is for our client to attract new industrial development, and this is generally a multi-year process. However, our client reports that the video has effectively created interest in their services and filled their sales pipeline with promising leads. The video has opened new doors for them, which is what they wanted to accomplish.

How did TalkingTree Creative perform from a project management standpoint?

TalkingTree Creative is cooperative and enthusiastic. They are willing to do whatever it takes to ensure that a project satisfies the client’s requirements. Their can-do attitude has been constructive.

Communication varies depending on what phase of a project we’re in. TalkingTree Creative uses an online editing tool once we’re in the editing and post-production phase. We use this tool to share progress with our client, and my team and our client can make comments right on their work. This is our primary editing interface. We also communicate via email.  

What did you find most impressive about them?

TalkingTree Creative is committed to achieving great end results. They offer creative solutions that ensure the project is successful but also within budget.

Their perspective and expertise allowed them to determine what video presentation would best meet our client’s needs. We blended our industry knowledge and understanding of the audience with their expertise in video best practices. Our close working relationship has led to great outcomes.  

Are there any areas they could improve?

We’re very happy with what they’ve done. However, my team is sometimes not sure what the status of the project is; communication could be better, but that’s a minor criticism.

Also, we receive projects on an unpredictable basis, and sometimes it is difficult to match our scheduling needs with TalkingTree Creative’s availability. They are often fully booked for several weeks at a time, and this is challenging to work around. Of course, this is just the nature of the business.

Any advice for potential customers?

Be open and communicative about your needs. For the informative videos project, we were working with a client that was in a very specific industry and that had an audience with particular needs, so we had to convey all of this information to TalkingTree Creative. Don’t assume that they know everything, especially if you’re in a specialized area; share your expertise with them.