TalkingTree Creative

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm an administrative manager who oversees the company's internal events.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with TalkingTree Creative?

Our annual “all hands” meeting has grown year after year, so we needed help to up the production value.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We hired TalkingTree Creative to provide a full-show production for our annual meetings. Previously, we’d used a simple PowerPoint presentation, but we wanted to create a larger-scale feel for those meetings. They offered expert production assistance, including handling set design, lighting, and sound, and integrating inventive camera work.

They managed production and preproduction of “talking-head”-style interviews of staff members that we turned into internal commercials. They helped us figure out the right verbiage to use, then scripted most segments with actors. They even used a green screen for one setup. They then created shots to be shown during the event and recorded the event the day it occurred.

Their team also coordinated with our contacts at the host hotel and supported the registration and check-in process for the roughly 1,000 attendees.

What is the team composition?

Usually, I work with Kaitlyn (Associate Producer, TalkingTree) and another point of contact. I prefer to have two points of contact to keep the process simple. We've also interacted directly with many of the people they've contracted (e.g., camera operators, sound technicians).

How did you come to work with TalkingTree Creative?

We wanted a local production company, and after interviewing three candidate firms, we chose TalkingTree Creative.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $100,000–$150,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We've been working together since around October 2015. We finished up a massive event in April 2018 and are already planning our next one for March 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Bringing in TalkingTree Creative has greatly enhanced our employees’ experience at our annual meetings. They make it look like an exciting, enjoyable, and professional show instead of a dry PowerPoint presentation. Every year, they create a new presentation for the event, but they remember what we’ve liked in the past and produce work that meets (or exceeds) our needs.

They innovate year after year, which is why we continue to use them. It never feels like they produce similar output for every customer.

How did TalkingTree Creative perform from a project management standpoint?

They've learned the ins and outs of our fundamental processes.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Over the years, they’ve gotten to know us and now feel like a part of our team. They’ve always done a fantastic job, and I’d give them more work if I could.

Are there any areas they could improve?

TalkingTree Creative continues to grow, but they should be wary of getting too comfortable. The most recent project didn't start out that well because the new employees they’d brought in weren’t as skilled as the team we were used to. Once we discussed our requirements, they delivered to the high standard we’ve come to expect from them.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Ask lots of questions and be very specific about what you want, what you don’t want, and how much you want to spend. Once they have the details, give them the flexibility to implement ideas you may not have considered.