Why this Mercedes-Benz Corporate Video is Winning

In true avant-garde fashion, automotive company Daimler produced “Spirit, Passion & Performance”, a corporate video for Mercedes-Benz that earned itself a Golden Dolphin Award at Cannes.

There are reasons why #Mercedes-Benz is one of the most innovative automotive manufacturers in the world. Unsurprisingly, they’re not afraid to demonstrate why:

This #corporate #video shows what it’s really like to work for Mercedes-Benz, from the bottom up. Taking a well-rounded approach, Daimler takes us around the world to get the true gist of the company’s #diversity.

Each group of workers has their own unique part to play in the automotive #creation. They also tell their own stories.

Perhaps what is so enjoyable is how, despite the differences, all Mercedes-Benz employees come together to share a common goal: pushing a stellar #product.

While most corporate companies will use videos to better explain or promote their product, this video focuses on the people behind the wheel. From the mechanics to the brand reps, we get a sense of each employee’s work #environment.

In a series of fast-paced shots, we are quickly drawn in. But perhaps what keeps us glued are all the cool things we don’t usually get to see in other car #promos. A lot of car #companies might show the manufacturing of their automotive parts, but not all will showcase their affiliates. In a quick series of shots and voiceovers, Mercedes-Benz brilliantly, yet subtly, makes an ode to the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Mercedes-Benz also shows off its wide car selection. We get just as excited over the huge trucks as we do for the small race cars on the tracks. The video also strays away from the generic list of #buzzwords most companies loosely use, and instead demonstrates it with powerful statements and gripping footage.

Innovation? Just look at their new emissions-free model.

Diversity? Take a look at their employees.

Success? Check out their track record.

Not convinced? Watch it again.

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Corporate Video: How Much Should Your Budget Be, Anyway?

If your #budget has you on the fence for investing in a corporate video, let us make it really simple for you: make like Nike and just do it

…within reason, of course.

You’d be surprised at just how many Fortune 500 companies rightfully invest in #corporate #video #marketing and are able to make a profit. If your company is just starting out, it can be daunting when considering whether or not corporate video is the best marketing tool. Once that is confirmed, it can be just as difficult deciding on what to include for your first #company video. What is your #concept? Where would you shoot? Is it a #client #testimonial, #infomercial, or #tutorial? Is it live-action or #animation? What about both? And how much do these things cost? Well, coming up with a budget beforehand may save you from overspending and wasting time down the road.

Of course, #prices range with the different stages of #production. They also vary from one production company to the next. Here at #KeyWestVideo, we like to think our prices are more than affordable whether you’re a a start-up or Fortune 500. Our goal is not to drain our clients’ budgets, but offer the highest production value we can for exceptional corporate video.

Jimm Fox of One Market Media wrote a piece on the estimated costs of different production elements. We’ve highlighted some key aspects you might want to consider when settling on a budget for your #visual #venture:

Experts

First and foremost, having experts in your video is a must. Depending on the content of your video, it might be worth the investment to hire the best possible expert in your roster or hire a professional in your field.

Concept

Depending on the concept of your video, the costs may vary. If it’s an animation of high production value, this can cause anything from $3,000 to over $10,000 for a 3-5 minute video. If you’re looking to hire an experienced marketer, they may charge hourly fees for consulting services, too.

Equipment

Equipment is the most important element in production shooting. Different types of cameras and lenses offer different aesthetics. It all boils down to the ‘look’ you’re going for. A DV camera costs around $500. Most DSLRs range from $1,500- $2,500. A full feature HD camera can costs upwards of $10,000. A RED camera can cost anything from $15-25,000…you get the idea.

And this doesn’t include the extras, like lenses, field monitors, dollies, jibs, sandbags, lighting equipment, audio equipment and the list goes on.

It’s worth deciding just how you would like to shoot, what your shoot will look like, and where you’d like it to take place, which brings us to…

Location

Companies often think that public spaces, like parks and recreational areas, are free-for-all. This is almost always not the case. It might not be worth the risk to shoot guerrilla-style in a public area without first obtaining a permit.

There are budget costs when booking an actual studio. Companies would benefit from creating a solid production schedule that will determine how long studio rental is required.

Crew

Over the years, we’ve found that most corporate video production sets don’t require more than a few of our core team members. This way, there are no idle bodies on #set. It also makes for a smoother production. The smaller your crew, the less you will end up paying them. In fact, the core team should consist of a producer/director, videographer/camera operator and a sound person. Sometimes, for multiple angle shoots, more than one camera op may be necessary.

Editing

Last but not least, we have editing. In essence, this is where the magic is created. As #editors weave footage together to create one solid #story, we get an idea of what a project will look like once brought to life. Ideally, editors should cost the most. And depending on the different suites and programs they use, they can cost a pretty penny. This is not to mention additional costs for special visual effects and graphics. Animation with a high production value can cost hundreds of dollars per hour. On average, typical editing (linear and non-linear) ranges from $60-$150 per hour.

If you’re looking for remarkable video content at an affordable rate, Key West Video is the place for you.

Check out what some of our past clients have to say about us.

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Things To Consider For Your Company’s PSA

If your company wants to create a meaningful social change, a PSA might be your best bet.

What you want the world to know about a social issue, behaviour, or epidemic, is imperative. Typically, a #PSA, or Public Service Announcement (or Advertisement) should aim to raise awareness and change public behaviour towards a social issue. If you’re a not-for-profit organization or grassroots movement, you might want to consider the following when coming up with a concept for your PSA:

Know your audience

 

When deciding on who you want your message to directly reach, you’ll have to know who your target demographic is. Are they aged 18-35? 40-60? Of a certain ethnicity or social class? What about targeted neighbourhoods? A bit of research might go a long way when you want to know who they are. After all, this will affect:

a) how they will consume your content, making it easier to determine how to distribute your video

b) what they would actually be interested in seeing

c) what type of video production company will be best to hire when coming together to create your vision

In a previous post, we discussed Dove’s Real Beauty sketch campaign that highlighted the way women often view themselves. Naturally, this campaign resonated with its viewers, instantly becoming the most viral ad of all time. What Dove probably did not anticipate was its crossover appeal. With over 114 million views, it quickly becoming a favourite for both men and women. One of the main reasons why this campaign was so successful was because Dove knew who its target audience was: women of all ages who use their beauty products. Everyone else was just extra.

Have a strong message

One of the last things you want is to create a forgettable ad. A memorable PSA means it has a message that resonates with its viewers. Whether it is to meant to create a high emotional response or be thought provoking, it must have a point. 

If, for whatever reason, the production value doesn’t go according to plan, you’ll want your audience to at least grasp what you were trying to say. If all else fails, a strong message should be your last pillar of strength.

Create powerful visuals

Most PSAs depend on a strong use of visuals. This doesn’t just mean visually-stunning shots on high-end HD cameras. This could just include heart-gripping shots of things we don’t normally see. Things that many of us ignore or have gone through in the past. Things that get our attention.

Some PSAs hardly make use of a script at all.

Make your script concise

Some of the best PSAs don’t actually say much.

What we mean is, often times the script in a PSA is minimal, while the ad or announcement depends on the visuals to tell the story.

Whether it is a voiceover, direct on-camera dialogue, or text appearing at the screen, make sure it is short and to the point.

Have an idea for a PSA? Contact Key West Video today!

 

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The Importance of Storytelling in Corporate Video

Since the dawn of time, humans have used #storytelling as a means of communicating with each other. From the Stone Ages to the invention of the printing press, we have found ways keep #narrative alive from word of mouth to drawings, to music, to movable clay type.

With the introduction of #motion #picture in 1895, we found a more visceral way to get our stories across – #film. Finally, a medium that could accurately depict the human experience. While reenacting our daily experiences, we were able to get visual justice for #stories deserving to be told.

And even though motion picture has come a long way in the last 120 years, some fundamental elements remain the same.

Today, we use motion picture storytelling in a plethora of areas. Film. #Television. #Animation. Even #video #games. In the world of corporate video, storytelling is essential in representing who you are. It’s a way to simplify your company’s services or products in a way that your desired clients can understand and relate to. It can explain how your #product or #service is beneficial, or tell a story of how your product has changed someone’s life.

They can also be fun. By creating a clear, concise story around your company, it can be a great way to build a narrative that your audience can understand and share.

In a previous post, we touched on the importance of narrative in nerd culture. Some of the most poignant #comics have the best backstories, giving a character more depth. The more detailed the story, the more “meat” an audience has to work with, and the more interested they become.

Some of the reasons we at Key West Video like storytelling is because it helps our clients’ audiences picture themselves with that particular brand in their lives. We enjoy creating that #virtual #reality experience that enables us to picture ourselves doing something.

After all, most actions begin with #visualization, right?

Storytelling also adds a #human element to your company. Audiences want to know that there are actual people behind the #brands they buy, and how those people are more similar to them than different. How does your #company relate? Do they know what’s best for their #audiences? If so, how do they #communicate this without directly telling them what is good for them?

It’s also a great opportunity to talk about the history of your company. If we’re being frank, our clients might not care about who founded your organization, what changes have been made over the years, and how your success has grown by telling them this through text. But with the right #visuals to accompany a compelling story, you can easily hook your audience and engage them in your company culture.

Here at Key West Video, we offer top-notch video production. Have a story you want to share? Contact us today!

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At #AngelosGardenCentre with @fragglerock1980

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