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Simplifying the Video Production Process

CMMA Blog

Did you know that by 2019, video traffic will account for 80% of all global consumer Internet traffic? We are watching videos, every day, on every platform, and it’s not slowing down anytime soon.

Facebook, a brand known for its ever-changing, trend-based algorithms, is facilitating the growth of video on social and requiring companies and brands to get on board.  With Facebook Video posts increasing in the U.S. by 94% annually, they’ve amended their ad structure to compel business owners to leverage video in order to receive the impressions they desire. If you are a marketer looking to increase brand awareness on Facebook, you need to embrace video otherwise your content simply won’t receive the engagement it deserves.

Without a doubt, YouTube has helped to fuel this fire (a fire that they arguably started). YouTube reports a rise in mobile video consumption by 100% every year. According to Hubspot , with 400 hours of video content being uploaded every minute, the sheer amount of video content on YouTube is overwhelming, yet completely justified. People are searching and watching YouTube videos at a shocking rate of 1 billion collective hours per day.  Your customers don’t just want video- they expect it, and they are growing to rely on it. We are at the point where video is no longer a trend but a social normality and for companies and brands looking to connect with their audience, video marketing is no longer optional.

Unfortunately, video production is one of the most complex and intricate processes in all of inbound marketing. To get a good blog, just combine a talented writer who understands SEO with a graphic designer and you’ve got Ebooks and Whitepapers galore. But video? Video is a different game.

What goes into making a great video?

It starts in pre-production. Before you even begin storyboarding, you need to have a good understanding of the capabilities and tools available to you. Being aware of the budget, capabilities and limitations of your video production software, and any editing or graphics talent you have at your disposal is important. Not only to the successful creation of the video but to your efficiency, and ultimately, to your ROI. Finding the facilities, actors and designers also falls into the pre-production process. On top of all those details and moving parts, the most critical aspect of pre-production is crafting the message. No matter how advanced the technology is, the quality of the content and message is paramount to the success of the video. A great video elicits a response in its viewers and drives engagement.

Next up is production. Chances are this is where you may need some outside help. Hands down, skilled camera operators, professional lighting and sound equipment can vastly improve the quality of your video.  In many cases, videos with a higher production quality have a higher perceived value of the message. Consider your audience, buyer personas, or ideal viewers and use that to gauge the level of sophistication that your video needs. Be creative and use what you have available to you to express the message you so carefully crafted.

The final stage of the process is post-production. You’ve put a lot of great work into your video so far, but post-production is where the magic happens. Exciting transitions, graphics or animation can enhance any video and really make it come to life. It can also help to extend the reach of your video and promotes viewer engagement. What’s not magic, is how long it can take. Post-production is a time consuming and detailed-oriented process. It is important not to underestimate the length of time needed when building out your initial timeline. Having an experienced editor or post-production designer in your arsenal can prove to be extremely beneficial, especially when trying to make a deadline. Don’t know of anyone fit for the job? One phone call to TeamPeople , and we’ll help locate the right professional for the job, within your budget. An experienced editor can also correct or improve quality issues from the production stage such as lighting and sound. Subtitles are also a highly recommended enhancement that can be made since WordStream announced that 85% of the videos watched on Facebook are watched with the sound off.

 

Outsourcing the help you need.

Needless to say, video production can be a complicated process. For many marketing teams without a dedicated in-house video team, creating a video initiative requires a great deal of commitment. From having the necessary tools to the required training and skills- skills usually outside of the standard marketer’s wheelhouse of expertise, it’s easy to see why outsourcing is a common solution. Outsourcing the video production and/or the post-production work allows the marketing team to focus on the content creation and marketing of the final video, playing to their strengths. Not only can it save you time, it brings quality and professionalism to your message and brand.

In whichever way you choose to incorporate video into your marketing strategy, it’s well worth it. According to Insivia , 52% of marketing professionals worldwide name video as the type of content with the best ROI. Still not convinced? Marketers who use video grow revenue 49% faster than non-video users.

Looking to take advantage of the flexibility of outsourcing? We’re here for you! TeamPeople has an international database of 40,000+ freelancers specializing in digital media, technology and creative. We can bridge the gap between great marketing and great video so that you don’t have to get lost in the cumbersome process of producing video.

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The Future of Media Leaders’ Summit Recap

CMMA Blog

2018 marked the second iteration of the Future of Media Leaders’ Summit hosted by Al Jazeera in Doha, Qatar. While there were product demonstrations by a few of the supporting vendors, the focus was clearly on the information shared through key note presentations and panel discussions. The ever-evolving theme of the summit revolved around cloud technology and artificial intelligence (AI). During panel discussions, three simultaneous panels were held, one focusing on technology, another on workflow, and the third one on content and distribution. Panels consisted of media and technology executives that candidly shared their views on the topic at hand.

 

On the first day of the summit, cloud technology and cyber security were at the center of the presentations. Avid’s recent partnership with Microsoft Azure, both of which have partnerships with Al Jazeera, is evidence of maximizing the cloud by utilizing cloud-based applications that will give content producers much more flexibility to create and edit material on the fly and in the field. In regard to infrastructure, the impression I got from the panelists was that a hybrid solution, consisting of on premises and cloud-based storage, was the mixture that the majority of major film and media industry titans were either already utilizing or had plans to implement in the near future.

 

Over the last few years, there have been multiple attacks on cloud-based storage, which was the primary focus of the cybersecurity talks. Most of the cloud-based attacks were a result of security tools not being properly used and the discussion moved to providing training and convincing non-technical users to take advantage of two-factor authentication and various other cybersecurity tools to ensure only authorized people had access to sensitive material stored on the cloud, but it seemed to be accepted universally, that the cloud was more secure than traditional storage systems, due to the fact that cloud providers had an army of cybersecurity specialists working on defending and developing tools, whereas, the media industry did not. Additionally, in the realm of cybersecurity, “Fake News” also played into the narrative. Keynote Speaker Haroon Meer, founder of Thinkist, demonstrated how his team used “Weapons of Mass Distraction” and was able to easily manipulate trending news feeds on major news websites such as The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. In the end, the panelists didn’t have many recommendations on how to combat “Fake News” beyond making sure their organizations continued to deliver fast and accurate news to their viewers.

 

Day 2 of the summit shifted focus to Artificial Intelligence or AI. Over the last 2 days, no topic created more buzz in the summit, than AI did. From concerns of machines taking over the world, to journalists potentially being out of jobs, everyone agreed that AI can be useful to augment the capabilities of the media and should be sought after to implement in the media industry. One panel focused on the creation of the position “Chief Algorithm Officer” to determine how AI should be used in an organization to meet its goals, which the panel all seemed to agree on. My favorite quote from the AI discussion came from Dr. Yaser Bishr, the Executive Director of Digital for Al Jazeera, saying “AI is not the industrial revolution… The speed of evolution we are experiencing with AI far exceeds anything that we have [seen] before”. He went on to say that any machine that can produce knowledge that has not previously existed in a matter of hours, is dangerous to humankind.

 

Lastly, the afternoon panels combined cloud technology and AI to demonstrate what the newsroom of the future would look like. There was much disagreement on what it would look like exactly, but everyone agreed that cloud technology and AI would help media organizations greatly. I am personally excited to see what’s next in the coming years and to be working in an industry where both cloud technology and AI are going to have a huge impact.

 

Did you attend The Future of Media Leaders Summit? What were your biggest take-aways? We’re heading to Avid Connect and NAB in April and InfoComm in June! If you’ll be there, let’s connect!

 

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What will the future of work look like?

CMMA Blog

In the US, there are more than 53 million freelancers, making up about 35% of the labor force. A recent report  from McKinsey illustrates that while there is a group of workers that is working on a freelance basis position, the large majority of independent workers are getting great satisfaction from working this way.

Employee engagement and overall satisfaction is unquestionably good for business. Flexibility is known to breed creativity, so if we can provide an effective way for this working-style to succeed, we have the potential to create a progressive system in which everybody wins. By leveraging a flexible and nimble staff, businesses are positioned to better adjust to ongoing project demands, tight deadlines and unique skill-sets required to reach success.

Companies that are successfully utilizing independent contractors have taken the leap to structure their business towards the independent worker- from the very core of procurement, legal and finance, to HR, how they find, source and manage their talent.  It is only a matter of time before all businesses will need to do the same. That’s where TeamPeople comes in. Not only do we have a talent cloud of 40K creative and technical talent, but we have experts in HR, legal and procurement and we take the weight of that pressure off our client’s shoulders. If you’re interested in learning more on navigating compliance with a freelance workforce, join us in our Webinar with IHAF on October 25th where we’ll uncover the legal and compliance issues surrounding the variable labor model, helping identify the pros and cons, and better understand how to operate within the boundaries of the law.

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Are you looking for qualified and fully-vetted creative or technical talent? Whether you need a UX designer, mobile app developer or a post-production editor, we find the right person for the job- every time. Get a quote today.

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Not to Fear, Your Recruiter is Here!

CMMA Blog

A few weeks ago, I attended the ERE Recruiting conference in sunny San Diego, California. It was a delight to spend the week with my fellow recruiters, talking about industry challenges and how we overcome them to find the best talent to add to our teams.

The overarching trend was that unemployment is at an all-time low. The New York Times reported that the U.S. added 313,000 jobs in February alone , the most in a single month since July of 2016. For talent and job seekers, that’s great news! For recruiters, the hot market can be challenging. With an influx of job openings and demand for top talent, the pressure is on. Though not to fear, recruiters are coming up with unique and innovative ways to tap into the market!

 

Here are the 5 most innovative techniques recruiters are using to find top talent:

 

  1. Social Media is where it’s at

Long gone are the days where talent would merely apply online and see what happens. Companies have started taking a proactive approach to reaching potential candidates directly and it has paid off! 69% of active candidates are more likely to apply for a job at a company that manages its employer brand. Tools such as Facebook Live, Chat bots, Instagram, and Twitter are allowing candidates to immediately speak with a recruiter during business hours. It’s an immediate return on your investment and a Recruiter can see the dividends of their work instantaneously.

 

  1. Video is an important tool

Candidates are more concerned than ever about their work environment. Can I bring my dog? What are the benefits? What is my Managers style? Are there company events? We spend so much time at work that candidates want to know what the culture is like and if they would enjoy spending time there. I know for me personally, working at an organization where I can grow, feel valued, and have coworkers that foster a hospitable work environment are crucial. So why wouldn’t that also be important for candidates? Showing company culture through video is one of the best ways to get engagement. Whether it’s with VR, webcasts, or blogs, candidates, just like recruiters, shouldn’t be afraid to show their personality!

 

  1. The Burgeoning Digital Nomad

Working in a digital environment allows for flexibility. Candidates want to see that they can take their laptop on the road and either work freelance or remote a few days a week. Fundera reports that the number of employers offering a work from home option has grown by 40% in the past 5 years. Companies that are willing to be flexible and allow their workforce room to work from home, work remote, or have a flex schedule are seeing talent come to them!

 

  1. Less is More

Long drawn out interview processes are daunting for both candidates and clients! The talent market is so tight that long lag times between interviews or a long response time can often result in losing the talent you want! If you see someone that you like through the interview process – don’t wait! Candidates are here today and gone tomorrow. It’s important to know where to draw the line between making sure it’s a good fit and over doing it with online assessments, multiple interview days, phone and skype interviews, etc. Make that offer! Don’t lose out on the right fit by dragging your feet.

 

  1. Technology is a tool and not the end all be all

It is important to utilize technology to gain a window into a company atmosphere and environment, to expedite the interview process/workflow and to capture that candidate that didn’t even know they needed a new job for your company. Send that tweet, invite them to that video interview, work on surveys and feedback. With all that being said, it still boils down to the fact that recruitment is a human based industry. Nothing can replace picking up that phone or using that connection. Don’t forget, it’s about the people, and people are our business!

 

Is your company having trouble finding the right talent for your open positions? We find the right person for the job- every time. Get a quote today.

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Immersive Media – Are you ready?

CMMA Blog

A few short weeks ago, TeamPeople hosted a webinar entitled, “Immersive Media, Are You Ready?”.  With AR, VR and video 360’ being all the rage, we took a deep dive into what it takes to produce compelling content and if these technologies will become essential to a brand’s success. We posed these questions to our panelists, Raven Petuchowski, Renee Beck and Loreta Tarozaite, three trail-blazing women leading technology teams from all sides of the country.

To ensure that everyone started with the same level of understanding, we began our webinar by first defining the difference between immersion and engagement. Engagement takes place when a story or marketing message provokes some sort of action amongst the audience. Immersion takes place when the audience forgets it’s even an audience at all. Immersion blurs the lines between story and marketing or storyteller and audience.

Covering everything from personal experiences to advice and lessons learned, our panelists delivered valuable content. To view the webinar and slide presentation, click here .

 

Here’s what we found:

 

Content is king no matter what technology is used.

Immersive experiences present endless opportunities, but is it right for your brand? Loreta emphasized that these new technologies should be used to our advantage to tell the story.  Forcing your brand’s story into the latest and greatest technology platform, doesn’t automatically create great content.  You need to choose the technology that brings your story to life. It may be VR, AR or Video 360, but it also may be a video, creatively designed infographic or other strategically-designed method. When deciding on the best tool or platform, choose what makes sense from a content and consumer perspective rather than just because ‘it’s the coolest new tech’.

 

Is the risk worth the reward?

Tapping into immersive media can be an expensive undertaking. With technology investments, productions costs and distribution methods, the costs can be high. Plus, you need to find the individuals with the right skill-sets to create the high-quality content. Despite the hesitation of many big-named corporations, a Deloitte study reports more than 150 companies, in multiple industries including 52 of the Fortune 500, are testing or have deployed AR or VR solutions.  For some industries, such as education, the path to “reward” is much less foggy and uncertain.  As Renee pointed out, education has a longstanding history of being a very passive.  AR and VR has the ability to radically change the way we learn. Experiencing something first-hand, can create a learning experience far more effective than listening to a lecture or reading a textbook.

 

Getting buy-in.

After being highlighted by our panelists and discussed in our audience Q&A session, getting buy in from top decision-makers is a common obstacle. Our panelists agreed that building something from scratch and creating a demo for your senior leaders is a game-changer. They recommended partnering with a company or person that really does it well and can help showcase the value it can bring to your mission.  A well-developed demo will do wonders to your pitch. Seeing is believing, after all. The same goes for selling it externally.  In order to have mass adoption, you need to put it in the audience’s hands.

 

The consensus.

Collective immersive content experiences are estimated to become a 140 billion-dollar business by 2020 .  In many ways, our panelists agree that it will be imperative to leverage these new technologies to stay competitive in the future.  Whether its AR or VR, the answer remains to be seen, but what it comes down to is the experience.  Gone are days of static webpages and a quantity over quality approach. To succeed, you need to be disruptive and experiential.

 

Is your team looking to tap into immersive media, but need help getting started? We’re here to help! With our database of highly-skilled talent, we’ve created and implemented immersive experiences for our clients across the nation and abroad. Send us an email, we would love to hear about your ideas!

 Immersive Media Webinar Play

 

 

Meet the Panelists:

Raven

Raven Petuchowski

Executive Producer for TeamPeople @Allstate

For the past nine years, Raven has led TeamPeople @ Allstate’s multimedia team to coordinate, produce and manage a wide range of interactive media projects. She’s the executive producer of a diverse team of more than 100 professionals creating high-end interactive audio and video projects and global events.

 

Renee

Renee Beck

Director, Video & Technical Operations @2U

Renee is a passionate media executive with 20 years of comprehensive experience in all facets of content creation. With previous experience leading teams at National Geographic, TV One, The World Bank and today, 2U, she’s worked her way up through various industries.

 

Loreta

Loreta Tarozaite

Sr. Video Producer @Western Digital

First stepping foot in the cable industry as a news anchor and reporter in her home country, Lithuania, she entered the industry in a very non-conventional way. With 18 years of experience, Loreta has worked in various producing, directing, editing, and content generation capacities for companies including SanDisk and Western Digital.

 

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