Among the things we do very well at the Concept Farm is Video; for TV, for web, for conference, for sales; ads, long form, testimonial, branded content - you name it - video storytelling is our specialty. And we do it all in house from concept through production to post production. Which is why we are embarking on a research project to help promote video by quantifying the effectiveness the medium has for marketers. But we don’t want to do this alone. We want to gather input from experts in marketing, production, events, sales and ‘other’ to help craft the story. If you are passionate about the power of video to tell brand stories across (any) marketing channel please shoot me a DM or email. Maybe we can work together.
@plavoukos / matt@conceptfarm.com
Posted by Matt
So I’m standing firmly planted dead center in front of the plastic plate section at the local grocer and I can’t find the forks (Not proud of using plastic but sometimes you do what you have to). I look up and down, all around - but still nothing. I knew they were there somewhere. What I did next was nothing short of a crowing achievement in shopping. I moved. Figured I change my spot to see if I could see them…Bingo. Found them (also found some great USA napkins).
This kind of new perspective approach works well for shopping - (here’s the segue) and it will work equally as well for those of us in the digital marketing business.
As Digital Director one of my jobs is to help Clients realize new and different opportunities. But I can’t do it alone (nor is that my plan). I enlist others around me that have the needed experience, relationships and access to clients to help spread the gospel. At times this can be frustrating. Meetings don’t happen fast enough. The right clients are not enlisted. On and on. The job is almost designed with a built in headwind. That’s where perspective is critical. Before I allow frustration to seep - I try to change where I’m standing. I move to my colleague’s side of the table. I try to understand that my business may only be a fraction of theirs (one thing of course I am trying to change). I try to remember that evangelizing is selling. And that selling tests the trust developed in any professional relationship.
Changing vantage points to see the same thing from a new angle is eye opening for sure - and critical to effective collaboration and communication. Trust me. When you’re willing to move where you’re standing you’ll see more than you thought.
Posted by Matt
I had ‘the talk’ with my 8 year old recently. It was awkward. I stammered. I left it with more questions than answers, but he’s only 8. Yes - the boy wants to be on Youtube. He’s been watching Youtube for years. Getting game play advice, checking out funny kitten videos, and any weird stuff Mr. Singh sends along. But now he wants to be a star. The neighbors kids do it. They film themselves shooting hoops. Memes. Oy. Worse yet he’s desperate for clicks. He wants to tap into the revenue model (10c a click!). He knows more about how youtube works than most people I know. Including me.
Over a dinner of ramen, taco meat and garlic bread our conversation went something like this:
Son: Dad, Sam (the neighbor) has 1,000 views
Me: That’s a lot.
Son: Dad, (he always starts with Dad even if I’m sitting right there) that’s so many
He’s gripping the fork in his ramen. Noodles spooled. He never let’s go.
Me: Spence, please keep eating.
Son: Why can’t I uploooooooad (he has this cute whine. works with any word)
Me: Spence, (I find myself starting every sentence with his name too) its just that its public ya know.
Son: So?
Me: So anyone can see it.
Son: Dad, (this time with that ‘you are such an idiot’ tone) that’s the whole point
Me: Yeah but like anyone even people you don’t want watching
Son: Like who?
Me: Finish your noodles
The first time my dad and I had the talk I was 14. he asked me to go with him to get shaving cream (I know, right?). We took the long way to the pharmacy and he asked me what I knew. Once (finally) there we strolled by the condom aisle. Nightmare. I ended up getting a toothbrush because I didn’t want the trip to be a total loss.
The convergence of technology and humanity happened right under my nose (and roof). Digital things, devices, access to everything everywhere is second nature to my kids. The next TV we get will have google TV and apps and all the web. They won’t even remember basic cable. They give none of this a second thought. This is not an experiment for my boys. It is simply a way of life.
As for that real talk that looms - I know for sure there is a video for that too. Hopefully, when the time comes, they won’t want to make their own.
Remember the talk…
Posted by Matt
The Concept Farm has been named on Ad Age’s first-ever Best Places to Work list in Marketing & Media. Only 30 agencies across the U.S. made the exclusive list and, of those, we were among only 10 that were profiled for the story.
It’s great to see the Concept Farm get the recognition it deserves for being such a unique place that values creativity, collaboration and a sense of humor.
For our clients, this great work environment translates into better ideas, more efficiently executed. No drama. No waste. 
Posted by kristin