When your business' best year falls during a recession, people start to take notice. This was 2009 for
Zone Communication Group. Their new brand promise, "Fresh Thinking. Smart Video," reflects the commitment that's pulling them through a tough time for the media industry.
Zone Communication Group, started by John Colmar and Ben Stepaniak in 2003, creates corporate videos, broadcast commercials, and stills. Its Eighth Street offices house a staff of eleven, including animators, videographers, and producers.
Zone CG's Account Executive and Creative Director, Brandon Faris, describes his role as "the pusher of thought and ideation." He communicates what Zone can do to potential clients.
"If they want all in, I put on my 'creative director' hat." Faris looks for ways to bring fresh innovations to corporate videos, while respecting the creative vision that an ad agency has already articulated.
Faris credits Zone's success to a thorough rebranding process over the last six months. "Last year, everyone felt the slowdown. We asked ourselves, 'What can we do to be ready to go when the economy picks up again?'"
Zone Communication Group asked its clients - and each other - a critical question: "Who is Zone?" A consistent message emerged - wildly creative and economically competitive. Zone poured that creativity into their sales messages, distributed through social media, print, direct mail, and morning-commute radio spots.
Their products are creating positive buzz on their own. A Kia Soul spot for Jeff Wyler Automotive gained national recognition - and many reposts - through its mention on autoblog.com.
Faris believes Cincinnati is strategic to the growth of Zone CG.
"The geography lends itself to filming on location. We're just a few hours from Chicago, and less than an hour from the country. There are many branding firms here, with accounts that feed from P&G."
He hopes that these firms will not look to the coasts for video production, but recognize the talent here in the Queen City.
"I've always had a larger view of the city," says the Erlanger native. "We're the heart of America."
Writer: Elena Stevenson
Source: Brandon Faris, Account Executive and Creative Director, Zone Communication Group
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.