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The Better Video Podcast

The Better Video Podcast

By Casual Films

Video is everywhere. It is the best way to communicate a message and build a following online. Despite runaway success stories all around us it can be harder than it looks to create content which cuts through the noise and reaches your audience. The Better Video Podcast is hosted by communications strategist, filmmaker author Nick Francis – his goal is to make your videos do exactly what you want them to do – build powerful engagement with your audience whoever they are. He does that with the help of some of the most interesting and experienced people in the brand content marketing industry.
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Currently playing episode

The New Fire: Book Introduction with Content Strategist Chris Le'cand Harwood

The Better Video PodcastMar 17, 2020

00:00
49:39
Reassessing your approach to content post-corona with Chris Le'cand Harwood

Reassessing your approach to content post-corona with Chris Le'cand Harwood

The corona virus crisis has had, and will continue to have, a huge effect on businesses. There is still plenty of uncertainty and hardship to come. Now that politicians are starting to talk about restarting things, we need to start thinking about the content that we should be sharing. Will there be a bounce back to match the significant contraction - as there was after the 1919 flu epidemic or are we in for something rather more protracted?

Whatever comes next we will beed to take a moment to reassess our approach to the content that we share. In this Podcast, Nick is joined once again by content marketing strategist Chris Le'cand Harwood to discuss the framework that communicators, marketers and recruiters can use to make this reassessment.

This is a follow on from the episode on what 'Brands being Broadcasters' means. 

They also discuss:

The Impact of COVID on brands

Time to reset: how should brands think about the content that they produce.

Chris and Nick's Coming Through Corona framework:

1. Think audience first / define goals

2. Align audience needs with your brand proposition/values

3. Define value / Create T R U E content

4. Start small and iterate to scale

5. Amplify


If you find this interesting, please take a moment to like and subscribe.


Get in touch with any questions:

Nick's LinkedIn


About Chris

I’m a son of an ad man. I was brought up in agency life. It sparked my passion for marketing and I've built my career on it. I have been in the agency world for over 18 years and loved working with clients in the education, employer and consumer marketing worlds. Having cut my teeth in campus marketing, resourcing, research and integrated marketing management I have spent nearly a decade in social media and content marketing. I was one of the first social media specialists in the employer and education marketing agency sector. I've built a service offering, restructured social media teams and helped a wide range of organisations.

I am now a marketing consultant helping organisations with the social media and content marketing strategies.

The Employer Content Marketing Pod

Chris' Website


About Casual

Casual Films’ clients choose us because we employ remarkably good staff, who are extremely competent and a pleasure to work with. Our proprietary production method has been honed over nearly 10,000 films for major brands including RedBull, Adobe, IBM, Rolls-Royce, Autodesk, Facebook and Marriott and many others. We handle all aspects of the process from consultancy to filming, animation to distribution. We have studios in London, New York, LA, San Francisco, and Amsterdam and a global network of trusted filmmakers ready to go.

Please get in touch - we'd love to talk to you.  The New Fire: Harness the Power of Video for Your Business Check out the book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1912009048


May 08, 202033:12
The importance of creativity in business with artist and executive coach Louis Parsons

The importance of creativity in business with artist and executive coach Louis Parsons

Nick is joined by artist, speaker, executive coach and thinker Louis Parsons. Their conversation covers a number of different areas on the theme of creativity and art in business.  This might seem like a bit of departure from our usual discussion topics but we wanted to share some of Louis' thoughts on a number of areas that you might find interesting.

Including:

The value of painting and creativity in generating alignment around shared goals.

The value of creativity in finding meaning.

The fact that if you are able to worry you are able to create.

Is it time for a new renaissance?!

How and why you are a natural born creator.


Mentioned in the conversation:

Have a look at Louis' website to see his work and to sign up for a free SoulScaping workshop course.


About Louis

Louis Parsons works with high-level executives to unleash the creative energy within them and their company. Essentially, he helps leaders to see and grasp their own future. His extraordinary ability to evoke the best in a leader and their organization makes Louis and his work sought after worldwide.

Louis’s VisionScape work has been commissioned by corporations such as BMW and Visa, as well as successful private entrepreneurs. Louis is the founder of and lead instructor at VisionScape Academy, which trains and accredits facilitators of VisionScape workshops. These workshops enable leaders to tangibly experience their inner creativity whilst painting a vision of the future. In addition to being a master painter, Louis is a professional Insights Coach. This helps him work closely with people to explore and capture the essence of what is most important about their vision, goals, and creative potential. Louis is an articulate speaker on themes of creativity, engagement and fulfilment at work. He has worked with leadership teams at Visa, Mars, Bank Of America, eBay, Hilton, Glaxo Smith Kline and Microsoft. He also is Artist in Residence for The Four Seasons, Kuda Huraa. As both an artist and a thinker, Louis is fascinated by what the future holds for organizations, especially the convergence between the seemingly separate disciplines of art and commerce. He is currently a think tank scholar for the Center Of Integral Wisdom, writing on the subject of a New Renaissance.


Get in touch with any questions:

Nick's LinkedIn

About Casual

Casual Films’ clients choose us because we employ remarkably good staff, who are extremely competent and a pleasure to work with. Our proprietary production method has been honed over nearly 10,000 films for major brands including RedBull, Adobe, IBM, Rolls-Royce, Autodesk, Facebook and Marriott and many others. We handle all aspects of the process from consultancy to filming, animation to distribution. We have studios in London, New York, LA, San Francisco, and Amsterdam and a global network of trusted filmmakers ready to go.

Please get in touch - we'd love to talk to you.  The New Fire: Harness the Power of Video for Your Business Check out the book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1912009048

Apr 30, 202047:24
Keeping an open mind when creating content with Hannah Bernard - Global Marketing and Communications Director, Avery Dennison Intelligent Labels

Keeping an open mind when creating content with Hannah Bernard - Global Marketing and Communications Director, Avery Dennison Intelligent Labels

Promoting and displaying some of the world's most high-tech materials available makes for some really interesting video production.  In this wide ranging conversation, Nick talks to Avery Dennison Intelligent Labels',  Global Marketing and Communications Director, Hannah Bernard about how she gets the most from her communications. They discuss the role of video, how Avery Dennison's futuristic products allow for stunning levels of content personalisation and some of her secrets to producing effective content which does exactly what she needs it to. Also, the importance of running to time, keeping your eye on the objective and how the Corona Crisis will change content production, within our area and in the industry more broadly.

Hannah's LinkedIn

Get in touch with any questions:

Nick's LinkedIn

About Casual

Casual Films’ clients choose us because we employ remarkably good staff, who are extremely competent and a pleasure to work with. Our proprietary production method has been honed over nearly 10,000 films for major brands including RedBull, Adobe, IBM, Rolls-Royce, Autodesk, Facebook and Marriott and many others. We handle all aspects of the process from consultancy to filming, animation to distribution. We have studios in London, New York, LA, San Francisco, and Amsterdam and a global network of trusted filmmakers ready to go.

Please get in touch - we'd love to talk to you.  The New Fire: Harness the Power of Video for Your Business Check out the book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1912009048

Apr 24, 202030:00
What does Brands as Broadcasters really mean? with Content Strategist Chris Le'cand Harwood

What does Brands as Broadcasters really mean? with Content Strategist Chris Le'cand Harwood

Nick is joined by content marketing strategist Chris Le'cand Harwood to discuss what the idea of brands becoming broadcasters means. How should marketers change their approach to the content they produce. They discuss the importance of treating your content like an additional product that your business produces and how taking a long term, iterative view is the key to success. They also explain YouTube's Hero, Hub Hygiene/Help content model and who has been doing it really well.



Volvo Trucks YouTube

GoDaddy YouTube

GoldmanSachs: Talks at GS


Get in touch with any questions:

Nick's LinkedIn


About Chris

I’m a son of an ad man. I was brought up in agency life. It sparked my passion for marketing and I've built my career on it. I have been in the agency world for over 18 years and loved working with clients in the education, employer and consumer marketing worlds.

Having cut my teeth in campus marketing, resourcing, research and integrated marketing management I have spent nearly a decade in social media and content marketing.

I was one of the first social media specialists in the employer and education marketing agency sector. I've built a service offering, restructured social media teams and helped a wide range of organisations.

I am now a marketing consultant helping organisations with the social media and content marketing strategies.

The Employer Content Marketing Pod

Chris' Website


About Casual

Casual Films’ clients choose us because we employ remarkably good staff, who are extremely competent and a pleasure to work with. Our proprietary production method has been honed over nearly 10,000 films for major brands including RedBull, Adobe, IBM, Rolls-Royce, Autodesk, Facebook and Marriott and many others. We handle all aspects of the process from consultancy to filming, animation to distribution. We have studios in London, New York, LA, San Francisco, and Amsterdam and a global network of trusted filmmakers ready to go.

Please get in touch - we'd love to talk to you.  The New Fire: Harness the Power of Video for Your Business Check out the book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1912009048

Apr 16, 202053:07
Introduction to Say it in Sixty Commissioning Platform with Casual COO Adam Ruddick

Introduction to Say it in Sixty Commissioning Platform with Casual COO Adam Ruddick

Casual's Films' Say it in Sixty commissioning platform makes it easier to access high quality, fast turn around video than ever before. By reducing the amount of complexity in the production process it allows Casual Films to deliver video at a budget level that we haven't been able to service before. This is not a template service - you get a crafted film from one of our professional editors.

In this Pod, Casual Films Co-Founder Nick Francis talks to company COO Adam Ruddick about where the idea for the platform came from and how it works. This is a great introduction to anyone thinking about using Say it in Sixty to get their content made.

Say it in Sixty website


Get in touch with any questions:

Nick's LinkedIn

Adam's LinkedIn


About Casual

Casual Films’ clients choose us because we employ remarkably good staff, who are extremely competent and a pleasure to work with. Our proprietary production method has been honed over nearly 10,000 films for major brands including RedBull, Adobe, IBM, Rolls-Royce, Autodesk, Facebook and Marriott and many others. We handle all aspects of the process from consultancy to filming, animation to distribution. We have studios in London, New York, LA, San Francisco, and Amsterdam and a global network of trusted filmmakers ready to go.

Please get in touch - we'd love to talk to you.  The New Fire: Harness the Power of Video for Your Business Check out the book here: UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1912009048 // US: https://www.amazon.com/New-Fire-Harness-Power-Business/dp/1912009048

Apr 09, 202007:44
Corona Virus Communications Challenges and How to Overcome Them with Oliver Atkinson

Corona Virus Communications Challenges and How to Overcome Them with Oliver Atkinson

The Corona Virus Crisis has led to some major changes in the ways we are able to conduct business. Business communications are more important than ever but the environment in which we're producing them has never been more challenging. In this Pod, Nick talks to Casual's UK Managing Director Oliver Atkinson shares to understand how we have been working with our clients to overcome some of the major obstacles.

Read Olly's Blog here

Nick's LinkedIn


About Oliver Atkinson

Oliver has 18 years experience in production, having worked across a variety of genres including branded content, interactive film & theatre, VR, studio, documentary & factual entertainment for major brands and broadcasters. He now heads up the Casual Films London office and looks after key accounts including Reckitt Benckiser, Rolls-Royce, Red Bull and Adobe.

Oliver's LinkedIn


About Casual

Casual Films’ clients choose us because we employ remarkably good staff, who are extremely competent and a pleasure to work with. Our proprietary production method has been honed over nearly 10,000 films for major brands including RedBull, Adobe, IBM, Rolls-Royce, Autodesk, Facebook and Marriott and many others. We handle all aspects of the process from consultancy to filming, animation to distribution. We have studios in London, New York, LA, San Francisco, and Amsterdam and a global network of trusted filmmakers ready to go.

Please get in touch - we'd love to talk to you.  The New Fire: Harness the Power of Video for Your Business Check out the book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1912009048

Apr 08, 202023:33
How Will Covid-19 Change the Content Production Industry with Angela Law

How Will Covid-19 Change the Content Production Industry with Angela Law

In this episode, Nick is joined by experienced corporate content industry consultant Angela Law. Together they discuss how the virus will affect the way that businesses will communicate and how it is accelerating changes that were already under way.

They also discuss the steps that production businesses can take to survive the current crisis.


Get in touch with any questions:

Nick's LinkedIn


About Angela Law

After working in marketing and marketing consultancy for clients including the BBC,  Angela became Managing Director of Hawkshead, developing it into one of the UK’s leading production companies with a high-profile reputation for creativity and effectiveness.

Following a period of consistent growth, including acquisition and assimilation of other business streams, Hawkshead was bought by Endemol Shine.

Angela is now a founding Director of Every Sense, a specialist business consultancy helping creative agencies and production companies to grow, develop and achieve their potential. Her particular areas of expertise include agency strategy and value proposition development. Angela is a regular speaker at industry events.


About Casual

Casual Films’ clients choose us because we employ remarkably good staff, who are extremely competent and a pleasure to work with. Our proprietary production method has been honed over nearly 10,000 films for major brands including RedBull, Adobe, IBM, Rolls-Royce, Autodesk, Facebook and Marriott and many others. We handle all aspects of the process from consultancy to filming, animation to distribution. We have studios in London, New York, LA, San Francisco, and Amsterdam and a global network of trusted filmmakers ready to go.

Please get in touch - we'd love to talk to you.  The New Fire: Harness the Power of Video for Your Business Check out the book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1912009048

Mar 20, 202044:21
The New Fire: Book Introduction with Content Strategist Chris Le'cand Harwood

The New Fire: Book Introduction with Content Strategist Chris Le'cand Harwood

Content Marketing Strategist Chris Le'cand Harwood joins Nick to discuss Nick's book, The New Fire: Harness the Power of Video for Your Business.

Nick explains how he came to write the book, from the early days of Casual Films to how he identified the need for the book.

They then discuss some of the key elements of the book and what commissioners and producers can learn from it.

Nick is going to be serialising the book over the coming weeks so make sure you subscribe to hear what it's all about.

Get in touch with any questions:

Nick's LinkedIn


The films we discuss

Guiness Surfers

Apple 1984


About Chris

I’m a son of an ad man. I was brought up in agency life. It sparked my passion for marketing and I've built my career on it. I have been in the agency world for over 18 years and loved working with clients in the education, employer and consumer marketing worlds. 

Having cut my teeth in campus marketing, resourcing, research and integrated marketing management I have spent nearly a decade in social media and content marketing.

I was one of the first social media specialists in the employer and education marketing agency sector. I've built a service offering, restructured social media teams and helped a wide range of organisations.

I am now a marketing consultant helping organisations with the social media and content marketing strategies.

The Employer Content Marketing Pod

Chris' Website


About Casual

Casual Films’ clients choose us because we employ remarkably good staff, who are extremely competent and a pleasure to work with. Our proprietary production method has been honed over nearly 10,000 films for major brands including RedBull, Adobe, IBM, Rolls-Royce, Autodesk, Facebook and Marriott and many others. We handle all aspects of the process from consultancy to filming, animation to distribution. We have studios in London, New York, LA, San Francisco, and Amsterdam and a global network of trusted filmmakers ready to go.

Please get in touch - we'd love to talk to you.

The New Fire: Harness the Power of Video for Your Business
Check out the book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1912009048

Mar 17, 202049:39
Creating an Effective Employer Content Channel with Denise Feldman from Marriott International

Creating an Effective Employer Content Channel with Denise Feldman from Marriott International

Denise Feldman, Director, Content Marketing for Employer Brand at Marriott International joins Nick to discuss:

  • The first steps to build a content channel
  • How constraints lead to creativity
  • Using iteration to find content that works
  • Measuring success
  • How to make content that really works
  • How different types of content complement each other
  • How do you get work seen by the right people
  • The most important lesson Denise has learnt

And much much else besides...

The Films
In the order they're discussed:
1.
Marriott Campaign Overview
2. How to Apply for a Job at Marriott
3. Living Our Core Values - Sheila

Register to take part in future interviews here.

You can watch the video recording of the conversation.

About Denise
Denise is a marketing and employer brand professional, with more than 25 years' experience developing insight-based marketing and communications to attract, engage, and retain top talent for Fortune 500 companies.

Her career includes a variety of roles developing employer brand strategies and marketing for global hospitality leader Marriott International. Currently, Denise leads Marriott’s employment content development and marketing team, creating content that inspires job seekers and associates to engage with Marriott, and share the company story and people-first culture. She knows Marriott associates are the company’s best brand ambassadors. And they’re eager to share their stories – through video, she gives them the opportunity.

About Casual
Casual Films’ clients choose us because we employ remarkably good staff, who are extremely competent and a pleasure to work with. Our proprietary production method has been honed over nearly 10,000 films for major brands including RedBull, Adobe, IBM, Rolls-Royce, Autodesk, Facebook and Marriott and many others. We handle all aspects of the process from consultancy to filming, animation to distribution. We have studios in London, New York, LA and San Francisco, and a global network of trusted filmmakers ready to go.

Please get in touch - we'd love to talk to you.

The New Fire: Harness the Power of Video for Your Business

Check out Nick's book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1912009048

Oct 25, 201946:45
Bringing your employer brand to life with video with GE Healthcare's Dan Perkins

Bringing your employer brand to life with video with GE Healthcare's Dan Perkins

Daniel Perkins, GE Healthcare's Global Employer Brand Lead joins Nick to discuss:

  • How Dan got to where he is
  • The process of defining the Employer Brand at Rolls-Royce
  • The difference between employer brand and brand
  • Why use video
  • Measuring success
  • How to make content that really works
  • The importance of diversity and inclusion in employer branding
  • How to get great work made
  • How do you get work seen by the right people
  • The most important lesson Dan has learnt
  • Who is doing employer brand video well
  • How Dan stays up to date with where the industry is at

And much much else besides...

The Films
In the order they're discussed:
1.
Rolls-Royce Employee Value Proposition Film
2. Inclusion and Diversity Hero Film
3. Jimmy C Stylised Film

Register to take part in future interviews here.

You can watch the video recording of the conversation.

About Dan
Dan is responsible for developing attraction campaigns and enhancing GE’s reputation as an employer of choice globally. He joined them following eight extremely successful, multi award-winning, years in charge of the global employer brand team at Rolls-Royce. Dan began his career in account management in the recruitment advertising agencies of London. He is a keen drummer, guitarist and traveler (ideally on his Harley Davidson).

About Casual
Casual Films’ clients choose us because we employ remarkably good staff, who are extremely competent and a pleasure to work with. Our proprietary production method has been honed over nearly 10,000 films for major brands including RedBull, Adobe, IBM, Rolls-Royce, Autodesk, Facebook and Marriott and many others. We handle all aspects of the process from consultancy to filming, animation to distribution. We have studios in London, New York, LA and San Francisco, and a global network of trusted filmmakers ready to go.

Please get in touch - we'd love to talk to you.

The New Fire: Harness the Power of Video for Your Business

Check out Nick's book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1912009048

Sep 30, 201946:01
Building coalitions to get great work made with Vodafone's Catalina Schveninger

Building coalitions to get great work made with Vodafone's Catalina Schveninger

Catalina Schveninger, Global Head of Learning at Vodafone joins Nick and UK MD Olly Atkinson to discuss:

  • The importance of creative work
  • How to get creative work made within a large corporate
  • Using 'real' employees/people vs actors
  • Why making films that people don't like could be just what you're after
  • The importance of authenticity in employer brand and recruitment film
  • Who is doing it really well
  • The most important element in getting great films made
  • How to make senior staff comfortable on camera
  • Using video for Learning and Development

And much much else besides...

The Films
Watch
'Belonging', the first film discussed.
Watch 'Youth', the second.

Register to take part in future interviews here.

You can watch the video recording of the conversation.

About Catalina
Catalina is Global Head of Learning at Vodafone having joined in 2014. This followed time as HR Director for  T Mobile in The Netherlands. She began her international HR career in 2002 as a member of the Human Resources Leadership Program at GE and held different roles, including the HR Director of GE’s Security EMEA division. Catalina is a passionate advocate for women in organisations and an avid learner of all things AI and neuroscience.

About Casual
Casual Films’ clients choose us because we employ remarkably good staff, who are extremely competent and a pleasure to work with. Our proprietary production method has been honed over nearly 10,000 films for major brands including RedBull, Adobe, IBM, Rolls-Royce, Autodesk, Facebook and Marriott and many others. We handle all aspects of the process from consultancy to filming, animation to distribution. We have studios in London, New York, LA and San Francisco, and a global network of trusted filmmakers ready to go.

Please get in touch - we'd love to talk to you.

The New Fire: Harness the Power of Video for Your Business

Check out Nick's book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1912009048

Sep 12, 201936:17