No, not a Spinal Tap gag, but the first, November (get it?) staff video update to Telecom's new retail stores.

Marketing Manager Rosina Webb needed a production company she could rely on to create, script, and produce the first communiqué to store teams since the roadshow launch of the new-concept stores in June.

The brief was to produce a video message which excited the Telecom Retail team about the opportunities and benefits the ongoing restructuring offered them, as well as an update on progress so far. The flagship St Lukes store was a beautiful location to shoot in and around (after mall hours as we laid 20m of track for some dynamic shots), but the messgae content was of key importance.

The instore sales team proved to be Great vox pop talent, reinforcing the benefits of the initiatives covered by Retail Manager Ben Harman, and if we hadn't had to contend with dozens of mall staff decking the halls with 5kms of Xmas decorations the shoot would have been a breeze.

Not only did we deliver the final message on DVD, VHS and as a streaming clip for the company's intranet but we also presented a comprehensive proposal for efficiently and cost-effectively producing these important communiqués on a regular basis to keep the Retail team informed and buzzing.

Video Promotions was recently, once again, engaged to take part in a truely global production.

Two years ago we were commissioned by Custom Fleet's Sydney-based communications company, EFFEX, to produce the NZ content for a promotional video demonstrating the the scope of Custom Fleet's operations on opposite sides of the world.In November we once again assembled a small cast of actors and Custom Fleet staff and clients to create two dramatic vignettes highlighting the benefits of leasing vehicles from this established, hi-tech business.

Wrangling not only actors but also busy, working, fleet operators, mobile tree movers, utes and cranes made for an interesting day, but also some great footage well received across the ditch. By choosing Video Promotions EFFEX were able to have complete confidence in getting the result they were after, long-distance.

UPDATE- 2004: The Road Ahead was awarded a Bronze Medal in the Corporate Communications- External category at the 2004 Australasian Video Awards.