Video Promotions was recently awarded Highly Commended in the Internal Corporate Communications category of the 2005 Australasian Video Awards for "Under The Microscope- Flying Colours".

The concept of a spoof, "60 Minutes-style" investigation is one which has already garnered two Silver and one Gold award for us in previous international competitions.

Don't worry if you've never heard of "Under The Microscope", only a select group of NZ companies have, including Repco Auto Parts and Corys Frasers Electrical. It's Video Promotion's own creation, and one which has been awarded 4 video communications awards in the US and NZ over the last 5 years.

In "Under The Microscope- Flying Colours" the UTM team scooped another major story that no other programme would touch by following up reports of the use of a "performance enhancing" stimulant at Office Products Depot.

Using every device of the modern TV journalist, Investigative reporter Jeremy Corbett interviewed a 'secret' witness, recorded examples of enhanced in-store service with a 'hidden' camera, and, in an example of breathtaking television (he was counted taking as many as 30 in one minute alone) confronted the CEO of the company in a candid, unannounced interview.

The benefit of the "UTM" format to any business, and the reason it's consistently successful as an internal - and even external - communication piece is because it uses a recognisable genre (it's a send-up of the "20/20", "60 Minutes" style of programme) and humour (the programme's host and reporters are all experienced comedians and presenters) to present information which the audience might not always feel excited or even positive about.

The interviewees, and all the other characters in the programme, are all actual employees of the subject company playing themselves.

Of course Office Product Depot's new "Flying Colours" programme - referred to by its "unofficial" nickname "P" - may be performance enhancing, but it's also perfectly legitimate and of great benefit to the dealer teams. Jeremy's increasingly confused interviews - talking at cross purposes to his interview subjects - were what keep the audience entertained, and, in the process, delivered this message more clearly and effectively than the traditionally sober corporate video.

Yay us.