Work for OBI — JAN D SCHNEIDER

Zum Goldenen Hirschen
Creative Video Producer
2020 until 2023
concept & script development, project management, direction, competitor analysis, content & campaign strategy, storytelling, quality management
YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest
company-owned blog ‘So Geht Das’-magazine

THE SETUP

Hardware store chain OBI was one of the major clients of Zum Goldenen Hirschen Cologne.

The arrangement was that an entire 30+ person team facilitate all of their marketing – from TV ads and social media content to copywriting for the company-owned blogs, and internal communication.

There was a direct and personal connection to the client, so that issues could be addressed directly and efficiently.

The team consisted of project managers, editors, cameramen, copywriters, creative producers, marketing managers, designers, animators, and creative video producers.

As a creative video producer, I was responsible for developing concepts, writing the scripts, managing the pre-production in direct collaboration with the project managers, leading the production, and overseeing the post-production process and quality control.

Over the years I was responsible for a variety of projects, such as …

CONTENT CAMPAIGNS

These were regularly – usually almost every two months – recurring Social Media campaigns, which covered topics depending on the season and/or products.

The goals of these campaigns were boost sales of the said products, share knowledge about home improvement, and to give the customers inspiration on what to build next.

These campaigns were composed of social media posts and ads, YouTube videos, blog posts, and photos.

We were only given the topics, the products and a general direction. Concept and contents were ours to develop.

For example, leading up to Christmas and in order to advertise their upcoming sales start of Christmas trees, we developed a campaign, which focused on everything concerning Christmas trees – tips for buying one, how to set it up at home, inspiration for decorating it, or little fun facts around its history.

As creative video producers I led the production.

The first step was to gather the assigned social media managers and copywriters for a meeting to discuss the direction of a campaign, to brainstorm the overarching campaign concept and the necessary assets.

Each one had either made a competitor analysis, trend research, or probed into topics which could be associated with the campaign’s topic; but had not been considered yet.

All this was brought together in a presentation for the client.

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When the concept and assets had been approved, the pre-production started.

During this stage, I was responsible amongst other things for scripts & storyboards, location scouting, and the briefing of other departments, such as camera or set design. All while being in constant contact with the client and social media managers to discuss release schedules and providing general updates concerning the production.

On set I directed teams of up to 10 specialists, like camera, sound, or actors.

From the briefing to the start of the production, it usually took us just one month. Production took generally a week, with post-production lasting for another 2 to 3 weeks.

After that, we would deliver around 1-2 YouTube videos, 20+ social media assets for different channels, 6-8 blog posts and 30-40 pictures, which were used in various ways such as banners.