In-depth PR case study materials follow. Last Updated 7 December 2020
Visual Timeline and PR Case Study: Scholar
In-depth PR case study materials follow. Last Updated 7 December 2020
Talent
In-depth PR case study materials follow. Last Updated 7 December 2020
Pippa Ehrlich and James Reed, Thanks for the Octopus Documentary
As you may know, I have a few side-hustles that sometimes play into The Darnell Works Agency’s flow. For example, my original, experimental travel series “Rare Air” draws together my favorite pastimes to immerse viewers in spectacular natural settings. So far in life, these industrious filmmaking adventures have taught me an awful lot about what it takes to create quality entertainment. My education continues.
For as long as I can remember, I have always been deeply inspired by nature documentaries. Today, there are a number of series I tune into regularly to feed my interest. Forging ahead with “Rare Air,” I am now seeing some exciting new dimensions opening up. According to plans made over the past several months, the very next episode will share one of two momentous encounters I’ve ever had with an octopus. For the record, both felt very special.
A few weeks ago, while thinking about sharing that ultra-unique remembrance with others, I was startled to log into Netflix and see promotions for an award-winning documentary entitled “My Octopus Teacher.” Directed by Pippa Ehrlich and James Reed, the story spans a year in the life of acclaimed director, cinematographer and producer Craig Foster, in which he makes an amazing personal connection with an octopus.
Read morePippa Ehrlich and James Reed, Thanks for the Octopus Documentary
Paul Dugdale, Thanks for the Spectacular Jeff Lynne, ELO Documentary
When you think about what music means in your life, isn’t it amazing to consider how essential it is in your emotional scrapbook? I grew up in the 70s and 80s; you can guarantee that whenever I witness a John Hughes movie on a screen, I’m going to pause and savor at least a minute or two immersed in his captivating audiovisual storytelling.
Read morePaul Dugdale, Thanks for the Spectacular Jeff Lynne, ELO Documentary
Promo video primer: 30 first-class examples
Back in 2014, a story from Chris Trimble appeared in the Guardian proclaiming video as the future of content marketing, with this dire warning: “small businesses who ignore it do so at their peril.” Since then, video usage has continued to climb, and more and more people and businesses are trying to engage, entertain and educate us with their on-screen storytelling. Bearing this in mind, I’m very happy to share some of the videos I’ve collected working alongside some phenomenal storytellers.
For your reference and enlightenment, I have chosen 10 examples apiece for three well-established niches of corporate communications. While most of these videos were designed for business audiences, each is artistic enough to appeal to just about everyone.
Stream Ben Strang’s “Beast: Chapter 1” on Omeleto, starting 20 April
Award-winning Writer-Director Ben Strang’s “Beast: Chapter 1” debuts on Omeleto on 20 April.
Winner of the coveted SXSW Episodic Jury Prize, “Beast: Chapter 1” introduces teenage boy Daniel, who recruits a mysterious fisherman to learn more about his missing father. Eighteen minutes in length, this suspenseful short has already drawn widespread critical acclaim: Indiewire’s review compared Ben to Steven Spielberg, and his story to “Stranger Things.”
Read moreStream Ben Strang’s “Beast: Chapter 1” on Omeleto, starting 20 April
Jeep, Bill Murray win USA TODAY’s Ad Meter with hilarious ‘Groundhog Day’ commercial
Cutters Studios, Another Country on Facebook: “Check out all of this year’s Super Bowl spots, via the USA Today Admeter. At Cutters Studios, we’re beyond grateful and extremely thrilled to have been a part of numbers 1, 5, 13, 22, 27 and 38.” Read on: https://admeter.usatoday.com/results/2020
Read moreJeep, Bill Murray win USA TODAY’s Ad Meter with hilarious ‘Groundhog Day’ commercial
Case Study: Leviathan
Leviathan’s Reputation Soars Worldwide as Specialized Creative Agency Reinventing Design, Digital Media, and Interaction
Close Cooperation Between Management, Reps and DWA Maximized Stellar Opportunities, Positioned Company as Legitimate Rockstar
See also: Visual Timeline & PR Case Study
A key component of cross-discipline design and innovation consultancy Envoy Group, 
Leviathan is a specialized creative agency working at the nexus of design, digital media, and interaction. By bringing phenomenal narrative content and emerging technologies into physical environments, Leviathan transforms ideas into exceptional experiences for brands and creative collaborators worldwide. Established in 2010, Leviathan’s innovation has been recognized by top-tier publications including Communication Arts, The Creators Project, Fast Company, Forbes, The Verge, Vox and Wired, among many others.
Killer reels: Juniper Jones
Brief Banner Film from the creative force, Juniper Jones.
Based in DUMBO on Brooklyn’s waterfront, Juniper Jones is the creative force dedicated to creating custom-tailored solutions.
Nonfiction Unlimited Interviews: Director Bing Liu
LOS ANGELES – In January, documentary director Bing Liu won the Sundance Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Filmmaking on the strength of his feature documentary, “Minding the Gap.” Very soon thereafter, Nonfiction Unlimited signed Bing to its directorial roster for commercials and branded content. Since then, Bing and his film have continued racking up awards at major film festivals; notably, Bing was also selected for SHOOT Magazine’s prestigious New Directors Showcase for 2018.
With “Minding the Gap” set to premiere in select theaters across America and on Hulu on August 17, Nonfiction Unlimited partner/executive producer Loretta “LJ” Jeneski quizzed the rising director on some questions of special interest to the world of branded storytelling.
Tales of Originality: Asheville’s Uncle Kurtis Drops New Album, “Let’s Kill Uncle Kurtis”
It was just another summer day in 2017 when I picked up my 13-year-old son Riley and a few of his friends after a movie. On the drive home, they made the decision to call their buddy Quinn Sforza, known as a bad-ass on the bass guitar, to invite him to join their new band. The offer was quickly accepted. Fast forward a few weeks, and a new band dubbed Uncle Kurtis was officially on the bill for a showcase performance organized by Asheville’s Experience Music (EM) at one of the city’s premier music venues, Salvage Station.
For the parents of young, aspiring musicians, EM is a dream come true. Dedicated to supporting the development of young musicians, EM’s principals and mentors – drawn from the vibrant local music industry – engaged Riley as a drummer for his first band, Breaking Point. Over the previous year, they had rocked stages at Salvage Station, The Grey Eagle and Pisgah Brewing Company as the headliner for several bands comprised of kids ages eight through 16.
The new sensation was all set to feature Riley, Quinn, drummer Graham Barrineau and guitarist/keyboardist Jackson Lee (son of EM co-founder Chuck Lee).
Read moreTales of Originality: Asheville’s Uncle Kurtis Drops New Album, “Let’s Kill Uncle Kurtis”