Pretzel was asked to produce a series of films for Marks and Spencer that simply illustrated how and where the 5p from each carrier bag was being used and what the resulting effect was on the community. This film was to form part of the ‘Plan A’ CSR initiative that launched in January 2007 which set out 100 commitments the business aimed to achieve in a 5 year period.

Response:

M&S is donating all the profits from the 5p food carrier bag charging scheme to the environmental charity Groundwork; to invest in projects that will improve parks, play areas and public gardens in neighbourhoods around the UK. Working closely with the M&S team we decided to actually go and speak to members of the community who have been directly affected by Groundwork’s improvement plan. The films were intended to be fun and engaging case studies of some of the results. The intended outcome was to make the audience feel proactive and leave them energised after watching each story. The films were delivered as both long and short (90sec) versions, ensuring they would have wide usage online, internally and externally.

Result:

The films have been received incredibly well. Winning industry awards for their delivery and still form an important part of M&S’s continuing Plan A initiative. Plan A has been so successful that it has now been extended to 180 commitments to achieve by 2015, with the ultimate goal of making Marks and Spencer the world’s most sustainable major retailer.

Pretzel tendered for the opportunity to produce a series of promotional films for the new Canon DIMS Workgroup Scanner Launch. The brief focused on three new ultra compact desktop scanners that were to launch in 2011. We were asked to create a selection of videos to assist with the launch, supplying customers with clear communications of the benefits of each of the products and ensuring a consistent look and feel throughout the range. The messaging had to be clear “easy to understand” and able to be delivered in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian and Dutch languages.

Response:

We decided the most appropriate approach would be to show each product in action. Working closely with Canon’s marketing department and the appointed web design agency we took a highly stylised approach, placing each of the scanners in a white ‘office space’ to display the full range of functionality. We used a motion control camera rig, over a 2 day period, to seamlessly display each of the key features of the scanners and their benefits to the customer. Computer software functionality was later composited onto the monitors on the ‘office’ desk and additional explanatory graphics were added (in each of the language) in post-production. This resulted in a set of unique and polished films delivering on all the key messages.

Result:

The films have recently been distributed online through the launch of the new product range website. We are fully expecting the quantitative results of the sales to match the rave reviews the films have received internally at Canon.

KPMG came to Pretzel with the need for a film that would encapsulate the key messages of a presentation being made to the executive board. The film was intended to give the audience a glimpse into the future of KPMG and help the marketing team gain executive ‘buy-in’ to their proposed new approach for the business. Pretzel devised a simple, but highly effective, dramatic approach where one actor would play a series of characters, both customers and staff, to illustrate what life for each of them would be like if the changes were implemented.

Response:

Taking place in a dramatic forest setting, the film is built around a single steadicam shot of the actor walking towards camera and addressing the audience directly. After first explaining that this is a look into the future, the actor takes on the guise of multiple characters, giving an insight into their unique requirements from KPMG. He first takes the role of a small business owner and explains his perception of KPMG and what he needs as a customer. We then continue through the cast of characters; a medium sized business owner, the CEO of a large corporation, a new recruit and finally an established member of KPMG staff who closes the piece, delivering a final message before walking off into the distance. The film was shot in a single day and edited and delivered within the working week.

Result:

What began as a film intended to be used during a one-off internal presentation to the executive board has been so successful that it has now been rolled out to the entire company. It continues to find new uses within the business with new recruits and existing staff.