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Motivational company video inspires Pearson Education employees

Pearson Corporate Team Video

Educational company employees dazzled by video that integrates dynamic stock images, animated text, motion backgrounds and 3D visual effects.

Music video shown at company sales conference generates rousing applause and builds team unity.

The crowds were cheering…music was booming….lights were pulsing…and the “We Are” Video had everyone at the Pearson Education Sales Conference on their feet with excitement. The meeting was a great success, made more memorable and impactful by a fun and dynamic video production.

Video developed to create unity and connection

The two minute video was created to generate a level of unity and connection, underscored with a continuous on-screen message of “We Are.” Set to the upbeat melody and driving rhythm of the pop group Black Eyed Peas’ I Gotta Feeling (a stylized version from a stock music library), the two-minute music-video highlighted 24 unique life styles of Pearson employees, integrating fresh stock imagery, animated text, motion backgrounds and 3D visual effects.

“We are Leaders. We are Believers. We are Mothers. We are pack-rats”

Some of the life style topics drew applause. Others drew laughs. But all helped to draw a sense of connection and unity.

“But all we want is a PowerPoint!”

Company Meeting Video - Pearson Education

The video almost wasn’t a video. Pearson Education manager Jeanne Bronson explained the goal of the project was simply to update an old PowerPoint music slideshow from 2002 (that The Presentation Team originally created). Simply updating a few photos in the latest version of PowerPoint seemed to be an efficient and cost-effective solution. But Kevin Lerner pushed the point for dropping PowerPoint.

“For this meeting and purpose, the difference between creating this project in PowerPoint versus After Effects as a video is like the difference between watching a movie on an old black and white television…or watching it in IMAX,” he insisted.

Pearson said yes, and the production got started.

Getting started in After Effects

Kevin Lerner started by creating 24 separate compositions in Adobe AfterEffects, each with its own text layer and image, The images were white clipped images to allow the subtle Digital Juice Motionback background image to display behind in the main composition. Animator John Conway worked to integrate the images, and set up the compositions while adding animation entry effects and movement for text and images. Eventually, all of the 24 compositions were inserted into a main composition and properly timed. The team chose for solid cuts between each of the compositions for a more concise and precise on-screen appearance to match the beats of the upbeat music. A royalty-free non-lyric version of the song was used, and edited in Sony Sound Forge to trim the time.

Cheers and applause at meeting

Pearson Corporate Team Video

After four days of focused but relaxed work- and repetitive renderings- the team produced a MP4 video file that integrated easily into PowerPoint and, when played at the rally, generated cheers and applause.

Pearson says their meeting was a success, made even more impactful because of the use of this video in their presentation.

“I don’t believe the PowerPoint would have generated that same level of excitement,” confessed Bronson.

A time and place for PowerPoint

Pearson-Filmstrip-300w

For Pearson and their sales managers, the motivating message of “We Are” was instilled through music, motion, and visuals, all coming together to create a feeling of connection that will help Pearson to achieve its objectives with greater zeal and passion.

The bottom line: there are times to use PowerPoint, and times not to. For companies wanting for their meetings to have more emotion, connection and impact, consider creating a video production rather than a quick and easy PowerPoint.

Kevin Lerner is a presentation consultant and expert on presentation design and delivery. His firm, The Presentation Team, has helped hundreds of companies and individuals to create world-class presentations.

Marketing, Pearson Education, Promotional, Sales Presentation, Video

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  • "We engaged The Presentation Team to do a Presentation training for our team and he did a great job. He spent time understanding our requirements and the skill level of our team members and created a course which met our expectations and goals. I highly recommend The Presentation Team as a Presentation (PowerPoint) trainer."

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    Maria Cardoso
    Motorola

  • "Kevin has been a working with Cox Communications to deliver world-class PowerPoint presentation visuals since 2009. His ability to meet our specific needs, timeframe, and budgets has been exceptional. His professional interaction with our team reflects his deep expertise in the industry, superior presentation design skills, and commitment to superior service."

    Jonathan Freeland
    VP, Video Marketing at Cox Communications

  • "Kevin is an enthusiastic, creative, and passionate presentation guru. Our company was impressed and felt the value of his training in 2013 that he was invited again recently to again share his knowledge. Both times he has been energetic and addressed many areas for presentation development. From planning to follow-up Kevin is personable and easygoing, motivating our teams to take their presentations to the next level."

    Yoshimi Kawashima
    Project Coordinator, Nissin International

  • "Kevin helped me immensely improve my presentation slides development, from tips & tricks to aesthetics, all with the intent of getting the message across crisply and creatively. I've already received praise for decks that incorporate the skills obtained from his training. I highly recommend Kevin's services."

    Era Prakash
    General Electric

  • "Kevin helped me immensely improve my presentation slides development, from "The PowerPresentations seminar opened my eyes to all the limitless possibilities in presenting."

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    Saint Francis Medical Center

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    Paul Price
    Watsco Corp.

  • "I had more people come up to me after I spoke, commenting on the visuals you created, than I did on the subject matter!"

    Andy Smith
    Smith & Robb Advertising

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    Republic Services

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    James Pirtle Construction

  • "Kevin brought a high level of creativity, enthusiasm, and deep multmedia experience to our team. He worked dillegently with the team to produce an outstanding proposal which we subsequently won.

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