Anyone else seeing this?

Noel Evans

Noel Evans

Mod V3 New and Improved
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Recently I have had a number of clients under a bit of financial pressure holding stuff off, stating they are going to revisit in the New Year?

And if you are hearing this, what strategy are you employing to get that booking down?

Cheers
Noel
 
I'm involved with clients on their sales and marketing side as we produce their sales and marketing materials. If a business is in such bad shape they can't afford to market then its likely they're close to bankruptcy. After all, marketing is the engine that drives the train. Nothing happens until something is sold and if a business won't put resources into hawking their products guess what the results will be?

Most businesses realize this and so we are actually seeing the opposite. As the news in the economy is mostly doom and gloom companies are working harder than ever to focus on keeping sales up. They may slash staff but they don't want to stop marketing.
 
I had two do this, three day shoots booked for this month.

Not much I could do about it, the talent is not available, I know for a fact that this client is not hurting financially. My fingers are crossed that they will re-book the shoots for January as they said they would. Fortunately another client booked me for producing and shooting for two and half weeks so I am working in December, which is a good thing.

Dan
 
I haven't had shoots stop because of budget, but at least two have been moved into early next year for one reason or another. I'm hoping that because I've got a RED and certain companies desire a certain quality level (high end HD and mainly 35mm film), that I will actually be doing better. Since I can offer the RED for much cheaper than film with a killer look, they may take a second look at the RED.

Matthew
 
Yes, unfortunately I've seen a few clients put things on hold in November & December.
 
I'm at a dead stand still till next year.
While it always gets slow between thanksgiving and new years, this year is very different. Fear is in the air. Mergers and layoffs affect all of us. My biggest, dang near only client is laying off 1400 people Monday. 750 of em know it.
This is the big mover in this market. They've kept at least a dozen post houses alive over the last 12 years or so (including mine).
On the side, I had two tv shows sold when sponsors began to fell this fear I speak of. I'e seen everything reeled in till next year and that mention of next year is just a carrot. Next year will be far worse than this year as far as economy goes. Much of what we do becomes expendable in times of belt-tightening. Even while larger corporations adhere to a percentage of net going toward advertising and communication, that net is going down... in every industry.

Streamlining and outsourcing has caught up with us and a regrouping is in order. I predict the result will be Americans taking pride in their work again.
it's a cleansing process. We'll all eat raman noodles and wonder if should have gotten real jobs at some point but this is something, as vidiots, we have grown use to.
 
The other side of the coin for me is, being back in Aus, I just havent seen the festive season pattern for a number of years (was in Japan for almost four), so could be quite normal.

Ive just quoted some big jobs for next year.
 
Interesting.

Some further detail. This happened to me on 3 jobs, today is Sunday and two of those have emailed me today wanting to book dates in. Cool.
 
I had a cancellation yesterday for a day shoot, and a "maybe" project for January that could be in jeapordy. I agree with Craig about marketing budgets--they fluctuate, but are part of the lifeblood of a company.

I realize that this statement is somewhat obvious, but it's good to have lots of irons in the fire through an economic downturn. When things pick back up again, and you're still at the top of certain clients' lists, then you'll be in a great position when marketing budgets swell back up.
 
Recently I have had a number of clients under a bit of financial pressure holding stuff off, stating they are going to revisit in the New Year?
Click to expand...

This is pretty common in alot of business, not just video. Most companies create their budget at the beginning of the year and come November or December they have used up most of their budget or have gone over. So they have the option to spend X amount of dollars now and it have negatively impact how they handled their budget or they could just wait a month or two and spend the exact same amount of dollars but have it fit in their budget.

Although at the end of the day they are still spending the same money, it's a matter of perception and nobody wants their signature on the deal that took the company over their budget.

Say the company buys you and your coworkers pizza, nobody has a problem with the guy that takes the first slice, nor will they remember who took the first slice, but you can sure bet that everyone will remember who took the final slice and make their own opinions about that person, whether that's fair or not. A slice is still a slice no matter when it's taken, but timing and perception can sure change how it's viewed.
 
chris see where your coming from but our Financial year in Aus is diff. timing to the US.
 
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