From cornfields to operating rooms, from car dealerships to manufacturing plants, I work with Todd Steffens and Brianna Roseman to create videos for many types of businesses at TAG.
Video has always been a popular advertising format. TV commercials made way for web videos and YouTube channels. Now, as more social media platforms grow, they gain greater popularity in online promotions. Nearly everyone in the US is using a smartphone for entertainment, which creates more opportunities to reach your audience through video.
One recently developed use for video is online display ads. As opposed to static display ads (or banner ads), marketers create and place video content online where your ideal customer will view it. Video is more effective than a static ad, because humans retain more information from video. It’s a popular option in mainstream advertising, with sales well into the billions of dollars. If you decide to follow this route, TAG can help define your target audience and outline a budget.
A second way to utilize video is OTT and CTV. These acronyms stand for over-the-top (OTT) and connected TV (CTV). OTT refers to the method of delivery: video content through the internet, such as Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Disney+ and Peacock (there are many more). CTV refers to the viewing device: an internet-connected TV. Advertisers can now use video to market to CTV viewers using OTT providers. The result looks very much like typical broadcast TV advertising, but it’s accomplished completely over the internet through OTT streaming platforms.
These new methods provide cost-effective advertising options for businesses of all sizes, and the TAG team has the experience to create video that puts your company in its best light. In the digital world, advertising changes by the day, and TAG is ready to help businesses grow, using the latest video tools.
TAG is located at 230 East Second Street, Davenport, IA. For more information, visit www.tagteamagency.com or call 563-355-2200.
by Justin Hall, Producer, TAG
Justin Hall, Producer
I have worked at TAG for twenty years, since I was twenty-one years old. At this point, I have spent almost half of my life working for TAG. Now that’s dedication!
For those two decades, I have been creating effective audio and video projects for TAG clients. As a producer, I have managed every aspect of audio and video production, including creative concepts, scripting, pre-production, directing, sound design and editing. I get to use my creative skills to make a difference for businesses and charities.
My work has taken me from the bright lights of the sound stage to the crisp sounds of the recording studio, from the fragrant inner workings of a cheese factory to the exhilarating heights of a helicopter ride, with many adventures in-between.
One adventure I will never forget involved a party in Dubuque. After shooting a promotional video for a Dubuque charity called Fountain of Youth, I went to one of the group’s meetings and we threw a viewing party to celebrate with them. We had snacks and refreshments, and they invited me to the front to introduce and share the video. It was an honor to get to know some of the Fountain of Youth participants, and humbling to be invited into their meeting.
Many of my creative skills are rooted in music. I have been a vocalist my entire life, and currently sing with a local cover band called Soul Storm. We play pop, rock, and rhythm and blues from the past 50 years. We do a lot of ‘80s party hits, and people like it when I sing the 1985 hit by A-ha, “Take On Me,” because I can handle the high notes. I also love singing “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers.
My passion for music translates well to audio and video production. I have recorded thousands of voiceovers and love writing and performing custom music for various TAG clients. TAG is 30 years old, and I’ve been here for 20 of those 30 years. So, it’s a milestone for the business, but it’s also a milestone for me, personally. I am fulfilled by the work that I do at TAG, and I continue in that work because it fulfills me professionally.
Todd Steffens, Videographer
In his role as a videographer, Todd shoots and edits video, and also creates animation for TAG. He went into detail and described what he enjoys about the individual tasks that add up to his complete workday. “Editing: putting the puzzle together and making the shots tell a story,” he said. “Animation: creating all the pieces and making them move. Seeing a character I created blink their eyes for the first time. Videography: having access to sights from different industries, from screw manufacturers to heart surgery.”
Todd has been with TAG for nine years, but has been doing work for TAG since 2000. His previous employer was a production house that had worked with TAG. When that company was bought out, TAG brought Todd onboard. He worked for that company from 1998 to 2012 as an illustrator, animator, editor and videographer. Previously, from 1985 to 1997, he worked for a variety of screen-printing shops, creating t-shirt artwork.
When asked to describe one of his favorite projects, one particular commercial came to mind. “For the Courtesy Car City commercial for Car Wars,” he said, “I was tasked with writing this script – something I don’t normally do – because I’m a Star Wars fan. Parodies are fun and this spot had a lot of fun elements. The script was approved without revisions and so was the final commercial.”
Recently, Todd has been learning how to operate drones and is excited to add that skill to future video projects. He is also thrilled to be working with the TAG team during its 30th Anniversary. “Thirty years in a competitive business is something to be very proud of,” he said. “I’m glad to have the opportunity to use my creativity and passion to help push TAG to be the best.”
Brianna Roseman, Marketing & Communications Specialist
Brianna Roseman is creative, enthusiastic and energetic. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications/Creative Writing from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville. Her skills include shooting and editing video, live-event coverage, storyboarding, animation, copywriting and editing, print design and graphics, and social media management. She takes pleasure in exercising her creativity and said she is eager to prove herself in the field. She has created her own film projects, and once worked on a professional documentary shoot.
“My time at TAG has been enlightening,” Brianna said. “It came with a four-hour move to another state, and I’m using parts of my degree I didn't think I would use that much. This is my first office job with a 40-hour work week and my own desk and a laptop.”
Brianna’s role at TAG has allowed her to learn the intricacies of marketing from the experts. “It’s been a great learning experience,” she said. “Most of my time is spent keeping track of web projects, making sure websites are getting filled with content. I'm really proud of the work I accomplish on the web team.”
Brianna noted that she is happiest on the job when she gets to work with the video team. “I went to school for Mass Communications and had a focus on television and radio,” she said. “Production is what I know and love and can immerse myself in for hours upon hours at a time, and love it still. I'd say I typically spend about 90 percent of my time doing web stuff and the other 10 percent doing video, but I feel that number is changing in my favor over time.”
Brianna mentioned that a few years ago, she took a job as a housekeeping supervisor at Denali National Park in Alaska. “It was their 100th year anniversary,” Brianna said. “It felt monumental – as monumental as Denali. And now I've joined TAG – doing a job that’s in line with my degree and passions, and it's the 30th anniversary. Thirty years of anything is monumental in itself.”
Brianna enjoys working with her new colleagues at TAG. “I'm getting to know my coworkers and in turn have shared some of my wacky personality. When I think about the people here, I really do get a family vibe. Hearing about past projects and the ongoing friendships people have with each other, the histories some people have from even before working at TAG, it’s really special and makes this place come alive. TAG's 30th Anniversary comes across as a celebration of all those efforts, relationships, and everything else from the last 30 years, and I feel special to be a part of it.”