Adirondack Studios (ADKS), an experience design and scenic fabrication company located in Upstate New York, Orlando, Pasadena, Dubai, Singapore and Shanghai, plans to MAKE A SCENE with a new company culture, employee recognition and recruitment initiative as it approaches its 50th anniversary.
The essence of MAKE A SCENE lies in its two main video series. The WE MAKE A SCENE series showcases the designers, fabricators and project managers behind projects. These two-minute “people profiles” cover such topics as how ADKS team members shaped their careers, what inspires them, what tools they need for their trade and more. The videos will live on the company’s new YouTube channel. HOW WE MAKE A SCENE is a series of YouTube Shorts/Instagram Reels spotlighting the tools and techniques of ADKS’ various studios and shops, in the style of the popular “satisfying videos” currently found online.
In addition to these two video series as well as others in the pipeline, more ADKS team members will be making a scene through tradeshow appearances, speaking engagements and articles. They’ll be featured in a bimonthly internal video newsletter. And, whenever possible, a full credits list will be posted on social media whenever ADKS shares news about a project opening. The company itself is also making a scene, with a refreshed logo, website (www.wemakeascene.com), branded materials and the new MAKE A SCENE logo and tagline (currently in trademark consideration).
Michael Blau, ADKS’ President, notes that while upgrading the look was an essential step in the process, it’s important not to reduce MAKE A SCENE to a branding exercise. It is first and foremost a philosophical and cultural shift. “We are entering an exciting time in our company history,” explains Blau, “but our kind of longevity is built on relationships, both among our team members and in collaboration with our partners. That’s the message we want to convey internally and externally through MAKE A SCENE: that our company and team will are no longer a best-kept secret.”
While ADKS Director of Global Marketing, Clara Rice, hopes that clients will take notice of the changes, the business development aspect of this change is a tertiary goal. “First, we showcase our employees. We get them pumped up about the work they do, and we give them an opportunity to see what their colleagues are doing not just across the hall, but across the world. Then potential recruits see the incredible work that our team members are doing and want to be a part of it. At this point, we have happy, enthusiastic team members and are attracting top talent, which by default will get more eyes on our brand and position us as a creator of choice in the industry.”
Though ADKS’ brand aesthetic will continue to evolve through its 50th anniversary and beyond, the MAKE A SCENE tagline and philosophy will be a constant. The company calls the initiative a “mindset reset”, and enthusiasm for the change came before the tagline was even announced. “For months, colleagues have been sending me images to post on social media, offering to host shop tours for schools, and asking if they can help edit video, all because they are pumped to be a part of this change,” said Rice. “And now, you’ll often find us greeting each other on Teams or in the halls with ‘let’s make a scene’! It has become part of our company lexicon.”
Adds Blau with a smile, “We’ve been (secretly) making a scene for decades, and now we’re publicly inviting anyone and everyone to make a scene with us.”
