The Tastemakers Coffee Series with Intelligentsia Coffee, produced by content and design studio The Department of the 4th Dimension (The D4D,) continues to prove the power and economics of branded content well done. With zero media buy and only careful seeding on targeted blogs around the U.S., the 3 part series (Espresso, Cappuccino and Syphon) delivered an initial audience of 100,000 views in just 6 weeks.nnNow, Boing Boing, the online arbiter of cool and a Technorati Top 10 Blog, selected the Intelligentsia Series for exclusive distribution on Virgin America’s Red Inflight Entertainment system. The first installment launched on August 1st. Strictly an earned media placement, The Series will play in front of a captive audience of roughly 350,000 passengers, on America’s top rated airline as voted by Condé Naste. nnThe Boing Boing editorial decision came just days after the blogosphere rediscovered The D4D‘s work. Given the lack of media spend, it’s unlikely any other form of marketing communication would continue to earn this level of engagement, for a growing brand, months after the content’s initial release. nnThe Series had already inspired client Intelligentsia to create an iPhone application that continues to garner praise among both current fans and potential customers. The app is rated 4+ stars on iTunes.nnnnCreditsnClient, Intelligentsia Coffee; Director, Matt Checkowski; Executive Producer, Ron Cicero; DP, Keith Dunkerly; Production Company, The D4D; Visual FX and Finishing; The D4D.nnAbout The Department of the 4th Dimension (The D4D)nThe D4D is a branded content studio that works with progressive agencies and dynamic brands to energize their business through moving pictures across multiple platforms. Based in Downtown Los Angeles and founded by award winning industry veterans Matt Checkowski and Ron Cicero, The D4D works with advertising and digital agencies to sculpt strategy into storytelling and produce content that engages and communicates with audiences. The studio’s experience includes advertising projects for agencies TBWA Chiat/Day, Saatchi & Saatchi, Huge and Great Works, clients Electrolux, Range Rover, Nike, Microsoft, Coke and Absolut Vodka, as well as entertainment projects for ESPN, USA Network and Steven Spielberg. thed4d.com
Media inquiries and further information: Ron Cicero The D4D 213.488.9397 Contact Ron via email
Goldcrest Post Speeds Delivery of “Severance” Season Two
The New York Times recently wrote that the just-released Season Two of Severance will “blow your mind”—and we couldn’t agree more. Created by Dan Erickson and Ben Stiller, the Apple TV+ drama is smart, spellbinding, distinctly original and packed with surprises. For those who aren’t already devoted fans, the show centers on Mark Scout (Adam Scott), leader of a team at Lumon Industries, whose employees have undergone a “severance” procedure that surgically divides their memories between their work and personal lives. Goldcrest Post provided post services for both seasons of the show, including picture editorial support, sound editorial, ADR and sound mixing. Editorial for Season One began in 2020. Due to the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, Goldcrest supplied both onsite production offices and edit suites, and remote editing systems for individual editors, with everything linked to a central server. "Mixing at Goldcrest with our team has been a great experience,” says Stiller. “Bob and Jacob are in sync with our creative process and so good at what they do that the experience is always one where it's about how we can enhance the creative vision, with a baseline of knowing everyone is totally committed to making something as good as it can be." Diana Dekajlo, the show’s co-producer, says that the arrangement worked so well, they chose to continue the hybrid approach for Season Two. “We’re a remote friendly show,” she explains. “Whether we’re at Goldcrest, our studio in the Bronx or at home, our workflow is seamless. I conduct remote daily meetings with my immediate staff, and weekly meetings with editorial and VFX, and we talk to each other as if we were just down the hall. It makes for great staff... Read More