Last week, creative communications group DRPG hosted their annual Film Showcase, gathering industry professionals, current clients, and curious newcomers. Across a few hours, they explored the past, present, and future of film in corporate and brand comms.
The event was particularly celebratory as DRPG proudly announced being named Number 2 on the EVCOM UK Top 50 list of brand and corporate film producers, marking their second consecutive year achieving this distinction. This prestigious recognition highlights the continued excellence, creativity, and collaborative spirit that have propelled DRPG from its humble beginnings in 1980 to a globally recognised industry leader today.
Patrick Russell, Senior Curator at the British Film Institute (BFI), delivered an insightful session, guiding attendees through the rich history of corporate film—from early government-funded documentaries like the iconic “Night Mail” (1930s), through the branded storytelling eras dominated by companies such as Shell and JVC in the 1970s and 1980s. Russell underscored that, regardless of era, powerful corporate filmmaking has always revolved around trust, compelling storytelling, and expert craft.
Steve Garvey and Scott Horsfield tackled a critical topic for filmmakers today: return on investment (ROI) in an increasingly crowded digital landscape. They emphasised that the true challenge now isn’t just creating content but ensuring its impact. Garvey and Horsfield discussed how engagement metrics such as comments, shares, and authentic audience interactions are far more significant indicators of success than view counts alone. Highlighting the ongoing importance of human insight amidst rising AI-driven technologies, their discussion reinforced that successful films must align with clear business objectives and meaningful storytelling.
DRPG Film’s Head of Creative, Martin McKean joined clients Alyson Davis, Becca Flynn, who shared how film has helped bring their people-first initiatives to life:
BT’s “Moments That Matter” film marked a departure from traditional corporate announcements by employing a personal, human-centric storytelling approach to introduce a new internal policy on employee leave. The transparent and authentic storytelling resonated strongly with employees, triggering genuine emotional engagement and broader internal discussions.
The result? A moving, people-led film that sparked real emotional responses and got colleagues talking – and reading the policy. Originally created as an internal piece, its success led to it being shared externally.
Tesco’s “Behind the Smile” addressed the sensitive topic of mental health awareness within the workplace. While the company already offered robust resources, the challenge lay in driving employee engagement. DRPG crafted an authentic narrative by juxtaposing honest colleague testimonials and emotional responses, leading to impressive outcomes—a 220% increase in views of mental health resources and a sustained 29% uplift over time, underscoring the power of emotionally resonant content.