Space animation proves worth 5 years from launch
In high technology businesses, investments are often judged by their long-term impact. However if the content that promotes them is approached tactically, it may only have a short lifespan.
If the development process is rushed, videos commissioned for a product launch or an event can be a missed opportunity. For companies working in complex technical fields, a strategic approach is more likely to yield the best return on investment, especially over time.
Long-term Return On Investment in Video Production
Over the years we’ve seen well-designed videos that remain relevant for a long time, continuing to support marketing, sales and communications long after the original debut.
When strategic thinking is applied, a video has the potential to become a long-term communication tool. A recent example shows what can be achieved when clients adopt this approach, even when time is short...
SteamJet Space Systems animation continues to deliver ROI
A week ago we noticed a client displaying an animation on their stand at a space conference five years after we produced it for them.
In 2021, SteamJet Space Systems were developing a sustainable propulsion system for satellites and looking to introduce their innovation to investors.
They briefed Sound Motive to create a 3D animation to support their fundraising presentation, communicating their core idea quickly and clearly. We collaborated by combining their subject matter expertise with our own experience in marketing communications for enterprising engineers.
The result was a video that was tightly focussed yet went above and beyond its original goal of impressing a live audience. After the event SteamJet went on to embed the video in their website, resulting in a more dynamic experience for visitors and strengthened their online presence by uploading it to their YouTube channel too.
Five years later SteamJet's animation has a new platform on an exhibition screen, proving its value yet again.
It is so much easier to explain what we do with that video on the background
- CEO, SteamJet Space Systems
Why Longevity Matters in Technical Marketing
After years of working with STEM clients, we know that videos can be one of the most effective ways to explain complex systems and processes.
Animation in particular allows companies to visualise things that are difficult or even impossible to capture on camera like internal mechanisms, data flows, or in this case, sustainable satellite propulsion in the space environment.
A well-crafted animation can support many forms of communication, including:
- Conference and trade show displays
- Grant applications
- Website landing pages
- Sales presentations
- Investor communications
- Social media content
- Internal training or onboarding
With due consideration, and maybe some reformatting, a single video may work across multiple channels so look beyond short-term output tactics.
Consider wider strategic outcomes so video content can play multiple roles in achieving your goals over a longer period of time.
Standing by a sound investment. Photo: SteamJet Space Systems
Designing Strategically, Not Reactively
Evergreen content is rarely accidental, usually it comes down to strategic decisions made early in the creative process. In a sector where innovation moves quickly, a video founded on essential principles is sure to last longer, saving you both time and money in the long run.
We used this approach while working with SteamJet, helping them present the core concepts they wanted the audience to remember. By designing strategically, we addressed short-term goals and considered long-term value, massively increasing SteamJet’s ROI.
For smart technology companies, strategic thinking early on can significantly extend the useful life of marketing content, highlighting the importance of choosing the right video partner.
The Value of Clear Technical Storytelling
Technology companies often face a particular communication challenge: explaining complex ideas to audiences with very different levels of technical understanding.
A good technical video helps address those concerns. It explains why technology matters with simplicity and credibility in check. When that content still resonates years later, the investment becomes far more valuable than a single-use asset.
Read the original SteamJet Space Systems case study