The Napoleon Group Relies on Simian

For The Napoleon Group, New York, the Simian media management platform has become an integral part of virtually everything it does. The company uses Simian’s custom branded microsite generator to create client presentations and manage projects as they move from concept through production and post, as well as the cataloging and management of their vast storehouse of media files, which includes, not only audio and video files, but also storyboards, animatics and hybrid media. The company’s sales team uses Simian to deliver marketing media and real-time analytics.

“Simian is fluid and easy,” Napoleon Group president, Doug Miller said. “We use it to post work for our clients, making it easy for them to monitor their projects at different stages, and view related elements and assets. We can show them anything from a wire frame to a color treatment or rough cuts and even samples of our work. It works very well for us.”

The Napoleon Group has been producing test advertising for the biggest ad agencies for more than 30 years. A few years ago, the weak economy caused advertising budgets to tighten just as the test advertising business was expanding from a traditional 2D model to other models such as 3D. Also, advertising was quickly spreading from television and radio to the web and mobile. Agencies were clamoring for more advanced and diverse products at a lower cost.

“We analyzed and revamped our pipelines to produce a broader range of products,” Miller said. “We reformulated everything about the way we do business and we’ve come back stronger than ever.”

The company invested in new technology and highly skilled workers that have let it boost productivity and limit costs. It also added production resources, including a new, state-of-the-art shooting stage, lessening its reliance on outside vendors.

As part of its modernization, The Napoleon Group adopted Simian as its sole media management platform two years ago. This integration has helped the company achieve further improvements in production efficiency. Simian’s project management tools have proven a great way for designers, producers and artists to create, share and build ideas. It’s also facilitated faster and closer collaboration with clients.

Miller explained that, as the company moved into 3D production and diversified the types of test advertising it was producing, its repository of media assets quickly grew. “We were having a difficult time managing media,” he said. “Simian has allowed us to manage media content through several departments with seamless integration. Our whole team has been impressed with the frequent upgrades, product customization and Simian’s constant attention to our company’s needs.”