The Client:
Thomas Dudley Plumbing Products
Thomas Dudley Group has a rich history spanning over a century, with a diverse range of manufacturing brands under its umbrella.
Thomas Dudley Plumbing Products specialises in the production of over 6000 plumbing parts for the UK market, TD is a pioneer in plumbing solutions and innovations.
The brief
Thomas Dudley (TD) reached out to our creative agency to develop promotional content for their newest innovation, the “Valve Mate.” This ground-breaking adapter allows TD’s Victoria Valve to seamlessly fit onto competitor valve cages. The Valve Mate simplifies the process for plumbers when they need to change a valve. Rather than replacing the entire system, this innovation enables them to replace only the necessary components efficiently, saving time and effort, especially when dealing with rusted bolts and old seals. The goal was to create an engaging, dynamic video showcasing this innovation.
The process
The project commenced with a product demonstration at TD’s factory in the Black Country, where we gained insights into the Valve Mate’s function, target audience, and purpose. TD provided us with samples and entrusted us with creating a dynamic and captivating video for their social media channels and an upcoming trade event. The primary directive was to produce a fast-paced, creative, and energetic video, granting us creative freedom beyond that framework.
To achieve this, we immersed ourselves in research, gaining a deep understanding of the product and its market. We set up a dedicated studio space for the shoot, using a newly built bathroom set in our studio, ideal for the abstract and dramatic cinematic vision we had in mind. However, the unique challenge lay in shooting the product, which typically resides within the cistern of a toilet, a confined space with limited access for lighting and camera angles.
Various concepts were explored, including modifying the cistern to provide visibility, but we found this approach unsatisfactory. Instead, we devised a dedicated rig that allowed the product to be displayed from every angle, with a focus on showcasing its features. We believed plumbers would readily understand the product’s purpose without seeing it in an actual toilet cistern.
The production involved intricate lighting, dramatic aesthetics, dynamic camera movements, and a model demonstrating the product’s installation in a quick, compelling manner. Alongside the video content, we generated still images that could be employed for social media, instructional guides, and step-by-step installation tutorials.
The deliverables
For this project, we delivered a concise, sub-60-second video in both landscape and vertical formats, providing versatility for various digital platforms. We also supplied a collection of still images that could be used in tandem with the video to convey instructions effectively. Thomas Dudley were delighted with the outcome, and we continue to explore exciting possibilities for future collaborations.
Outcome
Our collaboration with Thomas Dudley Plumbing Products has opened doors to an array of opportunities. With a deep understanding of their vast product range, we are eager to leverage our extensive contacts within the construction industry to create compelling content that differentiates Thomas Dudley in the market, enhances brand visibility, and ultimately boosts sales.
