A commercial video production company is a company that creates videos for business for advertising, promotional, or other commercial purposes. These videos are typically short form in nature, and come in different types such as: 

• TV commercials 
• Brand story videos 
• Explainer videos 
• Product demos 
• Video testimonials 
• Social media videos 
• Website videos 
• Training videos 
• Event videos

The key challenges that businesses can overcome by hiring commercial video production companies include: 

• Lack of experienced and skilled in-house video producers and editors 
• Finding a clear goal for a commercial video 
• Coming up with unique concepts and visuals 
• Crafting messaging that resonates with the right audience 
• Lack of high-quality videos with impactful content 
• Building a solid brand image and enhancing its marketability 
• Allocating resources efficiently to ensure videos are finished on time and within budget 
• Standing out in a crowded marketplace 
• Measure the ROI of their commercial videos 

With nearly 100 million people watching videos online each day, commercial video production is crucial to the success of a digital marketing campaign. It’s not just us talking either; nearly 90% of video marketers say video is an important part of their overall marketing strategy.  

Success story 

Here’s one great example of how commercial video production companies can make an impact on a company’s marketing strategy: 

• Challenge: Honeywell, one of the world’s leading tech conglomerates, needed to introduce its latest software product to its customers, a digital dashboard that monitors employee efficiency. The goal of the video was to present the product in an inspiring way and encourage businesses to maximize their assets. That’s why Honeywell decided to partner with Synima and achieve the needed results. 
• Solution: To effectively explain the client’s new product, Synima used a “digital twin” concept to explain how everything is done. The agency also used its state-of-the-art LED studio, which allowed for fully customizable digital backdrops that allowed the actors to perform in almost any setting or scenario. 
• Results: Honeywell praised the final video for its messaging and mix of futuristic and contemporary visuals, which reflected the company’s ideals of “future technology today”. It also mentioned how convincing and dynamic visual effects created with the LED studio were. 

Commercial video production companies offer a range of services that bring a client’s vision to reality. These services can be broken down into three main categories: 

Pre-Production: 

• Concept development 
  Brainstorming and refining ideas, including storyboarding and scriptwriting 
• Audience targeting 
  Identifying the target audience and tailoring the video’s message for them 
• Production planning 
  Setting the filming schedule and budget, location scouting, and securing necessary permits 
• Casting and talent recruitment 
  Assembling a team of directors, actors, camera crew, and other staff depending on the film requirements 

Production: 

• Filming
  Recording high-quality video footage on location or in a studio setting 
• Direction 
  Providing guidance and direction to actors or presenters featured in the video 
• Logistics 
  Coordinating all aspects of the shoot, from managing equipment to on-site needs 

Post-Production: 

• Video editing 
  Assembling the film footage, adding text overlays, graphics, and special effects 
• Color grading 
  Enhancing the visual style and mood of the video through color correction 
• Music and sound design 
  Adding sound effects, background music, and voice-over narration 
• Animation 
  Create 2D/3D graphics animation for a more visually engaging video 

Some commercial video production companies may also provide additional services such as training, consultation, and distribution of the finished video to various channels. 

Success story 

The following success story highlights the various roles that commercial video production service providers play in creating, refining, and managing video content for clients: 

• Challenge: Fiverr, an online freelancer marketplace, wanted to develop a series of TV spots to showcase how both startups and established companies can benefit from Fiverr's platform. That’s why it decided to hire Colormatics for his project. 
• Solution: Colormatics implemented a set of engaging and interactive visual components merged with live production to reflect the experience of finding and purchasing services from the Fiverr platform. Once the ads went live, the agency conducted real-time monitoring and adjusted for improved targeted performance. 
• Results: Fiverr’s TV spots received more than 150 million impressions nationwide. The company also reported significant increases in brand recognition and conversion due to the ads. 

The costs of commercial video production services can vary from $800 to $50,000 per month. This can also be affected by different factors, such as the timeline, number of shooting days, video length, location and travel costs, equipment, size of the crew, and the number and types of hired cast and crew. 

Here are the average hourly rates for the commercial video production services: 

• 2D animation: $100-$150 
• 3D animation: $100-$300 
• Explainer video: $100-$200 
• Training/educational video: $100-$250 
• Commercial video: $100-$300 
• Live event/streaming: $100-$400 
• Documentary: $150-$400 
• Corporate video: $100-$250 
• Interview/testimonial: $100-$150 

The top 50 commercial video production companies on DesignRush charge an average of $170 per hour. 16.3% of the agencies are willing to accept small video projects with a budget of less than $1,000, while 2.1% focus on large-scale commercial video projects with budgets of $50,000 or more. 

Hiring a commercial video production company provides the expertise and capability you need to create impactful videos supporting your marketing goals. Some of the specific benefits you’ll be able to enjoy include: 

• Working with industry-best professionals skilled in storytelling and various filming and editing techniques 
• Access to professional video equipment, tools, and software 
• Innovative stories and messaging that will leave a lasting impression on viewers 
• High-quality videos that are specifically tailored for your target audience 
• A streamlined production process that saves time and money 
• Avoid costly mistakes during and after production 

Success story 

To further highlight the importance of commercial video production companies, our experts shared this notable case study of Studio Graphene’s partnership with Bold Content Video: 

• Challenge: Studio Graphene, an app development company, needed an employer brand and recruiting videos. As the demand for skilled app developers, designers, and engineers is becoming more competitive, the company needed video content that would make them stand out to potential hires. 
• Solution: Bold Content Video collaborated with Studio Graphene’s HR and marketing teams to craft a clear, unified message about the passion and excitement of working for the company. The agency began production centered around that message while balancing creativity and consistency with the client’s objectives at the same time. 
• Results: The resulting video created by Bold Content was hailed for its captivating visuals and its fulfilment of the client’s objectives. The client also described the video as an effective recruitment tool that they can use for years to come. 

To choose the best commercial video production company for your business, we recommend following the steps below: 

1. Define your goals 
   Determine the purpose of your video and how you want to achieve it. Is it to raise brand awareness, hire new staff, or boost sales? Having a clear answer to this will give you an idea of the visuals, style, and the target audience for your video. 
2. Set a budget 
   Determine how much of your budget you are comfortable allocating for the project. Production companies offer various packages, so having a clear budget in mind can help you refine your options. 
3. Research and compile candidates 
   Start your search on Google and agency directories like DesignRush. You can also reach out to colleagues within your industry and ask them if they know of any agencies that they can refer to you. 
4. Make a shortlist 
   Select a handful of prospects that best align with your goals and budget. Contact each one and request an interview. 
5. Work history 
   Ask the company for a portfolio and case studies of their past work. Check if their style aligns with your vision and how the agency resolves the client’s various requirements.  
6. Client reviews 
   Client testimonials like those found in DesignRush agency profiles are another good indicator of an agency’s performance and quality of work. Ask prospects if they have collaborated with notable brands. 
7. Assess expertise and reputation 
   Whether it’s a traditional TV ad or a 3D-animated video, make sure that the agency has extensive experience in the type of videos you want to make. An agency that has received industry awards like the Webby Awards and the Telly Awards also reflects exceptional skill and standing in the community. 
8. Send a formal proposal  
   Send out a request for proposals (RFPs) to your prospects outlining the scope of work, timeline, and costs. If the proposal contains any sensitive information, be sure to include a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) as well. 
9. Review proposals 
   Note how the agency defines its goals, processes, and key performance indicators (KPIs), which it uses to track the project's progress. 
10. Negotiate and set expectations 
    Discuss which services will be included in the package and at what rates. You should also agree on the project’s main deliverables and the ROI you will get from the video. 
11. Choose your partner 
    Once you’ve considered all aspects, from cost, culture, capabilities, to experience, pick a partner that you think is the best fit. 

Do you still need more help finding a commercial video production company? Visit the DesignRush Marketplace today and we’ll help you get started. With just some basic information, we’ll recommend five of the most suitable video production agencies — for free. 

We recommend using our list filters to find the best commercial video production company on DesignRush. Sort your choices according to agencies that cater to projects ranging from $1,000 to $50,000 or more based on your project budget. 

You can also refine your search by browsing agency profiles according to location, agency size, hourly rates, and areas of specialization. Compare multiple commercial video production services providers so you can find the most suitable fit for your project. 

The key success metrics in commercial video production that you should keep an eye on are the following: 

• Views 
  The most important KPI, which shows the number of people who watched the video. It is a good indicator of the video’s effectiveness in reaching out and attracting audiences. 
• Play rates 
  Tells how often a viewer has clicked on the video to play it. It is another indicator of how effective a video is in keeping viewers interested. 
• Watch time/completion rate 
  Measures how long a viewer has watched a video and whether they have watched it until the very end. It highlights how consistent the video is in its message and keeps viewers interested.  
• Engagement 
  Measures how viewers interact with the video through likes, shares, and comments. The more engagement the video gets, the more popular it is. 
• Clicks and clickthrough rates 
  Indicates the number of viewers that clicked on an ad while watching the video. It’s a good metric for measuring how relevant and engaging the ad spot is. 
• Conversions 
  The number of people who performed a desired action, like clicking on an ad or the share URL button. It is a simple yet highly effective indicator of the video’s impact on your ROI. 
• Social sharing 
  Shows the number of people sharing the video across various social channels. It can highlight how appealing a video is and how likely its viewers are to share it with others. 
• Feedback 
  How viewers react and comment on the video. Recognizing the emotions aligned with the video’s visuals and messaging can guide adjustments to the video. 

Among the questions you should ask commercial video production companies before hiring one are: 

Its Relevant Background 

1. How long have you been doing commercial video production? 
2. What types of commercial videos have you already made for clients? 
3. Do you have experience working in my specific industry? 
4. What types of payment structures do you offer? 
5. Could you provide us with examples of successful projects relevant to our objectives? 
6. What are the credentials of your production team members? 

Its Services and Processes 

1. What types of pre-production, production, and post-production services do you provide? 
2. Do you also provide distribution services to TV stations, media platforms, and other channels? 
3. What types of video equipment and software do you normally use? 
4. Do you specialize in any particular type of videos? 
5. Could you explain to me what your creative process looks like? 
6. Do you outsource any of your services to a third party? 
7. Are you open to accepting ideas from clients? 

Relevant To Your Project 

1. Can you provide a breakdown of the costs based on our requirements? 
2. What is your estimated timeline for this project? 
3. Who will be my point of contact during the project? 
4. How will we communicate during the project? 
5. What type of inputs, resources, and other assistance do you need from our end? 
6. How will we track the video's progress? 
7. What will be our key performance indicators to measure success? 

The top-rated commercial video production companies in the US are: 

• Propaganda Creative 
  • 4.9 stars in DesignRush (12 reviews) 
  • 5.0 stars in Google (63 reviews) 
  • Top clients: Kirkpatrick Group, Glacio, The Accompaniement Company, Hoopfest 
• Indigo Productions 
  • 4.9 stars in DesignRush (15 reviews) 
  • 5.0 stars in Google (244 reviews) 
  • Top clients: Sony Pictures, Duracell, Viacom, Kellogg’s 
• Synima 
  • 4.8 stars in DesignRush (7 reviews) 
  • 5.0 stars in Google (7 reviews) 
  • Top clients: Heerema Marine Contractors, Jaggaer, ETS Global, Honeywell  
• Colormatics 
  • 4.8 stars in DesignRush (8 reviews) 
  • 5.0 stars in Google (9 reviews) 
  • Top clients: Fiverr, SquattyPotty, PrizePicks, Hello Heart 
• Start Motion Media 
  • 4.3 stars in DesignRush (1 review) 
  • 5.0 stars in Google (6 reviews) 
  • Top clients: Focus Calm, LiftRider, Jelly Comb, Orolay Jackets