Originally published in the Calgary Herald on Nov. 26, 2024.
When Matt Gillespie, owner of Joe Media Group, heard that a high school friend was selling his business, he saw an opportunity.
Jeff Bradshaw, who attended Wetaskiwin Composite high school with Gillespie, had decided to transition out of video production and into artificial intelligence. He sold his company, V Strategies, to Gillespie effective May 1.
While both friends were involved in video production for more than two decades, Gillespie thought the two businesses complemented each other well.
“I quickly realized that our client lists were very different,” Gillespie says.
While Joe Media worked with marketing and ad agencies to provide video advertising and brand content, V Strategies often worked for businesses and organizations looking for communications and video strategy.
“So, it was really a good fit,” Gillespie says. And not just for Joe Media and V Strategies; it made sense for clients, too. “In acquiring V Strategies, we now can offer a wider array of video-related services.”
Gillespie adds the two firms together provide plenty of synergies for clients that result in greater efficiency for dollars and more effective messaging.
“If you’re a company hiring five different production companies to do your video work in the course of a year, you’re likely not using your dollars efficiently,” he explains.
With the acquisition, Joe Media is a one-stop shop, offering corporate video content — including digital asset management and learning assets for employees — advertising and brand content.
Gillespie notes Joe Media and V Strategies will maintain their individual brands — given that both have strong recognition in the Calgary market. Together, the two companies provide a complete range of video expertise that’s more essential than ever.
“Thanks to the explosion of social media, video storytelling is an important tool all organizations should incorporate into their branding and communications. Professional video production is critical — whether your audience is employees, customers or the general public,” says Gillespie. “There’s tremendous value in exceptional storytelling, and when it comes to telling stories using video for the Calgary market, Joe Media truly stands above the rest.
This feature was created by Content Works, Postmedia’s commercial content division, on behalf of Calgary Economic Development.