All companies have interesting origin stories. New initiates become privy to these tales during their orientation. But our culture is a visual one. How great would it be to have a movie that explains your companies beginnings for new employees to watch? Well, the folks at Burberry have one that is quite unique.

Celluloid Dreams

If I have ever seen a corporate origin film, one told by the by the company itself, I would describe it still photos of the early days panned with a Ken Burns effect with a V.O. There is another company that is going a step beyond for their employees and branding purposes. Burberry thought, let’s hire an Academy-Award team to execute a brilliant trailer like epic.

A three and a half minute short explains the tale of the real founder Thomas Burberry a 19th Century fashion designer. We see the story build to explain his invention of water-repelling fabrics. There are cuts to explain his unique approach to his professional endeavors. We see him as a fighter and a lover. The story is not about him founding an empire based on a strict business pursuit. Rather, a need for his product finds glory and his success is inevitable.

Not an Actual Film

Don’t check showtimes or Netflix a release of The Tale of Thomas Burberry. With a lack of V.O., the writers needed to condense the relevant scenes of progression into the short film. This makes the dialogue a little on the nose. Still, the music and lighting delight the senses. There is more to the story that we want to know. Yet, that leaves a little mystery which magnificently compliments the character.

Knowing the Audience

“Know thy Audience” is our blogs catchphrase and absolute commandment. Burberry distributed this video for their 2016 Christmas campaign. Yet they made it for the purposes of branding to their prospective customers and internal inspiration. What they are subconsciously saying to us the buyers is “ If you like adventure, buy from us.” To their current employees and prospect applicants, they are expressing an interest in “if you think different, work for us.”

Why Do This?

A video this exciting and over-budget needs to have a large audience. Yet, I could see some rich narcissist patroning such a task for their personal library. The quest is essentially, “how do you want to see your company?” Think of the issues that matter to you. Do you need to see some excitement in your company. Some audiences want to know the company they pay money to has real people behind it. Correspondingly, 100% of your employees definitely want to know they work for a legit organization. Giving them a tale that is reminiscent of the American self-starter is unrecognizably the safer bet.

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