Colt approached us to create content for their 2024 charity bike ride. As long-term partners of Colt, we were excited to support and sponsor our media production services to this initiative, and equally thrilled to participate in the event.

The films use human-interest storytelling as a means to highlight the team cohesion and camaraderie at Colt.

In 2023, Colt merged with Lumen Technologies, combining their strengths and significantly expanding Colt’s scale and capabilities. However, like any merger, this raised questions and concerns among employees. As a result, Colt prioritised internal communications and employer branding, with a strong focus on fostering a sense of belonging and alignment within the newly merged organisation. The charity bike ride provided an ideal platform to reflect these values, using personal stories to showcase Colt’s culture and demonstrate the unity among its employees. 

In order to maximise the potential for cohesion we produced three emotive films, each featuring a different Colt employee who took part in the ride. These stories allowed us to highlight the diverse yet inclusive culture at Colt, tapping into the power of human-interest storytelling to engage viewers on an emotional level. By focusing on personal experiences, we ensured that the corporate message resonated more deeply with Colt’s internal audience. We understand that an authentic and memorable narrative is often more impactful than traditional corporate messaging, particularly when dealing with changes like a merger.

To enhance the authenticity of the films, we chose to shoot them in both the employees’ homes and at a London hotel. This approach created a comfortable and relatable environment, helping the employees feel more at ease in front of the camera and allowing their stories to shine through naturally.

When two companies merge, building a cohesive culture is crucial to the success of the integration. It helps unite employees under a common purpose, aligning their goals and ensuring everyone feels part of the same journey. Without this, teams can become fragmented, leading to uncertainty, disengagement, and a breakdown in communication. Through this video series, and the Colt Charity Bike Ride as a whole, we aimed to smooth this transition, reinforcing a shared identity and a sense of community within Colt’s expanding workforce.

Author Bio

Adam Neale has been working in the video industry for over two decades. He has run multiple production companies and has received awards for his work from global film festivals along with a Vimeo Staff Pick and a Webby Award.