CreativeDrive Group Adds Global Footprint with Asian Alliance

NEW YORK, March 3, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- CreativeDrive, a technology-enabled digital content creation network designed to satisfy the growing need for visual content in an omni-channel retail environment, has entered a strategic partnership with Shenzhen, China-based W.Studio.

At the same time, CreativeDrive is rolling out a new technology managing the end-to-end creation and distribution of visual content for print, digital, still and video. Developed to the demanding specifications of photographers, art directors and content producers, the proprietary workflow platform speeds production and increases accuracy by reducing manual tasks by 65%.

CreativeDrive, whose visual content studios include Sandbox Studio, OneKreate, Totem and Dune studios in the U.S., was formed last September by private equity firm Bertram Capital to merge visual content strategy with technology-enabled production efficiency in a way that produces larger volume yet higher quality content strategy, photography and video content, all increasingly important as E-Commerce/Mobile Commerce growth accelerates.

CreativeDrive, the world's largest network of visual content studios producing creative content at any scale for every  platform, is now looking at additional partnerships in the US and internationally. The group has over 100 studios in 15 locations throughout the U.S. and is currently building out a 50,000 square foot Brooklyn-based visual content studio and a 75,000 square foot Manhattan studio that will open in June to accommodate the growing demand for visual content, particularly in video.  

The alliance with W.Studio is the start of CreativeDrive's international expansion. One of the largest photography studios in China, W.Studio has been providing photography, post-production and graphics to global retail, apparel and home furnishing brands for over a decade.

CreativeDrive CEO Paul Price said, "Disruption is driving the need for more content in all commerce and particularly in E-Commerce/Mobile Commerce. Humans are wired for visual content. Over 80% of what we learn is based on what we see. Little wonder the most popular and engaging content on digital platforms is visual and because of this the demand for visual content in E-Commerce is growing exponentially.

"Through its talent and technology CreativeDrive and its brands are uniquely designed to meet this demand and to create and tailor content around user experience. Our partnership with W.Studio is the first step toward doing this around the world."

In the face of that demand, CreativeDrive and its brands are also expanding their talent base. Davia De Croix, known for her work on magazines such as Cosmopolitan, George, Talk Magazine and Money as well as with brands such as Nike and DVF, joined Sandbox last year as Creative Director.

This year, Price has begun building out the CreativeDrive management team. Effective immediately, Cecilia Streit has been named Chief Growth Officer. Streit joins from RR Donnelley where she was Senior Account Executive for Digital Solutions working primarily with leading global retailers, large ecommerce retailers and direct marketing retailers.

Jared Koesten, formerly Vice President of Human Resources at Omnicom Group's Zimmerman Advertising, also has joined as Chief People Officer and will play a key role in developing talent acquisition strategies.

Koesten and Streit join Tom Caputo who last October came on board as Chief Operations Officer from Saks Fifth Avenue where he led in-house photo studio operations.

"Our talent has to be creative but also able to seamlessly navigate the worlds of both marketing and technology because this is a business that requires the ability to manage complex production nationally and globally across varied and large commerce platforms," Price said.

About CreativeDrive
CreativeDrive is a technology enabled digital content creation network headquartered in New York with four studios in 15 locations throughout the U.S. The company offers integrated creative content services, including content strategy, photography and video content creation powered by an integrated software platform. The company's client base is extensive and includes global and nationally recognized brands and retailers in all major categories as well as their e-commerce operations. CreativeDrive manages a portfolio of creative services brands including Sandbox Studio, OneKreate, Totem Creative, and Dune Studios. These branded creative teams work with their clients from their respective studios as well as directly on-site at client campuses and distribution facilities when closer collaboration is desired.

For more information visit: www.creativedrive.com, www.onekreate.com, www.sandboxstudio.com, www.totemcreative.com, www.dunestudiosnyc.com.

About Bertram Capital
With over $850 million in capital under management, Bertram Capital is a private equity firm targeting investments in lower middle market companies. By supplying flexible investment capital and committing a wealth of operational and strategic resources to each investment, Bertram Capital makes it their core objective to move companies, management teams, and employees toward unlocking their full potential.

Visit www.bcap.com for more information.

Contact:

Pat Sloan, [email protected]
+1-646-673-4787

SOURCE CreativeDrive

Related Links

http://www.creativedrive.com