By Debra Solomon Baker
Lights. Camera. Action.
In St. Louis?
ANGIE LAWING
senior producer and writer,
Mercury Multimedia
Most people do not exactly think of the Gateway City as the filmmaking capital of the world, but Angie Lawing, senior producer and writer for Mercury Multimedia, hopes to change that perception.
Mercury, headquartered in St. Louis, with offices in San Francisco and Phoenix, is an award-winning video and multimedia production company that focuses on business results. The company has directed and produced national and local commercials, marketing videos, music videos, television episodes and other original film and video content for more than a decade.
When Mercury relocated its headquarters to St. Louis in 2005, Lawing knew that the City’s central location would be a boon to the business.
“This is such an entrepreneur-friendly town,” she says. “We have lower overhead here, we can still produce all of the content, and, at the same time, we can grow our business.”
Lawing hopes to increase her local client base by at least 20 percent for each of the next few years.
She expects Mercury to serve as a catalyst for more creative work in the St. Louis metropolitan area, to entice more creative people to relocate here, and, ultimately, to increase the number of commercials being produced locally.
“This will require a bit of a rebranding to convince people that you don’t have to go to Hollywood for high quality,” says Lawing. “We have the resources right here.”
For example, Mercury recently created a direct mail DVD for Midwest Employers Casualty Company. Within two weeks of the mailing, the company had already expanded its client base.
The company’s uniqueness stems from the diverse experience of its employees, including backgrounds in public relations, advertising, and production.
“We understand messaging in a way that other video production companies don’t,” says Lawing. “A video has to resonate with the audience and compel them to action.”
In addition, Mercury’s work also helps to educate the public. For example, the company recently produced a three-part educational DVD series for the Saint Louis Cathedral. These seminars were designed to help participants gain a greater understanding and appreciation of sacred music.
Despite the economic shift into a recession, Mercury has experienced great growth in the past few quarters.
Lawing, who has always had a passion for creative work, does recognize that creativity can be both a blessing and a curse.
“People like to hire a creative company and then they have a hard time trusting their expertise,” she says. “This is a constant education process.”
To view the demo roll for Mercury, which won a Silver Telly award, visit http://www.mercury-inc.com/our_work/demo.htm.
LEADERSHIP CIRCLE INSIGHTS
What one thing, professionally, are you most excited about for the upcoming year?
“I am excited about the great family of co-workers we have assembled at HCS and the opportunity to work on some really interesting projects in 2009 like the new football stadium for SIU Carbondale. I am also excited that the new Mississippi River Bridge is being designed, and construction will soon begin. By the way, HCS does not build bridges.”
BRUCE HOLLAND
president & CEO,
Holland Construction Services
“The challenges of helping employers to manage their relationships with their employees energizes me professionally. Congress enacted amendments to the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act this year that will take effect in January 2009. I look forward to helping employers to understand the changes in these
laws and to implement them in their workplaces.”
GERRY RICHARDSON
of council,
Evans & Dixon LLC
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