Barking Squirrel Media

12/12/2025

Manufacturing Video Production: Fives Group Robotic Trade Show Reel
Manufacturing video production is one of the most powerful tools industrial companies can use to clarify complex systems, differentiate from competitors, and captivate prospects in high-noise environments like trade shows. Barking Squirrel Media recently partnered with Fives Group in Hebron, Kentucky to produce a dynamic robotic manufacturing trade show reel showcasing their Robotic Viper and SuperCharger technologies. Designed for convention center display, this high-energy video delivers immediate impact — distilling advanced automation into a visually compelling, digestible story that engages passersby in seconds.

Rather than functioning as a traditional commercial, this manufacturing video was created to work as a visual magnet — stopping attendees in their tracks, communicating value instantly, and positioning the Fives Group as a technological leader in automation and robotics.

Manufacturing Video Production That Works on the Trade Show Floor
Manufacturing Video Production Is About Impact, Not Just Aesthetics
At trade shows, decision-makers do not have time to read brochures or sit through lengthy presentations. They are experiencing visual overload from every direction. This is exactly where manufacturing video production becomes a strategic advantage.

Smartly produced industrial video:

Communicates complex processes instantly

Builds credibility without words

Establishes authority through motion and clarity

Differentiates from competitors visually

When executed correctly, a trade show reel becomes your best silent salesperson.

The Fives Group reel was engineered specifically for this environment — designed to communicate scale, sophistication, speed, and precision without requiring explanation.

Manufacturing Video Production in Action: The Fives Group Reel
What We Showcased in This Manufacturing Video Production Project
The Fives Group manufactures highly advanced robotics systems used across automotive, aerospace, and industrial manufacturing. Their Robotic Viper and SuperCharger systems are fast, powerful, and technologically dense — perfect candidates for video storytelling.

In this project, Barking Squirrel Media focused on:

Robotic automation

Throughput speed

Mechanical precision

Smart conveyor integration

Industrial design excellence

We did not rely on interviews or narration. Instead, the story is told through movement, rhythm, light, motion design, and visual contrast — allowing viewers to instantly understand capability without explanation.

Fast-paced editing combined with motion graphics and impactful music created a hypnotic loop that works on repeat in a trade show environment.

Click for full article...

https://barkingsquirrelmedia.com/portfolio/manufacturing-video-production-fives-group-robotic-reel/

12/11/2025

The Mid-Market Brand Dilemma

Mid-market companies are often the unsung heroes of American enterprise—innovative, agile, and deeply committed to their customers and employees. Yet despite their strength, many struggle to compete with the visibility and prestige of national brands and their corporate video storytelling. Big companies dominate attention not because they always deliver better products, but because they tell better stories.

That’s where corporate video storytelling comes in. Through emotionally compelling, cinematic narratives, mid-sized businesses can close the perception gap, positioning themselves with the same polish, emotional resonance, and brand authority as industry giants.

At Barking Squirrel Media, our mission has always been to tell the stories of organizations that make a positive impact in real people’s lives, the community, and the world. This approach—fusing empathy with brand strategy—has helped countless clients stand out in saturated markets. For mid-market brands, it can be transformative.

Why Mid-Market Brands Struggle to Compete on Story

Most mid-sized companies know they should “tell their story,” but lack the framework or confidence to do it effectively. Leadership teams are often pragmatic and operations-driven. As a result, marketing tends to highlight features, facts, and facilities instead of feelings.

This creates a dangerous gap between what a brand does and what people believe about it. Big brands spend decades cultivating emotion and purpose; mid-market firms often underinvest in that long-term equity.

Several factors contribute to this challenge:

Budget limitations lead to tactical videos—product demos, testimonials, training—without cohesive narrative strategy.
Fragmented identity: inconsistent design, tone, and messaging across platforms.
Fear of risk: decision-makers equate creativity with unpredictability, not realizing that safe messaging is invisible messaging.
Lack of story architecture: without a structured storytelling framework, even well-shot videos feel flat.
According to Wyzowl’s 2024 State of Video Marketing Report, 68% of B2B buyers say they’re more likely to buy from a company whose video tells a compelling story【source: Wyzowl, 2024】. That’s proof that emotion—not just information—drives business decisions.

What Big Brands Do Differently with Corporate Video Storytelling

Global brands have mastered the art of strategic video storytelling—and the good news is, their playbook is replicable.

They Lead with Emotion, Not Information
Apple doesn’t sell phones; it sells creativity. Nike doesn’t sell shoes; it sells courage. These companies build emotional frameworks where the product is the tool—not the hero.
They Use Narrative Structure
Every story follows a timeless arc: a hero faces a challenge, meets a guide, overcomes adversity, and transforms. ..

Corporate video storytelling helps mid-market companies look and feel like major brands. Learn how Barking Squirrel Media bridges the big-brand gap.

12/10/2025

At Barking Squirrel Media, we believe stories have the power to heal, connect, and move people to action. That’s why we specialize in medical storytelling videos—cinematic, emotionally resonant content that brings to life the missions of hospitals, nonprofits, and healthcare innovators. With offices in Cincinnati and Chicago, we were honored to partner with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and AGAR Agency to tell the story of their $600 million Critical Care Building during one of the most challenging times in modern healthcare: the COVID-19 pandemic.

This six-video campaign wasn’t just a virtual grand opening. It was a human-centered experience—an invitation for the community to see how world-class care, thoughtful design, and tireless collaboration were coming together in a new space designed for healing.

Medical Storytelling Videos Provide a Virtual Solution During COVID-19
When COVID-19 made in-person gatherings impossible, Cincinnati Children’s needed a creative solution for launching their new Critical Care Building. They couldn’t host tours, ribbon cuttings, or donor events—but they could bring people inside through film.

Barking Squirrel Media produced a series of medical storytelling videos that allowed viewers to explore the new facility, meet the people behind its creation, and understand how it would transform pediatric care. From trauma bays to sensory rooms, every detail was shared with emotional weight and cinematic beauty.

These videos became the hospital’s primary tool for public engagement during the pandemic—offering access, inspiration, and a celebration of hope when the world needed it most.

A Campaign Built on Purpose, People, and Narrative
Unlike standard marketing videos, our approach to medical storytelling videos centers on uncovering the human stories behind healthcare innovation. We don’t just highlight features—we find the faces, voices, and experiences that bring a facility to life.

For this series, we crafted six films, each with its own narrative arc and emotional focus:

A vision film introducing the project’s purpose and significance

A story highlighting staff and frontline workers

A video focused on mental health spaces and emotional support

A feature on the trauma center and ICU innovations

A look into family advisory contributions

A showcase of the facility’s architectural brilliance and design philosophy

Each film allowed Cincinnati Children’s to connect with a specific audience: families, staff, donors, and the broader community. Together, the series served as a cohesive, multidimensional story told from multiple perspectives.

High-End Production with a Heart for Medical Storytelling Videos
Healthcare storytelling demands a unique blend of credibility and compassion. That’s why we approach every shoot with the same care Cincinnati Children’s brings to its patients.



https://barkingsquirrelmedia.com/portfolio/medical-storytelling-videos/

12/09/2025

Why Brand Storytelling Starts With the Problem
In effective brand storytelling, the most important step is often the one marketers tend to overlook — starting with the problem. At first glance, this might seem counterintuitive. Shouldn’t a brand lead with its strengths, capabilities, and value? Not necessarily.

Every memorable story — whether on the silver screen or in a corporate brand video — begins with tension. In the classic story arc, that tension comes from a problem or obstacle. Without a problem, there’s no reason for your audience to keep watching. The problem is what engages us, gives us context, and creates the emotional pull that keeps us invested in the journey ahead.

When Barking Squirrel Media partnered with the Hamilton County Court of Addiction and Recovery (Drug Court), we began with the problem: the inability of the traditional Court of Common Pleas to effectively address addiction, which often resulted in repeat offenses. By starting here, we set the emotional and narrative foundation for the story.

The Classic Story Arc in Brand Storytelling
The classic story arc — also known as the narrative arc — is built on three essential components:

A hero with a clear desire
An obstacle blocking the way
A guide who empowers the hero to overcome it
This structure has worked for thousands of years because it mirrors the human experience.

Click for more..
The same principles that make Hollywood blockbusters compelling can make your brand videos resonate on a deeper level.

1. The Hero
In brand storytelling, the hero is not the brand — it’s the customer. The Hamilton County Drug Court’s “heroes” are individuals struggling with addiction who want to reclaim their lives, reunite with their families, and reintegrate into their communities.

The hero’s want must be powerful enough to drive the story. In fiction, Luke Skywalker wanted to become a Jedi and learn the ways of the Force. In marketing, your customer might want to run a more efficient business, live a healthier life, or create a safer community.

2. The Obstacle
The obstacle creates conflict, the heartbeat of any good story. Without conflict, there’s no transformation. In the Drug Court’s case, the obstacle was a judicial system not designed to address addiction recovery — resulting in cycles of incarceration without rehabilitation.

For your brand, the obstacle could be time constraints, limited resources, outdated technology, or lack of knowledge. The key is to name the obstacle clearly so your audience feels the tension and urgency.

3. The Guide
Here’s where brands often make a critical shift — and where brand storytelling becomes powerful. You’re not the hero; you’re the guide.

https://barkingsquirrelmedia.com/portfolio/brand-storytelling-how-the-classic-story-arc-transforms-marketing/

12/08/2025

In today’s fast-paced marketplace, both Chicago and Cincinnati companies are seeking new ways to rise above the noise, build brand loyalty, and authentically connect with their audiences. One of the most powerful tools at their disposal? A Chicago corporate brand film that doesn't just explain what the company does—but tells a story that inspires action.

At Barking Squirrel Media, with offices in both Chicago and Cincinnati, we specialize in creating emotionally powerful, strategy-driven brand films that speak to the heart of a company’s mission. But after years of producing films for global manufacturers, nonprofits, tech startups, and service organizations, we’ve noticed that many organizations are still overlooking three essential ingredients.

If you’re planning a Chicago corporate brand film or a Cincinnati corporate brand film, here are the three things you might be missing—and how to fix them to ensure your investment drives real business value.

1. Chicago Corporate Brand Films Must Prioritize Emotion Over Information

(And Cincinnati Corporate Brand Films Should Too)

Too many brand videos focus on “what” a company does rather than “why” it matters.

In Chicago, where global corporations and startups compete side by side, and in Cincinnati, where community-driven innovation thrives, standing out requires more than listing services or showcasing office shots. It requires storytelling that evokes emotion.

🎬 Why Emotion Matters in a Corporate Brand Film

Emotion makes people care. Emotion drives decisions. It’s what makes your audience hit “share,” remember your brand, or apply for that open position.

Whether we’re producing a Chicago corporate brand film for a logistics company or a Cincinnati corporate brand film for a non-profit, our goal is the same: uncover a human story that reveals the company’s soul.

At Barking Squirrel Media, we use a Discovery Process to find these stories. We ask:

Why was your company founded?

Who are the people behind the mission?

What challenge are you trying to solve in the world?

By exploring these questions, we unearth the emotional core of your brand—and that’s what drives powerful storytelling.

✅ How to Make Your Brand Film More Emotional

Show, Don’t Tell: Capture real people, not scripted actors. Let them speak in their own words.

Use a Mini-Documentary Format: This style builds empathy and authenticity, perfect for both Cincinnati’s community-based culture and Chicago’s human-centered innovation.

Tell a Transformation Story: What changed because of your work? That’s the emotional hook.

Client Example: A Chicago-based B2B tech company hired us to create a brand film. Instead of focusing on features, we followed a client who used their platform to transform their business. The emotional payoff? Trust, growth, and leads. Click for more..

Discover the top 3 things companies overlook in a Chicago corporate brand film —and how Barking Squirrel Media helps you fix them to drive ROI.

12/07/2025

An Employee Recruitment Video has become one of the most powerful tools for attracting top talent in today’s competitive hiring landscape. With the modern workforce looking beyond job descriptions and salaries, companies need a way to showcase not only what they do, but also who they are. A well-produced recruitment video helps job seekers envision themselves at your company, understand your culture, and feel inspired to apply.

In this article, we’ll explore why recruitment videos work, the core topics they should cover, and how they can directly help your company bring in high-quality candidates.

Why an Employee Recruitment Video Matters More Than Ever
Job seekers are no longer relying solely on written job postings. Instead, they look for authentic glimpses of workplace culture, leadership style, growth opportunities, and employee satisfaction. Studies show that:

Job postings that include video receive 34% more applications than those without.¹
Embedding video into job ads can yield up to 800% more engagement compared to text-only ads.²
Job postings with video icons (thumbnails) are viewed 12% more often than plain postings.³
78% of recruiters say video has helped improve the quality of applicants.⁴
88% of recruiters report that video produces more responses from passive candidates.⁴
These metrics underscore that an Employee Recruitment Video is not simply a branding play — it’s a performance play. It helps you reach more people, filter better candidates, and inspire action.



Showcase Company Mission and Purpose
Every great recruitment story starts with purpose. Candidates want to work somewhere that aligns with their values. Your video should clearly communicate your company’s mission—why you exist, who you serve, and what impact you make in the world.

By highlighting purpose in your Employee Recruitment Video, you give viewers a reason to feel emotionally connected. For example, if you’re a healthcare company, show how your team’s efforts improve patients’ lives. If you’re in manufacturing, demonstrate how your products contribute to safety, sustainability, or innovation. Purpose creates pride, and pride attracts committed employees.

Purpose is increasingly non-negotiable for job seekers. When people see how their role aligns with a mission they believe in, they’re more motivated, loyal, and likely to refer others.



Culture and Core Values
Your culture defines the everyday experience of employees. A recruitment video that authentically reflects your culture is a magnet for like-minded talent.

Show how your team collaborates, how leaders engage with staff, and how values guide behavior. Capture moments that reflect your unique identity—whether that’s celebrating wins together, volunteering in the community, or innovating in fast-paced environments.

Click to learn more...

12/07/2025

Inspiring video storytelling is more than just a buzzword—it’s a transformative tool that empowers marketing leaders to capture attention, build trust, and guide potential customers through every stage of the marketing funnel. From awareness to advocacy, cinematic, emotionally compelling videos don’t just tell stories; they create experiences that leave lasting impressions.

At Barking Squirrel Media—with offices in Cincinnati and Chicago—we specialize in crafting these unforgettable narratives. This article will guide marketing executives through how inspiring video storytelling can be effectively used at each stage of the funnel to move audiences to action.

What Is a Marketing Funnel & Why Video Matters at Every Stage

The marketing funnel is the framework marketers use to map out the customer journey—from initial brand awareness to long-term loyalty and advocacy. The stages typically include:

Awareness

Consideration

Decision

Post-Purchase (Loyalty & Advocacy)

While marketers often invest heavily in top-of-funnel tactics, many overlook the power of emotionally resonant video throughout the entire funnel. That’s where inspiring video storytelling becomes essential. According to HubSpot, 72% of customers would rather learn about a product or service through video, and videos increase landing page conversions by up to 80%.

Inspiring Video Storytelling at the Awareness Stage

At the top of the funnel, the goal is simple: get noticed. But in a digital landscape cluttered with ads, pop-ups, and forgettable content, how do you stand out?

Brand Films & Mini-Documentaries that Captivate

This is where cinematic brand films and mini-documentaries shine. They emotionally connect with your audience, often without ever mentioning a product. These films are story-first, allowing viewers to connect with your brand's values and purpose.

For instance, our work with CSX tells the story of how rail workers and logistics experts make the invisible world of freight both visible and emotionally compelling. Viewers walk away not just informed, but inspired.

Real-World Case: Cincinnati Children's Hospital

In our collaboration with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, we used inspiring video storytelling to spotlight the Critical Care Building. Rather than explaining specs and features, we told the human story—why this facility matters to children, families, and medical professionals. The result? A powerful tool for both awareness and fundraising.

Using Inspiring Video Storytelling in the Consideration Stage

Once your audience is aware of your brand, they begin to evaluate their options. This is where trust, credibility, and relatability matter most.

Testimonial Videos That Build Trust

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Inspiring video storytelling moves audiences through every stage of the marketing funnel—boosting awareness, trust, conversions, and loyalty.

12/06/2025

Educational Video Production for Early Childhood and Beyond

At Barking Squirrel Media, we believe educational video production is one of the most powerful tools for inspiring minds, shaping communities, and making complex ideas accessible and memorable. One of our recent projects—producing 13 bilingual educational videos for 4C for Children—has positioned us as a trusted authority in creating impactful learning content. These videos were designed to help parents foster brain development in children five years and younger, but their effectiveness extends far beyond early childhood. The same storytelling and production values apply equally well to public schools and universities.

In this article, we explore how our work with 4C exemplifies our commitment to educational video production across learning levels and diverse communities.

Multilingual Educational Video Production That Expands Reach
One of the defining strengths of our work with 4C for Children is the production of every video in both English and Spanish. This bilingual strategy wasn’t an afterthought—it was an intentional decision that reflects our mission to reach every family, regardless of language.

Educational video production that includes multilingual versions dramatically increases accessibility and cultural inclusion. Schools and universities increasingly serve diverse populations, and institutions need content that reflects the lived experiences of their communities. By delivering the same high production value in multiple languages, Barking Squirrel Media ensures that no viewer is left behind.

Educational Video Content Aligned with Early Childhood Development
Our series for 4C tackled topics that matter most to parents and educators of young children. These short films covered:

Talking during daily routines

Introducing numbers and patterns through play

Identifying and naming feelings

Supporting routines around meals and bedtime

Encouraging child-led exploration

Each topic was carefully chosen in collaboration with 4C’s early learning experts and aligned with brain science and early education frameworks. When it comes to educational video production, our approach is both cinematic and curriculum-conscious. That means the final product is not only visually engaging but educationally sound.

This model of creating age-appropriate, research-based content is easily adapted to K–12 classrooms and college-level learning environments. Whether we’re helping preschoolers regulate emotions or guiding college students through pedagogical theory, we know how to tailor storytelling to cognitive and developmental stages.

Cinematic Storytelling Meets Educational Purpose
What sets Barking Squirrel Media apart in educational video production is our commitment to cinematic storytelling. These are not dry explainer videos or lecture-style recordings.

https://barkingsquirrelmedia.com/portfolio/educational-video-production-for-early-childhood-and-beyond/

12/05/2025

A Guide to Producing a Corporate Mini-documentary for Real Human Impact

At Barking Squirrel Media, we believe the most compelling corporate mini-documentary stories are those rooted in authenticity, emotion, and transformation. Producing a corporate mini-documentary is more than just creating a marketing video—it’s a short cinematic film that brings your brand’s values to life by showcasing the real people whose lives have been positively impacted by your company.

This guide outlines the essential steps for producing a successful corporate mini-documentary and the immense value it brings to your brand.

1. Goals & Strategies for Producing a Corporate Mini-documentary
Define your objectives and identify your core audience

Before cameras ever roll, it's critical to clarify why you're creating a mini-documentary.

What message do you want to convey?

What change in perception or emotion do you want to inspire?

Who is your primary audience—potential customers, employees, investors, or the broader community?

Defining these goals ensures that every creative and logistical decision is grounded in purpose. It also helps you and your video production partner tailor the film’s tone, structure, and message to resonate deeply with the right audience.

2. Discovery Interviews
Find the authentic story that brings your mission to life

This process involves interviewing several potential candidates—employees, clients, vendors, or community members—who have experienced meaningful transformation through your brand. These conversations are essential for uncovering authentic human stories that align with your mission and resonate with your target audience.

These interviews are also a tool for surfacing narrative gold: conflict, emotion, personal change, and triumph.

3. Discovery Summary
Capture the essence of the story and align it with your brand’s message

After the interview process, synthesize your findings into a concise document that outlines:

Key emotional beats in the interviewee’s story

How their journey reflects your brand’s core values

The challenges they faced and how your organization helped overcome them

This document becomes your story blueprint—ensuring that every scene and soundbite supports your strategic goals while staying true to the protagonist’s journey.

4. The Protagonist for Producing a Corporate Mini-documentary
Choose the face of your brand’s impact

Your protagonist should be someone whose life has been genuinely transformed by your company. This might be:

An employee whose career has flourished

A customer whose life was improved

A vendor whose partnership has deepened

A community member affected by your outreach

The best protagonists are those who are emotionally expressive, comfortable on camera, and able to articulate their journey clearly. This individual will carry the heart of your story.

Click below for full article!

We believe that producing a corporate mini-documentary stories are those rooted in authenticity, emotion, and transformation. It brings your brand to life!

12/03/2025

An Employee Recruitment Video has become one of the most powerful tools for attracting top talent in today’s competitive hiring landscape. With the modern workforce looking beyond job descriptions and salaries, companies need a way to showcase not only what they do, but also who they are. A well-produced recruitment video helps job seekers envision themselves at your company, understand your culture, and feel inspired to apply.

In this article, we’ll explore why recruitment videos work, the core topics they should cover, and how they can directly help your company bring in high-quality candidates.

Why an Employee Recruitment Video Matters More Than Ever
Job seekers are no longer relying solely on written job postings. Instead, they look for authentic glimpses of workplace culture, leadership style, growth opportunities, and employee satisfaction. Studies show that:

Job postings that include video receive 34% more applications than those without.¹
Embedding video into job ads can yield up to 800% more engagement compared to text-only ads.²
Job postings with video icons (thumbnails) are viewed 12% more often than plain postings.³
78% of recruiters say video has helped improve the quality of applicants.⁴
88% of recruiters report that video produces more responses from passive candidates.⁴
These metrics underscore that an Employee Recruitment Video is not simply a branding play — it’s a performance play. It helps you reach more people, filter better candidates, and inspire action.



Showcase Company Mission and Purpose
Every great recruitment story starts with purpose. Candidates want to work somewhere that aligns with their values. Your video should clearly communicate your company’s mission—why you exist, who you serve, and what impact you make in the world.

By highlighting purpose in your Employee Recruitment Video, you give viewers a reason to feel emotionally connected. For example, if you’re a healthcare company, show how your team’s efforts improve patients’ lives. If you’re in manufacturing, demonstrate how your products contribute to safety, sustainability, or innovation. Purpose creates pride, and pride attracts committed employees.

Purpose is increasingly non-negotiable for job seekers. When people see how their role aligns with a mission they believe in, they’re more motivated, loyal, and likely to refer others.



Culture and Core Values
Your culture defines the everyday experience of employees. A recruitment video that authentically reflects your culture is a magnet for like-minded talent.

Show how your team collaborates, how leaders engage with staff, and how values guide behavior. Capture moments that reflect your unique identity—whether that’s celebrating wins together, volunteering in the community, or innovating in fast-paced environments.

Click to learn more...

Create an Employee Recruitment Video that showcases culture, growth, and purpose to attract top talent and boost applications effectively.

12/01/2025

Publishing a video without a video SEO strategy is no longer optional if you want your content to be engaging. Even a beautifully shot film will be ineffective if it doesn’t show up in search results or reach your audience at the right time and place. That’s why a purposeful video SEO and distribution strategy is essential. Below is a step-by-step guide we have put together to help the videos of our clients’ get discovered, viewed, and acted upon.

Identify Strategic Keywords for Video SEO
Keyword research is the compass for every optimization decision. Rather than guessing, which wastes a great deal of time, use one of the following tools:

Google Keyword Planner for broad search volumes and trends
TubeBuddy or VidIQ for YouTube-specific insights
Ahrefs, SEMrush and SE Rankings for SEO competition analysis
These tools have proven indispensable to our SEO success at Barking Squirrel Media.

Craft a Compelling, Keyword-Rich Title
Your title is the first and most influential metadata signal. Below are our tips for best practices:

Put your primary keyword at the beginning
Keep it under 70 characters
Clarify a benefit or result
Include emotional triggers or numbers if applicable
Example: “Customer Story: How We Cut Costs 30% with Video SEO Strategy.” The keyword that you chose for a video or a blog article should also appear in both your H2 and H3 subtitles We can’t overemphasize how crucial these practices are in creating, maintaining and expanding your online audience.

Write an Optimized Video Description and Video SEO Summary
The video description is crucial for both search algorithms and human viewers. Make sure to include the following:

Place your Video SEO keyphrase within the first 150 characters of your descriptions
Write a short, engaging summary of the video content
Support long-tail keywords and related phrases
Always include CTAs (call to action) with UTM-tracked URLs
Provide a transcript or timestamped outline
Include strategic hashtags (e.g., , )
A rich description not only improves discoverability but also boosts watch time and conversions.

At Barking Squirrel Media, we have found that focusing on intent-rich phrases like “how to create onboarding videos” or “customer testimonial strategy” generate engagement and inspire action. Strategically chosen keywords guide everything from concepting to scripting and tagging in our storytelling process.

Click below for more...

A video without a video SEO strategy is no longer optional if you want your content to be engaging. A purposeful video SEO & distribution strategy is essential.