Barking Squirrel Media

09/12/2025

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/

09/10/2025

Cinematic Beer Commercial – Blueprint Light Lager by Braxton Brewing
When Braxton Brewing set out to create Blueprint Light Lager, they knew they weren’t just brewing another beer — they were crafting a tribute to the men and women who build our country from the ground up through a cinematic beer commercial. This isn’t a drink that simply quenches thirst; it’s a symbol of grit, resilience, and the pride that comes with honest work. Every can sold supports The Spirit of Construction, a nonprofit that funds programs inspiring and advancing the next generation of skilled tradespeople. To tell that story in a way that resonated deeply with its audience, Braxton Brewing invested in a cinematic beer commercial that blends heart, authenticity, and visual power.

The Heart of the Blueprint Light Lager Story
Blueprint Light Lager was born from a simple but powerful vision — to celebrate and support America’s skilled trades. From welders to electricians, carpenters to masons, these workers shape the physical backbone of our communities. Yet, their contributions are often underappreciated.

Braxton Brewing wanted to change that narrative. They saw an opportunity to connect the refreshment of a light lager with the pride of craftsmanship. This wasn’t about flashy slogans or empty branding. It was about showing — not just telling — that the beer you hold in your hand is built with the same care and dedication as the bridges, buildings, and neighborhoods it honors.

Why a Cinematic Beer Commercial Matters
In an age where consumers are bombarded with digital ads, a cinematic beer commercial stands apart. It’s not just a product pitch; it’s a short film that draws you in emotionally before you ever think about making a purchase.

Braxton Brewing understood that if they wanted to do justice to the Blueprint Light Lager story, they needed to capture the essence of the trades — the motion, the sounds, the tools, the weathered hands, and the unshakable work ethic — in a way that felt real.

A cinematic approach allows for slower pacing when it matters, rapid cuts when the work intensifies, and lingering shots that let viewers absorb the pride in a job well done. It’s filmmaking as storytelling, not just marketing.

Click for more...
https://barkingsquirrelmedia.com/portfolio/cinematic-beer-commercial/


https://barkingsquirrelmedia.com/portfolio/cinematic-beer-commercial/

09/09/2025

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/

09/09/2025

This manufacturing video features all aspects of the manufacturing line installed at Steel Dynamics Inc by Fives Group. This film combines filming techniques done with cameras in Gimble systems, DJI drones, informative animated texts, voice over, testimonials, engaging music and weeks of editing to create an informative and entertaining video for manufacturing trade shows around the world.

https://barkingsquirrelmedia.com/portfolio/manufacturing-video-for-fives-group/

09/08/2025

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.

09/08/2025

Barking Squirrel Media produced this series of 8 cinematic videos for a network of the nation’s largest supply chain companies to promote careers in the Supply Chain at the request of Gov. Matt Bevin and Supply Chain OKI. Our target audience was juniors and seniors in high school who may not have the ability to go to college but needed meaningful employment and an eduction. Most of the companies in supply chain will pay for a students’ college tuition while they work in supply chain careers.

We used our discovery process and interviewed HS and university students and teacher/professors, leaders in the major supply chain companies and the non-profits that ready people for employment. These discovery sessions helped us understand the problems that needed to be solved in order to get more people into careers in the supply chain industry.

We learned that there were several problems that prevented young people from pursuing supply chain careers. First, students didn’t even know what supply chain was or how if worked. Second, they were unaware of the many educational and employment opportunities available in the field locally. Third, they viewed anything related to manufacturing as low technology, low pay with promotional opportunities. They viewed manufacturing and supply chain as the career of their grandparents who complained about a filthy work environment. What we learned was this was totally untrue so we had create a film that dispelled these notions and demonstrate the opposite in an visually engaging and persuasive manner.

We produced a brand report that summarized our discover findings and then created a one page story outline of the story we intended to produce to help solve the supply chain problems. Once approved, we combined the many stories we learned in discovery into a single script that demonstrated in an compelling manner how SCOKI has transformed people’s live, both young and old and given them successful careers in the various areas of local supply chain.

https://barkingsquirrelmedia.com/portfolio/cinematic-videos-for-supply-chain/

09/07/2025

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

Click for More

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

09/06/2025

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/

09/05/2025

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!

09/04/2025

Chicago Corporate Brand Film: 3 Things Missing
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 or a Cincinnati corporate brand film should not only 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 entire article!

Learn how a Chicago Corporate Brand Film finds new ways to rise above the noise, build brand loyalty, and authentically connect with their audiences.

09/03/2025

Video Storytelling for Non-profits: How Barking Squirrel Media Inspires Action and Amplifies Impact
At Barking Squirrel Media, video storytelling for non-profits isn’t just a service we offer—it’s the heart of our mission. With offices in Cincinnati and Chicago, we specialize in creating emotionally compelling, cinematic stories that highlight the impact of organizations making a difference in real people’s lives. From donor engagement to volunteer recruitment, our videos help non-profits connect deeply with their audiences and inspire action.

Why Video Storytelling for Non-profits Matters
Traditional nonprofit marketing often relies on facts, figures, and mission statements. But in today’s world, people don’t just want to know what you do—they want to feel it. That’s where video storytelling for non-profits becomes transformational.

By turning raw data into human-centered stories, we help nonprofits like St. Vincent de Paul highlight the emotional and social impact of their work. Whether it’s feeding families, providing shelter, or empowering individuals to rebuild their lives, these stories move hearts and drive results.

A Proven Discovery Process That Reveals Your True Story
Every impactful video starts with deep understanding. At Barking Squirrel Media, we use a comprehensive discovery process to uncover the soul of your organization. This step is essential for successful video storytelling for non-profits.

We go beyond the surface to learn about your mission, goals, processes, and culture. Through interviews with leadership, staff, volunteers, and the people you serve, we uncover the emotional heartbeat of your organization. These insights allow us to build a narrative that is authentic, relatable, and emotionally resonant—ensuring your story is told with honesty and power.

Our clients often discover unexpected value from this process, including brand clarity, stronger messaging, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Cinematic Video Production That Elevates Nonprofit Stories
Video storytelling for non-profits requires more than a camera—it demands cinematic craftsmanship. Barking Squirrel Media uses professional-grade gear, including RED V-Raptor cameras, top-tier lighting, and studio-quality sound equipment to ensure every frame looks polished and professional.

We film on location in your offices, the community, or wherever your story lives. Our experienced crew knows how to capture authentic moments while making everyone feel comfortable on camera. From poignant interviews to emotional b-roll, we bring your mission to life visually.

And because we handle every step—from scripting and planning to filming and post-production—you can focus on your mission while we focus on telling your story.

https://barkingsquirrelmedia.com/portfolio/video-storytelling-for-non-profits/

09/02/2025

Introduction to Brand Videos with Barking Squirrel Media
Barking Squirrel Media is a video production company that specializes in storytelling through mini-documentaries and brand videos. We have as our mission to tell the stories of organizations that are making a positive impact in real people’s lives, the community and the world. We believe that we can play a small part of changing the world for good by elevating the stories of companies that are going above and beyond in taking excellent care of their employees, vendors, customers and the members of the communities in which they reside. Most of our customers at Barking Squirrel Media also care deeply about sustainability and are finding new ways to make products without damaging the air, land and water. Additionally, many companies come to us for video production and storytelling because their core services and products are designed to help those that no one helps.

Our Approach to Mini-Documentaries & Brand Videos
Photography
Our approach to storytelling is accomplished in three different ways. We begin with our discovery process. Here we do a number of interviews with people from various parts of a company to discover who they are, why they do what they do and how they make a positive impact in the world. From these series of meetings, we find not only voice and emotion, we obtain the crucial information that sets our clients apart from their competitors.

How We Design a Brand Video Story
We design video stories that engage hearts, change minds and inspire action. In the first few seconds of our videos, we seek to capture the emotional core of the client’s audience. How do we make them empathize with the hero’s desires and problems? Ever story, whether a movie, a book or a corporate video, has a person (a client) who wants something. However, they can’t get it because of challenges and obstacles they cannot overcome by themselves. They need someone to be their mentor or their guide. Think of Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi/Yoda. This is where your company comes in. You as an organization become the guide that helps your clients make crucial decisions to create change. This change enables the hero/client to accomplish their goals.

A corporate brand film is a way to let people know who you are and what you do. This “Who We Are” video provides a powerful introduction to your organization for visitors and potential customers. We take the time to truly understand the depths of your values and unique story. With this knowledge, we craft a script that features your brand in an authentic and compelling manner. Our skilled team then transforms this vision into reality, capturing breathtaking visuals that expertly highlight your organization’s essence, ultimately propelling you toward the achievement of your goals and strategies.

Our mini-documentaries and brand videos tell the stories of organizations that are making a positive impact in real people’s lives, the community & the world.