Trust is at the heart of all great creative work. In my experience, doing something truly unique and remarkable starts with a creative team willing to go there and stakeholders willing to trust in that high wire act. Educating Microsoft employees about how to keep their data, identity, and devices safe (which affects customers, as well) is serious business. In 2016, we were introduced to an outstanding team at Microsoft digital security who asked us to enliven their digital security training for Microsoft employees. The brief was to depict common scenarios that showed employees how to stay safe. Made sense, but we knew that could be a snooze to watch. So when our creative team led by CD/Director Kurt Reifschneider and ACD/Scriptwriter Graeme Hanson pitched a series of videos hosted by funnyman Luke Burbank, we were asking for a leap of faith. The Microsoft team was unblinking and believed in the idea the whole way. From an initial piece on phishing safety to several years of digital security training videos, employees at Microsoft responded with rave reviews and higher engagement in the training curriculum. The pieces were educational and fun to watch. The creative process was, as well.
Microsoft Security
Security Foundations Season 3: Face Masks and Microsoft Experts
Produced during the COVID pandemic, the season 3 production involved extra logistics and COVID-safety precautions, but the results were the best yet. In addition to the core creative team of Reifschneider/Hanson, many thanks to senior producer Kelli Garces for her amazing plate spinning and our great clients Ken Sexsmith, Erin Csonaki, and Alexa Inga for trusting that we could pull this off during a trying time. Below is the consolidated edit of the three videos featuring host Luke Burbank and a crack team of Microsoft security experts. The final deliverables included executive intros and several blooper reels.
Two Teams, One Mission.
The story of Microsoft's one-week red vs. blue team security training exercise is told in this promotional video. Several versions were produced, one for Microsoft employees, one for customers, and this one aimed at employee recruitment. It won a 2021 Gold Telly Award. Much credit goes to DP Chris Meuer, video editor Jake Foltz, producer Tenny Priebe, ACD Graeme Hanson, and fantastic client Blythe Price.
Security Training Visual Identity
To bring cohesiveness and greater awareness of Microsoft’s digital security training curriculum, we developed the SENTRI identity. I led the project team and process that included a brand discovery session with the client, concepting with the creative team, client presentations and concept refinement, and eventually delivery of the program identity guidelines.