Pittsburgh-based marketing firm Smith Brothers Agency announced the rebranding of their in-house production studio, now Foothold Studios. The studio is headed by Content Studio Director Dave DiNuzzo with a staff of eight as Foothold continues the agency’s investment and innovation in the content production space.

As part of the Smith Brother’s offering, Foothold works with creative directors, writers, art directors and strategists to bring brand concepts to life. As a standalone, Foothold will offer its own clients a streamlined production solution for photography, animation and video. 

Smith Brothers first launched the agency’s content studio (Smith Brothers Studios) in 2012 with the hiring of two photographers to help create high quality social content for their clients. In 2016, the agency acquired 4TWELVE Pictures, establishing a full video production unit to meet growing demands for video. Most recently, Smith Brothers converted 4,600 square feet of office space into a fully equipped studio, complete with controlled shooting spaces, a commercial kitchen, state-of-the-art gear, an edit suite and prop storage. 

“Since opening our doors in 2002, we’ve made early moves to stay ahead of the trends in our industry. Making our studio a standalone enterprise means we can more efficiently service smaller budget clients without the higher overhead of the full agency. And, because we’ve built out our shooting space on a separate floor (creating a kind of firewall between our operations) we’re hoping Foothold will soon be working with other ad agencies on behalf of their clients,” said Lindsey Smith, co-founder of Smith Brothers Agency.

Smith Brothers is already seeing the benefits of the Foothold model, particularly with offering both photography and video production capabilities in-house. Production plans are more integrated and seamless, meaning every shoot day is maximized for both video and photography. At a time when every client is looking for more and more content the efficiencies benefit both the client and agency team. What’s more, the new model also results in a more cohesive overall creative product. 

“One of the most obvious impacts of adding the studio has been the increased energy and excitement it brings to the agency. We’re doing work for start-ups and smaller companies in the nascent better-for-you food space that we would never have been able to afford to touch otherwise, “ said Bronson Smith, co-founder of Smith Brothers Agency.

The studio’s mission is to offer clients a sure-footed production solution, ultimately leading to emotionally engaging content that inspires action. Today, Foothold Studios produces increasingly high-end assets and experiences including broadcast, online video, documentary, short and long-format, as well as animation, social content and photography. 

About SMITH BROTHERS 
Smith Brothers is a digital-forward, performance-based marketing and communications agency. The agency’s experience includes launching innovative campaigns for category leaders, challenger brands and start-ups. Clients include Nestle, MSA, Premier Nutrition, GNC, Spangler Candy, PPG and UPMC. For more information, visit www.smithbrosagency.com.

About FOOTHOLD STUDIOS
Foothold Studios is Smith Brothers Agency’s production studio arm, focusing on integrated shoots that blend photography and video into one seamless production. The studio’s experience includes producing visual content for national and local brands in a variety of markets. Clients include PPG, UPMC, Smuckers, Dibella’s Subs, The Art Institutes, MSA, Iron Hill and Nestle. For more information, visit https://www.foothold.studio.