Wrestler sets sights on top rope of branded entertainment

18 March 2016

Wrestler sets sights on the top rope of branded entertainment

With the opening of its impressive new premises on Jessie St in Wellington, Wrestler has boldly made a statement about its growth and determination to become one of New Zealand’s leading creators of branded content.

They’ve certainly got their timing right with brands feeling the pressure to regularly provide their audience with engaging video content. Ben Forman, Found of Wrestler says, “Companies now need big ideas, turned around quickly and executed flawlessly at lower cost than the creative industry has traditionally been able to offer. The agility of our small crew, our broad skill sets and can-do attitudes enables that, as well as advances in filming equipment and software that make the process more efficient and high production values more accessible to smaller teams.”

Wrestler was formerly Stem Creative, which made its name producing corporate video content and filming many of Wellington’s premiere cultural events. But the small and multi-skilled team always had ambitions of a more creative future, as evidenced by the production of their own web series, Agency, in early 2015. It’s success helped the business land more imaginative video projects including Trade Me’s Thank God It’s Monday, IRD’s 80s aerobics tax workout videos, and the KB series featuring internet sensation Jamie Curry for Kiwibank.

So the time has come for their brand to match their abilities, aspirations and momentum. “All our daydreaming about what the perfect video company would be like, started to materialise. Work became play, and the outcomes just got better and better. Our new studio space is intentionally huge to facilitate all the dancing and bike riding and theatresports we do to spark our imaginations and wrestle all the glorious possibilities out of every opportunity. We have fun with a brief, and that’s infectious. Our client’s end up having a ball too and all that positive and playful energy resonates through our videos. Audiences are drawn to that spirit, it shines through, and that makes the content engaging.” Says Forman.

The new studio is chocker with the latest gadgetry - drones, gimbals, cranes, lighting - which all packs down into the Wrestler ute, parked in the centre of the studio adjacent to the brand new edit suite that is an editor’s soundproofed dream. There’s certainly no shortage of creative inspiration around the studio. Tomahawk Made have contributed all kinds of beautifully inspired wood and steel detailing, { Suite } Gallery have taken care of the artwork with their trademark exceptional taste, and the space features two large scale pieces commissioned especially for Wrestler. Wayne Youle’s 5x3.6m pop art Jean Batten mural near the entrance speaks to the pioneering spirit of the company and will undoubtedly catch the attention of passers by. After hours, Jessie Streeters will then be treated to a visceral Gina Kiel illustration that adorns the roller door.

It all points to a very bright future for Wrestler. If you’re looking to make an impact with your video content, the team warmly encourages you drop into the Jessie St studio any time. They can help with everything involved in the video making process, from creative to distribution, but most of all they can help you get views. As the team likes to summarise it, “There is a great battle for attention being waged online and we’re going to help our client’s compete, and win.”

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