DeArmon CAST Case Study
Background
DeArmon Creative Arts School and Theater (CAST), is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides high-quality arts education and performance opportunities to students of all ages and skill levels in Tampa, Florida. Founded in 2008 by Sharon DeArmon, CAST offers a wide range of courses, including stage crafts, musical theatre, dance, music theory, art, and instrumental instruction. The organization is committed to creating a safe, Christian environment where students can explore their creativity and grow in their faith.
As the managing director, Kym Perrault oversees various aspects of CAST's operations, including registration, parent communication, payroll, accounting, purchasing, and production. With a strong focus on delivering exceptional theatrical performances, CAST has grown significantly over the years, attracting more students and families to their programs.
The Challenge
Prior to adopting MediaZilla, CAST faced several challenges in delivering high-quality recordings of their performances to parents and family members. Their primary method of distribution was through physical DVDs, which involved a time-consuming and costly process.
After each performance, their videographer would record the show from multiple camera angles, edit the footage, and provide a final DVD to CAST. The team would then duplicate the DVDs using a manual duplicator, create custom covers and labels, and assemble the final product for each order.
This process was highly inefficient, requiring approximately 40 hours of labor per performance to create and deliver the DVDs. Additionally, the cost of materials, such as DVD cases, labels, and printer ink, cut into the organization's profits. CAST often found itself breaking even or making only a slim profit on DVD sales, particularly for high school performances, which typically had lower sales volumes compared to elementary school shows.
Furthermore, the manual order tracking and fulfillment process was prone to errors and created storage issues, as the team had to keep track of physical inventory and remind parents to pick up their orders. The limitations of their previous sales platform also made it difficult to analyze sales data and make informed decisions about their merchandise strategy.
Recognizing the need for a more efficient and cost-effective solution, CAST sought to modernize their performance recording delivery system to better serve their growing community of students and families.
Well, we just figured there had to be a better way, that there must be a digital way,
Kym states.
The Solution
To overcome the challenges associated with their DVD-based distribution system, CAST turned to MediaZilla, a video platform designed for securely storing, managing, and delivering high-quality video content. By implementing MediaZilla, CAST was able to streamline their performance recording delivery process and provide a more convenient and engaging experience for their audience.
With MediaZilla, CAST's videographer can easily upload the final edited performance footage directly to the platform. Kym Perrault and her team can then create dedicated project pages for each performance and generate QR codes and purchase links for parents and family members.
During performances, CAST now displays these QR codes at their merchandise table, allowing attendees to easily purchase the recording by scanning the code with their smartphones. This has significantly reduced the time and effort required for order processing and has eliminated the need for physical cash transactions.
After the performance, Kym sends follow-up emails to cast members and attendees, providing them with the purchase link and encouraging them to buy the recording if they hadn't already done so. MediaZilla's platform has also enabled CAST to create a library of past performances on their website, providing an additional revenue stream and a valuable resource for their community.
By leveraging MediaZilla's features, such as monetized links, easy uploading, and secure video storage, CAST has transformed its performance recording delivery system into a more efficient, cost-effective, and user- friendly solution that benefits both the organization and its supporters.
It's very straightforward. It's very easy.
Kym affirms.The Results
Since implementing MediaZilla in May 2023, CAST has experienced significant improvements in efficiency, cost savings, and revenue generation. The time required to create and deliver performance recordings has been reduced from approximately 40 hours per show to just one hour, a remarkable 97.5% decrease in labor. This has allowed Kym and her team to focus on other critical aspects of their operations, such as parent communication and production planning.
By eliminating the expenses associated with physical DVD production, such as cases, labels, and printer ink, CAST has reduced its costs by 16%. This, combined with the increased efficiency of the MediaZilla platform, has resulted in a 172% increase in net profit from performance recording sales.
MediaZilla's user-friendly interface and digital delivery system have also contributed to a 48% increase in overall sales. The ability to easily purchase recordings through QR codes at the merchandise table and via follow-up emails has encouraged more parents and family members to buy the recordings.
We have more post-show sales than we did before because now people know they don't have to remember to stop by the table,
Kym explains.Furthermore, the MediaZilla platform has provided CAST with valuable insights into their sales data, enabling them to make informed decisions about their merchandise strategy. The improved reporting capabilities have saved Kym and her team an estimated one hour per week in manual sales tracking and reconciliation.
By partnering with MediaZilla, CAST has not only streamlined its performance recording delivery process but has also enhanced the overall experience for its community. The digital delivery system has made it easier for parents and family members to access and enjoy the recordings, leading to increased customer satisfaction and engagement.
We had a lot of people right away say this is awesome. And I can just watch it whenever, and my kids watch it in the car, and they're always watching,
Kym shares.The successful implementation of MediaZilla has positioned CAST for continued growth and success in its mission to provide high-quality arts education and performance opportunities to students in the Tampa area.
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