Today we’d like to introduce you to Adam Wilde.
Hi Adam, It’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us. To start, could you share some of your backstory with our readers?
From Orlando to Cleveland: The Early Years My journey began with a deep passion for music. I attended Full Sail in Orlando, FL, where I earned a degree in Recording Engineering. While in Orlando, I played and toured with a band on the verge of signing with a major label. I co-founded a record label with friends and made a living as a recording engineer while working at a high-end restaurant. However, in 2004, my life took a dramatic turn. My long-term relationship ended, my band dissolved due to internal politics just before our big break, and my record label failed due to my inexperience in business management. Additionally, two major hurricanes struck Orlando, shutting down the city and leaving me unable to sustain my income. With my dreams shattered, I moved back to my hometown, Cleveland.
A Humble Return and a New Path
My mother had always worked in sales at TRG, a small studio where I had interned during high school summers. When I returned to Cleveland, I started working at TRG, initially pushing a broom. From there, I taught myself photography, became a photo assistant, and eventually started the video department. Over the next 10-15 years, I climbed the ranks to a leadership role.
Leading Through Adversity
TRG faced significant challenges, losing two major clients overnight—one to bankruptcy and the other to a corporate acquisition; coupled with our owner experiencing a personal tragedy, the studio’s future was uncertain. This was when I stepped up to take on the responsibility of leadership. I refocused our efforts, transitioning TRG from being known primarily as a technical studio to a creative industry leader. We expanded our skill sets and capabilities and explored new verticals to boost revenue. After several years of growth, I strategized to grow our business further.
Strategic Growth and Success
Many national brands on our client roster were outsourcing their large-scale set-dependent work out of state. Recognizing an opportunity, we took a strategic risk and moved to a larger space, expanding from 14,000 sq ft to 80,000 sq ft to accommodate large sets. This bold move was a resounding success, leading to three more expansions, bringing our total space to 160,000 sq ft. We also grew our staff to 85 people and increased revenue more than fivefold.
A Vision for the Future
Through resilience, strategic risk-taking, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, we transformed TRG into a creative powerhouse. My journey from a musician in Orlando to a leader in Cleveland is a testament to the power of adaptability and vision in overcoming adversity and achieving success.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
From Uncertainty to Exponential Growth: Our journey at TRG has been far from smooth sailing. We’ve faced moments of potential shutdown and periods of sudden exponential growth, each bringing its own set of challenges. In 2019, we moved into our new space in Brooklyn, OH. The pandemic hit less than a year later, leading to a mandatory six-week shutdown. With our work heavily dependent on building and shooting photo and video sets in the studio, it was hard to imagine how we could sustain our operations during this period. However, while many of our more significant video initiatives vanished, we saw an unexpected increase in backlogged photo work and CGI requests. Upon returning from the shutdown, we found ourselves busy shooting every day through the end of the year. Our ability to offer various services—video, photo, CGI, art direction, set design, construction, retouching, and editing—was crucial to our survival during this challenging time.
Turning Crisis into Opportunity
Ironically, the pandemic, which initially seemed like it could spell doom for our business, fueled our growth. The home goods and construction markets saw a surge in spending, benefiting our clients and, in turn, us. Plumbing companies, at-home retailers, lighting companies, and paint companies all experienced record growth during this period. As our clients expanded, we grew alongside them to meet their needs.
Navigating Post-Pandemic Challenges
Today, we’re still dealing with the pandemic’s repercussions regarding client spending. The rapid growth our clients experienced during the pandemic has now been reined in, with budgets decreasing significantly. However, the demand for content remains high. To address this, we’ve developed strategies and systems to maximize the content we produce for our clients on more efficient and adequate budgets.
Embracing Technological Advancements
The production industry has seen more technological advancements in the last two years than in the previous decade combined. Innovations in camera technology, LED lights, AI, automation, and real-time rendering have transformed our field. We’ve had to study and embrace these technologies to stay ahead and adapt to industry changes. These tools enable us to serve our clients better, more effectively, and efficiently while maintaining our high work standards.
Looking forward to our journey, which has been one of resilience and adaptability, by embracing new technologies and constantly refining our strategies, we’ve turned challenges into opportunities for growth. At TRG, we remain committed to pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation, ensuring we meet and exceed our clients’ expectations in an ever-evolving industry.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Company Overview: TRG Multimedia is a premier 160,000 sq. ft. studio in Cleveland, OH, just minutes from an international airport. We are dedicated to providing a comprehensive range of services, including Photography, Video, CGI, Art Direction, Set Design, Construction, and Post Production, to serve the growing needs of national brands from all over the US. Our team consists of 85 highly skilled professionals who are committed to delivering top-tier content creation services of the highest quality.
Our Facilities
- Sound Stage: A massive 30,000 sq. ft. sound stage to accommodate large-scale productions.
- Cyc Wall: A 40’x60′ DMX-controlled cyc wall for seamless background transitions
- Kitchens: Two fully equipped food stylist kitchens for culinary shoots.
- Residential Sets: 40 semi-permanent residential sets for diverse shooting needs.
- Storage: 30,000 sq. ft. of storage space for set materials and props
- Advanced Technology: At TRG Multimedia, we are always at the forefront of innovation. We are proud to offer advanced technology such as a MILO motion-controlled robot and, by the new year, a 40′ virtual production LED wall, opening up new possibilities for your projects.
Competitive Advantage
- Strategic Location: Proximity to an international airport for easy access.
- Comprehensive Services: Full suite of creative services under one roof, ensuring streamlined production workflows.
- Talented Team: A diverse team of 85 experts in various fields of multimedia production.
- State-of-the-Art Facilities: Cutting-edge technology and facilities to support any project size and complexity.
- TRG Multimedia: Core Competency and Service Offerings in Order of Delivery Magnitude
- Photography Overview: At the heart of our service offerings, our photography services cater to a broad range of needs, from product shoots to lifestyle photography.
- Capabilities: Advanced studio setups, professional lighting, and a team of experienced photographers.
- Video Production Overview: Our video production services are designed to create compelling visual stories for brands.
- Capabilities: Full-service video production including scripting, shooting, directing, and editing, utilizing our 30,000 sq. ft. sound stage and advanced filming equipment
- Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI) Overview: CGI services that bring imagination to life with photorealistic rendering and animation
- Capabilities: 3D modeling, animation, and special effects using cutting-edge software and technology
- Post Production Overview: Comprehensive post-production services to polish and perfect visual content
- Capabilities: Video editing, color correction, sound design, and final compositing with high-end editing suites and software
- Art Direction Overview: Strategic and creative art direction to ensure cohesive visual storytelling.
- Capabilities: Concept development, creative direction, and visual styling for photo and video projects
- Set Design and Construction Overview: Custom set design and construction services to create unique environments for shoots
- Capabilities: Design and build of semi-permanent residential sets, bespoke set pieces, and use of our extensive 30,000 sq. ft. storage for props and materials
- Virtual Production Overview: Innovative virtual production solutions for immersive content creation
- Capabilities: Upcoming 40′ virtual production LED wall to enable real-time visual effects and dynamic backgrounds.
Specialized Facilities
- Sound Stage: A large-scale 30,000 sq. ft. sound stage for various production needs.
- Cyc Wall: A 40’x60′ DMX-controlled cyc wall for flexible background use
- Food Stylist Kitchens: Two fully equipped kitchens designed for food photography and video shoots
- MILO Motion-Controlled Robot: Precision and dynamic camera movements for high-impact shots.
Additional Services - Project Management: End-to-end project management to ensure seamless execution and delivery.
- Client Collaboration: Dedicated client collaboration spaces and services to facilitate project alignment and satisfaction. By prioritizing these core competencies and service offerings, TRG Multimedia ensures that we deliver exceptional, high-quality content efficiently and effectively, meeting the diverse needs of our clients.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Adaptability Overview: Adaptability is the most essential quality contributing to TRG Multimedia’s success. In the fast-paced and ever-evolving multimedia industry, quickly adjusting and responding to new trends, technologies, and client needs is crucial.
Characteristics of our Adaptability
- Innovative Approach: Our commitment to staying ahead of industry trends is evident in our continuous integration of cutting-edge technology. For instance, our upcoming 40′ virtual production LED wall is a testament to our adaptability and our dedication to offering state-of-the-art solutions to our clients.
- Client-Centric Focus: At TRG Multimedia, adaptability means responding to industry changes and meeting each client’s specific needs and preferences. We pride ourselves on our ability to provide tailored solutions that align with our client’s goals and vision.
- Versatile Skill Set: Our team of 85 highly skilled professionals brings diverse expertise across photography, video production, CGI, art direction, set design, and post-production, allowing us to tackle various projects with flexibility and creativity.
- Efficient Workflow Management: Streamlining our processes to optimize budget and time management, ensuring we deliver high-quality content quickly and cost-effectively.
- Continuous Learning and Improvement: We encourage our team to stay updated with the latest industry advancements and continuously enhance their skills, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.
Impact of Adaptability
- Client Satisfaction: By being adaptable, we ensure that we can meet our clients’ evolving demands, leading to high levels of satisfaction and long-term partnerships.
- Market Competitiveness: Our ability to adapt keeps us competitive, enabling us to offer cutting-edge services that differentiate us from competitors.
- Resilience: Adaptability allows us to navigate challenges and changes in the industry effectively, ensuring sustained growth and success.
- Conclusion: Adaptability is the cornerstone of TRG Multimedia’s success. It drives our ability to provide innovative, high-quality, and customized multimedia solutions. It enables us to meet and exceed client expectations, stay competitive, and thrive in a dynamic industry.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.trgmultimedia.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trgmultimedia
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trgmultimedia/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/trgmultimedia
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/trgmultimedia
- Other: www.trgsoundandvision.com
Image Credits
TRG Multimedia
