Episode Summary

In this episode, Granger Forson is joined by Craig Hellen of Bexmedia, a video production agency currently in its 19th year. From his early days dragging a camera around Southwest skate parks to filming sunrise at Stonehenge for English Heritage, Craig shares a journey of organic growth, technical evolution, and the pursuit of "surprising brilliance". They explore the importance of asking "why" before producing content and dive into a deep discussion on balancing daily operations with the investment needed to stay "bleeding edge" in the era of AI.

Key Takeaways

• The "Why" Behind the Story: Bexmedia focuses on applying creative solutions to connect with audiences by first asking why a story is worth telling.

• Surprisingly Brilliant: Despite being a small team of four, Craig prides the agency on achieving impressive, memorable results through a "small but mighty" approach.

• Cross-Pollination of Ideas: Lacking a massive research team, the agency learns by iteration, taking knowledge from one project or market and applying it to another to add value.

• The Yin to the Yang: Craig emphasises the importance of having someone to balance his "butterfly" nature—someone who focuses on critical numbers and systems to keep the business healthy.

• Communication as a Growth Tool: A major learning for Craig was that clear communication of goals is vital; without it, both the team and the leader are disabled.

 Craig’s "Magical" Business Moment

Craig shares the story of filming for English Heritage at 4:00 AM in the middle of Stonehenge to celebrate 100 years of it being gifted to the nation. Sitting alone among the stones as the sun rose reminded him why he does what he does—to tell stories that are genuinely special.

Resource Links & Contact Info

• Website: bexmedia.net
• LinkedIn: Craig Hellen
• Instagram: @bexmedia