OVERVIEW
If you’d like you to get to know us a little better.
Please take some time to explore this culture manual. Enjoy it, read it, share it, live it.
You’re here to make us better. We want to make you better. What’s next starts now.
Welcome to DEFCON®.
So…What is Brand Defining Content?
Brand Defining Content. Brands are a representation of a niche culture - we wear and use them as an expression of who we are.
That’s why when we create branded video content, what we are actually creating is a vehicle that defines the values, truth and story around your brand.
Ultimately creating… a belief system that speaks your brands purpose.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is simple. We exist to create things people love. Why love? Because love brings joy to people’s lives.
01
We want to help create brands that people love.
The work we create is intended to build a relationship between people and they things they love… We bring like minded people together through the values and interest they share.
02
We want to create relationships people love.
Whether it’s our own team and workplace culture, or our focus on partnering with our clients, we’re deeply rooted in sharing our passion. We want to bring people enjoyment through what we create.
03
We want to create video content brands and people love.
We do this out passion and dedication for the work we create. To us, this isn’t just something we do for our work, this is something that we do to make us and others feel alive and inspired. Because what’s not to love about helping people do what they love?
Core Values.
OVERVIEW
For us, we hold our core values at the forefront of every endeavor we take on. They are more than just words to us. They are our way of living, creating, and doing. Our values run deep through our company culture.
Even as we’ve evolved, the principles of our our values and have remained true since day one. These won’t be on any test, but we do expect you to remember them and let them be a guide to you as you work with your teams.
CORE VALUE 01
Love what you do.
This is why we do it. Passion. Ambition. Hustle. Grit. Dedication. Fun. Positivity. Purpose.
CORE VALUE 02
Be Better,
Keep Moving Forward.
This is how we do it… Don’t settle, Keep Trying. Progress. Try new things. Re-learn old things. Set the standard.
CORE VALUE 03
Be a Pro-fessional.
This is what we expect of each other… Honesty. Trust. Humility. Accountability. Speak up.
What the key to delivering a successful project?
Collaboration. People say it, but we seriously mean it.
How do we work?
We work directly with brand as well as agencies across multiple media channels and creative technology platforms to solve our clients toughest briefs in a beautiful way.
Welcome to DEFCON, please make yourself at home.
While your working with us, you’ll be expected to have a good time and create some of the best work of your career. We also want to note that this isn’t going to be a stroll in the park. We’re serious about this. We expect a lot from our people. These are some of the things you should know regarding how we work and what to expect of each other during your time with DEFCON.
Make stuff you’ll be proud of later on. Work hard when doing it. Have a blast, keep fun at the front of everything. Be bold and try new things. Fail Faster. Mistakes are learning lessons. Grow from failing. Be you. Be Real. Be rad. Love what you create.
How we work together.
01
We’re not here to hold your hand
We’re fast and reactive which means that everyone needs to be able to carry their own weight. As things arise, it’s up to you to figure out how to solve them. If you have a problem, ask for help. When you notice others have a problem, offer them help. We hold the entreprenurial spirit high here. Embrace the mindset.
02
Everyone contributes
It doesn’t matter who you are or what your title on the business card is, we expect you to contribute to the project. Extraordinary work requires extraordinary collaboration.
03
Clients become apart of our team
We have the honor of working world class brands, and they put the trust in us to always have their best interest in mind. Do good for them and they’ll be good for us.
04
Kill your ego
Just do it. No one wants (or likes) it around.
05
Be communal, make some friends
Don’t just learn some names, get to know everyone for who they are. Learn how they like to do things, create things, say things, talk things. Be a team. Win at this and our culture grows with it.
06
Meetings matter, don’t be late
Basics. Be on time for your meetings! This means being early and being prepared. Have your conference tools set-up, your slides prepped, and your phone turned off. Don’t make anyone ever have to wait for you. Period.
07
Deliver like you said
Letting others down isn’t fun, for you or them. Don’t disappear in the middle of a project when you’re an asset to a team. Over-deliver on expectations. Over-communicate. Don’t assume. Trust is earned, not given.
08
Provide valuable feedback
“It looks good!” isn’t valuable feedback. “That looks good because XY&Z” is. Same thing goes for constructive critisicm. “I don’t like it” isn’t helpful at all. “I don’t like it because XY&Z might help us understand you a little better. Provide valuable feedback so your team values your feedback.
Brand Philosophy.
Simplicity is key
Authenticity is crucial
Strategy is the brother of creativity
Credibility starts with foundation
Focusing on culture moves brands forward
Consumers own the world
Never lose emotion in execution of an idea
Brand only serves a greater purpose of business
Technology evolves creativity
Results are major
Our Office.
Take pride in your work surroundings. Our office is a communal and collaborative environment where we come together to create cool stuff together. Treat each space like its your own. Make yourself comfy. Let’s get started.
Office Rules 101
Things to keep in mind.
01
Four legged friends are welcome. Bring em’ in. Walk them. Pet them. Love them lots.
02
Clean up after yourself. Take your food containers home with you.
03
Create your own hours. Don’t take advantage them.
04
Be respectful. Don’t be a distraction. Respect the wired-in rule.
05
Be secretive. We work on highly confidential projects.
We get hungry too,
Best Grub Spots (in our opinion).
01
Everbowl Craft Superfood
(alright… we might be biased ;) )
02
El Pueblo Mexican Grill
03
Better Buzz Coffee
04
Stone Brewery
05
Shane’s Pizza & Pints
06
Mikko Sushi
07
In N Out Burger
08
Roberto Taco Shop
09
Agrusas Sandwich Shop
(always worth the extra drive, just bring us one back)
10
Ballast Point Brewery
Our People.
The DNA that makes DEFCON.
We’re a collective group of unique minds tied together by our love for the craft. Some may call us creators, thinkers, makers, or do-ers but we just like to think of us as a team of friends that what we do and love the hustle. We share similar interests and ambitions which makes us stronger as a whole. We have shared passion. We love to mind-meld. Most importantly we enjoy creating and making stuff, together.
Like we mentioned, we’re not a massive agency. We’re small which makes us reactive and efficient, better yet, actually able to have everyone think as a collective group on an idea. Not just a singular team assigned to a client task, we do things together, as a team. We want everyone here to grow and evolve as a professional individual. Respect one another. Share thoughts and what you know. Failure is okay, learn from it. Fear of creating means your not growing, don’t be scared to create. We’re all in this together.
Departments.
Creative
Development
Production
Delivery
Operations
Facts & Questions.
Some of the Q’s people ask us…
Why are we called DEFCON?
Brand Defining Content.
We named our agency DEFCON because to us, the best best brand are the ones that define their culture and core values through content.
Get it… Defining Content. DEFCON.
What is DEFCON?
DEFCON is a video production and digital marketing company.
We create digital media content for world class brands.
What do we do?
Digital Content Creation.
Brands & companies hire us to create their brand video, design, marketing strategy and digital content experiences that defines their brand.
What kind of projects will I work on?
Rad ones.
Projects that will make you challenge yourself, have high expectations, demand the best, and solve business issues.
Who do we work with?
We work with lifestyle inspired brands and companies.
A lifestyle brand is a company that markets its products or services to meet the interests and beliefs of a group or a culture. Lifestyle brands seek to inspire, guide, innovate, and motivate people with their products that better the consumers life.
