Somewhere along the line, we stopped counting. Not because we weren’t proud of the number. Mostly because we were too busy trying to finish the next project. But recently, we realized that Kit & Kaboodle Productions has now produced more than 10,000 commercials. Ten thousand. That seems impossible considering we still remember editing on tape, faxing scripts, shipping approval versions on VHS and explaining to clients that no, the Internet wasn’t just a fad. A lot has changed over the years. But some things haven’t.
We Started Before Everything Became Digital
When Kit & Kaboodle began, commercials were shot on videotape. Editing was slower. Graphics were simpler. And if you wanted to make changes, you couldn’t just click “Undo.” Somehow, we survived. Along the way we worked with Broadway productions, local businesses, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and companies large and small. Technology changed. The need for good storytelling didn’t. Vertical video was still a pipe dream in some mother’s basement.
We’ve Learned That Nobody Buys a Commercial
People don’t call us because they want a commercial. They call because they want customers. Or donations. Or awareness. Or ticket sales. The video itself is simply a tool. Our job has never been to make pretty pictures. Our job is to help solve problems. Sometimes humor does that. Sometimes emotion. Sometimes simplicity. But it’s always about communication, just ask Sarah McLachlan.
The Equipment Keeps Changing
Thirty years ago, the equipment filled rooms. Today, it fits in backpacks. Artificial intelligence is changing the industry. Social media platforms come and go. Formats evolve. And every few years somebody declares that video marketing is dead. Funny thing. People are still watching. Because people have always loved stories. That part hasn’t changed in thousands of years. This is evident as what started with hieroglyphics has now come full circle into emojis.
Some of Our Favorite Projects Weren’t the Biggest
After 10,000 commercials, you might think we’d remember only the award winners. Truthfully, we remember the people. The small business owner who finally opened the doors to her dream. The nonprofit that reached more families. The theater group trying to fill seats. The entrepreneur with an idea and a shoestring budget. Helping people tell their stories has always been the rewarding part.
We’ve Made Mistakes
Oh, we’ve made mistakes. We’ve battled deadlines. Had microphones fail. Watched weather ruin outdoor shoots. Lost sleep over impossible schedules. Second guessed hiring the deep voiced narrator. And somewhere in the archives there are hairstyles from the 1990s that should probably remain hidden forever. Experience isn’t the absence of mistakes. It’s learning how to recover from them.
So, What Does 10,000 Commercials Mean?
Honestly? It means we’ve had the privilege of helping thousands of organizations communicate with the people they serve. And while cameras, software, and technology continue to evolve, we still believe the same thing we believed when we started: People connect with stories. Always have. Always will.
One Final Thought
After 10,000 commercials, we’ve discovered something surprising. Nobody has ever called and said: “We need a video.” What they really mean is: “We have something important to say, and we need help saying it.” That’s been our mission from commercial number one. And apparently, commercial number ten thousand too.
