WHY HIRE A SOUTH AFRICAN MEDIA TEAM OVERSEAS?

How many times do you read about a famous person doing some incredible and unique work overseas only to find out that they are from South Africa? Similarly, Wade Howard, director at Ocean Driven Media (ODM) is often asked: why would an international client hire a South African media team to work in places like Perth, Kazakhstan, or Chicago? His answer is straightforward. Because South Africans are the best,” he says with a smile.

 Since 2017, Wade and his team have been travelling internationally at least four times a year, covering events on every continent except Antarctica. T heir international journey began in 2015 when an United Kingdom based firm was looking for a photography and filming company to cover one of the largest conferences ever held in Durban. After a lengthy quotation and interview process, ODM was selected. “We clearly made quite an impression,” Wade recalls. “Not only did we deliver a fantastic job in Durban, but we were invited to cover all their events around the world.”

 Becoming the “Dream Team”

For many, it seems unusual that a global client would not simply hire local photographers and videographers in each country. But for this particular client, ODM is irreplaceable. “They call us their dream team,” Wade says.

He explains why the partnership works so seamlessly: “All they have to do is send us the event details for the following year and arrange a small office for us on-site. We arrive knowing exactly what they need, get on with the job, are available for any requests, and deliver everything required before we leave. For them, it’s completely stress-free.” Clients never have to worry about missed moments or whether the team can handle long hours. “The days are long, often 12 to 15 hours,” Wade shares. “For us, we just love the excitement and adrenaline as we run around covering everything and delivering imagery throughout each day (and night). “We thrive on the energy of these events, being part of a big team, and knowing that our high-quality imagery helps market future events and keeps sponsors happy.” This September, ODM will mark ten years of working with the same client when they head to Hong Kong.

 The Power of Excellence and Consistency

Wade believes that their success carries a lesson for other South African creatives. “If you maintain a high standard of work and consistently deliver exceptional quality, you too can work with overseas clients,” he says. He credits South Africa’s strong work ethic as a competitive advantage. “Our standard of work is higher than many people realise, and it makes a lasting impression on international companies. If you deliver on your promises, opportunities will follow. Who knows who your next client will be?”

Working internationally has not only given the ODM team incredible experiences but also boosted their confidence and made their portfolio extremely impressive. “Local businesses see that our work is trusted on a global stage,” Wade explains. “It gives them confidence that we can handle their events, conference or promotional video at the same world-class level.”

A World-Class Team

ODM’s strength lies in its structure as a fully integrated team. “We’re not a one-man band,” Wade says. “We have photographers, videographers, editors, assistants, managers, and production managers. Everyone specialises in their various departments, which ensures the company runs smoothly and clients are not dealing with one person who does it all.” ODM’s journey proves that South African talent, hard work, and dedication transcend borders. As Wade concludes: “For those wondering why international clients hire South Africans, the answer is simple: we deliver excellence, every single time.”

 M: +27 (0)83 331 6796

E: wade@odmedia.co.za

W: www.odmedia.co.za