A Decade of On-Demand Production Excellence
The Challenge:
When McDonald's needed a production partner in 2015, they weren't just looking for another vendor; they needed an extension of their team. As a Fortune 500 company operating a global system, every piece of video content carries weight, from C-suite messaging that reaches thousands of franchisees worldwide to crisis communications that demand immediate turnaround. The challenge was finding a production company that could deliver cinematic-quality work on short notice, handle the pressure of working with executive leadership, and maintain unwavering standards across high-volume output.
What We Uncovered
Building an Agile Production System
Our competitive advantage emerged from a simple insight: in corporate video production, versatility isn't just valuable. It's essential. We built and continuously train crews who don't just operate equipment; they solve problems in real-time.
While other production companies specialize, we cross-train. Our camera operators understand lighting. Our lighting technicians can run audio. Everyone on set can troubleshoot a teleprompter or pivot when plans change. This approach is nearly impossible to replicate because it requires constant evolution, new workflows, upgraded equipment,and advancing post-production techniques, all in service of maintaining the highest standards.
We've created a rapid-response production team that functions like an in-house department but brings the innovation and efficiency of an external partner.
The Collaboration
Nearly a decade into this partnership, trust is our currency. McDonald's doesn't just hire us for execution; they involve us in concepting and strategic problem-solving. Working closely with their internal agency, we've become fluent in their brand language while adding our own creative perspective.
This relationship works because we handle pressure with positivity. Whether it's a same-day turnaround or a high-stakes executive shoot, our teams show up with smiles and solutions. We've positioned ourselves not as contractors but as an integral part of the McDonald's system—ready to respond like first responders when the call comes.
Pushing Creative Boundaries
Where other production companies would deliver "good enough," we level up. On every project, we're implementing new lighting techniques and finding faster, smarter ways to elevate concepts without inflating budgets or timelines.
The difference is in the details. We don't just capture interviews; we craft cinematic moments that reflect the gravitas of the message. We don't just produce training videos; we create content that engages and inspires a global workforce. Lesser firms would have stopped at technical competency; we've built creative excellence into our operational DNA.
Our secret sauce? We treat McDonald's brand identity as a creative playground, not a restriction. We work within their system while infusing each project with production value that makes the content unmistakably premium.
What Makes It A+
Our work reaches millions across the McDonald's global system, and that scale demands perfection. What we're most proud of is the consistency, delivering world-class production value day after day, project after project, year after year.
The delight factor comes from our attitude as much as our output. In fast-moving, high-stress environments with countless moving parts, we maintain composure and optimism. Our clients feel confident, not anxious. The creative process feels collaborative, not transactional.
And perhaps most importantly: when McDonald's needs us tomorrow, we're there tomorrow. That combination of elite skill, positive energy, and radical reliability has made us indispensable.
The Impact
For nearly a decade, Thunderlab has helped McDonald's communicate effectively across their global system. Our content generates high engagement and achieves desired results, whether that's training consistency across franchises, crisis messaging that reaches stakeholders quickly, or executive communications that reinforce company culture and values.
The business impact isn't just about metrics; it's about operational fluidity. When a Fortune 500 company trusts you with daily production needs for almost ten years, that's the ultimate validation.
For organizations facing similar challenges—needing production partners who can operate at enterprise scale while maintaining boutique-level creativity—Thunderlab offers a proven model. We integrate seamlessly with company standards while bringing solutions that other production companies simply cannot execute.
