With Urban Gleaners

Case Study: brand story campaign

The Problem
Urban Gleaners was experiencing a rebranding phase during their 18 year tender. With new leadership coming onboard, they needed video stories stories that reflected their service to the Portland community.

The Need

They needed compelling, emotionally resonant stories that showcased their mission, humanized their team, and highlighted their service to the city.

Our Approach

Instead of producing a single video, we collaborated with Urban Gleaners to develop a full brand story campaign rooted in their mission, values, and the real people they serve.

We identified key narratives across their network, including volunteers, staff, and recipients, to create a series of videos that felt personal, authentic, and deeply human.

Their Goals Included:

  • Telling stories of the community they serve

  • Highlighting the passionate team behind the work

  • Showcasing their direct impact in Portland

  • Creating a flagship brand story to anchor their messaging

  • Producing evergreen, shareable content for fundraising and awareness

Execution

Across four dedicated production days, we filmed on location at food markets, grocery stores, and the Urban Gleaners warehouse. By embedding ourselves into their daily operations, we built trust and relationships with their team, capturing natural and emotionally rich moments on camera.

Rather than rushing through one shoot day, we prioritized time and presence. This led to genuine, heartfelt footage that aligned with the heart of Urban Gleaners’ mission.

Deliverables

  • 4-minute flagship brand story

  • 6 × 60-second community story spotlights

  • Website banner video for homepage or landing use

  • A library of archival footage for future fundraising, marketing, and social media efforts

The Impact

Urban Gleaners went from having zero professional video content to a robust and versatile suite of stories designed to elevate their fundraising and marketing for years to come.

This was more than a video project. It was a long-term storytelling investment that reflects their legacy, amplifies their impact, and supports their continued growth within the Portland community.