How production agency Keksi streamlined their workflows and improved business

Keksi, a leading photo and video production agency in Finland, serves a diverse clientele that includes numerous corporate entities and state organizations.

The agency offers comprehensive visual communication services, handling everything from the conceptual planning of shoots to the delivery and archiving of retouched media assets. However, as their operations expanded, Keksi faced challenges with their existing media management system, prompting them to seek a more efficient solution.

The Challenge

Keksi initially used a custom-built system to deliver client commissions. While functional, the system was limited in key areas—it couldn’t handle video content and became increasingly difficult to maintain and update. As the demand for high-quality video content grew, Keksi realized they needed a more versatile and scalable platform.

In 2021-2022, they evaluated over ten media bank solutions, looking for a system that could handle both video and still images, support collaboration among photographers and editors, and accommodate their specific workflows and business models.

According to Markus Pentikäinen of Keksi, “One of the challenges was Keksi's large image and video traffic, where the client is actively involved in selecting and commenting on image choices from the very beginning. Most other solutions would have required building a separate system function to support this workflow.”

The Solution: PhotoDeck

After thorough testing, Keksi selected PhotoDeck as their new media bank solution. PhotoDeck’s ability to manage images and videos seamlessly, combined with its collaborative features, made it an ideal fit for Keksi’s needs.

Implementation and Impact

With PhotoDeck in place, Keksi improved the management of client projects. The new system simplified the process from file upload and review to client selection and final delivery. Here’s how it works:

1- File upload and review: Photographers upload their files via their personal, restricted access. Editors then review the submissions and make them available to clients for preview on Keksi’s branded media bank portal.

2- Client selection and ordering: Clients access the portal to browse through the images and video clips. They can easily select and order the files they wish to have retouched. The platform’s intuitive interface, combined with metadata and keyword linkage, ensures that clients can effortlessly search for specific content and check details such as the photographer and shoot date.

3- Retouching and delivery: Once selections are made and files are ordered, photographers are notified to proceed with the retouching. Upon completion, the files are uploaded back into the system, where they are automatically delivered to the client.

4- Archiving and sales: The project doesn’t end with the delivery. Through PhotoDeck, Keksi keeps the files accessible on their portal, allowing clients to re-download previously delivered assets or purchase additional files that were not included in the initial contract. This feature not only enhances client satisfaction but also opens up new revenue streams for Keksi.

Client and Business Benefits

The transition to PhotoDeck has brought practical benefits for both Keksi and their clients.

CEO Jenni-Justiina Niemi remarked, “In the new Media Bank, browsing and selecting images and video clips is much more intuitive and visually appealing than in our previous one. Metadata and keywords are also easily linked to files. Information about the images accompanies the images, making it easy for clients to search for material using keywords and check, for example, the photographer and date of shooting. The media bank can also be accessed via mobile phone or tablet.”

The improved collaboration features also help clients make decisions more efficiently, particularly when multiple team members are involved.

For Keksi, PhotoDeck’s multi-user, multi-library rights management has enabled better control over file access, helping to centralize work delivery, archiving, and sales on one platform.

Conclusion

Keksi’s adoption of PhotoDeck has addressed their previous system limitations and streamlined their operations. By integrating a versatile media bank solution, Keksi has enhanced their workflow, improved client experiences, and created new opportunities for ongoing client engagement and sales. PhotoDeck now plays a key role in supporting Keksi’s visual communication services.