Conference 7.286::digital

    According to a phone call I receive (moments after I placed my note!)
    it was the MCG, Media Communications Group, and they are now
    
    	Quantic Communication
    
    in Andover, Massachusetts.
    
    Whoever called (I can't remember your name), thanks!
    
    	Jim

    
    re -1
    
    When you call them, would you do me a favor and ask how
    they're doing?  You could post the results here or EMAIL
    me, if it's not too much trouble.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Glenn

    RE:  .2
    
    They shouldn't be doing too bad--we guaranteed to do a certain amount of
    business with them for a few years (I think this may be the last year
    of the guarantee).  As a result, purchasing will *insist* that you use
    Quantic (or at least get a bid from them) for any project which is even
    remotely close to their set of skills.
    
    Chet

    >They shouldn't be doing too bad--we guaranteed to do a certain amount of
    >business with them for a few years
    
    Er, hate to counter that rosy perspective, but their success is
    measured on how much NON-DIGITAL business they win.
    
    /d.c.

    Think about this.  How many companies can set up shop knowing that they
    will be profitable for the first three years of operation?  They can
    devote a disprportionate amount of time, money and energy into
    developing other business.  The Quantic deal ranks up there as one of the 
    greatest sweetheart set ups of the century.
    
    Add to the mix the fact that Digital's cost cutting measures led so many
    groups to be very reluctant to spend money that Quantic had even more
    resources available for non-Digital business, all the while pulling in
    the Digital retainer.
    
    It seems to me that it would take a mastermind his/her complete
    commitment to screw that up and I don't think that is happening or is
    it going to happen.
    
    Marv
    

    
    re: .5
    
    I've heard differing stories about how well they're doing, that's
    why I asked if the person communicating with them could let
    me know.  I haven't heard one way or the other yet.
    
    Glenn

    Well, I know Don Elias left and he was one of the principals.
    That's all I know thus far.
    

I recently used Quantic Services to video tape the ceremony where Bob Palmer 
and five VPs cut the ribbon on the announcement of Systems Engineering 
Customer Center and engineering resources 'opening' up for customers' use.  
You may have seen the press release in Livewire.

Quantic was the preferred vendor recommended by Corporate Public Relations.  
There was no mention of a retainer, or discounted services as a preferred 
vendor.  In fact, my Corp. PR contact asked if I would like to consider 
getting prices from other vendors.  She said that for an event of such a short 
duration (one half day of Quantic's time) that it probably doesn't make sense 
to 'put it out for bid' since we have a preferred vendor.

I felt no pressure to use or not to use Quantic, but was being provided with 
information from the corporate folks.  

I felt that I decided to use Quantic, based on information from someone who 
has experience in the area of media productions.

Dave

    

    Hi,
     A hint, please read the last issue of Fortune magazine. ;^)
     Look who's No.1 in the 500 listing.
    
    Jan. ;^)

    From .5:
    
    >>Think about this.  How many companies can set up shop knowing that they
    >>will be profitable for the first three years of operation?  They can
    >>devote a disprportionate amount of time, money and energy into
    >>developing other business.  The Quantic deal ranks up there as one
    >>of the greatest sweetheart set ups of the century
             ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    
    I couldn't agree more.  I never understood why we (Digital) felt such
    an obligation to insure the success of a group we were eliminating. 
    How many other TFSOed groups got this kind of corporate guarantee?
    
    Maybe other purchasing groups treat the situation differently, but my
    recent purchasing encounters have *insisted* that we get a quote from
    Quantic.  And, no, Quantic *does not* give any special price to
    Digital.  They are, in fact, often more expensive than other vendors. 
    However, Quantic often gets the business just because they are an
    "approved vendor" and there's less hassle.
    
    Chet

    So, Chet.  Are you saying that you'd be willing to have more hassle if
    the vendor were cheaper?
    
    Mark