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VideoTakes, Inc. Celebrates Its 24th Anniversary
Arlington, VA, November 1, 2009 – VideoTakes, Inc., enters its 25th year in November. President Sandy Cannon-Brown founded the company in 1985 as the logical extension of a career in journalism and public relations.
“My goal was to help clients tell their stories as creatively and effectively as possible with the help of the best talent and latest technology,” Cannon-Brown said. “That’s still my goal.”
Cannon-Brown took her first job to a new post-production facility started by editor Rob Henninger. “Rob worked for a few labor organizations at the time, but I was the first independent producer to walk in the door. I never left.” VideoTakes continues to work out of offices in the Henninger Media Complex.
That first job was a video news release for the American Automobile Association about a new seat-belt campaign featuring the Flintstones and Transportation Secretary Elizabeth Dole. The assignment provided the perfect metaphor for VideoTakes as Cannon-Brown jumped into the driver’s seat for a ride into the unknown.
VideoTakes serves a diverse clientele, but its focus has been on energy, the environment, health and human rights. “We get our greatest satisfaction from work with clients who are passionate about making this world a better place to live,” Cannon-Brown said.
Long term projects have included the local Children’s Miracle Network broadcast that aired for 14 consecutive years on WUSA-TV 9 to benefit Children’s National Medical Center, Annual TV spots honoring outstanding African Americans during Black History Month (February) and many programs about energy efficiency and renewable energy for the U.S. Department of Energy and its contractors.
The biggest change to the company came in 2005 when Chris Palmer, a well known environmental and wildlife filmmaker, joined VideoTakes as its CEO. Cannon-Brown and Palmer met at American University where both teach. Palmer had established the Center for Environmental Filmmaking (CEF) at AU and invited Cannon-Brown to serve as one of his associate directors.
“Since Chris joined the company, the majority of our work has helped organizations and individuals promote conservation and protection of our environment,” Cannon-Brown stated with pride.
What next? See Where VideoTakes You!