The Conversations with Innovators blog discusses new innovations, big ideas, disruptive technologies, and the thought leaders, innovators, rebels, entrepreneurs, and trailblazers that make all of this possible. The blog is published by Klemchuk LLP, a litigation, intellectual property, and transactional law firm dedicated to protecting innovation.  

This week we are talking with Hussain Manjee, Chief Success Officer of DHD Films. Featured in CNN Money, Inc. magazine and Yahoo Finance, Hussain Manjee is an accomplished entrepreneur whose strategic approach and business acumen has propelled DHD Films from a family start-up to a thriving business. His passion and servant leadership has afforded him many exciting opportunities, including the chance to discuss the President's economic priorities at the White House.

DHD Films is an Emmy nominated, full-service video production and motion graphics studio. They tell compelling stories designed to help build powerful brands. Their clients include Fortune 500 companies, innovative startups, government and Non-Profit agencies. Simply put, they are Powered by Storytellers.

1. Hussain, why should companies use video as part of their marketing strategy?

I get excited when business leaders tell me that for the first time somebody or something outside of himself or herself is able to articulate what makes their product or service unique. The comment is often followed by “I can't believe we didn't invest in video earlier.” We help you engage with your customers and employees, because every business has a story worth telling. Research shows people love receiving videos from brands they do business with, and that great storytelling can leave a lasting impact.

2. Where do you see video going in marketplace?

With the rise of mobile, people are becoming better attuned to processing information visually. From social causes to branded advertisements, more and more calls-to-action are in video form. Taking into account the short attention span of most online viewers, an engaging video will help people retain your information for longer. The premium is going to be on telling an engaging story regardless of the medium. As marketing strategist and writer Barry Feldman says, “If you’re not experimenting with video, you’re simply sitting on the sidelines watching the big game unfold.”

3. DHD Films has won a number of awards, including the Great Dallas Business Ethics Award. What’s the secret?

The best way to run a business well is to define what you stand for and live by those goals. Our core values are Constant Improvement, Results Focused, People Centered, and Socially & Ethically Responsible. We hire, fire and promote based on these four core values. It is my belief that, as a team, we are our best when we are confronted with big issues.

4. Does DHD Films have any interesting new products or services coming out soon?

Every once in a while you come across a tool or resource that changes the trajectory of your business! Our Cool Video Brochure is a revolutionary fusion of the digital and the physical. Its initial appearance is that of a hardcover, glossy brochure, custom-branded with your business or product information. However, when the brochure is opened, the high-resolution video screen contained within comes to life, playing your tailor-made video for maximum effectiveness. We’ve seen great success with it so far, and believe we are changing the way people see your messaging.

5. What do you advise entrepreneurs to do while they are starting out? What do you wish you had known back then?

For the last four years in business, I have tried to tell our team how to run our business. Now, I just ask them to try every day to make the business better. The results have been remarkable! In the end, I learned that by empowering my team and letting them solve the big challenges, we have overcome obstacles that I couldn’t on my own. It needs to be more than an initiative of community, but it also needs to be a part of your culture.

For Conversations with other thought leaders and innovators in the financial industry, see innovator Kaiwei Tang of Light Phone and innovator Joyce Reitman of Motionloft .

For more information about related legal issues, read our Professional Services industry page.  

About the Firm:

Klemchuk LLP is a litigation, intellectual property, transactional, and international business law firm dedicated to protecting innovation. The firm provides tailored legal solutions to industries including software, technology, retail, real estate, consumer goods, ecommerce, telecommunications, restaurant, energy, media, and professional services. The firm focuses on serving mid-market companies seeking long-term, value-added relationships with a law firm. Learn more about experiencing law practiced differently and our local counsel practice. 

The firm publishes Intellectual Property Trends (latest developments in IP law), Conversations with Innovators (interviews with thought leaders), Leaders in Law (insights from law leaders), Culture Counts (thoughts on law firm culture and business), and Legal Insights (in-depth analysis of IP, litigation, transactional, and international law).