The Tauber Institute for Global Operations at the University of Michigan has relied on WTW Creative for nearly twenty years to help communicate the value of its industry-sponsored student projects. Each year, Tauber connects leading companies with interdisciplinary teams of graduate students who tackle complex operational challenges—from supply chain strategy to advanced manufacturing and sustainability.
To help attract new corporate sponsors while reinforcing relationships with existing partners, Tauber needed an updated video that clearly communicates the impact of these collaborations. The result is a concise, energetic highlight reel designed to inspire executives and decision-makers to participate in future Tauber projects.
This project brought together three longtime collaborators: Tauber Institute, WTW Creative, and Inmotion Studios. By combining strategic messaging, design, and production expertise, the team delivered a polished video that captures the spirit of Tauber partnerships—and the real-world outcomes they generate.
The Challenge
Tauber already had a successful sponsor video in place. The challenge was not to reinvent the message, but to refresh it in a way that felt current, compelling, and timeless.
The new version needed to:
- Highlight the tangible business value companies gain from sponsoring Tauber projects
- Showcase student talent and interdisciplinary collaboration
- Integrate updated footage and imagery from recent projects and events
- Maintain a concise format that works across web, email, and social channels
- Remain evergreen, without references to specific years
The target audience included corporate executives, industry partners, and Tauber alumni now working in leadership roles—people evaluating whether to invest in future project sponsorships.
A Collaborative Approach
This project exemplifies how strong partnerships lead to efficient, high-quality outcomes.
WTW Creative led creative direction, messaging strategy, and overall narrative structure, ensuring the video aligned with Tauber’s long-standing brand and communications goals.
Inmotion Studios brought deep expertise in cinematography, editing, and motion storytelling, capturing dynamic visuals that illustrate the collaboration between students, faculty, and industry partners.
Because both teams have worked with Tauber for years, the process moved quickly and smoothly. There was no steep learning curve or extended discovery phase—everyone understood the audience, the message, and the stakes.
That shared understanding allowed the team to focus on what mattered most: telling the story clearly and compellingly.
WTW/InMotion video crew captures a Tauber student team interview during the Spotlight! event in September, 2025.
The Creative Strategy
The video was designed around a simple narrative arc:
Talent → Collaboration → Impact
Rather than relying heavily on narration, the story unfolds through visuals of students and professionals working together—project meetings, factory floors, presentations, and campus events—supported by concise text overlays.
Key themes emphasized throughout the video include:
- Access to top talent — Tauber students combine engineering expertise with business strategy.
- Real-world results — projects deliver measurable improvements in efficiency, performance, and sustainability.
- Strategic partnerships — sponsors gain insights, innovation, and connections across the University of Michigan network.
- Lasting relationships — many sponsors return year after year because of the value they receive.
The pacing is energetic but professional, supported by a contemporary instrumental soundtrack that reinforces momentum and optimism.
The Result
The finished video serves as a powerful introduction to the Tauber sponsorship program. In just two minutes, it communicates the institute’s unique ability to connect world-class student talent with real industry challenges.
For Tauber, the video is now a key tool used in outreach to prospective sponsors and partners. For WTW Creative and Inmotion Studios, it stands as another example of what long-term collaboration can achieve.
When teams know each other well, client and creative partners alike, the process becomes faster, smoother, and more focused on delivering results.