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Community Corner

Local entrepreneur uses web video to help grow businesses

With millions of people turning to online video as a source of information, a local company has developed an effective way for businesses to tell their story and reach their customers.

According to comScore, 89 million people watch 1.2 billion online videos each day in the U.S. 

With a passion for documentary style videos, founder Jeff Olympia, of Ashburn, formed Baron Cruz Inc., in 2008.

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Originally, he began producing videos for local real estate companies, including realtor Sam Solovey, who appeared on the first season of Donald Trump’s TV show The Apprentice.

They later produced an experimental show on the internet called VA Cribs that featured local homes for sale. 

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Over time, Olympia realized that businesses want to tell their story and an original video is a means for doing that. 

“We help our clients build their brand with video content as the vehicle,” Olympia said.

Recently, Baron Cruz has worked with local small businesses such as Inner Power Yoga in Sterling.    

“The video tells the story about how they opened their studio and why they do yoga,” Olympia said.

“It is inspirational and amazing to see their muscle control and shape.  It is our first video that incorporates this form of fitness.  It is exciting and different,” Olympia added.

To view the first video for Inner Power Yoga Studio, click here.  https://vimeo.com/92798693

Olympia has also worked with the Washington Redskins.  Baron Cruz produced a web series for Redskins Linebacker Rocky McIntosh and the NFL Player Association’s School of Legends for the entire 2011 NFL season.

Their web series 52 Seconds was awarded best web series and Rocky McIntosh awarded player correspondent of the year. The show competed with 64 other shows that year from around the NFL.

In addition, Baron Cruz produced an original pilot called “After the Game” which documented three former NFL players that live in Ashburn and their “beat the odds” story.

They also developed an original web series called “Ripped Trainer TV” with former NFL Player and Redskins wide receiver Cliff Russell.

“Baron Cruz differentiates itself because we focus on telling meaningful and compelling stories through video, whether that be an original content piece or a corporate video,” Olympia said. 

Olympia has formed a high level team of people who all have a film background and have won awards throughout their careers. 

“We are fortunate to have a staff of best of breed videographers that have experience producing feature films, festival award winners, and a Vimeo best of winner. It is a requirement of all our videographers and editors because without that talent and experience the story can’t be told effectively and efficiently,” Olympia said

For more information, visit baroncruz.com.

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