IATSE917, a union representing talented professionals in the entertainment industry, was in need of a modern website to better showcase their projects, partnerships, and resources for members. The existing platform lacked proper representation and functionality to align with their goals. Through a comprehensive discovery session, we identified their needs and crafted a fully responsive, multi-functional website. The new platform highlighted their work and partners while providing seamless user experiences for their members. Post-launch, basic training was conducted to ensure website ownership by their internal team, leading to sustained success.
Introduction
The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 917 (IATSE917) is an esteemed union of highly skilled individuals within the entertainment industry. Based on decades of excellence, IATSE917 collaborates with industry leaders to deliver world-class stage performances, productions, and events. However, entering a more digitized era, IATSE917 recognized the importance of having a strong, dynamic online presence. Their goal was to provide a more engaging platform that would accurately reflect their union's accomplishments, showcase their partners, and allow for streamlined operations for both existing and prospective members.
The Problem
Before our collaboration, IATSE917 faced significant challenges with their digital platform.
Lack of Representation
Their existing website failed to adequately highlight the scope of their projects and the prestigious partner establishments they worked with. This limited their ability to attract attention from the entertainment industry’s key stakeholders and potential collaborators.
Limited Functionality
The site lacked essential features. For example, individuals interested in joining the union could not sign up or complete onboarding processes online. This inefficiency burdened their team with redundant manual work.
Obsolete Design and Usability
The outdated website did not resonate with contemporary design standards. Additionally, it was not mobile-responsive, leading to subpar user experiences for those browsing from phones or tablets.
To ensure their mission and industry standing were reflected online, an overhaul was deemed essential.
The Solution
To tackle these challenges, we followed a structured and collaborative approach. We prioritized understanding IATSE917’s unique requirements and crafting a website that exceeded their expectations.
Discovery Phase
We began with a detailed discovery session, which involved collaborative discussions with IATSE917 stakeholders. This process allowed us to clearly define the main goals for the new platform, while also helping us outline the website’s key functionalities and visual aesthetic requirements. Together, we identified the following priorities:
Highlight key accomplishments, projects, and partnerships effectively.
Implement a seamless member sign-up process.
Build a user-friendly, scalable, and visually appealing design.
Enable the IATSE917 team to update the website independently in the long term.
Design and Development
Based on insights from the discovery phase, our technical team began designing a responsive and functional website. Key features and technical implementations included:
Multi-Page, Responsive Design
To ensure an optimal user experience across devices, the website was built with a fully responsive design, fitting any browser or screen size (desktop, tablet, or mobile). This was achieved using modern development frameworks optimized for scalability.
Showcase Pages for Projects and Partners
Dedicated sections were created to display IATSE917's projects and partnerships in an intuitive, visually appealing layout. Each page featured dynamic content blocks allowing users to easily explore their work.
Member Sign-Up System
A user-friendly registration form was integrated, simplifying the process for new members. The form allowed prospective members to submit relevant details, streamlining the onboarding process.
Content Management System (CMS)
We incorporated a robust CMS so someone from IATSE917’s team could manage updates without requiring technical expertise. This allowed them to keep their projects, news, and partner content fresh and relevant.
Team Training
To solidify ownership of the platform, we provided basic hands-on training. This session walked team members through updating pages, adding new content, and ensuring the site remains functional and secure over time.
Results
The outcome of this collaboration was a significant positive transformation in IATSE917's online presence.
Key Outcomes and Metrics
Revitalized Design and Functionality
The new website is sleek, modern, and highly responsive, offering an engaging experience across all devices. Navigation is intuitive, making it easier for users to explore IATSE917’s mission, projects, and partnerships.
Enhanced Member Engagement
The addition of the online member sign-up system led to a 60% reduction in manual registration processes within the first month. Members praised the convenience of registering from any device.
Showcasing Accomplishments
The dedicated pages for projects and partners positioned IATSE917 as a prominent collaborator in the entertainment industry. Positive feedback from partners highlighted the effectiveness of these new layouts in fostering relationships and promoting their work.
Sustainability and Independence
Through training on the CMS platform, IATSE917 team members have successfully uploaded updates independently, keeping the site relevant and content-rich.
Client Feedback
“IATSE917 has always excelled in its craft, but our old website simply didn’t do us justice. Working with Mango was a game-changer. The process was collaborative, the design surpassed expectations, and most importantly, our members now have a platform that reflects the excellence of our union.”
— Darell Start, Business Agent, IATSE917
Conclusion
The partnership with IATSE917 demonstrates how a collaborative approach and technical expertise can overcome even complex digital challenges. By building a fully responsive, user-friendly website, we helped them translate their union’s mission and values into an engaging digital presence.
Moving forward, IATSE917 continues to strengthen member engagement and expand their industry reach through their updated platform. And with their new CMS capabilities, they are empowered to scale and evolve the website in alignment with their future objectives.
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