Case Study   
Nobu Restaurants

 


 

Nobu is the world's most recognised Japanese restaurant group, and is co-owned by the celebrated chef Nobu Matsuhisa and the actor, director and producer, Robert De Niro. For over a decade, from 2005 to 2016, I provided creative media services to Nobu London Park Lane. These services included video production, photography, copywriting, PR and music programming. I was heavily involved in the creative direction of the brand identity of the Private Dining arm of the business, started with my client in London and now a global enterprise. Video productions by John Charles Media were approved by Head Office in New York and used to represent the company in sixteen countries across five continents. This one was produced to welcome visitors to the first Global Private Dining website.

 


 
 

Above left: Celebrity Chef and Restaurateur Nobu Matsuhisa (centre) with John Brownlie (left) with and Amir Jati (right). With John Charles Media providing a full suite of creative production, the team with Amir was instrumental in designing and launching the Nobu Private Events brand. It was developed from scratch at Nobu London Old Park Lane and then subsequently rolled out internationally.

Above right: Some of the many video assets that were created by John Charles Media to build the Private Dining and Events brand for Nobu. Seen as they appeared in the “Films by Nobu” section of the Nobu London website.

Below: John Charles Media also provided PR, enabled press coverage, and supplied copywriting and photography to further promote the brand.


 
 


"Nobu Private Dining started in London and has grown to become a key asset in the company’s ongoing worldwide success. John's been on board with me from day one and has been absolutely central to this accomplishment. Business partners Nobu Matsuhisa and Robert De Niro have both approved John’s work to represent the brand globally.

John has turned many of my ambitious visions for the business from idea to reality and for nine years, has been my “go to” creative house. He’s designed, directed, filmed and edited all our stylised video commercials, produced scores of stunning photographic commissions for print and online. He's project managed the build and content of our website and been our copywriter of marketing campaigns. He's drawn on his musical talents to design the exquisite soundtracks for the many prestigious events we’ve hosted, attended by Royalty, dignitaries and celebrities. He's also achieved great magazine coverage for us and secured world class collaborations.

Skilled, and immensely versatile, John’s always been passionate about delivering the best, often within demanding parameters. During my time building the brand from 2006 to 2015, whichever challenge I’ve taken to him, he’s made it happen. His creative stamp is present throughout Nobu Private Dining and defines the world class quality that we’ve worked so hard to achieve. It’s become the standard to which our competitors aspire. John’s never failed to exceed my expectations and I can say, unreservedly, I trust his creative judgement."

Amir Jati, Events and Private Dining Manager (2005 to 2015)
Nobu London, Old Park Lane







 

Case Study   
Zaan Dubai

 


 

Commercial (2015) Production Designer. I was commissioned to design the concept, storyboard and music integration for a commercial featuring the singer Beverley Knight MBE. It forms the initial phase of a major launch in Dubai. I collaborated with the French composer Christophe Goze to underpin the short narrative with an impactful soundscape. Fine jewellery was provided by de Grisogono Geneva, whom I've represented on film several times since 2007. Director and Editor with Camden based, International Production company Great Guns was Karel Van Bellingen. Karel used CGI in post to add reflections of the Dubai skyline to the car on our London set. Director of Photography was Tony C Miller - known for shooting Rankin's Versace and Ford Mustang campaigns, the Jaguar F type commercial featuring Mourinho and music videos for Paloma Faith and Ellie Goulding.

 






 

Case Study   
M&S

 


 

“John produced and co-directed a film for Marks and Spencer to relaunch the flagship beauty product line, Formula Skincare. Besides explaining and promoting the lines, the film was distributed nationwide to all M&S units as a key strategy in increasing the turnover of the skincare business from £8m to £20m. I found John to be level-headed, reliable, and a real people person, keen to get the job completed to the very best of everyone's ability. He demonstrated a firm grasp of the production process with strategic planning and foresight being a clear strong point when working with his talented team in multiple locations. It was a delight to see the end results of this sizable project on screen. It's without doubt that the video achieved its primary aim to communicate a strong and engaging brand identity amongst staff and, in turn customers, to develop this arm of the M&S business internationally.”

Amanda Horsell
Beauty Trends and Lifestyle Manager, Marks and Spencer


 

 

Corporate film (2006) Producer / Co-Director. Our first commission as John Charles Media, this film was used by Marks and Spencer to relaunch their flagship skincare brand "Formula" across the United Kingdom. It explains the concept, technology and ethos behind the brand, for all M&S staff. Contributions are from the heads of purchasing, design, technology and mechanising at this global brand. This is an abbreviated 1 min 50 edit from the original 15 minute film. Shot in 2006 on DVCAM in Standard Definition.