Studio71 in Germany is establishing a new business unit called VERT to create video content in vertical 9:16 format.

The vertical format is in high demand on platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat, and among young audience target groups and advertisers.

According to a recent forecast by eMarketer, global advertising budgets on Instagram alone are set to increase by 130% to EUR 18.1 billion over the next two years. This forecast is fueled by the InstagramTV (IGTV) feature that was launched in June 2018. Since then, video content on the platform has increased significantly.

VERT offers a full service built for the implementation of successful influencer campaigns for all brands seeking to present their messages in high-quality video tailored to the world of Instagram. This includes developing creative concepts, placing influencers, producing branded entertainment formats and fine-tuning campaigns.

VERT benefits from the high-reach influencer portfolio Studio71 has built up over the last few years, including well-known talent from the Instagram and blogger scene such as Erik Scholz (About You Award winner 2018) and Trixi Giese (top 10 participant on Germany’s Next Top Model 2018), together with leading brands.

In addition, VERT uses a range of innovative technical products such as stereoscopics, cinemagraphs and wiggle pics, which enable customers to create an impactful product presentation.

VERT will see Studio71 increase its expertise in influencer marketing to include the fast-growing platform of Instagram, generating additional touch points and reach for advertisers.

Eun-Kyung Park, Chief Digital Officer Entertainment at ProSiebenSat.1: “Studio71 is already among the world’s leading influencer and creative agencies. With VERT, we will achieve further growth in this segment. Studio71 generates around ten billion video views each month. By making use of new technical features, we are establishing additional distribution channels and continuing the success story of Studio71.”

Sebastian Romanus, Managing Director of Studio71: “Many marketing departments have already had positive experiences with influencer marketing but are hitting their technical limits when it comes to high-quality productions. As a first mover, VERT caters to a growth market that is still in its infancy but for which there is already strong demand.”

Instagram currently has around 15 million active users in Germany, who consume roughly 30 minutes of Instagram stories and IGTV videos in the app each day. Worldwide, 25 million companies are currently represented on Instagram.