If a picture is worth a thousand words, then the Exchange Digital Media Network’s Tip of the Spear video says a lot—more than enough for the team to earn national recognitions.
The video earned bronze in the non-broadcast editing category in the Telly Awards, an international competition honoring excellence in video and television across all screens. It also earned a Communicator Award for Distinction in editing and a Communicator Award for Excellence in the government and associations category. The 32nd Annual Communicator Awards recognize creative achievement in marketing and communications.
The recognition reflects the video’s focus on the Exchange’s mission: supporting Warfighters overseas during exercises and operations across Europe and the Pacific.
“The Tip of the Spear video is one we produce every year and features the meaningful work the Exchange does to support military exercises,” said Digital Media Network Services Manager Amy Mitchell. “The goal was to showcase those efforts and show the value of what we do every day.”
Brenda Vaughan, communications specialist III and the video’s editor, said the dedication of associates shaped the video’s creative direction.
“I wanted to create an immersive experience that reinforced a feeling of momentum while elevating the story,” Vaughan said. “We were inspired by the hard work and dedication of the associates who deploy downrange and support Warfighters in exercises around the world.”
Mitchell also credited associates at the tip of the spear for contributing information and photos year-round.
“It’s a big collaborative effort because our team isn’t there to take photos,” Mitchell said. “We lean on associates who are on the ground to support exercises. Store teams are busy, so we appreciate their support to help communicate how the Exchange supports the military wherever they go.”
Mitchell said the project also involves challenges, including sorting through a large volume of photos and verifying details from the exercises the Exchange supports.
For producer Randy Hunt, that challenge begins with assembling the story from the content collected throughout the year.
“I was responsible for gathering all media—imagery, music and videos—and building a script for Brenda to work her magic and capture the intensity of these exercises while spotlighting our commitment to Warfighters,” Hunt said. “Every frame was designed to reflect the urgency of the mission and the Exchange’s role in supporting readiness.”
Mitchell said the annual Tip of the Spear video is developed alongside annual report planning. The team identifies key exercises the Exchange has supported while proactively working to ensure coverage for future opportunities.
“As we build the annual report, we talk about what exercises are happening and have happened in the last year,” Mitchell said. “We always lean forward into the next year. Over the years, we’ve learned the secrets to telling this story. I felt, this year, was the culmination of all we’ve learned.”
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