Video Production Dusseldorf

Dusseldorf for Corporate Video: North Rhine-Westphalia's Capital and Advertising Hub

I default to Dusseldorf for any major German advertising or Japanese corporate brief. Dusseldorf is the capital of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany's most populous state. The city anchors substantial advertising and consulting industry activity (one of Germany's three major advertising centers alongside Hamburg and Munich), the substantial Japanese business community in Europe (Dusseldorf has Europe's largest Japanese expatriate community with over 8,000 residents, anchored by major Japanese firm European headquarters), the major German trade fair industry (Messe Dusseldorf hosts drupa the major printing industry fair, K the major plastics industry fair, MEDICA the major medical industry fair, and dozens of other major B2B exhibitions), and substantial telecommunications (E-Plus heritage operations, Vodafone Germany has substantial operations here). Major Dusseldorf corporates include E.ON (the major European energy utility, headquartered in Essen but with substantial Dusseldorf operations), Henkel (the major consumer goods and adhesives firm, headquartered in Dusseldorf, maker of Persil, Schwarzkopf, Loctite), Metro AG (the major German wholesale group), and substantial advertising agency operations (BBDO Germany, Grey Germany, Ogilvy Germany all maintain substantial Dusseldorf operations). The Konigsallee (Ko) is one of Europe's most famous luxury shopping streets. For corporate productions involving German advertising and consumer goods industry, Japanese corporate European operations, or the major Messe Dusseldorf trade fairs, Dusseldorf is the natural location.

The Henkel and Consumer Goods Anchor

Henkel's corporate headquarters in Dusseldorf anchors one of Europe's major consumer goods and adhesives firms (operating brands including Persil, Schwarzkopf, Dial, Loctite, Pritt). The substantial annual corporate communications work from Henkel, plus the broader Dusseldorf consumer goods and advertising industries, anchors major Dusseldorf corporate production work. Layer on top the substantial Japanese corporate community (Dusseldorf is the European headquarters location of many major Japanese firms including substantial operations of Mitsubishi Group, Mitsui, NTT, Mitsubishi Materials, Asahi Kasei, and many others), and Dusseldorf holds disproportionate weight in cross-border European-Asian corporate communications.

Industry Landscape

Consumer goods with Henkel and substantial Dusseldorf consumer goods industry. Advertising with the major German advertising agencies (BBDO Germany, Grey, Ogilvy) and substantial creative industries. Japanese corporate with the substantial Japanese expatriate community and major Japanese firm European headquarters. Energy with E.ON's substantial Dusseldorf operations. Telecommunications with Vodafone Germany. Wholesale with Metro AG. Trade fair industry with Messe Dusseldorf. Banking with substantial regional operations.

Where Corporate Shoots Happen

Central Dusseldorf around Konigsallee holds traditional corporate offices and luxury hotels. The Medienhafen (the redeveloped media harbor with the iconic Frank Gehry buildings) holds modern corporate offices and creative industries. The Japanese community area around Immermannstrasse (sometimes called Little Tokyo) holds substantial Japanese business activity. Messe Dusseldorf (in the north of the city) holds the major exhibition venue.

Crew Base

Dusseldorf has a substantial production crew base built around the major advertising industry, the broader North Rhine-Westphalia commercial production industry, and substantial trade fair activity. Camera, sound, lighting, and post-production crews are available at international standard.

Climate

Oceanic. Mild summers and cool winters. Best outdoor shooting weather May through September.

Production Logistics in Dusseldorf

Reference for projects in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Time Zone

Central European Time (CET, UTC+1) winter, Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2) summer.

Language

German is the official language. English is widely used in international corporate, advertising, and trade fair contexts. Japanese is widely used in the substantial Japanese business community.

Currency

Euro (EUR).

Electrical Standards, Frame Rate

230V at 50Hz. Type C and F plugs. Default 25fps PAL or 23.976fps for commercial work.

Airport

Dusseldorf Airport (DUS) handles direct flights to most major European business cities, plus substantial Japanese (ANA, JAL) and other Asian and Middle Eastern connections. About 15 to 20 minutes from central Dusseldorf.

Major Trade Fair Calendar

During drupa (printing, every 3-4 years), K (plastics, triennial), MEDICA (medical, annual November), EuroShop (retail design, triennial), and other major Messe Dusseldorf events, accommodation, ground transport, and crew availability tighten dramatically. Hotels at these times command extreme premiums.

Permits

The North Rhine-Westphalia state government and Dusseldorf municipality handle filming permits. Lead times of 2 to 4 weeks are typical.