A volatile federal market and a sprinting commercial landscape don’t usually share the same playbook—until you dig into the tactics that actually work. We sat down with insights from Patrick Rafferty, a veteran producer whose credits range from federal PSAs and training films to shoots with Quincy Jones and Bill Gates, to map the real-world strategies media teams can trust when budgets are tight and timelines are brutal. We unpack why SINS confusion, GSA schedule rumors, and sudden cancellations are shaking small GovCon vendors—and how to stay in the game by repurposing existing assets with strong editing, modern graphics, and clear voiceovers. You’ll hear why being local to D.C. now creates a decisive cost advantage, why LinkedIn beats cold outreach for reaching contracting officers and program managers, and how empathy isn’t soft—it’s smart business when clients face layoffs and cuts. Then we pivot to the commercial side, where speed, volume, and variety define success: a two-to-three-minute main video, plus 60-, 30-, 15-, and even eight-second cuts built for attention-poor feeds. We dig into the rise of custom stills to replace tired stock images and the planning discipline needed to leave every shoot with a full library of reusable content. Compliance gets a spotlight too. Bilingual deliverables and Section 508 accessibility are non-negotiable in federal work, adding complexity that teams must bake into budgets, schedules, and workflows. The through-line: partner up across video, web, and PR to look bigger, move faster, and reduce risk. If you’re ready to stabilize your pipeline—federal or commercial—this episode gives you an actionable blueprint to market smarter, deliver stronger, and prepare for the rebound that’s likely to arrive fast. If this resonated, follow the show, leave a review, and share with a teammate who needs a practical plan for the next quarter.
