Tempo redefined the way Beats and Apple engage, connect, and train retail audiences — fundamentally changing how they bring new product initiatives to market.

Working closely with Beats’ product designers and engineers, we created a digital training platform as innovative as the products themselves — enabling retail employees from around the world to become “product experts” overnight.

In 2019, Beats was preparing to launch Powerbeats Pro and Solo Pro, two of their most innovative products to date built from the ground up with latest Apple technology.

Our challenge was to train over 600,000 retail employees on all new products they can’t yet hold or hear, while explaining technology that was still in production.

Prior to developing Tempo, the approach to product training differed wildly between teams and global markets. Each retail training audience for a new product launch was considered a “discreet audience” and approached independently. PDFs and Keynotes were not always up-to-date with the latest product stories, nor were they easy to scale globally. Even better, our interactive approach tapped into newer, more engaging ways of learning — increasing product knowledge, consistency, and retention on a global scale.

Tempo is a universal retail training program as innovative as the products themselves, designed for learners of all types, that brings complex product features to life in an easy-to-understand digital format.

Powerbeats Pro

-Sell-in presentations Jan-March, 2019

-Product in-market: May 2019

-Tempo in-market: June 2019 - present

Solo Pro

-Sell-in presentations: July-September, 2019

-Product in-market: October 2019

-Tempo in-market: November 2019 - present

We built a custom iOS framework around a flexible component-based design system that scales from iPhone to iPad — in over 20 languages — resulting in a digital training platform as innovative as the products themselves.

We scripted, shot, and edited over 30 hours of live action footage, and rendered over 20 minutes of custom 3D models to create over 20 interactive learning modules.

Using a blend of CG and custom interaction models, we simulated the experience of holding and using the products.

Meticulously rendered 3D models, an engaging narrative, and motion graphics brought complex product features to life. Interactive experiences simulated holding the real thing — allowing users to play with the new form factors and controls — for an experience that takes storytelling and product education to a new level.

Tempo was designed to streamline and revolutionize global retail training. To-date, Tempo been has successfully redefined the way Beats engages, connects, and educates audiences. It launched in 20+ languages, has trained over 600,000 employees worldwide, and saw pre-order channel sales rise 2.13x—transforming how Beats continues to bring new products to market.