Background
United Fray produces high-impact events—from award galas to citywide social experiences—and often leans on external creative partners to bring them to life. But finding the right partner used to be a guessing game—based on memory, inbox digging, and last-minute scrambling.
That changed with Collective OS. After just one introduction through the platform, United Fray partnered with Pixel Smiths, a creative animation firm that delivered standout work under tight deadlines.
The result? A successful event, a trusted new partner, and a repeatable way to find collaborators they can rely on.
As a Director of Events at United Fray, Martin Espinoza shared:
“We found a partner we now go back to again and again—because the very first project went so well.”
Challenge
United Fray’s partner discovery process was time-consuming and inefficient. Martin and his team relied on memory, past emails, networking events, and even their local chamber of commerce to meet new collaborators, but the ROI was unpredictable.
-
No central system to track vendor history
-
Inconsistent quality from random networking connections
-
Wasted time revisiting cold leads that didn’t pan out
Martin voiced the frustration his team felt daily:
“We’d spend time just trying to remember who we worked with last time… or searching our inbox for a name we couldn’t quite remember.”
That changed when he started getting matched through Collective OS:
“Because of how targeted Collective OS introductions are, I get way better ROI from the platform’s introductions than I do from our local chamber or most networking events.”
Solution
Through Collective OS, United Fray was introduced to Pixel Smiths—a trusted, curated match based on aligned services, shared connections, and real project relevance.
Why it worked:
-
Fast turnaround: Pixel Smiths delivered drafts quickly and kept the project on track
-
Collaborative execution: Responsive, flexible, and easy to work with
-
Budget alignment: A high-impact final product that stayed within budget
The experience left a lasting impression on Martin:
“The work made the event feel dynamic and custom—like something we could really be proud of. And it stayed within budget.”
That one successful engagement turned into a long-term partnership, without the time-suck of cold outreach or random networking.
Results
The results went beyond a single project, delivering measurable value across time, cost, and connection quality:
| Outcome | Impact |
|---|---|
| Repeat collaboration | Pixel Smiths became United Fray’s go-to animation partner |
| Reduced sourcing time | Saved hours per project by skipping vendor guesswork |
| Better ROI than local networking | High-conversion intros replaced low-yield events |
| Smarter vendor tracking | No more relying on memory or email threads |
A New System for Partner Discovery
Collective OS gave United Fray a scalable, repeatable way to find and manage great partners, without relying on in-person events or cold outreach. Now, they can spend less time networking and more time delivering.
-
Curated introductions from trusted mutual contacts
-
Context-rich profiles that show actual work, not just bios
-
A living vendor network they can return to, project after project
For Martin, the true value wasn’t just in the efficiency but in the quality of the connections:
“It’s hard to overstate the value of being introduced to someone who’s a great fit—who delivers fast and doesn’t need hand-holding. That’s what Collective OS gave us.”
Ready to Stop Scrambling for Vendors?
Collective OS helps teams like United Fray save time, reduce risk, and build lasting relationships with creative partners who deliver. Whether it’s your next event, campaign, or client project, we’ll help you find the right partner, faster.
Sign up to start building your trusted vendor network today.
