VIRUS

What VIRUS does

VIRUS is a Hamburg-based full-service video production agency operating as a creative division of Markenfilm Crossing GmbH, itself part of the larger Markenfilm Group. The company delivers end-to-end video production organized across three phases: pre-production (script development, creative concepts, director's interpretation), shooting (ranging from one-person DSLR operations to full-crew high-budget productions), and post-production (editing, sound design, music composition, color correction and grading, motion graphics). Service offerings include TV commercials, social media content, brand films, music videos, recruiting films, image films, and a 320 sqm studio rental business branded as VIRUS Creative Playground at Oberhafen Hamburg.

VIRUS serves enterprise brand clients directly and through creative agency partnerships with firms such as Jung von Matt, Serviceplan, Thjnk, and Saatchi & Saatchi. The named customer base spans 15+ major brands across retail (Rossmann, REWE, EDEKA, Deichmann, MediaMarktSaturn), automotive (Mercedes-Benz, Porsche USA, Audi, Share Now), telecommunications (Telekom Deutschland), transportation (Deutsche Bahn), energy (LichtBlick SE), banking (Erste Bank), airlines (Austrian Airlines), home & living (Wayfair), and government (Hamburg Marketing GmbH). The agency is recognized for award-winning campaigns including the Cannes Lions and ADC Grand Prix-winning "Ticket Shoe" (BVG x ADIDAS, 2019) and the Effie Silver-winning Badmómzjay Telekom campaign (2024).

The business model is sales-led B2B professional services with project-based (quote-based) pricing and no public pricing disclosure. Core headcount is 8 in-house staff including producers, script developers, directors, cameramen, editors, and motion graphers, supplemented by a curated freelance network ("The Family"). Geographic delivery extends beyond Germany into Austria, the USA, and the UK. No external funding, private equity investment, or institutional capital is evidenced; ownership rests within the Markenfilm Group structure under managing directors Jörg Bittel and Oliver Hack.

Name

VIRUS

Legal name

Markenfilm Crossing GmbH

Website

https://wearevirus.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

VIRUS is a Hamburg-based full-service video production agency and division of Markenfilm Crossing GmbH, producing commercials, social media content, and brand films for enterprise clients including Rossmann, REWE, Deutsche Bahn, Telekom, and Porsche.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Video Production Services

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (51211), Postproduction Services and Other Motion Picture and Video Industries (51219)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Production (7819)

akta.pro primary industry

Event Production & Technical Services (AV, Lighting, Staging) (BPAFAGAB)

Keywords

• Video production services
• Commercial film production
• Social media content creation
• Post-production services
• Brand film production

Headquarters

HQ city

Hamburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Video Production Services: Full-service video production for commercials, social media content, music videos, case films, and branded content. Services span from concept development to final online delivery.
2. Studio Rental: VIRUS Creative Playground - 320 square meter studio space available for rent for content productions, photo shoots, events. Located in Oberhafen Hamburg with full facilities including WiFi, coffee kitchen, and loading ramp.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

VIRUS is a Hamburg-based full-service video production agency that delivers end-to-end commercial and branded video content for brands and creative agencies. Services span pre-production (concept, script, creative direction), shooting (from compact DSLR to full-crew high-budget productions), and post-production (editing, color grading, sound design, motion graphics). The company also rents out its 320 sqm Creative Playground studio in Oberhafen Hamburg for external productions, photo shoots, and events.

Product overview

VIRUS is a full-service production agency operating as a division of Markenfilm Crossing GmbH, based in Hamburg, Germany. The company offers end-to-end video production services organized across three core phases: Pre-Production (script development, concept creation, and creative planning), Shooting (from compact DSLR setups to full crew high-budget productions), and Post-Production (editing, sound design, music, color grading). The company specializes in storytelling-driven social media content and digital-first campaigns, producing commercials, brand films, image films, and music videos. VIRUS Creative Playground also provides studio rental services with a 320 sqm production space.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Full-Service Video Production

Quantifiable outcome

• Award-winning campaigns including Effie Silver, Cannes Lions, and Art Director's Club Grand Prix

Named customers15 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Markenfilm Crossing GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019VIRUS is a department of Markenfilm Crossing GmbH, part of the Markenfilm Group. The parent company is Markenfilm GmbH & Co.KG based in Wedel, Hamburg. VIRUS operates as a specialized creative unit within the larger production group.
• Markenfilm BerlinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on Wayfair production where Markenfilm Berlin handled main unit TVC production while VIRUS provided in-house camera crew for social media content.
• Markenfilm GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVIRUS is part of Markenfilm Group, allowing clients to hire VIRUS creatives directly or through other group companies for 360 production or social media support as sidecar.
• Markenfilm CrossingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecial thanks to brothers and sisters from Markenfilm Crossing, Harbour, Everest, Underpressure, and OZM for spec spot collaboration.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Neverest Content & Films: German production agency producing commercials, branded entertainment, and social-first campaigns for agencies and brands. Similar scale and capability set to VIRUS.
• Bon Voyage Films: Berlin-based boutique production company offering commercials, brand films, and digital content. Comparable size, service mix, and DACH agency/client orientation.
• Tempomedia: Hamburg-based production company producing commercials, branded content, and music videos for German and international brands. Direct competitor for the same agency and brand clients as VIRUS.
• Tony Petersen Film: Hamburg-based full-service commercial production agency with a similar mix of TV, digital, and social content for major German brands. Competes head-to-head with VIRUS for Hamburg agency briefs.
• Czar Film: Berlin-based commercial and branded content production company working with leading agencies and brands across DACH. Comparable service scope (concept-to-delivery) and target client base.

Regional players

• Sterntag Film: Hamburg-rooted film production house working in commercials and brand storytelling. Comparable regional positioning and client type to VIRUS, though focused more on long-form narrative work than social-first content.
• Knucklehead: UK-based commercial production company producing advertising, music videos, and branded content. Comparable production scope and creative ambitions; primarily serves UK/international clients rather than DACH directly.

Broad incumbents

• Stink Studios: Globally networked production and creative studio producing commercials, branded content, and digital campaigns for major brands. Operates at a larger scale than VIRUS but competes for similar briefs in the DACH market.
• Radical Media: Global production company with strong presence in commercial, branded content, and music videos. Comparable in offering type (full-service production) though larger and more internationally diversified than VIRUS.
• Markenfilm Crossing GmbH: Direct parent entity and sister-unit within Markenfilm Group, offering broader 360 production services. Operates from the same Hamburg base and shares resources with VIRUS, making it both parent and closest structural peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/wearevirus
• Facebookfacebook.com/viruslovesyou
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wearevirus
• Instagraminstagram.com/viruslovesyou

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about VIRUS