Introduction
Frantic Films, an award-winning production company with a strong track record in lifestyle and factual programming, has built a reputation for creating exceptional Canadian television. Known for hit shows like Still Standing – With Jonny Harris—a series that explores small towns across Canada with humor and heart—Frantic’s programs are varied and include the critically acclaimed Baroness Von Sketch Show, the live-to-tape series Winnipeg Comedy Festival, and the cult favourite Todd & the Book of Pure Evil. Fans of Still Standing and Jonny Harris loved the show so much that they began asking for official merchandise, especially high-quality, Canadian-made T-shirts.
However, Frantic Films’ priority was always clear: focus on “making great TV.” They weren’t interested in managing an e-commerce operation, holding inventory, or handling order fulfillment. To address this challenge, Frantic brought me in as a Fractional E-Commerce Consultant to help find a solution that would allow fans to access the merchandise they wanted without burdening the production team with logistics. Although Frantic Films is based in Winnipeg and Toronto, like myself, the entire project was managed remotely, underscoring the flexibility of my fractional consulting model for both local and distant clients.
Objectives
Our goal was to create a streamlined solution that gave fans easy access to official Still Standing merchandise while allowing Frantic Films to stay focused on television production. Given their commitment to Canadian-made products, the solution needed to use Canadian partners and emphasize the quality associated with Frantic Films. With limited capacity for managing stock or fulfillment, Frantic Films wanted an automated, low-overhead setup that would allow them to test demand before committing to larger investments.
Challenges
Although fan demand was high, Frantic Films faced several logistical challenges. Managing inventory, warehousing products, and handling shipping and fulfillment were not feasible options for a production company. They needed an e-commerce strategy that minimized upfront investment, leveraged on-demand printing, and eliminated the need for physical stock, allowing the production team to remain focused on creating content.
Solution Setup
After discussing various options, we decided on a Shopify integration with Canadian Custom Apparel (CCA) through the Print Simple app. This setup allowed Frantic Films to offer on-demand printing and direct shipping, removing the need for inventory and order management.
Using a basic Shopify theme, I quickly set up a store that reflected the Still Standing brand. We populated it with existing content and visuals, capturing the show’s personality. The initial product lineup included a T-shirt and a hoodie, each available in two colors. Leveraging fractional e-commerce leadership, I collaborated with CCA to create product mockups from the base apparel images and configured customization options. After several rounds of testing with CCA, we ensured that the final setup met quality standards, maintaining the high expectations of both Frantic Films and their fans.
On-Demand Order Processing
The Shopify PrintSimple integration enabled each order to be processed, printed, and shipped on demand, directly to the customer. This hands-off approach meant that Frantic Films didn’t need to handle any logistics, making the process virtually hands-free. Although the per-unit costs were higher due to individual printing and shipping, this setup aligned with Frantic’s main goals by offering fans access to quality merchandise without requiring Frantic Films to manage inventory.
Results
The response from fans was immediate and enthusiastic. With the store launch coinciding with the start of Still Standing’s tenth season, sales were brisk. Fans were thrilled to have access to official merchandise, especially given the Canadian-made focus, which aligned with the spirit of the show. Early sales data provided valuable insights into product popularity and demand, giving Frantic Films a foundation of data to inform future decisions.
Reflections & Takeaways
This project underscored the importance of selecting the right partners and tools. Shopify, CCA, and Print Simple proved to be flexible, responsive, and well-integrated partners, which was essential to the project’s success. As a Fractional E-Commerce Consultant, I found that a collaborative, trusting relationship with Frantic Films, combined with reliable support from these partners, was key to achieving a quick and seamless launch.
Visit the site: Still Standing Store
