Backblaze and CHESA: Doubling Down on a Premier Media Workflow Partnership

A decorative image showing the Backblaze and CHESA logos.

Media workflows have always been complex, requiring seamless collaboration, robust storage, and advanced systems integration. Today, with the explosion of content demands and rapid technological advancements, media organizations need solutions that can scale, innovate, and empower teams to deliver faster and better. 

Backblaze and CHESA, long-standing partners and leaders in media workflow solutions, are doubling down on their relationship with CHESA to elevate creative workflows with a joint go-to-market partnership. This enhanced partnership builds on years of success, combining Backblaze’s high-performance, secure cloud storage with CHESA’s expertise in media technology systems integration to provide even more impactful solutions tailored to the needs of modern media-driven organizations.

Together, we’re continuing to make it easier than ever for organizations to streamline content production, enhance accessibility, and achieve business objectives with greater efficiency. In this blog, I’ll explain the key benefits of this expanded collaboration and highlight how it’s already driving transformative results for clients like the Philadelphia Eagles.

The media workflow challenge

From production studios and broadcasters to professional sports teams and creative agencies, media organizations face a growing list of challenges:

  • Massive data volumes: Video, audio, and other rich media assets require scalable and secure storage solutions to handle terabytes or even petabytes of data.
  • Fragmented workflows: Teams often juggle multiple tools and platforms, leading to inefficiencies and bottlenecks.
  • Access and collaboration: Remote work and distributed teams demand seamless real-time access to media assets.
  • Budget constraints: Organizations need cost-effective solutions that don’t compromise performance or security.

The expanded partnership between Backblaze and CHESA continues to address these pain points head-on by combining best-in-class cloud storage with tailored workflow solutions.

The Backblaze + CHESA solution

Real-world success: The Philadelphia Eagles

One of the most compelling examples of the Backblaze + CHESA partnership is the Philadelphia Eagles’ transition from traditional LTO tape storage to a cloud-based media workflow. With over 800TB under management, switching to cloud storage meant that the team instantly made their data more agile, scoring immediate access to faster content creation and remote workflows. 

“Now I can easily share entire broadcasts by copying and sharing a link from our MAM. No need for FTP downloads or uploading to other platforms. It’s fast, seamless, and ensures everyone can view the content without issues.”
—Stacy Kelleher, Director of Production, Philadelphia Eagles

Backblaze B2 integrated seamlessly with the Eagles’ preferred tech stack, which leverages a Quantum QXS storage area network (SAN) and Mimir, a cloud-based video production platform.

The challenge

The Eagles faced significant challenges with their legacy storage system:

  • Limited accessibility: LTO tape storage made it difficult to access archived footage, which hindered content production timelines quickly.
  • Time-consuming processes: Retrieving footage from physical tapes was manual and slow.
  • Scaling limitations: As the team’s content library grew, so did the complexity and cost of managing tape storage.

The solution

By leveraging the expanded capabilities of Backblaze and CHESA’s partnership, the Eagles:

  • Transitioned their extensive media library to Backblaze B2 Cloud Storage.
  • Integrated CHESA’s tailored media workflow solutions for seamless access and collaboration.
  • Gained immediate access to decades of archived footage, enabling faster content creation and improved fan engagement.

The results

The Eagles’ media team now enjoys:

  • Accelerated content production: Instant access to archived footage has streamlined workflows, allowing the team to create engaging content more efficiently.
  • Enhanced scalability: With Backblaze B2, the Eagles can easily scale their storage as their content library grows.
  • Improved fan engagement: Faster production timelines enable the team to deliver high-quality content that keeps fans connected and engaged.

Peripheral content drives revenue through monetized clicks like highlights and select moments. Quick sharing and streamlined proof-of-performance delivery keep sponsors satisfied.”
—Ryan Lakey, Principal Lead, Solutions, CHESA

Accelerated media workflows

Integrating Backblaze B2 Cloud Storage with CHESA’s media workflow expertise has long been a cornerstone of success for media teams. By enhancing this integration, media teams can experience even faster workflows, immediate asset access, and seamless collaboration across tools and teams. By eliminating the delays associated with traditional storage methods, teams can:

  • Quickly retrieve and edit high-resolution media files.
  • Share assets effortlessly with collaborators anywhere in the world.
  • Spend less time managing infrastructure and more time creating impactful content.

Backblaze + CHESA benefits

Scalable and cost-effective storage

Backblaze B2 Cloud Storage offers always-hot, S3 compatible object storage at a fraction of the cost of traditional providers like Amazon S3. This cost-effectiveness, combined with CHESA’s expertise in designing and integrating scalable systems, ensures organizations can:

  • Scale their storage needs as projects grow or shrink.
  • Optimize budgets without compromising on performance.
  • Rely on predictable pricing that avoids surprise costs.

Enhanced data security and accessibility

In the media world, accessibility and security are paramount. Backblaze and CHESA provide solutions that keep media assets safe while ensuring real-time access for production teams. Key benefits include:

  • Secure, encrypted storage to protect sensitive media.
  • High availability for instant access to files when needed.
  • Resiliency and redundancy to ensure data integrity, even in the face of unexpected disruptions.

These capabilities have been critical for clients like professional sports teams, broadcasters, and creative agencies that manage vast libraries of high-value media content.

Comprehensive support and maintenance

CHESA’s dedicated support services and Backblaze’s reliable cloud infrastructure ensure organizations experience minimal downtime and sustained operational efficiency. This comprehensive support includes:

  • Proactive monitoring and maintenance.
  • Remote and onsite assistance for hardware, software, and workflows.
  • Consistent communication to address issues before they impact production.

Why this partnership matters

The expanded Backblaze and CHESA partnership is more than just a collaboration—it’s a commitment to empowering media organizations with innovative, efficient, and secure solutions. Here’s why it stands out:

  • Deeply customized solutions: Every organization’s needs are unique. Backblaze Solution Engineers and CHESA Workflow Engineers dive deep into clients’ specific workflows and objectives to design and implement solutions specifically tailored to their needs.
  • Unrivaled expertise, built over decades: Rely on the combined power of Backblaze and CHESA’s deep-rooted experience in cloud storage and media technology.
  • Your future-proof media strategy: Navigate the changing media landscape with confidence, leveraging our scalable and cutting-edge solutions.

Take the next step

Whether you’re a professional sports team looking to enhance fan engagement, a broadcaster aiming to streamline production, or a creative agency seeking cost-effective storage, Backblaze and CHESA are here to help.

Discover how our expanded solutions can revolutionize your media workflows. Visit our dedicated solution page to learn more and to schedule a consultation tailored to your organization’s needs.

Learn More about Backblaze + CHESA  ➔ 

About Mary Ellen Cavanagh

Mary Ellen Cavanagh is a seasoned technologist specializing in data protection and storage. After 25 years of experience as a partner ecosystem solutions engineer, she now tells it like it is as a Sr. Partner Marketing Manager at Backblaze. When she's not busy developing go-to-market strategies and campaigns with Backblaze's channel partners, she can be found doing Sunday New York Times crossword puzzles—in pencil—with her wasband and cuddling with her five fur babies. Connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter.