Request for Proposal: Website Redesign & Development for weareo.tv



MISSION & VISION  

Open Television (OTV) is a non-profit streaming platform and media incubator for intersectional storytelling, with artists and their creative visions at the center. Our mission is to transform the way film, television and entertainment industries support independent artists and communities marginalized by their race, gender, sexuality, class, disability or nationality. Through intentional artist development and holistic community development we provide a network of care to identify, activate and mobilize the next generation of storytellers. OTV is cultivating the next generation of intersectional storytellers to dream, create and thrive on their own terms. Folks who are queer, trans, non-binary, Black, Indigenous, people of color, disabled, recent graduates, care-givers, are/have been system-impacted, are immigrants, and anyone who has experienced systemic oppression and/or gender-based violence are encouraged to apply. Want in? Read on!

Aymar Jean Christian, Sarah Minnie, Elijah McKinnon and Chris Walker, OTV Studio Soft Launch, Felton Kizer



POSITION OVERVIEW:   

OTV is seeking a creative and technically proficient web design and development partner to reimagine weareo.tv as a bold, high-performing digital entry point into the OTV ecosystem.

The redesigned website should move away from functioning primarily as an archive of organizational information, artist development programming, and browsable content. Instead, it should become a streamlined, audience-facing platform designed to generate curiosity, communicate OTV's value quickly, showcase the distinctiveness of our content and community, and convert visitors into viewers and subscribers.

We are interested in contemporary entertainment and direct-to-consumer platforms that use strong brand personality, video, motion, editorial storytelling, and clear calls to action to create an immediate sense of identity.

OTV operates through Vimeo OTT. We are interested in understanding what may be technically possible within or alongside that ecosystem and in leaning in to clear conversion pathways and relationship between our marketing site and streaming product.

The selected partner will be expected to translate best practices from entertainment, streaming, cultural, editorial, and direct-to-consumer platforms into an experience that is unmistakably OTV.


Core Responsibilities // Essential Functions:


Project Goals & Strategy

The primary objectives of this redesign are:

  • App-First Conversion: Shift the site's primary function from artist development programming and content browsing to app download conversion. Note that these metrics will be further refined by an incoming Growth Specialist. 

  • Brand Alignment: Align the web presence with our in-app experience, adopting a bold, video-forward, and personality-driven aesthetic that is uniquely OTV 

  • Simplify User Journey: Create a razor-sharp funnel: Land → Experience the Vibe → Download the App.

  • Showcase Content: Use video trailers, film stills, and bold typography to sell the content library and attitude without giving everything away on the web.

  • Improve SEO & Performance: Ensure the new site is technically sound, fast, and optimized for SEO.

Design Inspiration & Functional Requirements 

The proposal must clearly articulate how they will capture the essence of OTV’s  brand across:

  • Bold, Maximalist Typography: Use of oversized, playful, and dynamic fonts for headlines. No subtle, minimalist corporate fonts.

  • Video-Dominant Backgrounds: Full-bleed, auto-playing (muted) background video trailers that immediately immerse the user in the chaos and fun of OTV.

  • Parallax & Kinetic Movement: The page should feel alive with scroll-triggered animations, moving graphics, and sticky positioning, emphasizing the energetic, "internet-first" motion design grounded in OTV’s voice and brand.

  • High-Contrast & Vibrant Palette: Unapologetic use of a specific, vibrant color palette following our brand style guide and design elements like stark borders, grids, and cutouts.

  • Talent & Character-Focused Imagery: Photography and illustration style that highlights our storytellers in a gritty, editorial, or highly stylized manner.

  • Clear, Unique Selling Proposition (USP): A hero section that immediately answers "What is OTV?" with a punchy tagline i.e. “Tap Into a New Wave” and a prominent "Download" or "Start Free Trial" CTA.

  • Curated Content Teasers: A visually dynamic grid or carousel (not a generic Netflix-style row) showcasing key shows with animated hover states, driving curiosity for the full app experience.

Scope of Work

The project is divided into three phases. Bidders should provide a fixed price or time-and-materials estimate for each.

Phase 1: Discovery & UX Strategy

  • Stakeholder interviews to understand the OTV brand voice and target audience.

  • Review of existing analytics and user feedback.

  • Audit distinct references and their user journey and component breakdown.

  • Delivery of lo-fi wireframes showing the new single-page flow or multi-page architecture.

  • A proposed information architecture and user flow map prioritizing app download CTAs.

Phase 2: UI/UX Design

  • Creation of 2-3 distinct visual style directions for the "mobile-first" landing page.

  • High-fidelity, fully responsive mockups for desktop, tablet, and mobile breakpoints.

  • Design of all key components:

    • Hero Section: Fullscreen video background, punchy tagline, primary CTA, and floating phone/app mockups.

    • "How It Works" / Value Proposition Strip: A 3-step visually animated section.

    • Show Carousel: Interactive, personality-driven content cards with animated reveals.

    • Talent Spotlights: Designed module to feature creators.

    • Social Proof: Pricing tier cards, user testimonials, or "As seen on" logos.

    • Footer with persistent App Store/Google Play download buttons.

  • Delivery of a complete UI kit, design system components, and all assets in Figma.

Phase 3: Development & CMS Integration

  • Front-End Development: Seamless responsive HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript implementation.

  • Animation Development: Smooth, performant animation of all scroll-triggered elements, video backgrounds, and hover micro-interactions.

  • Content Management System (CMS): Implementation of an intuitive CMS that allows the OTV team to easily update hero videos, show cards, talent bios, and links without coding.

  • Integration: Embed dynamic store badges (Apple App Store, Google Play) and integrate a simple newsletter sign-up form (Mailchimp)

Technical Requirements

  • Performance: A target Lighthouse performance score of 90+ on mobile. Optimized video loading is critical.

  • SEO: Best practice meta tags, Open Graph tags, schema markup, and a clear, semantic URL structure.

  • Mobile-Responsiveness: Fully responsive and tested on latest iOS/Android devices.

  • Accessibility: Compliance with WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards for color contrast, keyboard navigation, and alt text.

  • GDPR/CCPA: Banner integration for cookie consent if tracking is used.


QUALIFICATIONS // submission details


Deliverables Schedule

  • Proposal Deadline: August 31, 2026

  • Project Kickoff: September 14, 2026

  • Wireframes & UX Approval: September 24, 2026

  • Design Concepts Presentation: October 7, 2026

  • Final Design Approval: October 21, 2026

  • Alpha/Beta Site for Internal Review: November 30, 2026

  • Final Launch Date: December 8, 2026

Budget & Payment Terms

  • Budget Constraints: Please provide a comprehensive proposal with transparent costs for Phases 1-3. 

  • Payment Schedule: We propose a payment schedule tied to milestones. Please include your standard payment terms in the proposal.

Proposal Submission Requirements

Interested parties should e-mail a single PDF titled OTV_Redesign_Proposal_[YourAgencyName].pdf to careers [at] weareo.tv containing:

  1. Cover Letter: Briefly state why you are a good fit for this project and your understanding of the "OTV aesthetic" 

  2. Portfolio: Links to at least 3 relevant projects, specifically highlighting sites with bold motion graphics, video backgrounds, and high conversion rates. PLEASE identify your own references and explain your ability to execute that style and how it aligns with OTV’s unique brand, voice, and needs. As a hint, one reference that inspires OTV is Dropout.tv.

  3. Team: Bios of the designer and lead developer who will be working on the project.

  4. Approach & Methodology: A high-level project plan, recommended tech stack, and CMS solution.

  5. Detailed Pricing: A breakdown of costs for each phase, including the cost of any premium plugins, fonts, or stock photography.

  6. References: Three past client references with contact information.

Evaluation Criteria

All proposals will be evaluated against the following weighted criteria:

  • Creative Portfolio Fit & "Vibe Check" (40%): Demonstrated ability to execute the specific app-focused, motion-heavy aesthetic.

  • Technical Proficiency (25%): Strength of proposed tech stack, SEO knowledge, and mobile performance focus.

  • Value & Pricing (20%): Clarity and reasonableness of costs relative to deliverables.

  • Experience & References (15%): Track record with similar entertainment, media, or DTC brand launches.

Terms and Conditions

  • OTV reserves the right to reject any and all proposals.

  • All submitted materials become the property of OTV and will not be returned.

  • The winning respondent will be required to sign a standard service agreement before commencing work.

  • No verbal agreements will be binding until formalized in writing.

Questions regarding this RFP should be directed to careers [at] weareo.tv no later than Friday August, 28. We look forward to finding a bold, visionary partner to bring the OTV web presence to life.


APPLICATION PROCESS // HOW TO APPLY


Interested candidates should submit a RFP to careers [at] weareo.tv by 23:59 CST on August 28, 2026. Tentative start date: October 5, 2026.

Open Television (OTV) is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.  Learn more about OTV’s approach to engagement at https://www.weareo.tv/engagement.

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