1. A method comprising: managing, by a processor of a content management system, a workflow engine of the content management system to perform an audio-visual content manipulation operation for at least one activity to be performed in a workflow, wherein the audio-visual content manipulation operation comprises non-linear editing of an audio visual content; providing a broker configured to interface the content management system with a separate device, wherein the broker abstracts at least one function of receipt, processing, storage, and distribution of the audio visual content performed by the separate device; linking the content management system, by an intelligent workflow gateway, to one or more independent third party systems; forwarding a work order to the independent third party sub-system via the intelligent workflow gateway for the at least one activity to be performed in the workflow, the work order including at least one parameter with a threshold for determining whether the at least one activity is successfully executed and triggering a backward messaging event to inform the workflow engine of the content management system via the intelligent workflow gateway about the successful execution of the at least one activity, wherein the at least one activity comprises the audio-visual content manipulation operation; monitoring execution of the at least one activity in the independent third party sub-system to receive a notification when the at least one activity is executed successfully by the independent third-party subsystem in accordance with the at least one parameter; and delivering the notification to the workflow engine of the content management system.