A method of responding to a media search request from a user of a media processing application , the method comprising: in response to a search query entered by a user of the media processing application, searching a plurality of systems within a media production environment; locating a plurality of media assets that are responsive to the search query, wherein the plurality of located media assets includes a first asset stored on a first system of the plurality of systems and associated with a first linkage key, and a second asset stored on a second system of the plurality of systems and associated with a second linkage key; comparing the first linkage key with the second linkage key, and, if the first linkage key is the same as the second linkage key, grouping the first asset and the second asset into an aggregate asset wherein the aggregate asset includes: the first linkage key; links to the first asset and to the second asset; and a copy of at least a portion of descriptive metadata included within at least one of the first asset and the second asset; and including the aggregate asset within search results presented to the user that are responsive to the media search request, wherein the aggregate asset is represented within the search results by the copied portion of the descriptive metadata; and wherein in response to a request from the user to access the aggregate asset, the media processing application automatically accesses one of the first asset and the second asset that is compatible with the media processing application. in response to a search query entered by a user of the media processing application, searching a plurality of systems within a media production environment; locating a plurality of media assets that are responsive to the search query, wherein the plurality of located media assets includes a first asset stored on a first system of the plurality of systems and associated with a first linkage key, and a second asset stored on a second system of the plurality of systems and associated with a second linkage key; comparing the first linkage key with the second linkage key, and, if the first linkage key is the same as the second linkage key, grouping the first asset and the second asset into an aggregate asset wherein the aggregate asset includes: the first linkage key; links to the first asset and to the second asset; and a copy of at least a portion of descriptive metadata included within at least one of the first asset and the second asset; and the first linkage key; links to the first asset and to the second asset; and a copy of at least a portion of descriptive metadata included within at least one of the first asset and the second asset; and including the aggregate asset within search results presented to the user that are responsive to the media search request, wherein the aggregate asset is represented within the search results by the copied portion of the descriptive metadata; and wherein in response to a request from the user to access the aggregate asset, the media processing application automatically accesses one of the first asset and the second asset that is compatible with the media processing application. <EOS>