Native VML

ABOUT US

Driven by What Unites Us

Across six continents with different languages, diverse cultures and ever-evolving technology, the universal truth is we have a fundamental human need to connect with one another. As a full-service marketing agency with offices around the globe, we help brands fulfill that need and make them truly matter to people.

Partners in Change

Although we grow business worldwide, adapt to changing culture, and continue to push the boundaries of technology, we stay true to our mission. We put people first, not egos. We’re constant collaborators, fearless dreamers, and most of all, passionate professionals who thrive on brilliant ideas that serve brands.

Passions Run Deep

Authentic connection isn’t just what we work toward, it’s been a part of VML since the beginning.

In 1992, our founders, John Valentine, Scott McCormick and Craig Ligibel, set out to create a closely integrated agency that was more versatile, nimble and embraced collaboration with clients. We’re often asked what VML stands for — it was simply a combination of our founders’ last initials that created our agency name.

Full of Life

VMLers are infinitely curious and minimally cautious. We’re both explorers and experimenters. We run marathons, brew our own beer, perform on stages, and jump out of planes. We ask the big questions and aren’t afraid to take on bigger challenges. We sketch, write, concept, and code. All to develop award-winning creative.

We are over 2,400 people in 26 locations worldwide. We’re multinational, multicultural, multitalented individuals, each with a unique perspective. But through all this, we find that what makes us different is what makes us the same. We all have the drive to lead exceptional lives and do extraordinary work. We came to VML looking to reach our potential and leave our mark on the world. We stay because we’ve found a place where we don’t have to do it alone.

VML ensures an open, collaborative environment where we can share ideas on a project and share stories over drinks. We’re strongly invested in bringing everyone together whenever possible, so we’ve created a diverse culture that provides something for everyone to get involved with. At any VML office, you’ll find a calendar full of office-wide events, outings, and opportunities to connect.

VML Foundation

Giving back has always been part of VML’s DNA, but we believe in donating more than money. On top of financial pledges to worthy organizations, VMLers worldwide contribute time and talent to support the communities where we live and work.

At VML, our community outreach is managed by the VML Foundation, an employee-led, official 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Every year, we have a dedicated Foundation Day, in which employees in all of our locations volunteer in their respective communities. This past year, for our Tenth annual Foundation Day, VML volunteered around the world at animal shelters, hospitals, food banks, community centers, and more. VMLers also organized and supported a range of projects from tackling bullying in schools and hateful language online, to donating and organizing care packages for families needing assistance.

We don’t stop there, either. VMLers regularly spend time away from the office supporting local nonprofits and special causes. To support those supporting their community, we provide each employee with 16 hours of paid community service time that they’re free to use in any way they see fit.

Committed to Giving Back

VML also takes many opportunities to partner with organizations that are close to our employees and their families. Every year, we’re privileged to support a variety of nonprofits with our range of expertise, including web design, social media, and full creative campaigns.

SERVICES

SOLVING REAL CHALLENGES.

Inspiration in Action

We are living in an age of unprecedented human progress. What seems impossible one minute is a reality the next. Technology revolutionizes the way we interact with the world, and culture is constantly rewriting the story we tell ourselves. But no matter how drastically the world changes or how fast we progress, we are always human at our very core. We are still essentially emotional creatures who thrive on connection.

Strategy & Intelligence

To truly reach people, you first have to understand them. You have to know more than the demographics tell you and more than their buying habits or budgets. We dig right in. We ask questions. We observe. Analyze. Hypothesize. And then we do it again. We do what it takes to find the insights grounded in human truth and develop our strategy from there, so wherever we take the work, you know you’re on the right path.

Global Advisory

We bring structure to the unstructured business problems of the connected age. We help CMOs as they transform customer engagement, enterprise IT, channel design, and their global go-to-market efforts in response to the sweeping effects of digital disruption.

Brand Planning

We’re thinking about both the short-term and the long haul. We’ll pinpoint where your brand sits in the cultural landscape, where you want it to go, and how we can close the gap between the two.

Consumer Research

We find out what makes consumers tick, buy, like, share, and feel. But we gather deeper insights into their lives and what matters to them. When we know how they think, we’ll know how we should.

Channel Insights

It’s a hectic environment to navigate. We keep on top of data and what social shifts are taking place. From there, we can decide where you need to be and what message to take with you.

Analytics & Optimization

We’ll dive head-first into data, identify trends and come out with a translation. With a clear plan and a tested message, you’ll have the confidence that you’re getting the most out of every cent spent.

Real-time brand-to-fans conversations.

adidas, a top-tier sports apparel brand, had solid footing in China. But in order to narrow the market gap between their largest competitor they had to take full advantage of the newest territories in the social and digital landscape.

Challenge

Take advantage of our exclusive football partnership to take back the leadership and market share, all while driving fan engagement.

Idea

Through a groundbreaking monitoring, visualization, and analytics system deployed for every football match, we engaged millions of fans in real time with online videos, WeChat quizzes, display banners, and more.

Result

Through the campaign, we generated 96 million impressions and fan engagements, earned eight times more buzz than our main competitor, and helped adidas reach 60% of their average annual sales in just a single month.

Marketing & Advertising

What’s almost guaranteed to command attention and keep it is a compelling story. With a great story, we can elicit a range of emotions, whether it’s empathy, anger, compassion or pure joy, that viscerally draws people in and drives them to act.

But at VML, we never think of storytelling as one-sided. We use our insights to craft an honest narrative that not only resonates deeply with people, but also inspires them to be its co-creators. When we transform communication into collaboration and conversation, it leaves quite an impression on the brand and the bottom line.

Platforms & Experiences

When people identify with a story and are willing to spend time and money on a brand, they expect it to deliver. VML makes sure it does. Whether it’s a website, mobile experience, or retail space, we look into the environment to determine the most inventive way to give people what they want and get you everything you need.

From a strong core idea, we develop a single connected set of experiences that’s a natural extension of the brand. We aim for something that’s as personal as it is innovative, so it allows for more seamless connections between people. Ultimately, we make technology invisible, so humanity is on full display.