What Vermilion does

Vermilion is a full-service strategic design and digital agency headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, serving purpose-driven organizations across five verticals: nonprofits and foundations, better-for-you consumer packaged goods brands, outdoor and recreation, health and wellbeing, and purpose-driven startups and enterprise organizations. The firm delivers integrated work across three functional pillars: Brand Strategy (positioning, messaging architecture, audience research), Creative Services (visual identity, copywriting, video, packaging), and Web & Digital (website design and development, SEO, Generative Engine Optimization, paid media management, Google Ad Grants administration). Notable client engagements include rebrands and digital programs for WellPower (formerly Mental Health Center of Denver), the Appalachian Mountain Club, Community Foundation serving Boulder County, Quinn snacks, Good Clean Love, Pivot Bio, Rocky Mountain Equality, and Protect Our Winters.

The firm's technical delivery is anchored on WordPress, with custom theme development, Divi and Gutenberg page-builder workflows, and WooCommerce integration for direct-to-consumer commerce clients. Media delivery is concentrated on Google Ads, Google Ad Grants (for nonprofit clients), Meta platforms, and Microsoft Advertising. The agency operates a senior-led staffing model with 15-20 full-time employees and transitioned to a fully remote operating model in 2024, enabling a national client footprint spanning coast to coast.

Vermilion's commercial model combines fixed-scope project engagements (typical branding projects run 8-12 weeks; website projects 20-24 weeks), ongoing monthly retainers for post-launch support, and hourly time-and-materials consulting. Pricing is positioned mid-market relative to the creative agency spectrum. The firm is independently owned by three partners who assumed ownership from founder Bob Morehouse in 2022, holds Women-Owned Small Business and B Corp certifications (since 2017), and operates without disclosed outside funding or a parent entity.

Name

Vermilion

Legal name

Vermilion

Website

https://vermilion.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Vermilion is a Boulder, Colorado-based strategic design and digital agency serving purpose-driven nonprofits, CPG brands, healthcare, and outdoor organizations with integrated brand strategy, creative services, and WordPress-based web and digital marketing on a project, retainer, and consulting basis.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Brand & Marketing Agency Services

NAICS

Advertising Agencies (541810), Graphic Design Services (541430), Graphic Design Services (54143)

SIC

Services-Advertising Agencies (7311), Services-Advertising (7310)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Creative & Experience Design Agencies (Web/App/UX) (MPAAAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Customer, Marketing & Sales Consulting (BPAHACAG)

Keywords

• Brand strategy services
• Creative agency services
• Digital marketing agency
• Nonprofit branding
• Website design development

Headquarters

HQ city

Boulder

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Project-based creative services: Focused branding, creative, and digital marketing projects with defined scope and deliverables. Typical branding projects take 8-12 weeks, website projects 20-24 weeks from kickoff to launch.
2. Ongoing retainer support: Consistent strategic and creative support for evolving priorities, campaigns, content, optimization, and creative needs. Many clients continue after initial project launch through retainer model.
3. Hourly/consulting engagements: Time and materials approach for smaller engagements, consultations, or work harder to define upfront.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Vermilion is a boutique strategic design and digital agency delivering integrated brand strategy, creative, and web & digital services to purpose-driven organizations. The agency provides brand positioning and messaging, visual identity and logo design, website design and development on WordPress, and digital marketing campaigns (Google Ads, Meta, email, SEO/GEO), engaging clients through fixed-scope projects, ongoing monthly retainers, and hourly consulting. It specializes in nonprofits, foundations, CPG brands, and health/wellness organizations across the United States.

Product overview

Vermilion is a full-service integrated brand, creative, and marketing agency offering three core service areas: Brand Strategy (positioning, messaging, and brand foundation development), Creative Services (visual identity, design, video, and copywriting), and Web & Digital (website design, development, and digital marketing). The agency operates as a single integrated offering rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture, providing end-to-end marketing services from brand development through digital execution. Services include website design and development using WordPress, logo and visual brand identity, marketing campaigns, SEO/GEO, media planning and management, content creation, email marketing, and market research. The agency specializes in purpose-driven brands, nonprofits, outdoor and environmental organizations, health and wellness, and CPG brands.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Brand Strategy Brand positioning, messaging, and brand foundation development that uncovers, refines, and evolves a brand's essence to connect with target audiences and codify strategy to guide behaviors and actions. Delivered as a standalone engagement or as part of integrated work.
• Creative Services Creative execution including logos, visual identity systems, design, video, copywriting, packaging, photo/video production, and campaign assets. Designed to extend brands on and off screen with creative that resonates and performs for business outcomes.
• Web & Digital Website design and development (custom WordPress with Divi, Gutenberg, and WooCommerce), digital campaigns across Google Ads and Meta, SEO/GEO, UX/digital strategy, email and CRM marketing, media planning, and performance marketing. Includes discovery, site strategy, sitemap, UX, wireframes, design, development, testing, and launch support.

Quantifiable outcome

• 39% increased website engagement for Quinn CPG brand
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Xcel EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRenewable energy partnership through Xcel's Renewable* Connect Program. Vermilion works with Xcel to power their office with 100% clean, renewable energy, supporting their sustainability commitments as a B Corp.
• Partners for a Clean Environment (PACE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPACE is a key sustainability support group in Boulder County. Vermilion operates within the climate goals outlined by PACE Climate Action Challenge, demonstrating commitment to environmental stewardship.
• B Lab (B Corporation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVermilion is certified by B Lab as a B Corporation, meeting high standards of social and environmental performance. The company actively participates in B Corp community initiatives including B Local CO and B Proud network supporting LGBTQ+ advocacy.
• B Local COminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVermilion is a board member and sponsor of B Local CO, the local non-profit chapter that fosters collaboration and growth for Colorado's 170+ certified B Corporations.
• B Proud NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerB Lab's network advancing LGBTQ+ rights through policy, advocacy, and business practices. Craig Spalding serves as Programs Lead. Network provides space for community care, learning opportunities, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ folks and allies within the B Corp Community.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Russ Reid: Long-standing direct-response and branding agency for nonprofits and faith-based organizations. Directly comparable history (multi-decade nonprofit specialty) and overlapping services in fundraising marketing and brand development.
• M+R: Specialized agency for nonprofits, advocacy groups, and progressive causes offering digital campaigns, fundraising, and brand strategy. Direct peer in the purpose-driven/nonprofit marketing space with overlapping service mix and target client base.
• Big Duck: Boutique branding and communications agency exclusively serving nonprofits and social-impact organizations. Closest direct peer to Vermilion given its focus on purpose-driven branding, similar boutique size, and shared emphasis on strategy-led creative for the nonprofit and cause sector.
• Forum One: Digital agency focused on associations, nonprofits, and mission-driven organizations, with strengths in web platforms, content strategy, and digital campaigns. Directly comparable to Vermilion's web/digital and content work for nonprofits and foundations.
• Sullivan Creative: Branding and creative agency focused on community-focused and purpose-driven organizations. Comparable boutique positioning serving similar mission-aligned clients.
• Doe-Anderson: Independent full-service creative agency with a strong nonprofit and brand-strategy practice. Comparable integrated agency offering brand strategy, creative, and digital for purpose-driven and consumer clients.

Regional players

• Cactus: Denver-based independent creative agency. Comparable independent creative agency in the Colorado market serving CPG and consumer brands with brand strategy and campaign execution.
• Sterling Rice Group: Boulder-based integrated brand strategy and creative agency. Local market peer with similar senior-led boutique positioning and overlapping CPG, outdoor, and lifestyle client work.
• Sukle Advertising & Design: Denver-based independent creative agency with strong nonprofit, CPG, and purpose-driven client work. Comparable independent full-service agency in Colorado with overlapping client verticals.
• TDA Boulder: Boulder-based creative and media agency. Geographic peer operating in the same Colorado market with comparable full-service creative, digital, and media offerings, though broader in client verticals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/vermiliondesign
• Xx.com/vermiliondesign
• Facebookfacebook.com/vermilion

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Vermilion