We Preserve A Brand’s Legacy: Deepak Hiremath

As India becomes digital-first, how has Vermmillion adapted its approach to branding and design to keep pace with changing consumers?

In the ever-evolving landscape of marketing, Vermmillion understands that despite changes in strategies and the rise of digital platforms, consumer priorities remain steadfast.

There has been a significant transformation in the touchpoints where consumers engage with brands across a multitude of channels. Recognising this shift, Vermmillion works closely with brands to adapt to their marketing efforts and bring out the best solutions. We understand the importance of reaching consumers across diverse touchpoints, ensuring a seamless and captivating brand experience at every intersection.

We are strategically incorporating the latest technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), into our branding and design processes. This integration allows us to stay ahead of the curve, ensuring that our solutions are not only innovative but also highly relevant to the evolving digital landscape. Additionally, our 360-degree coverage is what assures our clients that their brands remain thoroughly visible and engaging to their target audience.

How are home-grown agencies like Vermmillion delivering creative solutions that resonate with global audiences?

We take immense pride in our ability to stand toe-to-toe with industry behemoths and make our mark on the global scene. Our journey is a testament to the talent, innovation and resilience that define the Indian creative landscape. With a rich tapestry of cultural influences, diverse perspectives and a relentless drive for excellence, we bring a unique flavour to our work that sets us apart in a crowded marketplace and resonates globally.

By focusing on themes that evoke empathy, authenticity and relatability, Vermmillion helps brands forge connections that transcend linguistic and cultural barriers. Whether it's through storytelling, humour or emotional resonance, the key lies in understanding the universal threads that bind us all and weaving them into a narrative that speaks to the collective human experience. In doing so, we help brands develop the power to foster meaningful connections, drive engagement and inspire action on a global scale.

Our quest to deeply understand the diverse cultural nuances paired with international design principles lies at the heart of our 'homegrown agency status' working to communicate with wide, global audiences, transcending geographical boundaries. We aim to deliver adaptable creative solutions with universal appeal.

Vermmillion's client roster is extensive. How does the agency balance maintaining a brand’s heritage and innovating for the future in its branding strategies?

Brands that have withstood the test of time possess a narrative that resonates deeply with consumers, as their identity is anchored in a timeless story of relevance and authenticity. Behind every enduring brand heritage lies a set of core values, traditions and founding principles that connect with people on a visceral level, transcending fleeting trends and fads. Once you recognise these foundational elements, then it’s just a matter of skilfully adapting them to resonate with modern audiences.

As an agency dedicated to helping brands navigate the complexities of modern consumerism, we understand that the key to longevity lies in uncovering the timeless essence of a brand's story. We specialise in identifying the core aspects that have anchored brands throughout history and translating them into narratives that resonate with contemporary audiences. Our approach blends reverence for tradition with a keen eye for innovation, ensuring that brands can honour their roots while embracing the opportunities of the present. Through strategic storytelling, creative reimagining and thoughtful execution, we help brands forge enduring connections with consumers, navigating the ever-evolving landscape of consumer preferences and behaviours with confidence and authenticity.

We have a meticulous and strategic approach to balancing a brand’s heritage with the rapidly evolving future. Preserving the brand’s legacy built over decades of trust and recognition and applying forward-thinking by embracing digital transformation lies at the heart of this approach. This helps the brands retain their loyal customer base and at the same time, captivate the interest of new, digitally-savvy consumers.

Our experience in managing our extensive and varied client roster is an asset that comes in handy in implementing this approach.

With the increasing importance of different kinds of touchpoints for brands, how does Vermmillion ensure that brand experiences are cohesive across all platforms?

At Vermmillion, we believe in harnessing the power of a compelling idea to create memorable brand experiences across diverse touchpoints. A good idea, when executed with precision and creativity, possesses the remarkable ability to transcend mediums and adapt seamlessly to various platforms.

We understand that the core of a successful campaign lies in the strength of the idea. Our expertise lies in strategically translating these ideas into impactful campaigns that resonate

with audiences across drastically different touchpoints, from social media platforms to traditional advertising channels and beyond. By carefully curating each interaction with the consumer, we ensure that every touchpoint works independently yet cohesively to deliver a seamless brand experience that leaves a lasting impression.

However, the real advantage lies in the strategic decision-making process of identifying and prioritising touchpoints with the highest potential return on investment (ROI). At Vermmillion, we specialise in guiding brands through this process, leveraging our expertise to help them strategically choose the most impactful touchpoints for their specific goals and target audience.

How do you foresee the role of emerging technologies, like AI and VR, in shaping the future of brand experiences?

There are universal human truths that transcend time and technology, waiting to be translated into the newest digital landscapes. At Vermmillion, we're excited about the new horizons that technologies like AI and VR have unlocked, offering innovative ways to tell brand stories and connect with audiences on a deeper level.

We first view AI as an enabler to streamline processes and then as a facilitator to increase the speed and power of the creativity and effectiveness of our campaigns. In every execution and analysis, AI’s primary role is aiding. Ultimately, it’s human intelligence and creativity that propel compelling branding.

Creativity remains inherently human and it is this human touch that resonates with audiences. AI and VR are invaluable in bringing creative ideas to life through stunning visuals and immersive experiences. These technologies allow us to convert innovative concepts into tangible, engaging content that captivates and interacts with consumers on a deeper level.

What are the agency's focus areas in 2024?

We have already embarked on a new chapter of growth, innovation and technology in 2024, with a steadfast commitment to enhancing our core competencies across three key areas.

Firstly, we are dedicated to elevating the client experience by deepening our understanding of client needs and preferences, fostering stronger relationships and delivering tailored solutions that exceed expectations. Through personalised service and proactive communication, we aim to cultivate lasting partnerships built on trust and mutual success.

Secondly, talent management remains a cornerstone of our agency's success and in 2024, we are prioritising investments in talent acquisition, development, and retention. By nurturing a culture of continuous learning and empowerment, we aim to attract top-tier talent, foster creativity and innovation, and ensure our team remains at the forefront of industry trends and best practices.

Lastly, operational efficiency will be a focal point as we streamline processes, leverage technology solutions, and optimise resource allocation to maximise productivity and deliver value to our clients. By embracing automation and digital tools, we seek to drive operational excellence and enhance agility in adapting to evolving market demands.