Just Talk About It

by Bob Morehouse, CEO
November 15, 2012

Several months ago, we were excited to begin a new project with a client in Wisconsin. The day before we were to fly out for a creative kickoff I got a call from the client. They needed to cancel the meeting—in fact, to cancel the project. The reason? They had just looked at our website, and had noticed the work we were doing for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to reduce unintended pregnancies. The 'Beforeplay' campaign is about normalizing the conversation around pregnancy, birth control and sexual health. They felt this was against their beliefs and couldn't see working with a company like ours.

Obviously, we never like to lose a client—especially before the project even starts—but there was a strange sort of pride engendered by their behavior. It proved we stand for something. It reminded us that creating positive change can be controversial and even contentious. The team at Vermilion is vociferously proud of our clients who are allied on the side of health and social justice. We're grateful to work with amazing people doing amazing things. And we know that won't please everyone.