Storytelling is a universal human experience that we’ve utilized for thousands of years. Some of the earliest evidence of storytelling dates back to 30,000 BC, and while it can’t be proven, scientists speculate oral storytelling most likely began shortly after the development of spoken language. For…well, forever, humans have used stories to entertain, sell, educate and motivate each other, but the *really* good stories are those that connect us together and remind us we’re a part of something bigger than ourselves.

Changing your behavior is hard. It’s one of our passions at VI. So, let’s take a moment to talk about self-care. Self-care is important but takes effort to put it into practice. Let’s start small. It may be as simple as taking a walk after a stretch of zoom calls or choosing to be grateful for what each day brings. Sometimes we need a reminder or a kick in the pants to keep us on track. 

We’ve designed a few phone wallpapers to help encourage you to take care of yourself.

Sustainable travel is a type of tourism that promotes eco-friendly practices and environmental responsibility in the way you travel or the destination you visit. Oklahoma offers endless ways to travel sustainably within the OKC Metro and across the whole state!

The science of behavior change has proven that 30 days can effectively change a person’s habits. Smoking, exercise, seatbelts, prayer. Do or don’t for 30 days and it becomes a habit. This month, VI Marketing and Branding is celebrating what we call 30 Days of Change by highlighting ways that we can better our community. There’s a way for everyone to get involved in something that promotes positive change. Oftentimes, we need our community leaders to use their voices to gain momentum for a certain cause. You don’t need to look far for inspiration from high-profile Oklahomans. 

Voting is a critical part of our democracy, but many who are eligible to vote don’t. Make sure you make your voice heard by making a plan to vote ahead of time. Find out how to register to vote, methods for casting your vote, and more.

According to the ASPCA, approximately 6.3 million companion animals enter a U.S. animal shelter each year. Of that 6.3 million, only 4.1 million are typically adopted each year. That leaves 2.2 million animals for shelters to care for nationwide. Many animal shelters rely a great deal on help from their community. This year, we want to highlight how you can help your local animal shelters and provide a spotlight on as many of them as we can. Please note that it is important to volunteer, donate, buy wish list items, foster, and adopt from all shelters, not just the ones that we have listed.

If you’d have told me I’d be alcohol-free and FOMO-free a decade ago, I would’ve laughed so hard, I’d spill my drink. For most of my twenties, my life revolved around alcohol. I couldn’t fathom facing life’s challenges without an anesthetic. But today, I’m 4.5 years sober… and thriving. Life hasn’t gotten any easier, but I’m more resilient, stronger and happier. Because when you numb the discomfort, you numb the joy, too. I know I wouldn’t be the wife, stepmom, employee, friend, daughter and sister I am today if I were still drinking. Here’s what I’ve learned over the course of my sober journey, along with advice from other people in recovery! 

Join VI Marketing and Branding beginning April 1 for a month-long effort to collect food and hygiene items to benefit local non-profits — and Oklahoma families!

For International Women's Day, we sat down with a group of women at VI to talk about what it means to be a woman in 2022. These creative, badass marketers shared the challenges they face, the women that inspire them, their favorite things about womanhood, their best advice to young women, and more. 

VI Marketing and Branding has achieved 2022 Premier Partner status in the Google Partners program for the 5th year in a row.

The VI Travel and Hospitality team recently had the opportunity to attend the eTourism Summit in Las Vegas. The conference was packed with lectures from the top travel marketing experts in the industry. After a week of networking with DMOs, travel associations, and agencies from around the world, one thing was apparent – travel is on the rebound, and industry experts are working tirelessly to re-imagine the future of tourism.