Traditional marketing programs don't hold up anymore. The word marketing itself is outdated. Many staffing strategies + practices still in use were built for a pre-smartphone, pre-social-media world of print flyers, events, and a few ad channels.
That world is gone. Yet, most businesses are still leaning on the same small teams, or even (gasp!) one person to handle modern, AI-era workloads that include:
complex tech stacks + third-party integrations
beta-stage AI tools
constant monitoring + adjustments
balancing automated + manual tasks
It’s time to rethink how you define, staff, and budget for the workload once called marketing.
ARE THESE MODERN DEMANDS COVERED IN YOUR STAFFING AND BUDGET?
Transparent Pricing. Not just to stay compliant with new FTC and state regulations, but because confusion sends your customers elsewhere.
Answer Engine Optimization (AEO). AI needs to pick your business as the answer when customers ask tools like ChatGPT questions such as, “What’s the best pizza place in my town?” "What apartments in this neighborhood have rent specials?"
Authenticity. “Those AI-cooked social posts? Yeah, they read like microwaved leftovers. 🥡” (If you don’t know what I just did there, start your Contact message with “SOS!”.)
Seamless CX Design. Customer Experience (CX) Design shapes how people feel at every interaction with your business, online or in-person. The goal is smooth, clear, enjoyable. But suddenly there are more touchpoints than ever.
During growth or market shifts, companies hit gray zones. Leaders see the problems but lack the time or expertise to fix them. Staff are burning out from heavy tech workloads, juggling tons of apps and nonstop data updates that need constant changes.
That’s where we step in, filling gaps and connecting the pieces to help your business meet these modern demands.
We work behind the scenes to make your staff and business shine. Backed by trusted partners nationwide and working with the perspective of an owner, investor, and operator, you get impactful work done where it matters most.
From Vision to Execution
Vermillion Design is both a consultant + support work agency.
Trusted Direction
We audit, review, and give clear, prioritized actions your internal team can use to make the biggest impact.
Hands-on Help
If you’re short on staff or budget, we can step in to execute on initiatives and improvements. You'll gain access to high-caliber helpers for temporary or ongoing support in design, writing, tech, and special projects.
Services
SEO AEO
Helping businesses get chosen as “the answer” when people ask AI search tools like ChatGPT + Gemini questions.
AI Ops
Conversational AI tool audits and onboard consulting + support work
Content
Web-based and small + large print campaigns
Publicity
Planning, messaging, + national media outreach
CX Design
Clear pricing + processes at every customer touchpoint
Reputation
Monitoring + creating proactive strategies, responses, campaigns
Websites
Includes Yardi RentCafe Site Manager, Squarespace + Wordpress platforms
Brand Strategy
Identity, positioning + design of core elements and guidelines
Media Mentions + Appearances
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In a featured interview with Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International, Jules Flesner shared practical advice on adopting mobile apps and tech tools to improve efficiency and elevate the customer experience.
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After a market presentation by EliseAI Co-Founder + CEO Minna Song and breakout sessions, Jules' panel explored the evolving role of conversational AI and automation in customer communication, challenges of centralization, and practical starting points for operations and marketing teams struggling with outdated company staffing models. The panel covered lessons from real-world implementation and wrapped with an audience Q&A.
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Jules Flesner spoke with Multifamily Executive article about how apartment companies are moving many traditional tasks into centralized systems. With labor shortages and faster tech adoption, more work is now handled by shared teams in modernized job roles.
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In response to President Biden’s transparency initiative, Jules Flesner was an early leader in identifying and creating renter-friendly tools that clearly show the full cost of renting. By working closely with major platforms like Zillow, Apartments.com, Apartment List, Zumper, Yardi, and EliseAI, Flesner improves websites and marketing materials that help renters make informed choices. The work also helps property operators and investors stay compliant and avoid legal risks.
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At a national event drawing more than 1,200 industry leaders to Huntington Beach, California, Jules Flesner joined Lidia Zaragoza to deliver a session guiding property owners and operators on smarter mobile app strategy decisions to improve ROI. The session outlined a clear framework for balancing branding, cost, and user experience, helping operators avoid common app launch pitfalls.
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Jules Flesner served as a panelist on CREtech’s global webinar exploring AI in multifamily management. The discussion highlighted that true success depends on integration partners who can support property management systems with specialized staff and training. Flesner emphasized that “you can’t build out clean data pipes across property management, asset management, and ownership without training all end users on the new technology.” Panelists agreed that while integration providers are key training resources, materials often need tailoring to each organization’s unique tech stack.
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Jules Flesner sat down with the National Apartment Association to unpack how industry jargon is often misunderstood and misused. Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t the same as software automation, and automation isn’t the same as centralization (phew!).
The resulting article “Beyond the Chatbot,” published in Units Magazine with Flesner quoted as saying, “You’d have to be living in a cave at this point to not have AI touching your daily life..." (From Spotify to email spam filters, it’s so woven into our routines that people don’t even notice it anymore.)
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Jules Flesner was selected as an influential leader who is working to position CRE investment for a more inclusive future. Flesner helped push the development of crowdfunding technology, disrupting traditional investor circles and bringing in a more diversified group of investors than ever before in history. Winners were honored at the GlobeSt. Women of Influence Awards Dinner in Park City, UT and featured in the GlobeSt. Real Estate Forum.
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After RealPage's acquisition of Investor Management Services (IMS) in 2019, Jules Flesner worked directly with their development team as part of the beta and pilot client group. Flesner managed the onboarding of the original IMS portal, and in 2020 oversaw the relaunch of the enhanced RealPage portal.
The relaunch was a three-month, full-time outreach project combining tech, data accuracy, CRM organization, and security to deliver investors a modern, reliable way to track their real estate investments. Being selected as first in the U.S. to go live with the new system created a unique competitive advantage for the company.
Case Studies
Your business, discovered differently in the AI era.
Brand Development
What’s in a name? In this case, value.
CX Design
Never underestimate the power of a first impression.
Pay Per Click (“PPC”)
If PPC makes you think “Pay, Pray, Cry” - something’s wrong.
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Survival of the Wittest
◡̈ Survival of the Wittest
Traditional marketing has evolved.
The way people search, shop, and decide has changed. In the AI era, speed, clarity, and smart adaptation matter more than ever. It’s not about being the biggest or strongest among your competitors, it’s about being the smartest.
Today’s business landscape is a Survival of the Wittest℠.
Business owners must rethink old marketing roles. Today’s workload spans tech, design, legal, sales support, Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), and AI tools oversight… too much for one team or title. Staying competitive means decentralizing tasks and bringing in specialized expertise.
