VI Marketing and Branding wins Empowering Women Award for fourth straight year

VI Marketing and Branding earned The Journal Record’s 2026 Empowering Women Award for the fourth year in a row, recognizing the Oklahoma City agency’s approach to women’s leadership, advancement and workplace flexibility. The company says women make up most of its workforce and leadership pipeline, alongside policies designed to support parents and professional growth.

Why it matters: - The award highlights a workplace model that ties women’s advancement to business performance, retention and leadership development. - VI Marketing and Branding’s approach offers a concrete example of how agencies can build flexibility, mentorship and promotion pathways into day-to-day operations. - The recognition matters beyond one company because The Journal Record’s award spotlights Oklahoma organizations that create lasting impact for women in the workplace.

What happened: - VI Marketing and Branding received The Journal Record’s 2026 Empowering Women Award. - The honor marks the fourth consecutive year the Oklahoma City agency has been recognized. - The award celebrates organizations that advance women’s leadership, professional growth and workplace flexibility. - Jacquelyn Berney, president of VI Marketing and Branding, said empowering women is part of the agency’s business strategy.

The details: - Women make up 78% of VI Marketing and Branding’s workforce. - Women hold 75% of director-level positions at the agency. - More than half of all promotions since 2023 have gone to women. - Several women have advanced from entry-level roles to senior leadership, including the agency’s first woman president. - VI’s leadership team includes two women and one man. - Employees receive paid maternity leave. - VI offers flexible return-to-work options, including remote, hybrid or part-time schedules. - The agency provides a dedicated wellness space for nursing mothers. - Flexible schedules allow parents to manage family responsibilities while staying engaged in their work. - Mentorship and professional development are part of VI’s workplace model.

Between the lines: - The recognition suggests VI is using internal culture as a recruiting, retention and leadership pipeline tool, not just an employee perk. - The company’s promotion and leadership numbers indicate women are represented at both staff and decision-making levels, which is less common in many marketing workplaces. - Berney said women’s opportunity to innovate and lead benefits clients and the community as well.

What's next: - VI is likely to continue leaning on mentorship, flexibility and leadership development as core parts of its workplace strategy. - The agency’s public recognition may strengthen its position with prospective employees and clients who value people-first operations. - More information about the agency is available through its official announcement.

The bottom line: - VI Marketing and Branding is pairing women’s advancement with workplace policy, and that combination has now earned the agency four straight Empowering Women honors.