The agency, part of United Playgrounds and twice awarded European Design Agency of the Year, positions itself as a strategic partner for organisations that do not want to compete, but to lead.
According to Verve, the branding world has been transformed by AI, globalisation and the speed at which products and innovations are copied. In an age of visual abundance and uniform interfaces, brands are disappearing due to indifference. ‘Price then becomes the only distinguishing factor, and that is the beginning of the commodity death spiral,’ says the agency.
Irreplaceability
Verve is therefore introducing a new direction under the banner of irreplaceability: brands that are so strongly anchored in culture and emotion that they cannot be replaced. The studio combines strategy, design, research and digital in holistic brand systems. New to the approach are programmes, through which Verve guides companies in business-driven challenges such as mergers, buy & build strategies, international expansion or strong growth ambitions.
The agency remains founder-led, with Rindor Golverdingen (Executive Creative Director), Michael Danker (Digital Director) and Roman Stikkelorum (Managing Director) at the helm. From its Dutch Design roots, Verve has grown into an international export product, with customers in fifteen countries and a portfolio that continues to expand towards consumer brands.
Roman Stikkelorum, co-founder and Managing Director of Verve:
“AI is levelling the playing field and brands are becoming more interchangeable. Only those brands that dare to choose and radically differentiate themselves will survive. We build irreplaceable brands: iconic, human and with a love for craft, brands that define their own category.”
With more than 300 completed projects, dozens of international design awards and the power of United Playgrounds – where Verve works closely with sister agencies LiveWall, Fitzroy and Globrands– the agency aims to play an increasingly important role in the international brand design arena in the coming years.
Project – Inbox Monster
Verve rebranded Inbox Monster and made its existing mascot, Monstie, into the beating heart of a full brand universe. Rooted in strategy, playfulness and emotional stickiness, this rebrand repositions the company as a trusted companion in the complex world of email delivery.
Project – Findest
We developed Findest’s first rebrand in their seven years of innovating. Our new visual language follows The Findest Light, which symbolizes every researcher, engineer and out-of-the-box thinker’s path to discovery. Our motion design principles cater to every brand need, moving from bold beams of light to dreamy, glowing waves.
Project – Bynder
By breathing some fresh air into Bynder’s brand, Verve was able to leverage the equity that their team has built. Underpinned by a new, heart-led strategy, we developed a visual language that makes clear that Bynder are playing globally and they’re playing to win. The Bynder team is already seeing the impact of this brand evolution, with their LinkedIn performance far exceeding 2024 tech benchmarks and 100+ sales and marketing assets created within this fit-for-purpose visual ecosystem.
About Verve
Verve is an Amsterdam-based branding studio that uses strategy, digital and design to build irreplaceable brands. For 18 years, they have been working with a team of 40+ specialists for leading clients at home and abroad.
About United Playgrounds
United Playgrounds is a group of eight specialised agencies with over 250 professionals. Together, they combine strategy, creativity, data and technology to transform brands. UP works for brands that want to move forward, including McDonald’s, Spotify, Miro, AS Watson, Hans Anders, ING, Pepsi, Heineken and Rituals.
