NewsStories Of Opportunity: Two Rivers Marketing At 25

This article was originally published on Jan. 7, 2026, as part of the full release of the 2025 Stories Of Opportunity. The Stories Of Opportunity is VGM Group’s annual report, showcasing the successes of VGM and its employee owners.  

2025 brought a handful of milestones for Two Rivers Marketing (2RM), including celebrating their 25th anniversary. In those 25 years, 2RM has continuously evolved—both to meet the needs of their customers and the changing landscape of expectations. 

A New Home

One of the largest changes in 2025 was 2RM’s move to a new office space. After nearly two decades in a 55,000-square-foot warehouse, the agency sought a location that better reflected its modern, collaborative culture.

“It was a very large warehouse,” said Brad Olson, 2RM President, employee owner since 2001. “It was too much space and didn’t reflect the lively environment we had with our team. The new space is more engaging and creative, and better encourages collaboration.” 

Wanting to stay in the East Village of Des Moines, 2RM found new space within four blocks of their previous building. Built in 1900, 2RM’s new location offered the perfect blend of character and functionality. After a complete renovation, their new 22,000-square foot office features 17 conference rooms, flexible seating areas, and modern technology. And there are plans to dedicate the third floor as a shared space for all VGM employees either who work in the Des Moines area or are visiting.

Refreshing The Brand

With a new office came another significant update: a brand refresh. This wasn’t just a visual refresh—it was a strategic shift in how 2RM communicates its value. Nathan Huss, Vice President of Business Strategy, employee owner since 2009, spearheaded the effort after noticing industry trends and client expectations evolving.  

“Clients are under pressure to achieve business outcomes,” said Nathan. “We wanted to position ourselves as a partner that integrates marketing and sales to drive results.” 

The refresh included a modernized color palette and updated design elements. But the essence of the rebrand lies in language and strategy. 2RM now frames its solutions around delivering measurable value, helping clients navigate the full buyer journey, and integrate sales channels effectively. This approach has already opened doors to new business opportunities and positioned the agency for growth in 2026 and beyond. 

The rebrand also reflects a cultural shift within the agency. By aligning creative execution with strategic thinking, 2RM is redefining what it means to be a marketing partner. The changes have resonated with clients, leading to new conversations and expanded partnerships in industries where 2RM previously had little to no presence.  

As part of its evolution, 2RM redefined its strategic values—internally known as “superpowers.” These four pillars represent the agency’s strengths: 

• Full-funnel strategy to guide clients through the buyer journey. 
• Market strategy for positioning and growth. 
• Content marketing and strategy that goes beyond tactics to deliver meaningful messaging. 
• Sales channel integration to help clients go to market effectively.

These values anchor a three-year strategic plan, started in 2024, focused on five strategic growth opportunities:  

• Financial: Be a profitable and growing financial contributor to the success of VGM and the ESOP. 
• Community: Strengthen the industry and community engagement.
• Future: Reimagine 2RM for future viability and vitality. 
• Growth: Grow and optimize the new business engine. 
• Employees: Achieve measurable and sustainable growth for 2RM and it’s employee owners. 

Celebrating 25 Years

When 2RM reached its 25th anniversary, the milestone was more than a celebration of longevity—it was a reflection on transformation and growth over its two-and-a-half decades. 

Nathan, who joined 2RM in 2009 during the height of the financial recession, joined when 2RM had only 35 employees.  

“I was the only person hired that year,” said Nathan. “I’ve been able to see it go from a small agency (almost like a startup) to where it is now with over 180 employees. But throughout that time, 2RM has always been focused on the human side of the business. So many other businesses are run by the business they have—that’s a trend 2RM doesn’t emulate.” 

“We’ve reinvented ourselves,” said Brad. “Even before becoming employee-owned, we had an entrepreneurial mindset. We’ve stayed focused on our core industries and reflected on the great employees, current and past, who helped us succeed.”  

With employee ownership at its core and a culture built on collaboration, 2RM is poised to meet the challenges ahead, including the growing influence of AI, while continuing to deliver value for clients and employee owners alike. 

To read the 2025 Stories Of Opportunity in full, click here.