Susan Touchette Aust
Partner, CEO at Vermilion Design + Digital- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Lynn Jenner
I had the privilege to work for Susan for nearly four years. In that time I quickly learned these things: 1) She has a tenacious work ethic. 2) She has a keen eye for detail and consistency and 3). She genuinely cares about the brand almost as much as she cares about the people who work for her. As a manager, she was easily approachable and quick to offer praise, direction and critique when needed/deserved. I was always impressed with her ability to look at a piece of work and see it in a different way. She never made us feel like we worked FOR her, but rather, WITH her, which made us want to work even harder. Any organization would be extremely lucky to have her on the team. I know I would gladly work with her again.
Bob Morehouse
Susan worked as a project manager at Vermilion a few years back, and we were crushed when she went on to bigger pastures. She is a total joy to work with: dedicated, detail oriented, energetic, thoughtful, and smart. She has an original mind and loves to come up with solutions, not problems. She has a great read on people. She managed some of our most challenging projects, with humor and appreciation. We loved her, and our clients loved her, which is why one of them hired her. I cannot provide a more heartfelt recommendation.
Lynn Jenner
I had the privilege to work for Susan for nearly four years. In that time I quickly learned these things: 1) She has a tenacious work ethic. 2) She has a keen eye for detail and consistency and 3). She genuinely cares about the brand almost as much as she cares about the people who work for her. As a manager, she was easily approachable and quick to offer praise, direction and critique when needed/deserved. I was always impressed with her ability to look at a piece of work and see it in a different way. She never made us feel like we worked FOR her, but rather, WITH her, which made us want to work even harder. Any organization would be extremely lucky to have her on the team. I know I would gladly work with her again.
Bob Morehouse
Susan worked as a project manager at Vermilion a few years back, and we were crushed when she went on to bigger pastures. She is a total joy to work with: dedicated, detail oriented, energetic, thoughtful, and smart. She has an original mind and loves to come up with solutions, not problems. She has a great read on people. She managed some of our most challenging projects, with humor and appreciation. We loved her, and our clients loved her, which is why one of them hired her. I cannot provide a more heartfelt recommendation.
Lynn Jenner
I had the privilege to work for Susan for nearly four years. In that time I quickly learned these things: 1) She has a tenacious work ethic. 2) She has a keen eye for detail and consistency and 3). She genuinely cares about the brand almost as much as she cares about the people who work for her. As a manager, she was easily approachable and quick to offer praise, direction and critique when needed/deserved. I was always impressed with her ability to look at a piece of work and see it in a different way. She never made us feel like we worked FOR her, but rather, WITH her, which made us want to work even harder. Any organization would be extremely lucky to have her on the team. I know I would gladly work with her again.
Bob Morehouse
Susan worked as a project manager at Vermilion a few years back, and we were crushed when she went on to bigger pastures. She is a total joy to work with: dedicated, detail oriented, energetic, thoughtful, and smart. She has an original mind and loves to come up with solutions, not problems. She has a great read on people. She managed some of our most challenging projects, with humor and appreciation. We loved her, and our clients loved her, which is why one of them hired her. I cannot provide a more heartfelt recommendation.
Lynn Jenner
I had the privilege to work for Susan for nearly four years. In that time I quickly learned these things: 1) She has a tenacious work ethic. 2) She has a keen eye for detail and consistency and 3). She genuinely cares about the brand almost as much as she cares about the people who work for her. As a manager, she was easily approachable and quick to offer praise, direction and critique when needed/deserved. I was always impressed with her ability to look at a piece of work and see it in a different way. She never made us feel like we worked FOR her, but rather, WITH her, which made us want to work even harder. Any organization would be extremely lucky to have her on the team. I know I would gladly work with her again.
Bob Morehouse
Susan worked as a project manager at Vermilion a few years back, and we were crushed when she went on to bigger pastures. She is a total joy to work with: dedicated, detail oriented, energetic, thoughtful, and smart. She has an original mind and loves to come up with solutions, not problems. She has a great read on people. She managed some of our most challenging projects, with humor and appreciation. We loved her, and our clients loved her, which is why one of them hired her. I cannot provide a more heartfelt recommendation.
Experience
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Vermilion
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United States
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Advertising Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Partner, CEO
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Feb 2022 - Present
As a partner with Thad Napp and Sarah Halle, we're responsible for establishing and achieving the vision, performance, and talent goals of our creative agency. My role as CEO is to connect the dots to our purpose, support our vibrant culture, lead business operations, and build strong client and community relationships.
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Account Director
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Jan 2014 - Feb 2022
Led Vermilion's account service and digital marketing teams and championed Vermilion’s portfolio of iconic purpose brands and organizations. Provided account stewardship, brand strategy, and creative development support to guide the execution of integrated communication programs for current clients like CleanWell, jack & annie's, Good Clean Love, PL360, and Movement Climbing + Fitness, and other highly regarded brands such as Rudi's Organic Bakery, 34 Degrees, Celestial Seasonings, Good Foods, Purina, Door to Door Organics, and Zuke's. Show less
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Senior Account Manager
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Nov 2011 - Dec 2013
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Fresh Produce Sportswear
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Boulder CO
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Marketing Manager
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Jul 2010 - Nov 2011
Responsible for all aspects of branding and marketing for retail, wholesale and online channels of this colorful and comfortable women’s clothing line. Directed the strategy and execution of email marketing, social media, print and digital advertising, promotions, merchandising, website content, direct mail, media relations, public relations and local store marketing tools. Liaison with digital marketing partner to manage mix of tactics from SEO and SEM strategies including paid search and link building (blogger outreach, online news releases, Google Merchant). Our efforts increased total online revenue 92% and traffic 78%. Show less
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Noodles & Company
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United States
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Restaurants
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700 & Above Employee
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Creative Director
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May 2001 - Nov 2009
As Creative Director for this fast-casual restaurant company, I participated in its legendary growth from 25 to 225 restaurants, and $28 to $190 million in sales. As the concept grew, so did my responsibilities and influence. In addition to directing all branding development, I was instrumental in brand positioning and targeted consumer messaging. In the eight years I worked for Noodles & Company, I oversaw, led and/or collaborated with my team on a variety of special and on-going projects including: merchandising campaigns, advertising, menu communication, packaging, local restaurant marketing tools, product launches, new restaurant openings, web and microsite development, eclub program, trade dress and interior design, interactive activities, social media, photo shoots, proprietary music program, uniform design and promotional items. I built the company's first in-house creative services group, dedicated to creating the infrastructure to support the sales and growth of the field and all company teams including franchise, development and operations. I was responsible for managing effective, specialized marketing support partnerships including our advertising and digital agencies. I also directed the messaging to 400,000 eClub members and recently launched etools, an innovative one-stop site featuring a dynamic library of marketing tactics, tools and templates. I'm proud of the Noodles & Company brand personality and its contribution to the company's success, all achieved with the limited use of traditional media. As a marketing director, I helped drive industry-leading, same-restaurant sales (6%+ comparable sales 2006-2008, still positive in recessionary 2009), build transactions growth and increased average weekly sales 22% (2004-08) with average annual restaurant volumes over $1.1 million. Show less
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Vermilion
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United States
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Advertising Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Project Manager
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Mar 1992 - May 2001
At this award-winning creative agency, I was responsible for maintaining day-to-day client relationships, budgets, schedules and presentations from concept through execution to ensure projects including identity, packaging, collateral, print and web sites were on strategy and scope. Representative clients include: Allegro Coffee Company, Robinson Dairy, Old Chicago, Naropa Institute, The Gill Foundation, Noodles & Company, Brewing Market, Vic's Coffee, National Demographics & Lifestyles, Spyder Active Sports. Show less
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Spyder Active Sports
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United States
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Retail Apparel and Fashion
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1 - 100 Employee
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Public Relations Manager
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Jun 1987 - Mar 1992
I managed corporate communications and public relations strategies for this world-renowned, high-performance skiwear company. When I joined the company, there wasn't a structured PR department; I took initiative to fill that role. I wrote timely and tailored commuication to build brand awareness and drive sales, worked with the marketing department to support brand positioning and objectives, and leveraged team, athlete and photographer sponsorships through promotions and events. I also served as the liaison and point-of-contact with our design and advertising agency. Show less
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Education
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1983 - 1987
Colorado College
BA, English
Community
