Brand Project History

This phase sets the foundation for the development of a distinctive brand platform and articulation for SU. The approach uses:

• qualitative methods to capture critical insights from SU's most ardent supporters and
• quantitative methods to validate those findings.

End Result: A robust and in-depth understanding of the current state of SU’s brand image and perceptions among a variety of audiences.

Using insights gained in Phase One:

• develop the foundation for a unified brand platform that will articulate SU's authentic brand in the marketplace,
• further define what makes the institution truly special, and
• provide the narrative that tells  the world about SU’s passion, purpose and commitment.

Phase One: Research and Discovery

 

Phase Two: Branding Exercise

These months were filled with workshops and focus group interactions. Positioning statements were developed based on the extensive research along with active participation from faculty, students, staff and alumni.

Our next step is to develop a brand promise and pillars that reflect the University’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities. This is being done with an understanding of the current higher education landscape and the needs of target audiences. This is our opportunity to define, then own, our position in a very competitive marketplace. The Steering Committee and Executive Leadership will reconvene at the end of January to begin the next phase of the project.

Thank you to the faculty, staff and students who took the time to complete the SU Brand Exercise Web Survey. From those who chose to enter their name for the prize drawing, we are pleased to announce the winners who will receive a $100 Amazon.com gift card:

Our Student Winners: Carly Nascimbeni, Kaitlyn Hunsinger and Reina Ronquillo
Our Faculty Winner: Alexander "Sandy" Pope
Our Staff Winner: Anne Young

Next Steps: We are reviewing your input and will provide a project update in November. Stay tuned!

The Brand Survey has closed as of Monday, October 19. Thank you to the faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, families, friends and community partners who took the time to complete the SU brand survey. We really appreciate your feedback!

We are reviewing your input and hope to provide a project update by late November. Thanks again and stay tuned!

To kick off the project, a virtual site visit was held Tuesday-Wednesday, September 28-29. This effort included important conversations through multiple focus groups. Select campus and community members were invited to specific topic discussions.  The next step is for members of the SU community to share their perceptions, thoughts and ideas via an online survey.

Share Your Thoughts and You Could Win!

Faculty, staff and students: Tell us your SU story – and be entered to win a $100 Amazon.com* gift card! An online survey link went out all students, faculty, staff via their SU emails on Thursday, October 1. Please take time to complete it, and encourage your peers and colleagues to do the same! You are asked to complete the survey by Sunday, October 18. Thank you in advance to everyone who participates.

Many alumni, parents, donors and other stakeholders also received a link to the survey via email. If you did not, but would like to take the survey, please email brand@salisbury.edu.

Stamats is conducting the survey, allowing responses to remain confidential. Your answers will only be reported in aggregate. It is a short 10-minute survey.

Thank you to everyone who takes time to participate. The more feedback we get during this stage, the better the end solution will be. All comments are greatly appreciated and respected.

*Note: As a thank you, SU students and employees who participate in the survey may enter a drawing to win one of five $100 Amazon.com gift cards. Restrictions apply.

We look forward to working with everyone to create the next generation of SU’s brand!

Salisbury University’s Brand Exercise Project is underway!  SU has partnered with Stamats and its subsidiary, The Thorburn Group (based in Minneapolis, MN), to conduct comprehensive research and develop a brand strategy. This initiative will help clarify key attributes and understand how to best tell the SU story. These award-winning companies have extensive experience in higher education and in developing successful approaches based on current trends and best practices. The project will be informed by robust research, online surveys and in-depth interviews of students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, parents, community members and other stakeholders.

Given feedback from SU’s most recent strategic planning process, it was determined that an identity audit was necessary to define what makes SU distinct. This exercise was originally scheduled to begin in March 2020, but due to COVID-19, it was postponed until fall 2020. Ultimately, this research-based, multi-phase, institution-wide process will help guide all creative expression and storytelling across divisions, colleges and schools. It will help us tell the SU story in a way that authentically and consistently resonates with prospective students, parents, current students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and influencers.