Brand Updates

Let’s get personal

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VDP example

With a little planning and a lot of data, you can reach your target audience with specialized messaging through variable data printing.

Missouri State is reaching out to prospective students through personalized messaging that provides information that is relevant and timely.

Working in partnership with the publications office and printing services, the admissions office reaches high school students throughout the semester, with targeted publications. Each print piece is complimented by digital campaigns and student calling efforts.

 

 

New series showcases what it’s like to be a Business Bear

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COB brochure series

The College of Business recently published a series of six department brochures, along with a college brochure, in support of its undergraduate student recruitment efforts.

Through the print pieces, prospective students learn how an education at Missouri State is different – and how they will learn to do business with integrity.

Business majors tell their Citizen Bear stories as only students can – sharing their experiences of incorporating public affairs into their academic prep.

Also included are the benefits and outcomes of earning a business degree at Missouri State.

We’re excited to share this example of brand support.

Inspiration: Missouri State Career Center Facebook post

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In this series of posts we celebrate examples of creative and engaging branding within the university community. We highlight these to inspire you in your branding efforts!

Who caught our attention

Missouri State Career Center’s Facebook post.

Why it captures the brand 

The Career Center uses several effective visual elements to convey its message.

  • The Career Center used deconstructed frames, recommended under the branding guidelines. These convey a sense of motion, like turning a page or taking a step toward opportunities.
  • It uses the recommended primary brand color of maroon for a consistent, Missouri State-focused message.
  • It includes appropriate imagery with its use of statement photography. This is done to capture the pulse of the university. In this example students are preparing to use their degree to find a teaching job at the local, regional and national level.

How it meets the Career Center’s goals 

These brand elements help the Career Center demonstrate preparation for an education fair, which gives students the opportunity to find employment after graduation.

Reaching prospective students: Know your audience’s needs

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Gain inspiration from these publications that embrace the visual identity and brand messaging. For additional information or for assistance in developing brand materials, contact the publications office.

Recruiting graduate students

Graduate students are focused. Focused on programs, mentors, outcomes and cost. These factors are at the forefront of recruitment materials that prospective students receive when they begin researching Missouri State’s graduate offerings. This publication is hand-distributed, with opportunity for students to visit with MSU professionals. The call to action is to apply to the Graduate College.

Students who accept invitation to the Honors College experience smaller class sizes, engaging course work and special library privileges

An invitation to the Honors College

High ability students who are accepted to Missouri State receive an invitation to the Honors College. The invitation outlines the benefits students receive in the Honors College, such as smaller class sizes, engaging course work and special library privileges. The call to action is to complete the Honors College response form and apply for Missouri State’s most prestigious scholarships.

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Inspiring future teachers

One in eight teachers in Missouri are a graduate of Missouri State. This is one of many informational graphics used by the College of Education to convey beneficial information to prospective future teachers. This brochure outlines the offerings of the college, while promoting the teaching profession. Students are invited through the publication to tour, request additional information and apply.

hospitality

Leading in hospitality

Job placement rates, starting salaries and elite accreditation are forefront in the information prospective students learn about the hospitality leadership department. Students are invited through the publication to tour, request additional information and apply.

 

 

 

 

Inspiration: series of four billboards

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In this series of posts we focus on effective uses of our branding strategy. We offer these examples to inspire you in your own branding efforts.

Who caught our attention

Marketing and Communications created new billboards across Missouri to tell a story. These four are located along I-70 eastbound near Warrenton.

4billboards

Why it captures the brand

These new billboards replaced those that were completed in 2012. Although those were well received, they were updated in response to requests from the university community. This reflects a willingness to engage with various Missouri State audiences.

Creative platform

These four phrases emphasize the creative platform of the brand.

  1. When you have your chance to be heard.
    This communicates that you, as a representative of the university, will have an opportunity to speak up at some point. This prepares the viewer to consider herself in context of wider community of Missouri State.
  2. What statement will you make?
    Now that you are aware of the broader context, what will you say? How has university prepared you for global conversation?
  3. Find your voice and –
    decide what you believe, but be willing to listen to new ideas and change your mind.
  4. Make Your Missouri Statement.
    Considering your experience and growth at the university, decide how state your ideas and listen, integrating your experience with that of others.

Visual identity

  • They include the design element of Make Your Missouri Statement, which is an influential way to emphasize the university brand.
  • This element must be coupled with the Missouri State wordmark, that is, the university’s name written in a specific font, which it does.
  • In addition, the Bear Head can be used with the wordmark, so this billboard presents a powerful series of images that consistently use proper design elements.
  • It includes correct primary brand colors: maroon, black and white. These should be used in all communications. It also includes the secondary color of brick city red to to entice the viewer, then uses maroon to emphasize Missouri State.

Space limitations meant the message had to be concise, so Marketing and Communications used these statements. This is based on the recommendations that the the Make Your Missouri mark be used when the audience is already aware of the Missouri State brand. This is effective in this scenario due to placement of the billboards all over the state.

How it meets Missouri State’s goals

Marketing and Communications used the new branding phrase to connect with travelers who are familiar with the university. Following the creative platform guidelines provides an opportunity to encourage the audience to consider the university’s impact on them.