NCAA - University of North Texas

U. of North Texas Unveils New Branding Campaign

Branding campaign launches with academic plan and new look

DENTON (UNT), Texas - Celebrating the development of a new academic plan crafted to guide the University of North Texas toward the future -- "a time of change" and "a time for change" -- the 115-year-old university unveiled an updated branding and image campaign.

As many as 1,000 members of the university family (including students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends) attended "Discover UNT" on April 27 to witness the introduction of the new branding marks and learn more about the academic plan.

During the event on the Denton campus, a host of UNT administrators introduced the components of the redefined brand and discussed UNT's future as charted through an academic plan that will serve as the blueprint for all strategic planning at the university.

The branding effort encompasses changes in the graphic symbols and colors as well as in the updated words and ideas that UNT will use to represent itself and to connect to the emotions embodied in the values of the university. A UNT branding primer can be found at www.unt.edu/branding.

From this point forward, the updated marks will change the look of UNT's academic and university publications, university letterheads, faculty and staff business cards, university signage, UNT advertising, T-shirt logos and athletic uniforms.

The new words are selected to position UNT as a place to "Discover the power of ideas" and to "Discover the power of green." (And now, the UNT green will be a more vibrant shade.)

"It has taken a lot of effort to create our updated branding marks and messages. Now -- thanks to the many students, faculty, staff and alumni who served with the University Relations, Communications and Marketing division in this effort -- we have a brand that will allow the world to discover the university we already know and admire," said Deborah Leliaert (Lily-art), vice president for university relations.

Leliaert directed the creative teams that have worked on the project for more than two years.

"To those who know UNT, the marks may feel very familiar because in creating them, we searched our past, and pulled from our heritage in order to capture UNT's unique personality," Leliaert said. "We hope UNT's updated brand will unite all members of the university family with a common purpose and identity, while it sets us apart from our competitors."

In discussing the new academic plan, Provost Howard Johnson outlined how it will guide UNT in embracing its role as an emerging research university.

At the same time, he emphasized the fact that it calls for supporting and growing the university's traditional and acknowledged areas of excellence.

"We started as a 'normal college' where education, the arts and professional programs were foremost among our strengths. Today we firmly believe those disciplines belong in a true research university. And our strengths are the foundation upon which we will build -- through interdisciplinary work and through creative partnerships," Johnson said.

"By rightfully declaring ourselves as the best place to discover the power of ideas, we are taking a bold step toward asserting UNT's status as an emerging research university," he said.

During the program, UNT Regent Gayle Strange of Denton proclaimed that every member of the UNT System Board of Regents enthusiastically embraces the updated branding marks and words, "as well as the future they represent."

UNT System Chancellor Lee F. Jackson, University President Norval Pohl and Athletic Director Rick Villarreal discussed the importance of the branding campaign to the image and reputation of the university.

Villarreal spoke of the pride UNT student athletes and coaches will have in turning the university's new green "Mean" in all athletic venues.

This article was taken from www.unt.edu.  All rights reserved.