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http://www.richmond.com/business/local/m...0b33b.html

Found this article (scroll down) about the Spurrier Group helping ODU improve its branding, marketing and public relations. Its described as a "total communications contract". I think this is a great move by ODU and has been needed for some time. Hopefully we see some results soon. Good move ODU.

(05-24-2017 02:42 PM)cmett003 Wrote:  http://www.richmond.com/business/local/m...0b33b.html

Found this article (scroll down) about the Spurrier Group helping ODU improve its branding, marketing and public relations. Its described as a "total communications contract". I think this is a great move by ODU and has been needed for some time. Hopefully we see some results soon. Good move ODU.

I hope this is a sign of change for the university. We could really use the marketing boost from an athletic and academic standpoint

This is great news! I hope this produces the results that so many of us have been looking for.

The fact that the agency's founder has a daughter who graduated from ODU in 2012 is pretty cool also.

Glad to see this...

I believe there are lot's of gains in the community available with a little bit of marketing.

Also, there is the misconception in the community that football tickets are never available so why try. It is sad that we have the "sell out" streak on paper when there are truly of seats available during most football games.

This is very good news. Something ODU has needed for some time.

Quote:“There’s been exciting stories about graduates from the university that aren’t getting out there. We were hired to help build a new brand for them and then all of the execution … to get the message out to stakeholders, to potential students, to alumni, all the way across the board. It’s a total communications contract.”

Much needed, looking forward to some progress

This is as exciting as our new WBB coach.

Long overdue but kudos to ODU!

(05-24-2017 02:58 PM)odu09 Wrote:  

Quote:“There’s been exciting stories about graduates from the university that aren’t getting out there. We were hired to help build a new brand for them and then all of the execution … to get the message out to stakeholders, to potential students, to alumni, all the way across the board. It’s a total communications contract.”

Much needed, looking forward to some progress

I have a couple of graduates, in my circle of friends, who have been featured on national news outlets recently. It amazes me that the school hasn't highlighted them.

You can only do so much in house. At some point you have to let the Pros take over . Excellent move!

Great news! Kudos to the existing teams doing what they can with what they had available. But this will really take it that last mile.

I really hope they take that "Idea Fusion" crap out of every logo we put out there

(05-25-2017 08:46 AM)cmett003 Wrote:  I really hope they take that "Idea Fusion" crap out of every logo we put out there

Me too. It's embarrassing and low quality.

I kind of like, "ODU, the Yale of Hampton Roads!" (You have to defer to W&M as the "Harvard.") Just kidding. Just kidding.

Seriously, I really dislike the "Idea Fusion" branding too. To me, it means nothing and certainly doesn't leave a lasting impression. You might as well say, "Old Dominion. It's not as bad as you think!" or "ODU, you think it sucks now, but wait until you visit!"

ODU is a university on the move...academically, athletically, culturally. We're just beginning to hit our stride. There has to be a better way to communicate that with prospective students.

I'm sure it'll take a while to work through the process of identifying our persona or identity as a marketing plan. What is our core identity and market it as such. I agree idea fusion is fairly bland.

Posted from mobile device. Hopefully it's coherent.

Maybe they can sub-contract the I'm Shmacked folks. That seemed to generate a lot more interest than Idea Fusion ever did.

(05-25-2017 08:46 AM)cmett003 Wrote:  I really hope they take that "Idea Fusion" crap out of every logo we put out there

I agree !! We need a new slogan and a new campaign that builds pride in the University. I am worried that giving to the University is now down to about 5% of graduates. That speaks volumes about the lack of pride and support for the University that has provided so much opportunity to many.

(05-25-2017 09:40 AM)Mr.BigBlue Wrote:  

(05-25-2017 08:46 AM)cmett003 Wrote:  I really hope they take that "Idea Fusion" crap out of every logo we put out there

I agree !! We need a new slogan and a new campaign that builds pride in the University. I am worried that giving to the University is now down to about 5% of graduates. That speaks volumes about the lack of pride and support for the University that has provided so much opportunity to many.

Pretty sure that's well within the normal range for most institutions. We can and should do better but it's statistically normal.

Excellent news. As a person who works in collegiate marketing, I can say that their partner 160/90 is one of the best in the field for this sort of thing. I am very encouraged by the fact they are involved. I hope they take the bulk of the work, and we are just signing with the Richmond firm because they were encouraged to go with a Virginia based company. If ODU actually lets them do their job and puts some serious money into this it could have a tremendous return. I'm excited to see what they come up with.

(05-25-2017 09:40 AM)Mr.BigBlue Wrote:  

(05-25-2017 08:46 AM)cmett003 Wrote:  I really hope they take that "Idea Fusion" crap out of every logo we put out there

I agree !! We need a new slogan and a new campaign that builds pride in the University. I am worried that giving to the University is now down to about 5% of graduates. That speaks volumes about the lack of pride and support for the University that has provided so much opportunity to many.

You have to start a culture of giving while people are still students. Make them aware of how current donors are enhancing their experience, so they feel a need to reciprocate later. At the university I work at we have a specific campaign to shift the mindset of our seniors into that of an engaged and giving alumnus. That happens 5 months before graduation. The senior class of each school even gets together to make a gift to the school. Sometimes physical, sometimes monetary. Its great because it starts a pattern of giving with them and each year tries to outdo the previous ones.