Chancellor Robert Jones has started a project intended to better define the brand of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and to better position the university to compete for the most talented students and faculty with our competitors. The next step in this project is to ask people like you to share their thoughts with us through a survey.
We understand you may have some questions about this process and hope you are able to find the answers to your questions using the information in our FAQ below.
Why are you doing this?
We are doing this because it is the next necessary step in building a strong and cohesive brand platform. The Edelman agency conducted qualitative research a few years ago that brought to light many helpful insights. The next step in the branding process is to validate those qualitative insights using quantitative survey research.
How is this related to past branding work?
This survey is being conducted to validate the brand research conducted by the Edelman agency a few years ago. Validating the qualitative research done by Edelman will give us even more clarity on what makes Illinois unique and how we can best engage our audiences. This will allow us to build on the previous work and establish a clear and distinct position for the university in higher education that reflects our excellence in learning, discovery, engagement and economic development.
How is this different from the One Logo project?
The One Logo project was specifically to move from using two logos (the Column I and the Block I) to the Block I as the exclusive logo for the university. It is an important step, but the logo represents a single component the larger brand project.
A brand is a communication platform that allows university communicators to share the Illinois story in a strong and unified voice. The brand platform establishes a clear and distinct position for the university in the higher education marketplace. It will inform marketing and communications going forward at the university, college, unit, and department level.
Who is conducting the survey?
Sandra Bauman of Bauman Research and Consulting
Who will see the results?
A final report of the survey results will be compiled by Bauman Research and Consulting and delivered to the university's Marketing Advisory Council. This will be an anonymous report of the survey results. This report will be shared broadly with the University of Illinois campus.
How will the results be used?
The results will guide the development of our brand platform: the clear and distinct position for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign within higher education that reflects our excellence in learning, discovery, engagement and economic development.
I have questions about the survey; who do I ask?
Call or email Associate Chancellor for Public Affairs Robin Kaler at 333-5010 or rkaler@illinois.edu.