Research Strategies for Building University Brand · 2009. 7. 14. · Key Drivers of Brand...

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Research Strategies for

Building University BrandBuilding University Brand

UK Institutional Research

Conference

July 2009

Rationale for Committing to

Brand Development in Brand Development in

Higher Education

Aspects of a Strong Brand

� A name that has become a recognized carrier of authentic expectations and promises.

– Products, people, universities.

� A set of stated or implied promises and expectations that accrue to all who will expectations that accrue to all who will “experience” an organization or its offerings.

� A cornerstone upon which to inspire confidence, cohesion, and community.

� A portfolio of valuable assets to be managed.

� Everything that defines a university’s offerings and distinguishes it from competitors.

Some level of acceptable internal

identity is needed before a

university can successfully market a university can successfully market a

brand image externally.

People want to be asked what

they think. Doing so reminds them

of what makes their university

special. special.

They also need to know their views

were actually heard and had some

impact on building brand.

Cognitive and Affective Domains

= ACTION

Building a Sense of Identity

Provost

Schools/Deans

Departments,

Centers, Programs

Admissions and Financial Aid

PresidentCampus

Programs

Admissions and Financial Aid

Student LifeUniversity

Identity

Capital

Projects and

Planning

Trustees

Translating Identity into

Branding Strategy

Prospective

Students

MarketingUniversity Identity Parents

Other

Stakeholders

Benefits of a Strong Brand

� Builds demand, leading to higher enrollment of students well matched with the university.

� Fosters closer, ongoing relationships with key constituencies, resulting in higher student retention, alumni engagement/support.

� Commands a higher price based on higher perceived� Commands a higher price based on higher perceivedvalue.

� Creates focus and clarity; differentiates and positively positions the university among competitors.

� Weathers changing conditions and crises.

� Guides more targeted, consistent, and cost effective communications.

Tools for Implementing Tools for Implementing

Research-Based

Brand Development

Proof

Points

Visual Identity

System

Key

AttributesPRISM

Marketing/

Communications

Plan

Key Drivers of Brand Development

Internal Research

Positive

Positioning

Attributes

Credible

Promises

Core

Capabilities

PRISM

Message

System

Competitive

Analysis

© Maguire Associates, Inc.

External Research

Who We AreMission, Vision, Values

Proof

Points

Visual Identity

System

Key

AttributesPRISM

Marketing/

Communications

Plan

Internal Research

Who We Are –A reaffirmation of the university’s mission

Key Drivers of Brand Development

© Maguire Associates, Inc.

Positive

Positioning

Attributes

Credible

Promises

Core

Capabilities

PRISM

Message

System

Competitive

Analysis

External Research

Who We AreMission, Vision, Values

university’s mission and values; and an updating of the vision

for the future – the key drivers for authentic branding.

Proof

Points

Visual Identity

System

Key

AttributesPRISM

Marketing/

Communications

Plan

Internal Research

Role of Research –How key constituencies

Key Drivers of Brand Development

© Maguire Associates, Inc.

Positive

Positioning

Attributes

Credible

Promises

Core

Capabilities

PRISM

Message

System

Competitive

Analysis

External Research

Who We AreMission, Vision, Values

constituencies perceive the university and its offerings balances how the university perceives itself – and

identifies critical gaps.

Proof

Points

Visual Identity

System

Key

AttributesPRISM

Marketing/

Communications

Plan

Internal Research

Key Attributes –Positive character and personality

Key Drivers of Brand Development

© Maguire Associates, Inc.

Positive

Positioning

Attributes

Credible

Promises

Core

Capabilities

PRISM

Message

System

Competitive

Analysis

External Research

Who We AreMission, Vision, Values

and personality traits authentic to the university.

Proof

Points

Visual Identity

System

Key

AttributesPRISM

Marketing/

Communications

Plan

Internal Research

Core Capabilities –Competencies that serve as the basis for

Key Drivers of Brand Development

© Maguire Associates, Inc.

Positive

Positioning

Attributes

Credible

Promises

Core

Capabilities

PRISM

Message

System

Competitive

Analysis

External Research

Who We AreMission, Vision, Values

serve as the basis for setting and delivering on expectations of the university’s key audiences.

Proof

Points

Visual Identity

System

Key

AttributesPRISM

Marketing/

Communications

Plan

Internal Research

Credible Promises –Those promises and created expectations

Key Drivers of Brand Development

© Maguire Associates, Inc.

Positive

Positioning

Attributes

Credible

Promises

Core

Capabilities

PRISM

Message

System

Competitive

Analysis

External Research

Who We AreMission, Vision, Values

created expectations that audiences can rely on and that differentiate you from other institutions.

Proof

Points

Visual Identity

System

Key

AttributesPRISM

Marketing/

Communications

Plan

Internal Research

Competitive Analysis – The process of

Key Drivers of Brand Development

© Maguire Associates, Inc.

Positive

Positioning

Attributes

Credible

Promises

Core

Capabilities

PRISM

Message

System

Competitive

Analysis

External Research

Who We AreMission, Vision, Values

process of benchmarking and assessing the university relative to current competitors and aspirant schools.

Proof

Points

Visual Identity

System

Key

AttributesPRISM

Marketing/

Communications

Plan

Internal Research

Positioning – A statement of how the university or its

Key Drivers of Brand Development

© Maguire Associates, Inc.

Positive

Positioning

Attributes

Credible

Promises

Core

Capabilities

PRISM

Message

System

Competitive

Analysis

External Research

Who We AreMission, Vision, Values

the university or its offerings are positively and uniquely situated within the universe of competitors.

Proof

Points

Visual Identity

System

Key

AttributesPRISM

Marketing/

Communications

Plan

Internal Research

Messaging System – A verbal identity system through

Key Drivers of Brand Development

© Maguire Associates, Inc.

Positive

Positioning

Attributes

Credible

Promises

Core

Capabilities

PRISM

Message

System

Competitive

Analysis

External Research

Who We AreMission, Vision, Values

system through which a set of key messages (and proof points) reinforces the brand and positioning of the School in all communications.

Proof

Points

Visual Identity

System

Key

AttributesPRISM

Marketing/

Communications

Plan

Internal Research

Proof Points – An accumulating set of quantitative and

Key Drivers of Brand Development

© Maguire Associates, Inc.

Positive

Positioning

Attributes

Credible

Promises

Core

Capabilities

PRISM

Message

System

Competitive

Analysis

External Research

Who We AreMission, Vision, Values

quantitative and qualitative outcomesthat validates your brand promises.

Proof

Points

Visual Identity

System

Key

AttributesPRISM

Marketing/

Communications

Plan

Internal Research

Visual Identity System – The graphic building

blocks (school seal,

Key Drivers of Brand Development

© Maguire Associates, Inc.

Positive

Positioning

Attributes

Credible

Promises

Core

Capabilities

PRISM

Message

System

Competitive

Analysis

External Research

Who We AreMission, Vision, Values

blocks (school seal, colors, typeface, imagery, writing style) that reinforces the brand and provide a consistent look and feel across all materials.

Proof

Points

Visual Identity

System

Key

AttributesPRISM

Marketing/

Communications

Plan

Internal Research

Marketing / Communications Plan – The planned, integrated mix of

Key Drivers of Brand Development

© Maguire Associates, Inc.

Positive

Positioning

Attributes

Credible

Promises

Core

Capabilities

PRISM

Message

System

Competitive

Analysis

External Research

Who We AreMission, Vision, Values

integrated print, digital, and interpersonal communications intended for various key audiences over time to motivate desired actions.

Brand Research ExamplesBrand Research Examples

Awareness & Familiarity Measures

� Unaided Awareness

– When you think of post-secondary, what university comes to mind first? What other colleges come to mind?

– Open-ended responses are coded.

� Aided Awareness

– Have you heard of [name of – Have you heard of [name of university]?

� Familiarity

– How familiar are you with [name of university]?

– Scale: (1) Not at All Familiar to (5) Extremely Familiar

– How much do you know about [university]?

– Scale: (1) Know Name Only to (5) Know Very Well

Brand Attitudes/Favorability

Att

itu

de

Prospective

Students

Positive

4

5

6

Att

itu

de

Negative0

1

2

3

4

2006 2007 2008 2009

College 1

College 2

College 3

College 4

Brand Associations

� Please rate the extent to which you associate the following word(s) or phrases with [university].

� “Selective,” “On the Rise,” “Friendly Atmosphere,”

Students ParentsFaculty &

Staff

Selective 4.21 4.30 3.90

Large 4.15 4.16 4.07

Well-Known 4.08 4.01 4.26

Top 3 Mean RatingsInternal Audiences

“Friendly Atmosphere,” “Large,” “Innovative,” “Expensive,” “Inclusive,” “Well-known,” “Elitist,” “Party School.”

� Scale: (1) Not at All to (5) Very Much

Expensive 3.87 4.23 4.12

ProspectsProspect Parents

Alumni

Large 3.87 3.77 3.93

Expensive 3.75 4.10 3.84

Elitist 3.62 3.68 3.22

Well-Known 3.23 3.45 4.05

Top 3 Mean Ratings

External Audiences

Satisfaction with Sample University

in Meeting Educational Goals

4.08

4.10

4.16

4.29

4.52

4.27

4.30

4.29

4.56

TO ADVANCE CAREER/OBTAIN A JOB PROMOTION

To learn about the latest research in the field of education

To improve performance as a professional

To pursue personal interests in the field

To obtain an advanced degree in the education field

3.64

3.75

3.92

3.98

4.20

3.45

3.81

3.69

3.96

4.08

3.73

1 2 3 4 5

To fulfill continuing education requirements

To develop new or existing research skills

To increase current/future salary

To obtain a professional certification/licensure

TO PREPARE FOR/MAKE A CAREER CHANGE

TO ADVANCE CAREER/OBTAIN A JOB PROMOTION

Scale: 1 = Not at All Satisfied to 5 = Extremely SatisfiedAs a Master's Student

As a Doctoral Student

Satisfaction with Alumni Activities

28.4%30%

40%

50%

Master’s Student Mean Rating = 3.80

Doctoral Student Mean Rating = 3.55

16.8%

8.9%

4.1%

14.9%

6.9%

20.1%

0%

10%

20%

1 = Not at All

Satisfied

2 3 4 5 6 7 =

Extremely

Satisfied

Other Key Brand Research Dimensions

� Price Premium– You indicated that your least preferred school is [school] and your most preferred

school is [university]. Would you be willing to pay [x% more] for [most preferred school] than for [least preferred university]?

� Feature Associations– To what extent do the following phrases apply to [university]?

– Examples include: prestigious reputation, high-quality teaching, safe campus.

� Distinctiveness� Distinctiveness– Which statement describes your feelings toward [university] relative to other

schools?

– Response options: genuinely different than all; genuinely different than most; basically same as most; basically same as all.

� Loyalty– Assuming similar price and that you are admitted, which university would you most

prefer to attend?

– Response options for a pre-selected competition set.

� Advocacy– Overall, how likely would you be to recommend [university] to a friend?

– Scale: (1) Definitely would not recommend (5) Definitely would recommend

“Give me the freedom of a tight “Give me the freedom of a tight strategy.”

Normal Berry

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