Fuseideas Launches New Branding Initiative for Virginia Commonwealth University

Fuseideas Launches New Branding Initiative for 

Virginia Commonwealth University

“Make it real” campaign aims to encourage national awareness of VCU

WINCHESTER, MA – August 27, 2012 – Fuseideas, a premier full-service advertising and interactive agency, launched a new branding initiative for Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) centered around the message “Make it real.” The campaign was unveiled last week, including the launch of www.makeitreal.vcu.edu.

The integrated marketing campaign aims to convey VCU’s status regionally and as one of the nation’s premier urban research universities.

“The campaign highlights our unique strengths as a nationally competitive university – our rich diversity of people, ideas and programs along with our connection to a vibrant urban environment that inspire powerful creativity, innovations, experiences and opportunities,” said VCU President Michael Rao in a statement.

"Make it real" highlights VCU’s academics and culture through new print and online advertising, photography, design templates and messaging. The phrase was developed after extensive research conducted with students, faculty, staff and alumni. Creative elements of the “Make it real" campaign balance academic rigor with the possibilities VCU creates for its students and its local and global communities.

“Our researchers find solutions to real problems. Our scholars discover knowledge that leads to real breakthroughs. Our artists create real beauty. Our students undergo real transformation. In so many ways --in a diverse and vibrant setting-- we “Make it real” every day,” said President Rao.

The "Make it real" campaign will showcase student, alumni and faculty stories, in part with the help of a current online contest through Facebook asking the VCU community to share how the school has helped them “Make it real.”

“VCU is an exceptional institution, with extensive opportunities in research, academics, arts and more that are all enhanced by the urban environment in which it lives,” said Dennis Franczak, President and CEO of Fuseideas. “It was paramount for a larger audience to understand the school's offerings and stature, and we have been thrilled to work on a campaign that communicates these messages.  We are proud to make it real with VCU!”

“Make it real” follows the redesign of the university seal, which Fuseideas also completed for VCU. The new seal, incorporated into the official brandmark, was unveiled in July and reflects the school’s rich history.

Learn more about the VCU brand and see how "Make it real" is brought to life at www.makeitreal.vcu.edu.


About VCU and VCU Medical Center
Virginia Commonwealth University is a major, urban public research university with national and international rankings in sponsored research. Located in downtown Richmond, VCU enrolls more than 31,000 students in 222 degree and certificate programs in the arts, sciences and humanities. Sixty-six of the programs are unique in Virginia, many of them crossing the disciplines of VCU’s 13 schools and one college. MCV Hospitals and the health sciences schools of Virginia Commonwealth University compose the VCU Medical Center, one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers. For more, see www.vcu.edu.

About Fuseideas
Fuseideas, headquartered in Winchester, MA, is an interactive marketing and integrated advertising agency focused on engagement infused with breakthrough creative, technology and analytics. With billings of $50MM, the international full-service evolved agency has offices in Boston, Atlanta, Portland (Maine) and Prague. Fuseideas’ client experience includes Adidas, Comcast, Bermuda Department of Tourism, ESPN, Massachusetts State Lottery, Massport, HBO Latin America and Fox Cable Networks. More information and work examples can be found at www.fuseideas.com. Connect with Fuseideas on Facebook and Twitter.

Contacts:
Sarah Taylor, Public Relations Assistant, 617-776-5800 / staylor@fuseideas.com

# # #

Bermuda Department of Tourism Launches New Branding Strategy

BERMUDA DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF A NEW BRANDING STRATEGY

Multi-Media Campaign Spreads Message That 
Bermuda is “So Much More”

            HAMILTON, BERMUDA, August 23, 2012 – For those consumers who think that Bermuda is just pink sand beaches and turquoise waters, the Bermuda Department of Tourism (BDOT) is introducing a new branding campaign designed to spread the message that the island is as all that, plus “So Much More.”  

            The new, $4.8 million, multi-media campaign unveiled on August 17 was developed by BDOT in conjunction with its new North American advertising agency Fuseideas.  Highlighted by a new logo featuring the slogan “Bermuda – So Much More”, the campaign is the culmination of months of research and, according to Minister of Business Development and Tourism, The Hon. Wayne L. Furbert, JP, MP, is a reflection of the direction laid out by the recently introduced National Tourism Master Plan.

            “The National Tourism Master Plan helped provide a roadmap for our strategic path on this campaign,” said Furbert. “Not only will it help define the consumer’s vision of the destination, but will be a key component in our effort to re-energize the entire tourism industry.”

             Furbert continued, “The ‘Bermuda - So Much More’ campaign will communicate in a fresh and exciting way that Bermuda offers not only a breathtaking island with natural beauty, but also a nearby, culturally rich, history-infused escape with a variety of things to see, do and enjoy in all seasons, 12 months of the year.”

            The campaign will promote Bermuda’s key tourism segments as identified in the National Tourism Master Plan, including: Leisure & Entertainment, Beach, Eco & Nature, Cultural, Sports & Golf, Nautical, Cruise, Business Travel, and Meetings and Incentive groups. 

            Finally, the campaign will encourage visitation to all of the island, including the destination “hubs” identified in the National Tourism Master Plan, that include: St. George’s World Heritage Site & St. David’s Island, The City of Hamilton, South Shore Area, Royal Navy Dockyard and Offshore.

             Chairman of the Bermuda Tourism Board, The Hon. Maxwell Burgess, JP, noted that the process undertaken to develop the campaign was done with the goal to develop an iconic and lasting brand for Bermuda.

             “This is an extremely well thought-out campaign based on consumer profiling that helped us gain a deeper understanding of the Bermuda customer than ever before,” said Burgess. “We were able to fully define target segments for Bermuda’s best customer prospects and develop a campaign that is based on research and concept testing with representative consumers in our core geographic markets.”

According to Cindy Hale, President and Chief Creative Officer at Fuseideas, one of the most crucial groups in developing the campaign was the Bermudian people themselves.

              “The idea behind ‘So Much More’ ultimately came from the citizens of Bermuda,” said Hale. “Speaking to those involved on the front lines of the tourism industry – taxi drivers, hotel clerks, waiters and others, and conducting formal and non-formal interviews led us to understand there was a strong desire among Bermudians to tell a greater story about their home.”

               Hale described the thought behind “So Much More” as going beyond simply more to see and do, but describing the quintessential experience that defines Bermuda.

              “We think of it as the serendipitous moments that people experience here when interacting with Bermudians,” said Hale. “It’s the taxi driver who goes out of his way to show a visitor his favorite spot for great fish chowder, or the person on the street who stops to help a visitor find their way. These are the human moments and experiences that happen so frequently here and are what helps make this such an incredible destination with so much more to offer.”

              The local Bermudian flavor extended throughout the creative process as well with Bermudian actors and models utilized for the majority of images in the campaign.  Minister Furbert noted with excitement that “Bermuda is Another World”, one of the most iconic and beloved of all Bermudian songs, will be utilized to help tell the island’s story.

            “We are thrilled to incorporate ‘Bermuda is Another World’ into our campaign,” said Furbert. “This song is not only beloved here in Bermuda but does a better job than any other in describing the magic and beauty that is our island.”

            The song is getting an updated rendition that Furbert described as, “classic with a modern twist” using the voices of contemporary Bermudian singing stars Collie Buddz and Twanee Butterfield.

The “Bermuda – So Much More” campaign will utilize a diverse media mix, with an emphasis on television, print and online as well as radio and out-of-home in the U.S., Canada and Europe. The brand launch will also be completely integrated within all social media channels.

            Beyond advertising, the new brand launch also includes a refresh of Bermuda Tourism’s websites, direct marketing via an E-Newsletter and Email blasts, new and updated collateral, and integration into public relations messaging.

            “This new campaign marks the beginning of a new day for Bermuda tourism,” said Furbert.  “It is a day which will bring new demand for our destination, build national pride in what we have to offer, deliver impactful results and, of course, so much more.”

  

About Bermuda

Just under two hours from East Coast gateway cities, Bermuda stretches for 21 miles along turquoise waters and is surrounded by a 200-square-mile coral reef plateau. The destination’s accommodations range from luxury resorts to intimate guest cottages and family-run inns, all incorporating the sophistication and hospitality unique to the Bermuda experience. The island includes more than 150 restaurants to fit any traveler’s budget, from simple and inexpensive to elegant and special dining. Bermuda’s diverse activities offer an array of vacation options all year round, including more wreck dives than anywhere else in the world, more golf per square mile than anywhere else in the world, world-renowned deep sea fishing, world-class spas and smooth pink beaches.

About Fuseideas

Fuseideas, headquartered in Winchester, MA, is an interactive marketing and integrated advertising agency focused on engagement infused with breakthrough creative, technology and analytics. With billings of $50MM, the international full-service evolved agency has offices in Boston, Atlanta, Portland (Maine) and Prague. Fuseideas’ client experience includes Adidas, Comcast, Bermuda Department of Tourism, ESPN, Massachusetts State Lottery, Massport, HBO Latin America and Fox Cable Networks. More information and work examples can be found at www.fuseideas.com. Connect with Fuseideas on Facebook and Twitter.

Contacts:

Terence Gallagher / Christa Romano                                              

Lou Hammond & Associates                                                

Tel: (212) 308-8880; Fax: (212) 891-0200                           

E-mail: terryg@lhammond.com / christar@lhammond.com        

   

Sarah Taylor

Fuseideas

Tel: (617) 776-5800

E-mail: staylor@fuseideas.com

# # #
Get up-to-date information from Bermuda on Facebook and Twitter.