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

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