Background
In 2004, the University of North Texas System Board of Regents charged the Division of University Relations, Communications and Marketing (URCM) with responsibility for the development, implementation and leadership of UNT's new institutional identity or brand. The brand identity comprises two major elements - graphics and words that define our university.
The development of the new brand identity involved many university constituencies through its Graphic Design Team, Design Review Committee, Branding Messages Committee and online engagement.
UNT's new graphic identity program contains primary and secondary academic and spirit marks and restores the university's traditional colors - green and white. The brand identity also includes a university tagline, "Discover the power of ideas"; pride lines; and a UNT summary containing key messages. During the development process, a graphic identity program also was created for the UNT System.
UNT launched its new brand identity with fanfare and more than 1,000 participants on April 27, 2005. While led by URCM, branding is a university-wide and long-term endeavor. The university is now engaged in a multi-year effort to implement the new marks and words.
The extent to which the university can implement its branding program is contingent on both the level of resources the institution commits to the effort and the collaboration and compliance of its members. Accordingly, the following Institutional Brand Identity Policy, which makes the obligation of compliance clear, will replace the current Publications Policy 7.1.
With this policy, all university units are bound to the new graphic standards and words, as outlined in this UNT System Brand Identity Guide.
In addition, even though URCM is charged with brand leadership and enforcement, many other University constituents will be involved in collaborative brand management through a Graphic Identity Committee. The committee will promote use of the graphics and user training. Others will collaborate on the promotion of UNT's institutional identity and reputation, training and the effective use of resources through the Marketing and Public Relations Committee.