Brand Architecture
Created via consultation with Educational Marketing Group, Ltd.
Brand architecture refers to how an organization structures and names the brands within its portfolio. Read information about consortia and external partners.
Core Brand: Illinois
Notes
- The singular idea you’d like to own in the hearts and minds of your audience.
- The consistent expression of the brand promise.
- Aimed at the most important core audience.
- Must have the same voice, tone, and visual identity.
Sub-brands
- Athletics
- Extension
Notes
- Typically are athletics and alumni organizations.
- Have their own distinct personalities, but are linked to the core brand and bring something of value to the core brand.
- Core values are the same as the core brand.
- Target audience is the same as the core brand.
- More expensive to build and maintain than the core brand.
- Organization and university best served by using their own logo.
Independent Brands
- Allerton Park and Retreat Center
- Assembly Hall
- Furnetic
- Illini Union Tech Zone (formerly Illini Union Flash Drive)
- Illinois Fire Service Institute
- Krannert Center for the Performing Arts; Sinfonia Da Camera
- National Center for Supercomputing Applications
- National Soybean Research Laboratory
- Police Training Institute
- Prairie Research Institute
- University Laboratory High School
- University of Illinois Police
- University Primary School
- WILL AM-FM-TV
- Willard Airport
Notes
- Represent a departure from the core brand.
- Product or service different from the core brand.
- Target audience different from the core brand.
- Most expensive to maintain.
- Organization and campus best served by using their own logo.
- Relationship between independent brands and core brand shown with the I Mark and campus logos.
- Campus enterprises run by students for educational purposes related to how to manage and operate a business, including advertising, marketing, and branding, should use an independent brand. Examples: Bevier Cafe, Spice Box, UI-7 Cable TV, WBML Radio.
