Brand team

Our core role in Brand Management is ensuring the University’s brand identity and IP is correctly understood and embedded across the institution.

We are responsible for the strategic development and management of the University’s brand identity and IP. Ensuring the university vision and mission is interpreted and we build a strong brand positioning, identity and recognition, across all stakeholder groups and wider audiences.

We work with colleagues from across the University to develop brand understanding to ensure the University brand is represented accurately, appropriately and is consistently communicated, elevating perceptions and constantly building upon our reputation.

More than just a logo…

Our brand identity encompasses:

• Our proposition, positioning and values – this is our promise and offer, providing clarity to our stakeholders (audiences) on our differentiation in a sea of universities and why choose Essex.
• Our personality – through our tone of voice, writing style, language we use, stories we tell and our visual style in all forms of content - physical materials, built environment, marketing and communications, photography and video style, and digital presence.
• Our perception and reputation – what we become associated with and known for as a University. Everything we design, say, do, and the experience we provide influences our audiences perception of us as a University.

Our branding doesn’t just apply to our marketing and communications, it applies to everything we do under the banner of the University of Essex. It’s the stories we tell, the voice we use, our style and personality, the experience we offer.

Our University brand never stands still it evolves and develops to meet the changing times and promote itself to the next generation of students, staff, businesses, partners, investors and the wider community – locally, regionally, and globally.

Management of our brand IP

We have a one University policy which governs the University’s approach to its physical and online presence and its representation in communications to all stakeholders (audiences). This policy has the aim of ensuring that all communications – print, digital, and physical environment (including event materials, websites and social media), reflect and reinforce the University’s reputation and brand identity.

The University, as the parent institution, is the legal entity with oversight for all activities, and the registered body with the regulator, the Office for Students, has ultimate responsibility for, and authority over, the public presentation and representation of any corporate matters which refer to the University, with reference to the University’s strategic risks.

Our name and logo are trademarked to protect our IP from misuse.

We reserve the use of the University of Essex brand (name and logo) for University activities only. We have a responsibility to ensure that:

• our brand is used only on those activities for which the University as an institution is accountable.
• our brand is never used in a manner that implies University endorsement of or responsibility for an external organisation, business, product, activity, event or idea. This maintains our commitment to impartiality.
• activities the University is associated with uphold the standards aligned with our educational and research mission.

How our team can support you

Our latest brand guidance for staff is available on our brand guidelines pages.

• we have a range of branded templates available for University staff to use, which include our logo. These are not intended to be shared with, or used by, partners or students.
• if you are requesting our University logo please complete our logo request form.
• for design and visual style queries: design@essex.ac.uk.
• for brand identity and our one University approach to our physical and online presence contact the Head of Brand Management.
• for tone of voice or using our identity in narratives (e.g. boilerplate text, manifesto) contact the Head of Brand Management.
• for partnership contracts and use of our brand IP contact the Head of Brand Management.
• to discuss campus branding for departments or services contact Head of Brand Management.