WAVE Magazine 2018 | Page 12

NEWS JACKSONVILLE ATHLETICS UNVEILS A BOLD NEW BRAND On August 28, 2018, Jacksonville Athletics unveiled a bold new brand, complete with new logos and word marks. The new identity will help strengthen the brand and attract national recognition. Fans in attendance at Historic Swisher Gymnasium heard from Senior Vice President and Athletic Director Alex Ricker-Gilbert and Senior Vice President for Marketing and Communications Scott Bacon as the curtain was literally and figuratively pulled back to reveal the all-new branding. "The time was right for a complete reimagining of our brand identity," said Ricker-Gilbert. "Within our department these NEWS past two years, our student-athletes have recorded the highest GPA in our history, captured eight championships and made ten national postseason appearances. We have also seen a dramatic increase in our fundraising support, sponsorships participation, and attendance at our games. This new brand will appropriately represent us on the national stage and reflect who we are as an institution." Over the last two years, the Athletic Department has teamed with Bosack & Co., whose leadership provides senior- level advertising, marketing, design and communications experience and relationships with advertising agencies, sports leagues and properties, colleges, conferences and broadcast partners. That partnership worked tirelessly to create the new brand identity that is intended to capture the essence of the Bold City, JU's campus, and its deep history. "This was such a rewarding process," said Bacon. "Countless people from our Jacksonville University family helped shape this new look. Thanks to this new identity, our student-athletes are perfectly positioned to help us enhance our brand perception and raise the profile of the University."