CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. -- Austin Peay State University athletics unveiled its new visual identity series and brand marks at a press conference, Tuesday, in the Dunn Center.
The series, which includes an updated primary logo, focused heavily on a new Governor Peay logo along with a fresh word mark heightened by a contemporary font.
“Our brand is not just about the mark,” APSU Athletics Director Derek van der Merwe said. “It's about defining who we are first and foremost. But we also defined a strategic plan for how we are going to get there.
“We are very excited about our new visual identity. This is something that is important for the future of APSU athletics. These new marks strengthen the APSU brand and will factor in everything from marketing to recruiting.”
The press conference opened with APSU athletics utilizing its Dunn Center video boards for a short production that introduced the new athletics logos and emphasized APSU athletics core values…excellence, tradition, integrity, opportunity and community.
APSU President Tim Hall was the first to speak to the crowd. APSU's outgoing leader has supervised multiple nationally recognized academic initiatives and beamed about the athletics department's new brand initiative.
“No institution stays great by staying still,” Hall said. “You move forward or you decline.”
Hall was followed by van der Merwe, who emphasized APSU's “Culture of Excellence” and said the new assertive Governor Peay logo “does not represent a single person.It represents a campus that needs to rally behind an identity and be very proud of that identity.”
The current brand initiative began shortly after van der Merwe was named APSU athletics director in June 2013. APSU assembled a committee of university staff members, local businessmen and alumni to spearhead an effort to enhance the visual identity of APSU Athletics. Joe Bosack and Co., based out of Pottsville, Pa., was hired to create a look that represented the school's vision.
The company presented multiple initial concepts—six AP logos, seven Governor Peay logos and five word marks, which was narrowed to three finalists. At that point, APSU Athletics met with constituency groups including Governors Club members, campus leaders, students, student-athletes, coaches, staff, season-ticket holders and donors to seek feedback.
Some of those constituencies were represented at press conference end. Questions were directed to a panel of Jeff Bibb, BLF Marketing Managing Partner and APSU Athletics Hall of Fame director; Britney Campbell, Legends Bank vice-president of marketing and Governors Club president; Jada Stotts, a junior volleyball player and President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), and Chris Tablack, APSU student government senator.
APSU athletics gave away t-shirts with the new Governor Peay brand at the press conference. The Ann Ross Bookstore featured a display of new items, including a tailgate tent, at the press conference. After the press conference the bookstore was flooded with new merchandise seekers.
Meanwhile, merchandise featuring the new identity is expect to show up at area retailers during the summer. All university athletic squads will be outfitted with the new marks beginning in Fall 2014.
The complete rollout, including fields, courts and more, will take approximately four years to complete.
-AP-
