Strategic Rebrand

We will take a fresh look at our branding, ensuring our message is clear and recognizable to prospective credit, adult education, and continuing education students, as well as current students, alumni, partners, and community members across the city.

City Colleges is working with Simple Truth and their partner C+R research on this rebranding project.

Our strategic rebrand consists of three phases:

Phase 1: Research

The research phase is where we find out what we know and what we need to know. We will start by reviewing current research and conducting new research to fill in any gaps. We will then provide a summary report of all findings that will describe CCC’s current brand position and brand reputation, and make recommendations for future brand positioning.

Key Steps:

  • Steering Committee creation
  • Kick-off meetings
  • Internal research and research review
  • External research and research review
  • Interviews with stakeholders – both within the City Colleges community and in the wider Chicago community
  • Discovery workshops
  • Additional stakeholder surveys
  • Synthesis report of findings and recommendations of proposed future brand positioning

Phase 2: Strategy

The goal of this phase is to align on a single future brand position, guided by the research and achieved through a series of collaborative meetings. Decisions during this process will be funneled through a steering committee of faculty, staff, students, community stakeholders, and leadership.

Key Steps:

  • Audit of CCC’s internal research
  • Competitive review of CCC’s top 15 competitors
  • Discovery workshops and stakeholder interviews with all seven colleges
  • Online surveys for additional constituents

Phase 3: Creative

Using the findings from our research and brand position decisions made during the strategy phase, we will develop the brand’s visual character and tone of voice. During this phase, we will also create and market test three distinct advertising campaigns that will generate awareness of CCC and connect with prospective students.

Key Steps:

  • Develop a visual identity system that will define visual elements (color, typography, photography, etc.) and brand voice
  • Market test visual identity system concepts
  • Define brand guidelines for new positioning and approved brand elements

Estimated Timeline and Activities

To get involved by sharing your ideas, taking surveys, and more, please click here.