Wednesday, July 17, 2013
UNO Athletics Unveils New Logo, New Branding
Over the last nine days, fans of the New Orleans Privateers have been able to 'Piece
Together the Privateer' through a social media campaign based on the program's Facebook
page.
Wednesday's final piece completed the puzzle and brought with it, the formal unveiling
of the University's primary athletic mark.
"Our logo is the primary visual aspect of our brand; which, along with our Southland
Conference affiliation, institutional mission and championship culture, is an extension
of our athletics identity," said Director of Athletics Derek Morel. "We are focused
on building a brand which is representative of our university, our students, our alumni
and our great city."
"It is certainly an objective to introduce a logo which will create awareness and
foster interest in the University of New Orleans and Privateer Athletics. We are
excited for this next phase in the renaissance of Privateer Athletics and confident
this 'new look' along with our 'new league' will create lift for our brand and help
raise the profile of our program and the University of New Orleans."
Designed by Joe Bosack & Co., an experienced marketing agency noted for its ability
to deliver unique, enduring and compelling brand identities for its clients, the new
Privateer is the most aggressive-looking version of the logo in the school's history.
The final product presented on Wednesday comes from several months of focus groups
held on campus that included UNO athletic administrators, coaches, student-athletes,
as well as campus admissions representative, faculty, staff, campus marketing team
members and alumni.
The logo reflects recommendations made by these groups which strongly urged Bosack
& Co. to present an athletic mark that strongly ties into the city and the popular
fleur de lis, while also removing the color red.
In addition to the launch of the logo, UNOPrivateers.com is once again home to an
online store allowing fans from across the globe to have access to the largest catalog
of UNO products to date.
The University partnered with Fanatics Retail Group in creating the online store which
will sell officially-licensed Privateer gear. Fanatics Retail Group emerged from
the consolidation of TeamFanShop and Dreams Retails in 2012 and currently maintains
official online stores for numerous Division I programs including Alabama, Florida,
LSU and Texas, in addition to Southland Conference rival Stephen F. Austin.
Over the next several months, the logo and the associated wordmarks will become integrated
across the athletic department and with the assistance of the University administration,
become part of the institution's marketing and promotional materials.
Members of the UNO community are encouraged to attend a 'Privateer Renaissance Celebration'
on Wednesday night at the Warehouse Grille (869 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130).
The event will serve as an opportunity to celebrate the new look of the athletic department,
as well as the University's admission into the Southland Conference. Fans will also
get a chance to meet & greet with UNO head baseball coach Ron Maestri and other members
of the Privateer athletic department.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
"We're very excited about the new branding initiatives for UNO athletics as the program
enters the Southland Conference in 2013-14. The primary logo and affiliated marks
are bold and fresh, and will help represent a great future for the Privateers in the
Southland and NCAA Division I athletics." – Tom Burnett, Southland Conference Commissioner
"The new athletic marks symbolize the continued renaissance of Privateer Athletics.
As we are focused on the future course of the University, the new Privateer logo is
a part of the new edition of the University of New Orleans story." – Dr. Peter J. Fos, University of New Orleans President
"Our logo is the primary visual aspect of our brand; which, along with our Southland
Conference affiliation, institutional mission and championship culture, is an extension
of our athletics identity. We are focused on building a brand which is representative
of our university, our students, our alumni and our great city. It is certainly an
objective to introduce a logo which will create awareness and foster interest in the
University of New Orleans and Privateer Athletics. We are excited for this next phase
in the renaissance of Privateer Athletics and confident this 'new look' along with
our 'new league' will create lift for our brand and help raise the profile of our
program and the University of New Orleans." – Derek Morel, University of New Orleans Director of Athletics
"We are very excited about the new logo and branding that this logo will bring to
our basketball program, the department and University. It will represent the sweeping
changes going on in the department and at the University, as well as the continued
renaissance of UNO Athletics. – Mark Slessinger, men's basketball head coach
"I could not be more excited! As an alum, I have not seen this much excitement around
the University in a long time. The addition of the new logo is just another step in
the right direction and it fits in line with everything else that Dr. Fos and Derek
(Morel) have in their vision for the University and athletic department," – Keeshawn Carter, head women's basketball coach and former student-athlete
"I am super excited about the logo and all the changes happening here at the University.
I think the new logo is going to be a great move for our program and a decision that
so many of us had a part in. When you look at the logo, you get a feeling that this
is going to be the stamp on our University for a long time." – Nicky Valenti, assistant volleyball coach and former student-athlete.
"The new logo is another example of UNO's commitment to the future, all the while
preserving its ties to our rich Louisiana history." – Max Banchy, men's basketball, senior, guard
"It is a new start, a new logo. As a team and a University, we are pushing forward
and this aggressive Privateer is the perfect fit for us." – Amber Clay, women's basketball, senior forward.