Alumni Retail Focus Group

[California Cajun]

So what part of this thread makes you think anyone here could help a FOCUS group? lol

The 900 pound gorilla in the room is the rejection of @LAFAYETTE and the branding of LOUISIANA. They need to give people what they want.

I see some absurd interpretations of UL apparel in stores, most notably discount stores, including mustard yellow shirts.

Sales are probably bad and they need to provide people things they are likely to buy and want to associate themselves with.

[wcd35]

Focus, people!!! Focus on the subject of the thread. Open another mascot thread if necessary.

[Turbine]

There needs to be as many brands as possible that all point to UL. Louisiana, UL, Ragin' Cajuns, Geaux-Cajuns, LAdy Cajuns, Cajun Country, even the pepper focused logo on a line of clothing.

Give fans as many reasons to buy apparel as you can think of. One brand focus and the wardrobe is done then the income stops.

Build a brand around the school color, I read an article on UT yesterday that only referred to them as "Burnt Orange" I think it said something like "Breaking down the Burnt Orange"

Not just plain red "Vermilion Red"

[anhil8tor]

and how many from this site is in the focus group?

[Just1More]

There needs to be as many brands as possible that all point to UL. Louisiana, UL, Ragin' Cajuns, Geaux-Cajuns, LAdy Cajuns, Cajun Country, even the pepper focused logo on a line of clothing.

Give fans as many reasons to buy apparel as you can think of. One brand focus and the wardrobe is done then the income stops.

Build a brand around the school color, I read an article on UT yesterday that only referred to them as "Burnt Orange" I think it said something like "Breaking down the Burnt Orange"

Not just plain red "Vermilion Red"

Turbine, there is usually only a small number of "brands" associated with a single entity. The idea of mixing your "branding" in with a multitude of apparel concepts is another thing altogether. You can use catchy slogans at various times to push product. But, you never want a mess of crazy things to become "your brand". In general, the most successful and well-known "brands" keep it very simple.

[CajunFan3406]

and how many from this site is in the focus group?

Not me. I can't make the 6 p.m. start time.

[Turbine]

Turbine, there is usually only a small number of "brands" associated with a single entity. The idea of mixing your "branding" in with a multitude of apparel concepts is another thing altogether. You can use catchy slogans at various times to push product. But, you never want a mess of crazy things to become "your brand". In general, the most successful and well-known "brands" keep it very simple.

I believe multi branding sears the brain, in a good way. Flavor! I favor a “brand community” to create overall brand loyalty.

You start with the corporate brand followed by (in order) the umbrella brand, the family brand, individual or personal branding, and what I think you are referring to aspirational/inspirational branding and even a generic brand.

For a University keeping brand engagement through almost twenty different sports can be quite a task especially when you want part of the stage for 365 days a year.

Always with a focus on brand implementation, brand orientation, and of course branding faith.

Winning and graduating are keys to building branding faith and starts with student orientation.

You want your branding in reverse order to point towards the corporate brand while in some way shape or form going through the branding steps.

Examples of generic branding are the “I Love UL” hand sign. The term “Vermilion Red” and clothing to match as well as (to an extent) just the word Cajuns although Cajuns is also the family brand.

The examples of inspirational/aspirational branding can be as limitless as your imagination and should change every year and even every sport.

The individual branding is probably one of the easiest parts of branding since at a minimum all you have to do is splash the name (type) of the sport around.
As mentioned Cajuns is a family brand and so is LAdy Cajuns

The Umbrella brand is Ragin’ Cajuns.

The Corporate brand is University of Louisiana.

All in all "very simple"

jmo