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.
