York Technical College is more than a place to earn a degree; it’s a gateway to forging careers and building relationships. Proudly serving the tri-county area of Lancaster, Chester, and York, this 2-year institution in York, South Carolina is known for their high job placement rate after graduation. York Tech stands as a beacon of opportunity, welcoming students of all ages and backgrounds to pursue their ambitions in an environment that feels like home.

Facing increased competition due to dwindling student numbers, York Tech needed a memorable brand to stand out. After more than a year of building a relationship with the College, our team provided the College with comprehensive brand services, including a brand platform, brand campaign, 60th anniversary campaign, and detailed brand guidelines. The result is a powerful identity that resonates with students, their families, and the broader community.

University of South Carolina Upstate (USC Upstate) approached our team with the goal of redesigning their website, driven by a recent brand redevelopment. They sought to quickly integrate their new brand into a web expression that was not only functional, but also aligned with their focus on the incoming student experience. This project demanded a swift turnaround, highlighting the urgency and importance of the redesign project.

Our team delivered a comprehensive suite of services to USC Upstate, including:

• Web Accessibility
• UX/UI Design
• Web Redesign
• Web Development
• Site Architecture

Hardin-Simmons University needed alignment. Struggling with conflicting internal and external perceptions as well as trying to stand out in a market saturated with competitors, its team came to us looking to clarify what made Hardin-Simmons unique.

The Goal:

Increase enrollment by…

• Differentiating Hardin-Simmons from the other private liberal arts colleges in Texas
• Creating more awareness in the metropolitan areas of Texas
• Making a splash with Hardin-Simmons’ unique attributes and distinctiveness

The Challenge:

Get the outside world to see Hardin-Simmons the way its faculty, staff, and students do.

The Opportunity:

Give Hardin-Simmons the courage and confidence to lean into its cowboy spirit.

Athens State University has never wavered in its mission to meet Alabama’s diverse student population – no matter the need – with an affordable education. Not only is it the oldest public institution of higher education in the state, but it’s also one of 10 Upper-Division Universities in the country – a mission that is as critical as it is unique. Yet, what make Athens State University undeniably unique is ultimately what makes its story harder to tell.

Athens State University wasn’t immune to the impending demographic cliff. However, unlike most public institutions, Athens State’s unique mission placed it at the center of multiple emerging market threats. Not only was the institution facing these new market realities, Athens State lacked a consistent brand which led to uncertainty around the institution’s true value.  

Athens State needed clarity around its truly unique position in the market to ensure that it continued to sustain its mission and its goals for enrollment growth. To bring that clarity, it needed a compelling brand strategy–one that would help the community and state understand what Athens State does now and will continue to do in the future.

Presbyterian College, a Christian liberal arts institution nestled in Clinton, SC, recently underwent significant changes, including new leadership and a strategic plan roll-out positioning the school as “America’s Innovative Service College.”

Recognizing the need to authentically reflect its core values of community service, support, and growth, PC aimed to overhaul its brand perception to align with its strategic plan. The marketing team partnered with GMB to create a refreshed brand strategy, platform, and an awareness campaign that captured the entire essence of Presbyterian College.

The Goal:

Create buzz and excitement for Presbyterian College and its new strategic plan while creating a brand platform that resonates with all stakeholders by…

• Defining PC through the modern lens of “America’s Innovative Service College”
• Activating the brand so that it tells the story of how PC was founded on  service in an authentic, compelling way
• Equipping PC’s admissions team with updated brand guidelines and assets to help them generate awareness and engagement with PC’s various target audiences

The Challenge:

Staying true to PC’s core values while balancing varying perspectives within PC’s community as we clarified what it means to be “America’s Innovative Service College”

The Opportunity:

Embracing PC’s traditions, defining what it means to be a “Blue Hose”, and emphasizing its commitment to innovation and service through real student and faculty stories.

The Baptist University of Florida (BUF) faced a lot of change over the last few years. Between new leadership, expanding locations, and transitioning from a college to a university, the institution realized an opportunity to align its brand with its bright new direction. The marketing team reached out to Up&Up, a GMB Brand, to assist the school with creating a refreshed brand and cohesive messaging strategy that reflects what the Baptist University of Florida is now and what it aspires to be.

The Goal

Position BUF as THE Baptist University of Florida by…

• Breaking down barriers of what it means to go to a Christian College, setting the expectation that it offers more options than a pathway to the seminary  
• Establishing a distinct brand identity that reflects the Baptist University of Florida’s mission to spread God’s Word through education and supporting students in pursuing their highest purpose 
• Emphasizing how the Baptist University of Florida is a right fit for students who are looking to evangelize in everything they do

The Challenge

Remaining true to The Baptist University of Florida’s history and Biblical foundation while simultaneously battling the false perception that it only accepts Baptist students who are looking for a stepping stone to seminary life

The Opportunity

Christian homeschooling has skyrocketed since the pandemic due to its perceived safety and higher academic standards. Parents and students are now searching for higher education alternatives like the Baptist University of Florida that integrate academic and social activities in settings that prioritize both moral and spiritual advancement. By embracing the University’s religious background, we could connect deeply with an audience seeking an experience exactly like the one the Baptist University of Florida provides.