Amplifying Voices in Higher Education

The Challenge

Real Talk is a mission-driven podcast created in collaboration with Southern Connecticut State University’s office of DEI, dedicated to exploring higher education’s role in social justice. The podcast serves as a platform for authentic discussions on current events, student activism, and allyship. Recognizing the team’s passion and aspiration to create a positive impact, our mission was to refine their brand to authentically reflect their dedication and articulate their mission to diverse target audiences.

The Approach

Our approach was rooted in understanding the passion, purpose, and urgency behind Real Talk. From the start, it was clear that this wasn’t just a podcast—it was a platform for real change, built on the voices and experiences of those often unheard in academic spaces. We collaborated closely with the team to ensure the brand captured both the gravity of their conversations and the energy of student-led activism. This alignment informed every phase of our work, from strategy to design.

Key initiatives included:

Brand Discovery: We initiated an in-depth brand discovery phase to uncover the core values driving Real Talk and the motivations of the team.
Brand Identity Design: Immersing ourselves in the essence of the podcast, we crafted a contemporary and bold visual identity that resonates with the raw and powerful conversations that define Real Talk.
Messaging Development: We honed their brand messaging, creating a tagline—“Reimagining Social Justice in Higher Ed”—that succinctly encapsulates the podcast’s essence.

The Impact

Armed with a dynamic visual identity and compelling messaging, we designed a variety of marketing collateral, including captivating podcast covers, eye-catching social media templates, engaging digital ads, and impactful printed materials. These efforts enhanced brand awareness on and off campus, empowering Real Talk to connect with its audience and amplify crucial conversations in the realm of social justice and higher education.